Hi, I'm Dr. Lance Hawley, C.Psych. - nice to meet you!

I'm a Clinical Psychologist, Research Scientist and Associate Professor who takes an integrated approach to mental health.

Although my main approach involves Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, I also like to take an integrative approach to mental health, drawing on other approaches including Mindfulness Based CBT, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

I offer virtual appointments for individuals experiencing difficulties involving depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

Feel free to explore my website - I have an overview of these treatment approaches and resources that you might find helpful.

I have a wide variety of clinical experiences that can help individuals experiencing mental health issues including
Depression     Social Anxiety     Panic Disorder     Generalized Anxiety
Specific Phobias Bipolar Disorder Hoarding Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours
Distress Tolerance Skills    Low Self-Esteem Insomnia Communication Difficulties
Difficulties with Stress Management     Anger Management

I take an integrated treatment approach, involving several empirically validated treatments

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

This therapy involves behavioural strategies and cognitive restructuring.

CBT

What is Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy?

This mindfulness therapy involves developing improved experiential awareness

MBCT

What is Dialectical Behavioural Therapy?

This mindfulness therapy involves strategies for emotional regulation.

DBT

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?

This acceptance based therapy involves values based behaviours and cognitive diffusion strategies.

ACT

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT is one of the most well established approaches for helping people to manage depression and anxiety symptoms. Treatment involves psychoeducation, self-monitoring, behavioural strategies, and cognitive restructuring skills.
CBT empowers people to "be their own therapist" by practicing skills to help them manage their mood, including:
Self-Monitoring: Individuals become aware of important patterns of how they think and feel as related to stressful events.
Behavioural Activation: This involves setting goals that help us to manage our mood.
Cognitive Restructuring: This involves re-examining thinking patterns that are associated with how we feel.
Relapse Prevention: This involves creating a longer term plan to maintain health and wellness.

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy

MBCT is an experiential approach, involving themes of acceptance and self-compassion in order to help people manage difficult thoughts, feelings and physical sensations.
MBCT helps people recognize and break free from unhelpful patterns involving aversion and attachment.
Engaging in mindfulness practices can help individuals to be more aware of their thoughts and feelings, and shift from judgmental thinking to a more accepting mindset
Self-compassion practices can help us to better manage our own "inner critic."

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps people manage their emotions and improve their relationships.
DBT is a skills based approach that helps people accept their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
DBT skills can help people manage their emotions, change unhelpful behaviors, and build healthy interpersonal relationships.
DBT also involves mindfulness practices that help promote experiential awareness, and allow us to cultivate the ability to remain centered during moments of difficulty.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness based approach that involves accepting and acknowledging your relationship with your thoughts and feelings, followed by committed values based action.
ACT is a an acceptance based approach, involving several important concepts including:
Acceptance of thoughts, emotions and physical sensations.
Cognitive defusion: Allowing yourself to "step back" and be curious about your thoughts rather than accept them as reality.
Being present: Engaging in practices that promote experiential awareness.
Self-as-context: You see yourself as a whole person - you aren’t solely defined by your experiences, thoughts or feelings.
Values: You can identify and embody your core strengths in order to move forward.
Committed action: You make changes that help you achieve goals that align with your values.

Dr. Lance L. Hawley, C. Psych. (Associate Professor), is the Clinical Lead (Outpatient Psychological Services) and Director of Training for the Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and associate graduate faculty at the University of Toronto, Scarborough.

I am an Associate Editor for the peer-reviewed journal Mindfulness (Springer Publications). I previously worked as the Staff Psychologist for the Mood and Anxiety Outpatient Service and the Psychological Trauma Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

My clinical and research focus involves providing effective individual and group psychotherapy treatment to adult outpatients experiencing mood and anxiety disorders.

I am a Certified Trainer for the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, and I have provided professional training workshops and I have provided clinical supervision to mental health professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Clinical Psychologist?

Answer. A clinical psychologist is a licensed mental health professional who evaluates and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral issues. We are able to provide a diagnosis based on a clinical assessment, and offer empirically supported treatment to help people improve their well being.

What is involved in treatment?

Answer. Treatment involves setting up a collaborative plan, tailored to your needs. Often this will involve six to eight sessions, but this depends on the individual.

Are Psychologists covered by OHIP?

Answer. Psychological services are not covered by OHIP, but you may have coverage through your health insurance plan. Please check your insurance provider to see what their coverage is for psychological services, and whether you will require a letter of referral from your physician. The fees charged follow the guidelines provided by the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA). Payment for services is due at the end of each session and a receipt will be given to you when payment is received.

How do I book an appointment?

Answer. Please feel free to connect with me by sending an email through the online portal on this page

Resources

Canadian Mental Health Association https://cmha.ca/

Anxiety Canada https://www.anxietycanada.com/

The International OCD Foundation: https://iocdf.org/

How can I help you?

Please take a few moments to let me know about yourself and your mental health goals before we start working together:

Dr. Lance Hawley, C.Psych.
Clinical Psychologist
drlancehawley@gmail.com

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

What is Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy?

What is Dialectical Behavioural Therapy?

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Media

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I help you?

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

What is Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy​?

What is ​Dialectical Behavioural Therapy?

What is ​Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Media

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I help you?

What is Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy?

What is Dialectical Behavioural Therapy?

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?