Meet The Therapist

Alicia Tough, Registered Psychotherapist

Alicia Tough
Registered Psychotherapist, M.Sc.OT, OT.Reg.(Ont.)

My Therapeutic Approach —

If a challenge feels too big to overcome, it usually means the right support hasn’t been found yet. True change begins by fully accepting all parts of the situation, so we can understand what support has been lacking, and is needed, to take meaningful action.

Since we need to understand all parts of a situation to find the right support, I provide more than “talk” therapy. Talking helps, and we start there. Gestalt relational psychotherapy forms the foundation for the other modalities I integrate, including cognitive-behavioural, emotion-focused, trauma-informed, and somatic approaches. Together, we explore the present moment—how you think, feel, and respond—to create new ways of relating to yourself and others within a larger situation.

We always consider that humans are wired for connection, yet early experiences of violation, lack of safety, shame or abandonment without sufficient resource activate and solidify the body’s survival responses well into adulthood. Over time, repeated stress without support can lead to pervasive numbing and disconnection.

The good news is that experiences of safety, security and belonging can provide new associations that add to our relational knowledge, balancing and regulating the survival response so we can come back to our bodies and senses. With practice, we can gain awareness of when we are in our survival response, and what to do to support ourselves to tolerate sensations as uncomfortable, but survivable, and bring us into a more regulated and flexible state of connection. Our whole selves, in our bodies, can remember that we belong to something older, wilder, more vast and wiser than a world of survival and manipulation. We are made of earth. We belong to the earth. The earth holds us all.

My Story —

My own path has taught me how much we all need support, and how painful it can be to feel alone in our struggles. Early on, I learned that while knowledge and tools are helpful resources, what truly makes a difference in being able to take support is being met with understanding, compassion, and respect by another human being.

My training in human behavioural biology, psychology, occupational therapy, and gestalt psychotherapy has given me a wide range of approaches, but the heart of my work is simple: healing happens in relationship. When we feel safe, seen, and accepted, we can begin to loosen old patterns, reconnect with our own wisdom, and create new possibilities.

In our work together, my focus is on helping you become more aware of your experience, more compassionate with yourself, and more free to make choices that feel aligned and meaningful. Therapy is not about “fixing” who you are—it’s about supporting you to live with greater agency, connection, and vitality.

Qualifications and Credentials —

  • Gestalt for Professionals (2011), 5-Year Psychotherapist Training Program (2015), Working with Couples (2015), Process Group Facilitation (2017), The Supervisory Relationship (2018) from the Gestalt Institute of Toronto
    This training program is recognized by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and prepared me to perform the regulated act of psychotherapy, lead or facilitate a process group, perform psychotherapy with couples, and finally, provide psychotherapy supervision to other RPs.

  • Sessions Live 2019: In Search of Eros (2019)
    This workshop provided a toolkit focused on difficult issues that arise when dealing with eroticism and therapeutic choice points, taking on relational challenges around love and desire with curiosity, renewed energy and confidence.

  • Emotion Focused Therapy for Individuals, Levels I, II, III with Supervision (2014-2018), Dr. Leslie Greenberg
    EFT is an evidence-based, process-oriented, humanistic and experiential psychotherapy, focusing on how primary emotional responses can point us to our underlying needs. The therapist assists the client to understand their emotional processes, explore and express emotions to find core adaptive and maladaptive emotional patterns.

  • Structured Psychotherapy Supervision Training Course, OSOT, Dr. Michael Cord, (2016-2017)
    This was a trans-theoretical training course in providing supervision in psychotherapy to Occupational Therapists.

  • Motivational Interviewing, (2017), Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, Dr. Jennifer Irwin

  • Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples Institute, EFT-C, (2013), York University, Dr. Leslie Greenberg

  • Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Externship, (2014) Factor-Inwentash, Faculty of Social Work University of Toronto, Dr. Sue Johnson

  • Certificate in Advanced CBT Skills and Speciality Settings, (depression, anxiety, social phobia, trauma, OCD, psychosis, addictions, diverse population, and children), Adler Professional School of Psychology, (2013-2015)

  • Applied Mindfulness, Factor-Inwentash, Faculty of Social Work, U of T, (2012)

  • Dissolving Resistance and Creating Therapeutic Change, Bill O’Hanlon, Leading Edge, (2011)

  • Child-Parent Somatic Psychotherapy, (2019-2020), Center for Somatic Studies/Gestalt Institute of Toronto, Dr. Ruella Frank
    Human qualities of respect, empathy and commitment to another are forged during childhood, and “mis-attunements” between child and primary caregiver can lead to interruptions in movement patterns and dissatisfaction in relating to others. Nonverbal patterns of human movement, developed in the relationship with significant others, become the implicit core of adult functioning. This course taught me how to attend to my client’s movements to work at a primary and fundamental level that precedes and underlies later developing language and sophisticated cognitive capacities.

  • Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy, (2017-2019), Center for Somatic Studies, New York City, Dr. Ruella Frank.
    This was a four week training course completed in four modules. Inspired by the work of developmental psychologists, motor theorists, and somatic educators, Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy is a template for understanding and working with early psycho-physical blocks as they emerge in present moments of the adult therapy session.

  • Somatic Experiencing, (Beginner III, 2018), Linda Stelte, MEd, SEP.

  • Culture of Radical Engagement Train the Trainer, Mark Fairfield, Gestalt Inst. Cleveland, (October 23-25, 2016)
    This 2-day training was based on an integration of social capital research, social neuroscience, phenomenology, relational theory, and community organizing. It focused on increasing the quality of bonding among people who are most likely to share values. Modules in this training included: Stories of Connection, Radical Inclusion, Conflict Resolution, and Addressing Trauma in Communities.

  • Brief and Narrative Therapy for Individuals, Couples and Families, (2014-2015), 1-Year Externship, Factor-Inwentash/Hincks-Dellcrest Centre

  • Applied Mindfulness Meditation, (2012), Factor-Inwentash's Faculty of Social Work

  • Progressive Goal Attainment Program, (2010), University Centre for Research in Pain and Disability, completed supervision with Tamra Ellis, OT Reg. (Ont.)

  • MicroPoint Stimulation (MPS) (2010) this is a physical therapy using direct current micro-stimulation of acupressure points, scar tissue, cranial sutures, paraspinal muscles and trigger points. Using the small pen-like device, we can stimulate the parasympathetic (rest and relax) system, release scar tissue, relax tight muscles, and retrain nerve sensation, to promote healing of trauma, pain management, and balance energy and emotions.

  • Master of Science - Occupational Therapy & Occupational Sciences – University of Toronto

  • 2006 Honours Bachelor of Science - Human Behavioural Biology & Psychology - University of Toronto

Professional Affiliations -

  • College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) (2009-ongoing)

  • College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) (2017-ongoing)

  • Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy (CAOT) (2009-ongoing)

  • Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists (OSOT) Psychotherapy Sub-Committee (2017-2018)

License and Province -

CRPO Registration Number: 006616 Ontario

COTO Registration Number G0907789

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Research -

Before becoming a therapist, I gained extensive research experience in psychology and mental health at institutions including Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, CAMH, and the University of Toronto. My work focused on attachment, cognition, and mental health in children, adults, and seniors. I also co-authored and presented research on brain health, social cognition, and therapeutic interventions.

These experiences deepened my understanding of how our brains, relationships, and environments shape us—and continue to inform my work as a psychotherapist today.

Baycrest Research Centre for Aging and the Brain – Research Assistant & Graduate Student, Kunin-Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit (Oct. 2007–Sept. 2009)

  • Presented research on online therapy support for caregivers of brain injury survivors at the CAOT Conference (2010) and ABI Network Conference (2008).

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre – Research Coordinator, Geriatric Research Unit, Clinical and Integrative Biology (Nov. 2005–Oct. 2006)

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health – Student Research Assistant, Schizophrenia Research Program (Sept. 2004–May 2005)

Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, Gail Appel Institute – Student Research Assistant, Children from China Project (Oct. 2003–May 2004)

Creativity -

In addition to my psychotherapy credentials, I’ve taught drama at the Sudbury Theatre Centre, won a “runner up” award for writing a play about gambling addiction, played keys in a local Toronto band, and am a graduate of Improv for Actors from the Second City Toronto. I find humour to be a wonderful therapeutic tool, when appropriate.