Lydia has a private practice in Toronto’s east end where she sees clients wishing to explore issues of trauma, life transitions, grief/loss, stress, self-esteem, depression and anxiety. She also works with individuals wishing to work with dreams, the concept of legacy and a desire to be more creative. Informed by a foundation in visual arts, poetry and the study of dreams, Lydia brings a unique and sensitive approach to therapeutic sessions. With warmth, acceptance and non-judgement, she offers safety for clients to discover and reconnect with their inner resources through the combination of the arts and talk therapy. This approach to psychotherapy strives to integrate the client’s physical, emotional, cognitive and social functioning capacity, leading to an enhanced level of self-awareness and healing.

Experience:
Ontario Corrections – working with incarcerated individuals in preparation for integration back into society.
Hospice Toronto – co-facilitator of programmes for seniors with varying degrees of dementia and Alzheimer's and in-home visits with clients receiving palliative care.
Margaret’s – women with mental health issues.
Toronto General Hospital – Mental Health Psychiatric Unit.
Sick Kids Hospital (formerly Hincks-Dellcrest Centre Trauma Team) – assessments and treatment of youth under 18 yrs. of age and their families who have experienced trauma.
Art With A Heart – co-facilitating groups with seniors living in long term care and Autism Ontario.

Professional affiliations:
CRPO (Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario)
OEATA  (Ontario Expressive Arts Therapy Association)
OSRP (Ontario Society of Psychotherapists)
PAC (Psychedelic Association of Canada)
Greenspace Mental Health Ltd.
Link Mental Health
Psychology Today
Psychotherapy Matters
Therapists for Equality and Justice

Lydia is also an accomplished exhibiting artist who enjoys working in many media. Her background includes photography, sculpture, painting, printmaking to name a few. Please visit www.lydiacharak.com to see some of her work.