Empathy. Alignment. Support. Transformation.

Compassionate online therapy in Ontario for adults, youth, students, parents, and professionals. Specializing in anxiety, burnout, postpartum & perinatal mental health, trauma, perfectionism, identity, self-worth, and life transitions. Start your healing journey today.

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About Me

Hi, I'm Alison Lappan, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), and I'm so glad you're here.

I'm a Kingston-born-and-raised mom of three young kids, a wife, daughter, sister, and aunt. Life is beautifully chaotic in my world—between parenting, coaching competitive swimming for 9-12 year olds, working in mental health, and caring for our dog and backyard chickens, there's rarely a dull moment.

I thrive in the chaos, but I've also learned that I need quiet moments to recharge. You'll often find me going for walks, getting lost in a good book, or sharing a glass of wine with my close-knit family. When life gets overwhelming (which it does, I make mistakes, get frustrated, and definitely overcommit sometimes), my go-to coping strategies are talking it out with people I trust, reading, and moving my body.

I became a therapist because I genuinely love meeting new people and hearing their stories. There's something profound about sitting with someone through all their emotions (the messy, the hard, the hopeful), and I feel honoured every time a new client walks through my door.

If you're looking for a therapist who gets the real stuff of life (the juggling act, the imperfection, the beautiful mess), I'd love to work with you. I offer virtual therapy across Ontario, so wherever you are in the province, we can connect.

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Ontario therapist in calming office

Free Resource: Grounding Toolkit

When anxiety feels overwhelming, grounding practices can help you reconnect with your body and the present moment. I created this free toolkit with 5 gentle, evidence-based techniques (like box breathing and the 5-4-3-2-1 exercise) along with reflection prompts to support your nervous system.

Download the Toolkit

Contact

Ready to take the next step? Share a few details below, and I’ll be in touch soon. I look forward to connecting and exploring how therapy can support you.

Hours:

Monday-Friday: 9:15 am-3:30 pm

Evenings: Wednesday 8:15 pm-10:15 pm

Some Saturdays & Sundays offered

 Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy in Ontario

  • Yes, I do. This free 15-minute consultation is a chance for us to connect. I’ll share a bit about myself and how I work, and you’ll have the opportunity to talk about what’s bringing you to therapy and ask any questions you may have.

    If this feels like a good fit, I'd be happy to book your next session.

    If not, no worries at all. Finding the right therapist is important, and I wish you well in your search.

  • Your first session is about getting to know you. We'll review consent, confidentiality, and the basics of our work together. You'll share what brought you to therapy, how it's affecting your life, and what you're hoping for. We'll discuss your goals, what progress might look like, and create an initial plan for moving forward, including how often we'll meet and what approach feels right for you.

  • My fees for service are $120 for individual sessions and $150 for couple/family sessions.

    Many insurance plans and workplace benefits include coverage for therapy. Take a moment to check your plan to see what’s included in your coverage.

    While I don’t offer direct billing, I’ll provide you with a receipt after each session so you can easily submit your claim for reimbursement.

  • I completely understand that life can be unpredictable and things come up. If you need to cancel your appointment, that’s no problem. I just ask for at least 24 hours of notice, either through the Jane App or by reaching out to me via email or phone.

    Cancellations made within 24 hours of your session will be subject to a 50% fee, while appointments cancelled with more than 24 hours’ notice will not be charged.

  • No, therapy with East Psychotherapy is available by self-referral only. However, some insurance plans do require a doctor’s referral for coverage, so it’s a good idea to check your policy or contact your insurance provider to be sure.

  • You decide the commitment. There's no minimum number of sessions required. Many clients start with weekly or bi-weekly sessions and adjust as they progress. We'll regularly revisit your goals and what feels most supportive.

  • I specialize in supporting adults, young adults and new parents navigating anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, and life transitions. My practice focuses on:

    • Anxiety & Stress: Managing overwhelming thoughts, worry, and panic

    • Postpartum & Perinatal Mental Health: Therapy for new parents experiencing postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, identity changes, and relationship stress. I support you through the emotional shifts of parenthood and navigating your partner relationship

    • Burnout & Perfectionism: Breaking cycles of overachieving and self-criticism

    • Trauma & Nervous System Regulation: Healing from past experiences using trauma-informed approaches

    • Identity & Self-Worth: Reconnecting with yourself beyond your roles and achievements

    • Life Transitions: Navigating major changes with clarity and compassion

    I use an integrative, trauma-informed approach tailored to your unique needs, helping you understand your patterns, regulate your emotions, and build lasting change rooted in self-compassion.

  • Trauma-informed therapy is an approach that recognizes how past experiences, including trauma, stress, and difficult life events, impact your mind, body, and relationships. Rather than asking "What's wrong with you?", trauma-informed care asks "What happened to you?"

    In my practice, trauma-informed therapy means:

    • Creating safety: Building a therapeutic relationship where you feel respected, heard, and in control

    • Understanding your nervous system: Learning how your body responds to stress and how to regulate emotions

    • Honouring your story: Recognizing that your behaviours and patterns make sense given what you've experienced

    • Empowering your healing: Working at your pace without pressure or judgment

    • Integrating mind and body: Using evidence-based techniques that address both emotional and physical responses to trauma

    You don't need to have experienced "big T" trauma to benefit from trauma-informed therapy. This approach is helpful for anyone dealing with anxiety, burnout, relationship stress, postpartum challenges, or feeling disconnected from themselves.

    As a trauma-informed therapist in Ontario, I provide virtual therapy that supports healing through compassion, understanding, and proven therapeutic techniques.

  • Here are my hours. If these don't work for you or you have any questions, just let me know.
    Hours:

    Monday-Friday: 9:15 am-3:30 pm

    Evenings: Wednesday 8:15 pm-10:15 pm

    Some Saturdays & Sundays offered