Therapy for grief, divorce, parenting and relationships in Ottawa

For Professionals

Referring to Claire

Supporting Children, Teens, Adults, Couples, and Families Through Complex Relationships and Life Transitions

I provide therapy in person in Centretown, Ottawa, and virtually across Ontario and Quebec.

Whether clients are navigating relationship difficulties, parenting concerns, separation and divorce, grief and loss, caregiving, or long-standing interpersonal patterns, my work focuses on helping them better understand themselves, their relationships, and the experiences shaping their lives.

Through greater understanding, clients are often able to strengthen relationships, respond differently to challenges, and move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and connection.

My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in the belief that meaningful change begins with understanding ourselves, our relationships, and the patterns that shape our lives.

Accepting new referrals. Questions about a referral? I'd be happy to connect.

Contact Claire

Claire Robyn Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist in Ottawa Ontario

Helping Clients Understand What Lies Beneath the Surface

Clients Who May Benefit From My Approach

Many of the challenges clients bring to therapy begin to make more sense when viewed through a relational lens. The ways we think, feel, communicate, and respond to life's challenges are often influenced by relationships, experiences, and environments that shaped us long before we became aware of them. While symptoms and presenting concerns are important, my work often focuses on helping clients understand the patterns, beliefs, coping strategies, and relationship dynamics that may be influencing their experiences today. This approach can be particularly helpful when clients find themselves: - Repeating unhealthy relationship patterns - Feeling stuck in recurring conflicts - Struggling with boundaries - Navigating complex family dynamics - Experiencing significant life transitions - Managing the emotional impact of separation, loss, caregiving, or grief My work is collaborative, relational, trauma-informed, and grounded in curiosity rather than judgment. I aim to balance meaningful insight with practical strategies that support clients in creating lasting change.

Clients who tend to benefit most from my approach are often looking for more than symptom reduction alone. They are seeking to better understand themselves, their relationships, and the recurring patterns influencing their lives. Many are navigating multiple intersecting concerns and are looking for a space where complexity can be explored with curiosity, compassion, and practical support. They may be looking to: - Better understand themselves and their relationships - Identify recurring patterns in their lives - Strengthen communication and boundaries - Navigate family conflict and transitions - Process grief and loss - Develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others I particularly enjoy working with clients whose concerns involve multiple intersecting challenges, such as: - High-conflict divorce and parenting concerns Codependency and relationship difficulties - Family estrangement and grief - Caregiving and anticipatory loss - Parenting stress alongside personal relationship challenges

Clients I Frequently Support

While I work with a wide range of presenting concerns, referrals most commonly involve complex relational dynamics, family transitions, grief, caregiving, and situations where multiple challenges overlap.

Common referral areas include:

Separation, Divorce & Co-Parenting

High-conflict divorce
Separation adjustment
Co-parenting challenges
Parenting plan transitions
Emotional support throughout family court processes
Rebuilding identity and relationships after separation

Codependency, People-Pleasing & Boundaries

Difficulty setting boundaries
Over-responsibility for others
Caretaking and rescuing patterns
Relationship enmeshment
Self-worth tied to helping others

Adult Children of Difficult or Emotionally Immature Parents

Family-of-origin concerns
Childhood emotional neglect
Parent-child relationship difficulties
Intergenerational patterns
Identity and self-worth concerns

Family Estrangement

Parent-adult child estrangement
Sibling conflict
Decisions regarding contact or reconciliation
Processing grief, guilt, and loss related to family relationships

Parenting & Family Relationships

Parent-child conflict
Parenting stress and burnout
Emotional regulation challenges
Family communication difficulties
Family transitions and adjustment

Relationship Challenges & Couples Work

Communication difficulties
Repeated conflict cycles
Trust concerns
Attachment-related challenges
Relationship dissatisfaction
Addiction-related relational concerns

Grief, Bereavement & Caregiver Support

Bereavement following the death of a loved one
Anticipatory grief
Caregiver stress and burnout
Traumatic grief
Significant life losses and transitions

End-of-Life & MAiD Support

Terminal illness
Legacy planning
End-of-life planning and adjustment
Family support during serious illness
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)
Bereavement following MAiD

Why Professionals Refer

Professionals often refer clients to me when:

Relationship patterns appear to be contributing to presenting concerns
Family dynamics are central to the client's experience
Separation, divorce, or co-parenting challenges are creating ongoing distress
Clients are navigating high-conflict family situations
Grief, caregiving, or end-of-life concerns intersect with other mental health or relational challenges
Clients are seeking greater insight into recurring interpersonal difficulties
Multiple concerns overlap and require a relational, systems-informed approach

I am particularly comfortable working with complex situations where family relationships, life transitions, and emotional wellbeing intersect.

Scope of Practice

Therapy can provide valuable emotional and relational support during difficult circumstances, including separation, divorce, and family court proceedings.

However, I do not provide:

Parenting assessments
Custody evaluations
Access recommendations
Expert witness services
Legal advice
Section 30 assessments

My role is to support clients therapeutically while helping them navigate the emotional impact of these experiences.

Credentials & Training

Registered Social Worker (RSW)

Psychotherapist

Specialized Training

Certificate in Death, Dying and Bereavement
Wilfred Laurier University

This training supports my work with:

Grief and bereavement
Anticipatory grief
Caregiver support
End-of-life concerns
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)

Professional course on Family Estrangement

My clinical work is informed by ongoing professional development in areas including attachment, family systems, grief and bereavement, codependency, parenting, separation and divorce, family estrangement, and relational wellbeing.

I remain committed to evidence-informed, relationship-focused practice that helps clients better understand themselves, their relationships, and the challenges they are navigating.