Hi there, I’m Lesley Dishke!

Registered Psychotherapist and Nutritionist with a passion for helping people just like you.

It’s so nice to meet you!

My goal is to support and guide you towards greater self awareness, challenge unhealthy patterns and behaviours, develop new and effective coping skills and evolve yourself and your life through deep and lasting change.

My Story 

Growing up, I wanted to be a teacher. I had struggled academically (especially with math!), and felt so much gratitude and appreciation for the teachers who took the time to understand my struggles and help me find ways to learn.

In my first year of teaching studies, I took a course in psychology and a course in counselling skills. I knew right away this was how I wanted to teach. I switched my major to psychology and it became my absolute passion and fascination to connect with my clients, understand their unique struggles and barriers, and help them to find the approach, strategies and skills to move forward. I believe in the power of awareness and insight, building compassion and understanding, and that reaching your goals often involves learning specific skills to address obstacles, cope in more adaptive ways, and tolerate the discomfort and uncertainty that life can throw at us.

I love nothing more than to cook, try new recipes, get outdoors and watch movies. I’m a personal growth junkie and love to learn. I’m artistic, love to take pictures and never pass up an opportunity to colour or craft with my two boys.

“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”

Approach

No two people are the same, therefore no two treatments should be the same!

I use an integrative therapy approach, drawing from the most effective and science-backed therapeutic modalities to help you reach your goals.

Education & Credentials

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with honours from Brock University

  • Master's of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto

  • Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario

  • Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association

  • [Currently Completing] NASM Certified Nutrition Coach Certification

What the clients are saying

Happy Coaching Client

Testimonials

“Lesley has helped me value and prioritize my health above all.”

“Lesley Dishke is wonderful. She really makes you feel like you matter.”

“I have never felt so confident that I will reach my goals. I am constantly learning what helps and unlearning what doesn't.”

“Lesley and I clicked right away. I knew she was the counsellor for me. I am so grateful for that.”

“Having Lesley has been life changing for me. I have so much appreciation for everything she has taught me.”

“I could not ask for a better experience in terms of dealing with my mental health issues. I am getting exactly what I need.”

“You have such an amazing way of making things that feel so complicated, feel simple and doable.”

“I never thought I would reach a point in my life where I no longer judged or blamed myself. Lesley has helped me understand my actions always served some purpose, and gave me the tools to give up things that no longer serve me.”

“I can’t say this enough. I’m so incredibly happy with your support and help along this journey. I have never felt so supported before.”

“Lesley gives me hope in a time in my life when I thought there was none. Even on days when my inner critic comes through again, I hear Lesley's voice and it immediately gives me comfort.”

Therapeutic Approaches

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) - Centres on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking patterns, emotional responses and the associated behaviours.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - Helps clients learn to stop avoiding, denying, and struggling with their inner emotions and instead, learn to accept these deeper feelings as appropriate responses to either past or present situations, and commit to making the necessary changes in their behaviour, thinking and coping skills. 

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) - Teaches people how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships with others.

Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) - Uses methods designed to help people accept, express, regulate, make sense of, and transform emotion. 

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) - Supports clients to move away from past- or future-focused thinking, and increase present-focused awareness of the thoughts, feelings, and actions that hinder progress. 

Motivational Interviewing - Uses a counselling method that helps people resolve ambivalent feelings and insecurities to find the internal motivation they need to change their behaviour.