Mike Harloff, MDiv, RP

If you feel invisible in your relationships, out of touch with your own needs & feelings, or are feeling like anxiety is eclipsing your life, you’ve come to the right place. Or perhaps you have a child that is struggling with life and is often misunderstood by others and the school system. I’ve got you.

If you’ve tried therapy in the past and it didn’t work, if you felt like you weren’t getting anywhere, don’t give up. Or perhaps the idea of starting therapy for the first time is daunting, having thoughts like “what if I’m made to feel broken or judged for how things are going?” Regardless of the struggles you face and the goals we work toward, my hope is to help you feel your inherent worth, dignity, and to appreciate the wisdom that’s within you.

We will lean in together and sort out your own thoughts and feelings on the struggles you’re facing, whether that be in relationships, work, or life in general. We will work at identifying your emotions, what your needs are, and identify what barriers keep you from feeling like yourself.

People pleasing tends to create feelings of excessive guilt, obligation, and fear. I will give you plenty of space to re-evaluate why you make the choices you do and to set in place boundaries and new ways of communicating so that you feel more at home in your own skin and invite others to treat you with more respect.

As for anxiety and panic, we will identify the triggers and what things make it worse. Then we will work through strategies and plans to help you confront your stressors in a gentle manner, while applying relaxation and grounding techniques, so that in time what was once dreadful is now just a nuisance that doesn’t keep you from living the life you want.

If you are a parent seeking help for your overwhelmed child and are feeling like you’re at your wits end – know this, you are not alone. Parenting is the toughest job in the world and it can feel discouraging when you’ve tried so many options, from doctor’s appointments, medications, to school meetings. As a soccer coach, parent of 3, and past teacher I know the journey and the ups and downs well. We will work together as a team, where I offer solidarity to you as the parent and glean your insights as to what has worked and what hasn’t. I will engage your child with playful interactions typically through nature-based therapy at the local conservation area where we explore the features of the woods, river, and wildlife. Through games, the development of strategies and plans to enact between sessions, and if requested, through consultation with your child’s school, I will work to help your child feel more at ease, confident, and respected in their day to day life again.

While I’ve been practicing therapy for just under 10 years, I started my own practice in 2021 so that I could specialize in helping people with struggles that I resonate with most: people pleasing, anxiety & panic, and overwhelmed children. I’ve been in many contexts where I’ve felt that need to be all things to all people. The guilt, obligation, and worry that accompany times when you think you’ve missed the mark or have under-performed on something. The dread and worry that can come when life becomes too much, or you feel invisible in your relationship. Whether you need the comfort of having a confidant, advocate, and guide from your own home over a virtual or phone session, or if you or your child feel more at home in nature it’s my pleasure to team up with you to reclaim your life again.

Many of my clients comment on how our sessions have a conversational feel but are purposeful in helping them reach their goals. My allegiance isn’t to any one method of therapy, but rather to you as a unique individual and what helps you to come alive and feel engaged in sessions. I don’t specialize in techniques, I specialize in people, and I can’t wait to meet you!

Outside of therapy, I’m often biking, hiking, swimming, skiing, or playing soccer with my kids! It’s a busy yet incredibly rewarding time in our life. Every now and then my loving wife and I get to have conversations that include complete sentences and fully formed thoughts (as per young family life!). I’m a long suffering Leafs fan, an avid music creator & lover (if you need to feel something listen to The National), and have an endless curiosity in people, spirituality, philosophy, and life in general.

But enough about me, let’s talk about you!