ANXIETY & DEPRESSION THERAPY
Anxious, low, or burnt out
and ready for it to change?
Reaching out for support is a real step forward.
Thank you!
We'll be in touch soon.
At Bridge for Families in Kanata, Phil Trepiak works with people facing anxiety, depression, OCD and intrusive thoughts, stress, and burnout. He draws on CBT, ACT, and DBT to help you understand what's keeping the worry or low mood in place and to build practical tools you can use right away. Confidential, non-judgemental, and paced entirely to you.
Thank you!
We'll be in touch soon.
At Bridge for Families in Kanata, Phil Trepiak works with people facing anxiety, depression, OCD and intrusive thoughts, stress, and burnout. He draws on CBT, ACT, and DBT to help you understand what's keeping the worry or low mood in place and to build practical tools you can use right away. Confidential, non-judgemental, and paced entirely to you.
You're Not Alone in This
Anxiety and depression are two of the most common reasons people reach out for therapy. These are some of the things people bring to Phil:
OUR APPROACH
Evidence-Based, Paced to You
Phil uses an integrative approach that draws from CBT, ACT, DBT, solution-focused and narrative therapy, matched to what you need rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol.
For anxiety, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps you catch the thought patterns that fuel worry, while DBT skills like grounding and emotion regulation give you something concrete for the moments that feel overwhelming.
For depression, the work often blends CBT with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to rebuild motivation, reconnect with what matters to you, and take small steps that add up.
For OCD and intrusive thoughts, CBT-based work starts by mapping the loop that keeps things going — an obsessive thought triggers distress, and the checking, avoidance, or reassurance that follows brings relief just long enough to reinforce it. From there, you practise different ways of responding, so the thoughts gradually loosen their grip on your time and attention.
What that looks like:
- CBT for anxiety: recognizing and reframing the thoughts that keep worry running
- ACT for depression: rebuilding motivation and reconnecting with what matters
- DBT skills: grounding and emotion regulation for the overwhelming moments
- CBT for obsessive thinking: working with intrusive thoughts and compulsive patterns instead of fighting them
- Collaborative and non-judgemental: meeting you where you are, at your pace
MEET YOUR THERAPIST
Phil Trepiak, RP (Qualifying)
Phil is a compassionate, non-judgemental, and open-minded therapist who uses evidence-based approaches in a creative and personalized way to meet your unique needs. He emphasizes working collaboratively and matches the level clients are at in their therapy journey.
Phil has experience supporting adolescents and adults of all ages and identities who struggle with depression, anxiety and stress (including academic, social and health anxiety), interpersonal concerns, life transitions, communication issues, and the diverse ways trauma can affect one's life.
He holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Ottawa and a Master of Science in Psychotherapy from McMaster University.
Phil specializes in:
- Anxiety (generalized, social, health, panic)
- OCD, obsessive thinking & intrusive thoughts (CBT-based)
- Depression & low mood
- Stress & burnout
- Coping skills & emotion regulation
- Life transitions & identity
- Adolescents & young adults
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between anxiety and depression, and can therapy help both?
Anxiety usually shows up as worry, racing thoughts, restlessness, and a body that stays on high alert. Depression tends to look like low mood, loss of motivation, fatigue, and a flat or empty feeling. They often travel together, and many people Phil sees are dealing with both at once. Therapy helps with each by giving you a clearer understanding of what's happening and practical tools to interrupt the patterns that keep it going.
Can therapy help with OCD and intrusive thoughts?
Yes. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the recommended treatments for obsessive-compulsive concerns. The work involves understanding the cycle that keeps OCD going — an intrusive thought creates distress, and checking, avoiding, or seeking reassurance relieves it just long enough to reinforce the loop — and then practising a different way of responding: treating intrusive thoughts as thoughts rather than facts or threats, and building your tolerance for uncertainty. Intrusive thoughts themselves are far more common than most people realize; therapy is for when responding to them has started eating up your time and energy.
What if my OCD needs more specialized or intensive treatment?
Phil offers CBT-based support for OCD and obsessive thinking, and for many people that's a solid place to start. Some situations — severe or long-standing OCD, or symptoms that haven't shifted with talk therapy — can benefit from intensive programs like exposure and response prevention (ERP) with clinicians who focus exclusively on OCD. If Phil thinks that would serve you better, he'll say so directly and help you find the right referral. Being honest about fit is part of the job.
Do I need medication to get better?
No. Therapy is an effective, evidence-based treatment for anxiety and depression on its own, and many people improve without ever taking medication. For some, medication prescribed by a doctor can be a helpful addition, especially when symptoms are severe. Phil is not a physician and does not prescribe, but he can work alongside your doctor if medication is part of your plan. The choice is always yours.
How long does therapy for anxiety or depression take?
It depends on what you're working through and your goals. Many people doing focused work with approaches like CBT notice meaningful change within 8 to 20 sessions, while others prefer longer-term support. Phil works at a realistic pace and checks in with you regularly so you can see what's shifting and decide what comes next.
I've never done therapy before. What happens in the first session?
The first session is about getting to know each other. Phil will ask about what brought you in and what you're hoping to change, nothing more than you're ready to share. Together you'll figure out a starting point and a realistic pace. There's no script you need to follow and no right way to do it.
Is therapy for anxiety and depression covered by insurance?
Most extended healthcare plans cover therapy with a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), including Blue Cross, Canada Life, Manulife, Sun Life, and Veterans Affairs (VAC). Check your plan for “Registered Psychotherapist” coverage. We provide receipts for reimbursement.
Does Phil see clients online or only in person in Kanata?
Both. Phil offers in-person sessions at the Bridge for Families office in Kanata and secure video sessions across Ontario. Many people managing anxiety or low mood find virtual sessions easier to keep, since there's no commute and you can meet from a space where you already feel comfortable. You can switch between in-person and virtual session to session depending on what works for your week.
Young Adults & Trauma
Phil also works with late teens, 20s, and 30s on academic and early-career stress, identity, and trauma.
Grief & Loss Therapy
When low mood is tied to a loss, Phil supports sudden, traumatic, and complicated grief.
Men's Therapy
A straightforward space for men to work through stress, anxiety, anger, and burnout.
All Services
Explore the full range of therapy and counselling services at Bridge for Families.
Take the First Step
Booking a session is often the hardest part. We'll take it from there.
Thank you!
We'll be in touch soon.