YOUNG ADULTS & TRAUMA
Figuring out your 20s while
carrying more than people see?
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 in their late teens, 20s, and 30s through the pressures of university and college deadlines, first jobs, moving out, shifting friendships, and the question of who you're becoming. He draws on CBT and DBT to give you practical tools for anxiety, low mood, and emotion regulation, and on trauma-informed CPT when older experiences are still shaping the present. 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 in their late teens, 20s, and 30s through the pressures of university and college deadlines, first jobs, moving out, shifting friendships, and the question of who you're becoming. He draws on CBT and DBT to give you practical tools for anxiety, low mood, and emotion regulation, and on trauma-informed CPT when older experiences are still shaping the present. Confidential, non-judgemental, and paced entirely to you.
You're Not Alone in This
Whether you're in your 20s trying to figure out what's next, or working through something that happened years ago, 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, DBT, CPT, ACT, solution-focused and narrative therapy, matched to what you need rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol.
For trauma, that often means Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): a structured, evidence-based approach for working through trauma and PTSD. For anxiety, depression, and life transitions, CBT and DBT skills help you understand what's happening and build practical tools you can use right away.
The work is collaborative and trauma-informed: you stay in control of what you revisit and when.
What that looks like:
- CBT & DBT: understanding thoughts and emotions, building real-world coping skills
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): structured, evidence-based trauma therapy
- Trauma-informed care: work that moves at your pace, always consent-based
- Collaborative and non-judgemental: meeting you where you are, at your pace
SCHOOL & UNIVERSITY STRESS
Therapy for School Stress and University Students in Ottawa
School stress rarely looks like one big thing. It's the deadline pile-up and the all-nighters, exam and test anxiety that hits harder than the material itself, grades that start to feel like a measure of who you are, and the procrastination–panic cycle that eats a semester one avoided assignment at a time. For some it's the first-year transition — new city, new pace, no one checking in. For others it's co-op placements and job-search pressure, or the particular weight of grad school: a thesis that won't move, a complicated supervisor relationship, and the quiet sense of being an imposter.
Phil works with students from uOttawa, Carleton, Algonquin, and Saint Paul, along with young adults studying remotely or out of province. Campus counselling services are a good first stop, but they're often stretched at exactly the moments students need them most — midterms, finals, and the start of term. At Bridge for Families there's no wait list, video sessions fit between classes, and Phil did his own undergrad at the University of Ottawa, so the pressures of student life aren't abstract to him. Students often bring:
- Exam and test anxiety, perfectionism, and the fear of falling behind
- The procrastination–panic cycle around assignments and deadlines
- First-year, transfer, and residence transitions — homesickness included
- Grad school pressure: thesis progress, supervisor relationships, and imposter feelings
- Co-op, placement, and job-search stress as school and career start to overlap
The work draws on CBT to catch the thought patterns that turn one bad grade into a verdict on your future, and DBT skills for the crunch weeks when everything lands at once — plus routines around sleep, study, and recovery that hold up under a real course load. Whether it's September, midterms, or finals season, you don't need to wait for a crisis to start. Most student insurance plans cover therapy with a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), and we provide receipts for reimbursement.
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:
- Trauma & PTSD (including CPT)
- Depression & anxiety (academic, social, health)
- Life transitions & identity
- Coping skills & emotion regulation
- Interpersonal & communication issues
- Adolescents & young adults
ALSO ON OUR YOUNG ADULTS TEAM
Katherine Parker, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Working alongside Phil on our young adults team, Katherine Parker supports people in their late teens, 20s, and 30s through anxiety, attachment, identity, and the stress of school, work, and early adulthood. She helps you make sense of what you're feeling and find steadier footing when life is in flux.
Katherine draws on emotion-focused, solution-focused, attachment-based, and somatic approaches, matching the work to where you are rather than a fixed protocol. A former teacher, she connects easily with younger clients and brings a thoughtful, compassionate read on what's underneath the surface.
Young adults choose Katherine when they want a warm, collaborative therapist who makes it easy to open up.
Katherine specializes in:
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the right place for me in my 20s or 30s?
Yes. Phil specializes in working with adolescents and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, academic and career stress, relationships, and identity. Your concerns don't have to be a crisis to be worth working on.
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 work on, nothing more than you're ready to share. Together you'll figure out a realistic pace and starting point. There's no script you need to follow.
How long does trauma therapy take?
It depends on the nature of the trauma and your goals. Some people do focused work over 12-20 sessions using approaches like CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy); others prefer longer-term support. Phil is trauma-informed. The work moves at your pace, and you stay in control of what you revisit and when.
What if I'm not sure it's trauma?
You don't need a diagnosis to start. Many people carry things that shape how they think, sleep, or relate to others without calling it trauma. Phil helps you make sense of what you're experiencing. Together you'll decide what's useful to work on, whatever label (if any) fits.
Is therapy 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.
What's the difference between CBT and DBT, and which one would Phil use with me?
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, helpful when anxiety, perfectionism, or low mood are driven by patterns of thinking. DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) adds concrete skills for managing intense emotions, distress, and relationships. Phil often blends both, leaning on CBT to reframe stuck thinking and DBT skills like grounding and emotion regulation for the moments that feel overwhelming. You don't choose in advance. He matches the approach to what's actually getting in your way.
I'm dealing with university or early-career stress, not a diagnosis. Is that worth booking for?
Absolutely. A lot of young adults Phil sees aren't in crisis. They're managing exam pressure, burnout, the jump from school into a first job, or the uncertainty of not having things figured out yet. These transitions are exactly the kind of thing therapy helps with, and addressing them early often prevents them from snowballing into something heavier. You don't need a label or a breaking point to start.
Do you work with uOttawa, Carleton, and Algonquin students?
Yes. Many of the young adults Phil sees are students at uOttawa, Carleton, Algonquin, and Saint Paul, working through exam anxiety, deadline stress, and everything else that comes with a semester. Sessions are available in person in Kanata or by secure video anywhere in Ontario, so you can meet from residence, home, or between classes. Student insurance plans often cover therapy with a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), and we provide receipts for reimbursement. Bridge for Families is an independent practice and is not affiliated with any university or college counselling service.
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, which many students and young professionals prefer for fitting therapy around class schedules, shift work, or a commute. You can switch between in-person and virtual session to session depending on what works for your week.
Anxiety & Depression Therapy
Phil's CBT, ACT, and DBT page for anxiety, low mood, stress, and burnout.
Grief & Loss Therapy
Phil also works with sudden, traumatic, and complicated loss using CPT and Narrative Therapy.
Somatic & Attachment Therapy
Katherine's emotion-focused, attachment-based, and body-aware approach to anxiety and stress.
Youth Therapy
Katherine and Melissa support teens and youth with anxiety, emotions, and family concerns.
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.