Get to know us
Geoffrey Bennett-Sicilia, M.Sc
Associate
he/him
Geoffrey Bennett-Sicilia is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), licensed with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Geoffrey provides therapy to adults under the supervision of Dr. Justin Dubé.
Training & Experience
Geoffrey earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at York University, and a Master of Science in Psychotherapy at McMaster University. Over the course of his training, he held positions at some of Ontario’s most reputable mental health facilities, including the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program (OSP) and the Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic (ATRC) at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton, where he worked alongside leading experts in the areas of obsessive-compulsive and anxiety disorders.
Geoffrey has advanced training in the application of empirically supported interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), for adults experiencing anxiety (panic, agoraphobia, social and generalized worry, phobias), mood concerns, and trauma symptoms. He is also trained in several subtypes of CBT, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Behavioural Activation and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), interventions that have been adapted for use with folks with obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression and trauma-related concerns, respectively.
Approach to Care
My clients describe me as patient, present and grounding. – Geoffrey
Geoffrey aims for a balanced approach to psychotherapy, adapting evidence-based methods, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to fit his clients’ needs and strengths. During initial sessions, Geoffrey works with his clients to understand what brought them to therapy and where they would like to go. This includes a collaborative assessment to identify their concerns, followed by the development of a treatment plan or approach. The latter is informed by research but catered to each individual. It aims to support clients in meeting their goals, while at once, honouring their interactional style, their comfort with change and their values.
For those seeking help with specific challenges, Geoffrey is likely to offer what research has demonstrated to be most effective. Clients experiencing anxiety, depression, or trauma, for example, often benefit from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy—a treatment that has been scientifically validated for addressing these concerns. Sessions, here, are often more structured and intentional (i.e., each session will have a certain plan and objective, working towards clearly defined treatment goals).
Client Goals & Concerns
Geoffrey works with a range of client goals and concerns, including:
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Anxiety (panic, phobias, agoraphobia, social anxiety, chronic worry)
- Trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Self-esteem and self-worth
- Perfectionism
- Communication and assertiveness
- Interpersonal effectiveness
- Self-exploration and understanding
- Grief and Loss
- Insomnia
Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
- Prolonged Exposure (PE)
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-centred therapy