About

Ivona Zager

IVONA ZAGER                                                         Serving clients in Ontario since 2004

Welcome!

I am a Psychotherapist regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, License No. 001695. I got my registration on the opening day of the CRPO in April 2015. Since then, I have been a licensed health professional in Ontario. The regulation of the psychotherapy profession in Ontario was very welcome as it put psychotherapists on providers' lists in many health insurance plans, so more people have been able to afford the essential service.

I graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology in 1986. I taught psychology at Wroclaw University in Poland for the first nine years of my career. I got to learn hundreds of theories on how the mind works, what causes psychological problems, and how different schools of psychotherapy approach solving them. But it wasn't until I encountered depression in my mid-thirties that I found my path. My healer guided me brilliantly, and the resulting stroke of insight made the depression go on the spot as if it were by a magic wand. I was astonished. The shift from the crushing and constricting feeling of depression to light and bright, free to live my life! I was on a mission. I wanted to help others the way I got my life back.

It was clear to me what happened and how the approach would work in many other cases. It was about engaging the whole mind, the cognitive and the subconscious. I was well-versed in cognitive therapies, but it became apparent that I needed to master hypnosis, too. So, I ventured on the quest.

I became the National Guild of Hypnotists Board-Certified Master Hypnotherapist and Instructor. In 2004, I established and ran the Counselling Hypnotherapy Centre Clinic and School for ten years and conducted thousands of hours of hypnotherapy. It was primarily Cognitive Behavioral Hypnotherapy or CBT– hypnosis and Ericksonian. Milton Erickson was skilled in localizing and removing mental triggers for physical and psychological symptoms. He was a genius in understanding the mind-body connection and restoring balance and health.

In 2015, I changed my company name to Inspiring Solutions Psychotherapy, bringing it all together to convey that my practice is about the whole mind. Below, you may find the methods of therapy I use for the cognitive and subconscious mind.

In August 2020, after 16 years of having my offices at 10 George Street North in Brampton, I moved my practice near Square One in Mississauga. It was because, during COVID times, I had to prioritize a more spacious place. Dear Bramptonians, I hope you're not offended. I am still here for you. It's just a few min away if you take Highway 410!

My Credentials: 

Registered Psychotherapist, College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario

Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology

My specialty is Cognitive Behavioral Hypnotherapy – CBT-Hypnosis

Master Board Certified Hypnotherapist and Instructor, NGH

EMDR Clinician (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

Member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals and a contributor to the OAMHP journal "Psychologica"

National Guild of Hypnotists Board Certified Hypnotherapist and Instructor

President of the National Guild of Hypnotists Western Ontario Chapter, 2007-2015

Founder and Clinical Director, Counselling Hypnotherapy Center Clinic and School, 2004-2015

Founder and Clinical Director, Inspiring Solutions Psychotherapy, 2015 to present 

Instructor, University of Wroclaw, Department of Psychology, 1986-1995 (my Alma Matter is one of the most reputable and oldest Universities in Europe)

 

The forms of therapy I use: 

Cognitive Behavioral Hypnotherapy, CBT-hypnosis

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, EMDR

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, CBT

Cognitive Processing Therapy, CPT

Psychodynamic, Subconscious Metaphors and Symbols, Ericksonian Hypnotherapy

Gestalt Therapy

Strength-Based Therapy

Life Coaching

Humanistic Approach

Imago Therapy

Mindfulness-Based

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

Solution Focused Brief Therapy

Culturally Sensitive

Positive Psychology

 

Privately, I have a great and humble appreciation for all life on this Planet and enjoy living in harmony. I am an avid gardener and urban farmer. I raise awareness of animal rights at every opportunity. I am a fitness enthusiast; I love open waters and long-distance swimming, diving and sailing; I enjoy art and creative expressions, holistic and wellness communities, and charitable engagements. 

Iwona Zager/ Ivona Zager: About my name: its original Polish spelling is Iwona because in Polish, 'w' is pronounced 'v'; so usually, in the English-speaking zone, I spell my name Ivona. It is in the records of the CRPO in the Public Registry of Members.




The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind. ~Kahlil Gibran


Please feel free to contact me!

If you don’t hear back within two business days, check your spam folder – I always reply!

Location

In person and online

Availability

Monday:

9:00 am-8:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-8:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-8:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-8:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-8:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-3:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed