Courtney McDonald
she/her/hers

Get to Know Courtney

As humans, we are wired for connection. The meaningful relationships in our lives can bring us a deep sense of belonging and safety. When they don’t, they can become confusing, painful, or harmful, leaving us feeling unseen and affecting how we understand ourselves and what we believe to be true. I know how depleting it can feel to lose your sense of self at the expense of keeping the peace. Sometimes, we work to hold a relationship together and can slowly lose touch with ourselves, setting our own needs aside when expressing them leads to conflict, guilt, or exhaustion. 

You may notice yourself walking on eggshells, repeatedly apologizing, second-guessing, over-explaining, or feeling responsible for others’ reactions. Over time, feelings of anger, resentment, grief, or defeat can take hold within you. I believe that, while we can’t control how others behave, we can learn to stay connected to ourselves, our needs, and the kind of relationships we want to build. 

I work with individuals experiencing the lasting impact of difficult or emotionally complex relationships in their lives. Whether you're someone working through family conflict, a strained partnership, difficult workplace dynamics, parenting your children, or redefining yourself as an important relationship changes, we can explore the patterns that once helped you feel safe, connected, or in control, but may now leave you feeling disconnected, lost, and unsure of yourself. Even with awareness and a desire for change, a relationship cannot become healthier through your efforts alone. You can begin to make choices that honour your needs, values, and self-worth, while developing the boundaries that distinguish what matters most to you from what is not your responsibility to carry in the relationship.

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Opening up in therapy takes courage, especially if being acknowledged or understood has not always felt possible. You don't need to have it all figured out or know where to begin. I’ll walk alongside you with warmth, care, and curiosity, as we start with what's happening now, make sense of what you are carrying, and work toward building new ways of relating to yourself and others with greater peace and self-trust. I offer a free 15-minute virtual or phone consultation where you can ask me any questions and see if working together feels right. Whenever you’re ready, I’m here.