In 2018, the UK government recognized the significant impact loneliness has on our mental health, and created the position of Minister of Loneliness. Loneliness has been shown to have a negative impact on sleep patterns, symptoms of depression, cognitive decline as we age, and overall well being. When you book an appointment with one of our therapists, you will have a concentrated period of time where you will be heard, cared for, and feel like you matter. Your therapist will also help you create a plan for self-care, and how to experience connection.

According to a 2023 report by Statistics Canada, nearly 28% of Canadians aged 15 and older reported feeling lonely at least sometimes. Many experts attribute this to the increase in remote work, online interactions, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have all contributed significantly to individuals feeling less connected to neighbours, colleagues, friends, and loved ones. Sometimes, feeling lonely is entirely normal. However, many people face persistent isolation and loneliness. Feelings of loneliness have been linked to mental and physical health problems, including anxiety, depression, heart disease, and even premature death. One must understand that loneliness is not the same as being alone. One can feel lonely in a crowd and happy to spend a quiet day alone at home. The root of loneliness is feeling a lack of connection to others. Therefore, the key to combating loneliness and feeling more connected is to think of the areas in our lives where we can make new connections or strengthen existing ones.

How can Therapy and Counselling help me with Loneliness?

Seeking psychotherapy for loneliness can be genuinely helpful—not because loneliness means something is “wrong” with you, but because it’s a deeply human signal that something important is missing or blocked. Therapy gives you a place to understand that signal and respond to it in healthier ways.

Here’s how psychotherapy can help an individual experiencing loneliness:

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1. It provides real, consistent human connection

Loneliness isn’t just about being alone; it’s about feeling unseen or emotionally disconnected.
Therapy offers:

• A reliable, nonjudgmental relationship
• Being listened to with care and attention
• An experience of being taken seriously

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2. It helps uncover why loneliness exists

Loneliness can come from many sources:

• Social anxiety or fear of rejection
• Past trauma, neglect, or abandonment
• Depression or low self-worth
• Life transitions (divorce, relocation, illness, aging)
• Feeling emotionally disconnected even while surrounded by people

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3. It challenges painful beliefs that keep loneliness in place

Many lonely individuals carry beliefs like:

• “I’m unlovable.”
• “People always leave.”
• “If I’m myself, I’ll be rejected.”
• “I’m a burden.”

Therapy helps you examine where these beliefs came from, test whether they’re actually true, and slowly replace them with more compassionate and realistic ones.

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4. It builds emotional skills that support connection

Psychotherapy often helps people develop:

• Emotional awareness (knowing what you feel and need)
• Comfort with vulnerability
• Assertive communication
• Boundary-setting
• Tolerance for intimacy and closeness

These skills make relationships feel safer and more sustainable.

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5. It reduces shame around loneliness

Loneliness often comes with shame (“Everyone else has it figured out”).
A therapist helps normalize loneliness as:

• Common
• Meaningful
• Not a personal defect

Reducing shame makes it easier to reach out to others and accept support.

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6. It creates a corrective emotional experience

If someone has learned—through earlier relationships—that closeness leads to pain, therapy can offer a different experience:

• Consistency instead of abandonment
• Respect instead of criticism
• Repair instead of rupture

Over time, this can change how someone expects relationships to feel.

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7. It helps translate insight into real-world connection

Therapy isn’t meant to replace relationships. It helps you:

• Practice social and emotional skills
• Understand patterns that sabotage closeness
• Take manageable risks toward connection
• Reflect on what happens and adjust without self-blame

Small, supported changes often lead to meaningful shifts outside therapy.

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8. It supports self-connection—not just social connection

Many people discover that part of loneliness is feeling disconnected from themselves.
Therapy can help you:

• Understand your inner world
• Develop self-compassion
• Feel more grounded and whole

Paradoxically, people often feel less lonely when they feel more at home within themselves.

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When and Why to Seek Treatment?

People often seek psychotherapy when life feels heavier than usual or when challenges begin to interfere with their well-being, relationships, or daily functioning. This can include feelings of anxiety, sadness, stress, or emotional numbness that don’t seem to improve on their own, as well as difficulties related to relationships, work, self-esteem, or major life changes. Therapy can also be helpful during times of loss, trauma, or uncertainty, or when someone notices repeating patterns that no longer serve them. Importantly, you don’t need to be in crisis to seek therapy—many people begin simply because they want support, clarity, or a safe place to talk.

How can therapy help me?

Psychotherapy offers a compassionate and confidential space to better understand yourself and your experiences. People seek therapy not because something is “wrong” with them, but because they want to feel more balanced, empowered, and connected to their lives. A therapist can help you develop coping skills, process emotions, and gain new perspectives, making it easier to navigate challenges and build resilience. Whether you’re struggling or simply seeking personal growth, therapy can be a meaningful step toward healing, self-discovery, and a more fulfilling life.

Want to Learn More?

How to feel less lonely

Session Structure: How to get started?

You can choose the convenience of in-person in our Mississauga office, or can enjoy the convenience of virtual sessions. Sessions are 50 minutes in length. You can expect to feel heard, valued, and that your concerns matter. We will help you identify the patterns that are keeping you stuck and implement strategies to break these unhelpful patterns permanently.

Our Location

We are located at 4291 Village Centre Court. We are located east of Hurontario, south of the 403. You will find our office community to be lovely and calming. Due to the nature of the architecture, our office is not wheelchair accessible.

Meet our Loneliness Therapists in Mississauga

Frequently Asked Questions

Is therapy confidential?

Absolutely. Psychotherapy is built on the foundation of confidentiality. As professionals, it is our responsibility to ensure that we do everything we can reasonably do to ensure your anonymity. If you choose virtual sessions, be assured that we only use the professional version of Zoom which has professional level security.

How long does therapy take?

In the same way that it has taken time to develop patterns that don’t work, it takes time to break these patterns and create new ones. But many clients start to feel better after the first session. Clients can expect to can new insights, identify their patterns and interrupt them after 4-6 sessions. We do not believe in quick fixes since quick fixes never last, in the same way a crash diet is only temporary. We believe that changing one’s patterns has the potential for creating generational change, so doing the hard emotional and behavioural work pays off over time.

Do you offer virtual sessions?

Yes. Every member of our team offers virtual sessions, so no matter which day of the week works for you, one of our team members will be available for you.