Your Path to Clarity, Confidence, and Emotional Well-Being
Our Mission
To provide accessible, effective Cognitive Behavioural Therapy that empowers individuals to understand their thoughts, strengthen their coping skills, and create meaningful change in their lives. We believe therapy should be grounded in science, delivered with heart, and tailored to each person’s unique story. Our goal is to help you build tools that last long after therapy ends.
“Healing is not becoming the best version of yourself; it’s letting the worst version be loved.” ~ Brianna Weist ~
Community and Connection
At Peace of Mind CBT, we believe healing happens through connection — not only in the therapy room, but within the communities we serve.
We are proud to be rooted in Burlington and Oakville, where we actively support individuals, families, and first responders through both in-person services and community-based initiatives.
At the same time, our work extends far beyond our local region. Through secure virtual care, we provide therapy and psychological support to individuals and organizations across Ontario, ensuring access to specialized, trauma-informed services regardless of location.
We are especially committed to supporting Northern communities, where access to mental health services can be limited. Our work has included collaboration with individuals and professionals in Temiskaming Shores, created through the amalgamation of New Liskeard and Haileybury, as well as in the surrounding areas of Northeastern Ontario.
Our community involvement includes:
Local wellness events and workshops in Burlington and Oakville
First responder support initiatives across multiple regions
Virtual therapy services available across Ontario
Outreach and collaboration with Northern and underserved communities
“Coffee with a Therapist” conversations to increase accessibility and reduce stigma
You may also meet River, our therapy dog, who plays a meaningful role in creating comfort, connection, and moments of calm within our practice and community events.
Our mission is to bridge the gap between urban and rural mental health care, creating spaces where people feel supported, understood, and connected — no matter where they are.
Who We Are
Alison Pereira, MA (Counselling, Psychology), RP
Founder, Peace of Mind CBT
Alison Pereira is the founder of Peace of Mind CBT and a Registered Psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience providing trauma-informed mental health care. Her work is grounded in evidence-based practice, deep compassion, and a strong understanding of the emotional and psychological toll carried by first responders and frontline professionals.
Clinical Experience & Background
Throughout her career, Alison has worked across a wide range of settings, including psychiatric hospitals, victim services programs, youth detention centres, sexual assault treatment programs, and women’s shelters. These early and sustained experiences shaped her understanding of how trauma affects individuals, families, and communities—particularly those repeatedly exposed to crisis, violence, and human suffering—and solidified her commitment to supporting people in high-demand helping roles.
Connection to the First Responder Community
Alison’s connection to the first responder community began early. In 1996, she participated in the Ontario Police College recruitment process with the intention of pursuing a career in policing. When government cutbacks during the “Rae Days” eliminated positions, her professional path shifted toward psychotherapy, a change that would ultimately become her calling.
Today, Alison considers it a privilege to support police officers, paramedics, firefighters, dispatchers, and other frontline professionals, helping them navigate the psychological demands of their work and build sustainable resilience throughout their careers.
Clinical Focus & Therapeutic Approach
Alison specializes in working with PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety disorders, depression, burnout, grief, and addiction, with a strong emphasis on trauma exposure related to first responder and frontline roles.
Her integrative approach combines Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) with trauma-focused and skills-based modalities, including Trauma-Focused CBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Reconsolidation Therapy™. She completed advanced training in reconsolidation therapy under Dr. Alain Brunet at McGill University, an evidence-based approach designed to transform traumatic memories and promote lasting healing.
Professional Collaboration & Systems Experience
Alison has worked closely with police services across Ontario, including Hamilton Police Service, Halton Regional Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, Peel Regional Police, and Toronto Police Service. Her work often emphasizes family-inclusive treatment to support recovery, communication, and long-term well-being.
She also supports workplace injury recovery and collaborates within WSIB and CMHP frameworks as part of multidisciplinary care teams.
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Therapeutic Philosophy
At the heart of Alison’s work is a simple but powerful belief:
Healing happens when people feel understood, respected, and supported at their own pace.Leadership, Teaching & Advocacy
In addition to her clinical work, Alison is deeply committed to education, leadership, and supervision. She holds extensive training in trauma-informed supervision and clinical leadership and regularly supports developing clinicians in building ethical, competent, and compassionate practices.
In June 2025, Alison presented at the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) Annual Conference, delivering a session on Building Self-Efficacy in Women in Policing Administration. Her presentation addressed the often-overlooked emotional toll experienced by administrative and civilian staff in high-stress policing environments, with a focus on secondary trauma, burnout, emotional boundaries, and resilience.
Education & Ongoing Professional Development
Alison holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Behavioural Sciences from McMaster University, and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Western University.
She continues to pursue advanced professional development in trauma counselling for frontline workers, grief-informed care, suicide and self-harm intervention, couples therapy, substance use treatment, and LGBTQ+-affirming care.
Chantal Cote, B.Kin, RP (Qualifying)
Psychotherapist, Peace of Mind CBT
Chantal holds an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology from Wilfrid Laurier University, with a minor in Psychology and specialization in athletic injury and management, and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) at Yorkville University. Her background in rehabilitation and human movement provides a strong foundation for understanding how trauma is stored in the body and how nervous system dysregulation affects recovery.
She is certified in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and is a Certified Grief Educator. Her work is grounded in evidence-based trauma modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and structured trauma processing approaches. She is currently completing training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), with certification anticipated in May 2026.
Chantal has completed police ride-alongs and continues to pursue them to better understand first responder culture, operational stress injuries, and cumulative trauma exposure. Her therapeutic style is shaped by her experience in high-performance sport, injury rehabilitation, coaching, and frontline environments—spaces where resilience, discipline, trust, and psychological safety are essential. These experiences inform her structured yet compassionate approach to trauma treatment.
She integrates nervous system regulation strategies, mindfulness, and stress resiliency training to help clients move from survival-based patterns toward stability, empowerment, and restored self-trust.
Chantal’s areas of focus include PTSD, complex trauma, medical trauma, physical injury trauma, anxiety (including performance-based anxiety), depression, grief, pain management, and self-esteem. She is committed to providing a safe, collaborative space where clients can process trauma, rebuild confidence, and move forward with clarity and strength.
Lauryn Bruzzese, BA (Hons.), MACP, RP
Psychotherapist, Peace of Mind CBT
Lauryn Bruzzese is a Registered Psychotherapist at Peace of Mind CBT, known for her warm, compassionate, and collaborative approach to care. She is dedicated to supporting individuals as they navigate life’s challenges, helping them build insight, emotional regulation skills, and resilience in a safe and supportive therapeutic environment.
Lauryn holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from McMaster University and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. Her academic background, combined with her clinical training, informs a thoughtful and client-centred approach that considers the broader social, emotional, and psychological contexts of each person’s experience.
With a background as a high-level athlete, Lauryn brings a deep appreciation for resilience, mindset, and the mind-body connection. She understands the role discipline, self-compassion, and adaptability play in navigating stress, recovery, and personal growth. This perspective naturally shapes her therapeutic work, particularly with clients seeking to strengthen coping skills, confidence, and emotional balance.
Lauryn’s clinical approach is strengths-based and solution-focused, drawing from evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). She works collaboratively with clients to identify unhelpful patterns, develop practical coping strategies, and build greater awareness of thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
In addition to her psychotherapy training, Lauryn is certified in yoga therapy for depression and anxiety. When appropriate, she integrates elements of breathwork, movement, and mindfulness into therapy to support nervous system regulation and present-moment awareness. This holistic approach can be particularly helpful for clients experiencing trauma, anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm, offering tools that support balance and self-compassion both inside and outside of sessions.
Lauryn’s areas of focus include trauma and PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, emotional regulation, resiliency and mindset strengthening, self-esteem, and life transitions. She is committed to meeting clients where they are, moving at a pace that feels comfortable, and fostering a therapeutic relationship grounded in trust, collaboration, and respect.
At Peace of Mind CBT, Lauryn strives to create a space where clients feel supported, empowered, and equipped with skills that promote lasting well-being and personal growth.
Our Approach
Grounded in Trust & Personalized Care
We meet you exactly where you are. Sessions unfold at your pace, focusing on trust, safety, and collaboration.
You’ll learn skills you can use every day, from reframing negative thoughts to managing intense emotions, improving communication, and building resilience.
Practical Tools for Real Life
Evidence Based Approach
CBT is one of the most researched and proven therapies for anxiety, depression, stress, and emotional regulation. Every treatment plan is structured, goal-oriented, and backed by science.
Inclusive & Non-Judgmental
Everyone deserves a space to feel heard, understood, and supported.
River is smart, steady, and compassionate. A therapy dog whose working-breed roots make her perfectly suited to walk alongside firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and other first responders in their journey of resilience and recovery.
Why River is Well-Suited for First Responders
Grounding Presence: River provides immediate comfort and regulation during high-stress debriefings, therapy sessions, or after traumatic calls.
Adaptability: Can remain calm in chaotic environments (e.g., fire halls, police stations, or during therapy with first responders).
Bonding Strength: River’s loyalty fosters deep trust, which is crucial for first responders who may struggle with vulnerability and openness.
Physical and Emotional Support: Large enough for physical grounding (e.g., leaning against or applying pressure during distress) while also intuitive to emotional states.
Learn How a Therapy Dog Can Help You
Let Us Support You
Peace of Mind CBT provides specialized psychotherapy for first responders and their families, including members of police services, fire departments, and paramedic services across Hamilton, Niagara, Halton, and the Greater Toronto Area.
Individuals
Build resilience and effective coping strategies for high-stress roles
Process trauma, critical incidents, and the emotional weight of service
Access stigma-free, confidential care designed with first responders in mind
Families
Address the ripple effects of stress, long hours, and emotional fatigue
Foster resilience and stability at home
Strengthen family connections through guided, supportive care
Couples
Navigate the impact of shift work, trauma, and operational stress together
Improve communication and rebuild trust
Strengthen connection and understanding in demanding circumstances
Peer-to-Peer
Safe, judgment-free space to share lived experiences
Build resilience through collaborative, trauma-informed conversations
Strengthen connection and mental wellness within the first responder community
Not a First Responder? We’re Here for You, Too.
We support individuals, children, youth, young adults, couples, families, and LGBTQ+ individuals from the broader community. Using compassionate, evidence-based CBT, we help clients navigate trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and life transitions in a respectful, supportive space focused on meaningful, lasting change.
FAQs
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The first session typically focuses on understanding your concerns, goals, and what brings you to therapy. It’s also a chance to ask questions and get a sense of whether the therapist and approach feel like a good fit.
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Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based therapy that helps you understand how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are connected. It focuses on building practical skills to manage challenges, shift unhelpful thinking patterns, and support lasting change.
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That’s completely normal. Many people are cautious about therapy. We encourage a low-pressure consultation so you can ask questions and see if the approach feels right for you.
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Many individuals’ extended health insurance plans cover psychotherapy services. Peace of Mind CBT offers direct billing through Telus Health, which is also available with some extended health insurance providers, such as Manulife, Greenshield, and CanadaLife. Please inquire before your therapy sessions.
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Yes. Virtual sessions provide flexibility for rotating shifts, overtime, and unpredictable schedules, making therapy more accessible for first responders.
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Yes. Therapy is confidential and protected by professional and legal standards. There are rare exceptions where disclosure is required by law, which your therapist will explain clearly.
WSIB Authorized Provider | In-Person & Virtual Appointments Available
Many individuals’ extended health insurance plans cover psychotherapy services. Peace of Mind CBT offers direct billing through Telus Health, which is also available with some extended health insurance providers, such as Manulife, Greenshield, and CanadaLife. Please inquire before your therapy sessions.
