LUIGI GARDE
Psychotherapy | Counselling | Coaching | Support
Transformational Arts College – Spiritual Psychotherapy Program (Masters-Level Training)
B.A (Hons) University Of Toronto Philosophy, English, Political Science
4th Dan JKA (Japan Karate Association)
Luigi Garde is a multi-disciplined professional Registered Psychotherapist, Karate Coach and Consultant.
Member of good standing, licensed by the College of Registered Psychotherapists in Ontario (CRPO)
Member of Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists (OSRP)
Hello, I am Luigi Garde, a Registered Psychotherapist specializing in psychodynamic therapy.
My approach is holistic and trauma-informed. I meet clients where they are at, and I hold space for the full weight of what they’re carrying, their emotions, their history, the patterns that repeat without permission.
There are seasons when life asks more of us than it usually does. Psychotherapy, in those seasons, becomes a place to think out loud, to trace a pattern back to its root, and to meet the parts of yourself that stay quiet everywhere else. I work with clients navigating anxiety, depression, self-worth, relationship difficulties, and life transitions, not by handing over answers, but by staying curious alongside you until the shape of the thing becomes clear.
For over 31 years I’ve trained in Karate. I hold a 4th dan black belt and compete under the Japan Karate Association at an international level, representing Team Canada in International Tournaments.
That world taught me what pressure does to a mind, and how a mind can be trained to meet it. I bring that understanding into mindset coaching and sports psychology work with athletes and performers, helping them build confidence, resilience, and focus for the moments when everything is on the line.
I work with people of all backgrounds and all ages, youth, teens, and adults, and I try to build a room where every person who enters it feels heard, taken seriously, and genuinely supported. If you’re looking for a space to process, heal, and grow, I’d invite you to book a free consultation, so we can find out if we’re the right fit for each other.
The Life Elevator
- Knowing what it’s like to hold yourself to high standards, sometimes to the point of feeling like it’s never enough. Whether in sports, work, or personal life, I understand the pressure to constantly perform, improve, and prove yourself. Together, we can explore where these expectations come from and work toward a healthier, more self-compassionate mindset.
- Family dynamics being messy, and setting boundaries that isn’t always easy. If you’ve ever felt unheard, criticized, or like you don’t quite fit in with your family, I get it. I help clients navigate complicated relationships while protecting their own peace.
- Trying to meet everyone’s expectations, but what about your own? Cultural and societal pressures can shape how we see ourselves, sometimes making us feel like we have to live up to a certain image. If you’re feeling caught between different worlds or struggling to own your identity, I offer a space to unpack that and figure out what truly feels right for you.
- Finding yourself stuck in your head, overthinking, analyzing, or questioning everything. It’s easy to get caught up in self-reflection without moving forward. I help clients bridge the gap between understanding and action so they can create real change in their lives.
- Burnout, stress, and feeling like work is taking over your life. Whether you’re in a high-pressure job, navigating a career transition, or just feeling drained, I help clients find balance, regain confidence, and reconnect with what truly matters to them.
- Processing the world differently. If you’ve ever felt like your brain works in a way that others don’t quite understand, whether it’s ADHD, deep self-reflection, or just feeling “different”, I provide a judgment free space to explore your experiences and find strategies that work for you.
- Facing high pressure moments alone. As a high performance Karate competitor, I know what it’s like to push through challenges, handle nerves, and find focus under pressure. I share tools to help clients navigate their own high stakes situations with more confidence and grace.
VISION AND PURPOSE
The Life Elevator’s commitment is to support people’s emotional and mental challenges from day to day life, and provide an objective perspective, strategies, and space to transform experiences.
Services
Psychotherapy
Coaching
Spiritual Advisor
Technological Ingenuity
Workshops
Rates
A Note on Therapy Rates at The Life Elevator Inc.
Effective September 20, 2026, my session rates are increasing.
This reflects the increasing costs of maintaining a Psychotherapy Practice grounded in genuine care, clinical time, supervision, training, and the infrastructure that allows me to show up for you fully.
New Rates ($CAD)
Individual Sessions
30 minutes: $90
60 minutes: $180
75 minutes: $225
90 minutes: $270
120 minutes: $360
Dyad, Couples & Family Sessions
60 minutes: $210
75 minutes: $263
90 minutes: $315
120 minutes: $420
Access Remains Non-Negotiable
Cost should never be the floor that keeps you from the help you need.
I continue to offer sliding scale rates for those navigating economic barriers to care.
This isn’t a courtesy I am offering, rather this is an active part of my practice.
If the new rates create genuine hardship, please bring this to our consultation or send me an email. And we can work it out together.
Thank you for your trust.
Booking
Contact Me Now
FAQs
- The term Psychotherapy is derived from Ancient Greek Psyche (ψυχή meaning “mind; breath; spirit; soul”) and Therapeia (θεραπεία “healing; medical treatment”).
- The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “The treatment of disorders of the mind or personality by psychological means…”
- Psychotherapy is primarily talk based therapy used to support the treatment of mental, emotional, and spiritual challenges. Psychotherapy occurs when the Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and client enter into a psychotherapeutic relationship where both work together to bring about positive change in the client’s thinking, feeling, behaviour and social functioning. Individuals usually seek psychotherapy when they have thoughts, feelings, moods and behaviours that are adversely affecting their day-to-day lives, relationships and the ability to enjoy life.
- Registered Psychotherapists work with individuals, couples and families in individual and group settings
- In the base level Psychotherapy is an act of talk therapy counselling focusing on the individual’s past to understand the behaviour in the present
- Coaching focuses on recognizing the present behaviour patterns to set them up for the future.
- This can be interchangeable, but the purpose of Therapy and counselling, may not necessarily be Goal oriented (though of course benchmarks and goals to achieve are significant indicators of progress) it is more focused on how the client shows up presently, to unpack past events that give meaning and understanding as to how the behaviour patterns being displayed were developed today.
- Therapy and counselling provide an opportunity to create a greater sense of awareness and safe space to learn about oneself, through empathetic and gentle techniques toward self-efficacy.
- Coaching is a form of support that can be more direct and empowering toward achieving specific goals.
- Coaching is recognizing where you are at currently and working to provide actionable guides and strategies for you to move toward the direction of where you want to be.
- The world of coaching is a new and unregulated system, it all depends on the competency of the coach based on their experiences.
- Psychotherapy and Counselling, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, has a regulatory Body CRPO (College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario) and CCPA (Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association) that have guidelines and list of competencies that all licensed and aspiring licensed Therapists and counsellors abide by.
- Psychotherapists assess and treat cognitive, emotional, or behavioural disturbances using various methods and techniques such as talk or experiential therapy. There are various modalities (tools) in psychotherapy. There is also a strong focus on the client-therapist relationship. As such, it’s a good idea to have an initial meeting with a psychotherapist to determine ‘fit’ and to ask them about their specific therapeutic approach. For more information about the regulation of Psychotherapy in Ontario, contact the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario CRPO Seeing a Psychotherapist is not covered by OHIP, but most insurance companies offer coverage (Please check with your insurance to confirm coverage)
- Psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat behavioural and mental conditions. These include psychosis, neurosis, and personality disorders. Psychologists hold PhD’s, which means they have satisfied accumulated years of study on the brain and aspects of psychology. Psychologists can also perform the act Psychotherapy with clients. Seeing a Psychologist is not covered by OHIP, but most insurance companies offer coverage (Please check with your insurance to confirm coverage)
- Psychiatrists are MD’s, medical doctors specifically trained in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with mental illness or disorders. As physicians, they diagnose and can prescribe medications as part of their treatment options. In Ontario this is the only clinician covered by OHIP.
- In the province of Ontario, Canada, my receipts are claimable through most insurance plans.
- Please confirm with your insurance benefits if Psychotherapy Services are a part of your coverage plan. If you are out of province or outside Canada, check with your insurance company what are the requirements for reimbursement.
- I can provide proof of license and registration documentation if required.
- There is no specific timeline for Psychotherapy. The length of treatment varies and depends on the individual clients needs, life situations, and circumstances
- My services are like a revolving door, meaning whenever you feel there are challenges and situations that you feel you are unable to manage on your own, The Life Elevator’s services are available to provide support, as needed.
- This is something we discuss in our consultation session to help understand your needs, and how I would be able to provide support, and see if we would be a right fit to establish a therapeutic-alliance
- There is Solutions Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) depending on the case, which can be resolved within 2-5 sessions
- As some cases require challenging old systems of beliefs, modifying behaviour patterns, this cannot be done instantly. Time to understand and integrate what is being shared during sessions is dependent on the active effort of the client to reflect and process what needs to be done
- The Life Elevator’s role is like a GPS, offering a map to understand where you are in your life, strategize a plan to navigate where you want to be, while reminding you that you are in the driver seat of your own life.
Workshops
Technological Ingenuity
Spiritual Advisor
Coaching
Psychotherapy