Finding your way back to a sense of balance, clarity, and inner steadiness is not always easy. Life can feel painful, confusing, or overwhelming at times, especially when you are carrying anxiety, trauma, emotional overwhelm, grief, identity questions, or major life transitions.
In therapy, I see our work as collaborative. You are the expert on your own life and story, while I bring clinical training, curiosity, and experience to help us better understand what you are facing. My approach is person-centred, trauma-informed, and grounded in mindfulness. I integrate approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, CBT, MBCT, EMDR, CBT-I, and the Unified Protocol when appropriate.
I do not see mental health as the absence of painful thoughts or emotions. Difficult experiences are part of being human. What often matters is how we relate to those experiences and whether we can still move toward a life that feels meaningful, connected, and aligned with our values.
My hope is to offer a grounded, nonjudgmental space where you can feel understood as a whole person, not simply a collection of symptoms or problems. Together, we can work toward greater self-understanding, emotional steadiness, and meaningful change.
Client Focus
Session Format: Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Senior, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: Asian, Black / African American, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Hispanic / Latino, Jewish, LDS/Mormon, LGBTQ+, Men, Middle Eastern, Military / Veterans, Muslim, Native American, Pacific Islander, Persons with Disabilities, Sikh, Women clients.
Languages: English, German
Treatment Approach
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, while committing to actions that reflect their values. It blends mindfulness with practical behavior strategies.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Eclectic Therapy Draws from different therapeutic methods based on what fits each client best. It is flexible and personalized rather than following one single model.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) A structured therapy that uses guided eye movements to help process traumatic memories. It is widely recognized for treating PTSD and trauma-related conditions.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Combines mindfulness practices with CBT to prevent depression relapse. It helps people notice thoughts without judgment and respond more calmly.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) A collaborative, client-centered approach that strengthens motivation for change. It is especially effective for addictions and health behaviors.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Somatic Therapy Helps clients notice how emotions are stored in the body. It uses breath, movement, and awareness for healing trauma and stress.
Approach Description: My approach to therapy is collaborative, person-centred, trauma-informed, and grounded in mindfulness. I believe you are the expert on your own life, while I bring clinical training, curiosity, and experience to help us make sense of what you are carrying.
Rather than focusing only on eliminating painful thoughts or emotions, I help clients build a different relationship with their inner experience. Together, we may explore patterns of anxiety, avoidance, emotional overwhelm, trauma responses, shame, identity, or disconnection, while also clarifying what matters most to you.
I integrate approaches such as ACT, CBT, MBCT, EMDR, CBT-I, the Unified Protocol, Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness-based work. When appropriate, EMDR may be used to support trauma processing. I also draw from more than 20 years of personal mindfulness practice and meditation teaching to help clients develop steadiness, awareness, and self-compassion.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Average Session Fee 200
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- Limited sliding scale or reduced-fee therapy options may be available depending on therapist availability, clinical fit, and financial need. If cost is a barrier, clients are encouraged to mention this during the consultation or intake process so we can explore available options or help connect them with a therapist or service that better fits their needs.
- Accepts Insurance
- Nearly all insurance policies cover psychotherapy from Social Workers & Psychotherapists! After each session, we will direct bill your insurance or you'll receive a receipt which you can use for submitting a claim.
Education & Credentials
Nathan Kretzschmar RP
- Male
- License # 13031
- Licensed in ON and QC
- Practicing Since 2013
Education: Nathan Kretzschmar holds a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Development from Radford University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Nathan Kretzschmar Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
Nathan Kretzschmar Practice Description
Durham Psychotherapy provides evidence-informed counselling and psychotherapy for adults, teens, couples, and families across Ontario. Our therapists support clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, relationship concerns, emotional regulation, grief, identity, stress, life transitions, and other mental health concerns.
Nathan Kretzschmar is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. His approach is warm, collaborative, trauma-informed, and grounded in mindfulness. He supports clients who feel overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected, anxious, or unsure of how to move forward in a way that feels more aligned with their values.
Nathan integrates approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, the Unified Protocol, EMDR, CBT-I, Motivational Interviewing, and person-centred therapy. His work is especially suited for clients who want to better understand their inner experience, relate differently to painful thoughts and emotions, and build a life that feels more meaningful, steady, and connected.
Therapy with Nathan is not about being judged, rushed, or reduced to symptoms. It is a space to slow down, understand what has shaped you, and develop practical ways of responding to life with greater clarity, self-compassion, and choice.