Decades of experience. Proven methods. Compassionate care
When life feels overwhelming, the right help can make all the difference. For more than 30 years, I’ve helped adults, couples and teens through their toughest challenges with skill, compassion and effective methods. Here, you’ll find a safe space to talk openly, work through what’s holding you back and take real steps toward lasting change.
You don’t have to face this alone. Book your complimentary consultation today.

Dr. Peter R. Giancola, Ph.D.
I’m a licensed clinical psychologist with over 30 years of experience and a former university professor of clinical psychology for 15 years. While my expertise comes from decades of clinical work and training, it’s also shaped by my own life challenges — giving me a deeper and more personal understanding of people’s pain and suffering as well as their resilience.
I’ll listen to you carefully — not just to your words, but to what lies beneath them — so you’ll feel truly heard and understood. My approach is compassionate and tailored to you: Sometimes gently healing old emotional wounds and other times using practical, solution-focused strategies to help you feel better now.
This is care that honors both your past and your present and helps you move forward with clarity, strength and hope.
Credentials
| Ph.D. | Clinical Psychology | 1996 | University of Georgia |
| Internship | Clinical Psychology | 1995 | University of Pittsburgh Medical Center |
| M.S. | Clinical Psychology | 1994 | University of Georgia |
| B.A. | Psychology | 1990 | McGill University |
| Licensure | Ordre des Psychologues du Québec, 13251-18 | ||
Specializations
What are your current struggles and what’s not working in your life right now? Are you anxious, depressed, struggling in a relationship, troubles at work, drinking too much? You can use this guide to help you identify what conditions may be affecting your well-being.
(Click to expand each condition)
Emotional & Mental Health
Trauma and PTSD
Trauma can happen suddenly through a catastrophic event or quietly over years of emotional neglect or criticism. Whether it’s a life-altering incident or the lingering weight of painful childhood experiences, the impact is real — and healing is possible.
“Big T” traumas — such as assault, abuse or witnessing violence — can leave you feeling unsafe, anxious or trapped in painful memories. “Little t” traumas, while less obvious, are just as damaging. Growing up in a home where you were constantly criticized or made to feel “not good enough” or where love felt conditional can lead to anxiety, depression, addictions, toxic relationships, people-pleasing, procrastination and low self-worth. Trauma rarely fades with time; it needs the right kind of care. Together, we can begin that healing process. For more on this topic, click HERE
Anxiety
Anxiety can take over your mind and body — making even small decisions feel overwhelming and everyday situations seem daunting. It can appear as constant worry, racing thoughts, panic attacks, fear of judgment or avoidance of certain places or activities (e.g., driving or public speaking).
Whether you struggle with panic attacks, generalized anxiety, social anxiety or agoraphobia, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to live this way. I’ll help you to understand the roots of your anxiety and equip you with clinically-effective tools so you can regain a sense of calm, security and control.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD can feel like your brain is stuck in a loop — unwanted thoughts and rituals you feel compelled to repeat. Whether it’s checking, needing things “just right,” endless mental replaying or reassurance seeking; OCD robs you of peace, time and energy.
But you are not your thoughts — and OCD is treatable. I use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, the gold-standard treatment, to retrain and rewire your brain to eliminate your compulsions. We’ll also explore the cause of your OCD and how it developed, so we can address its roots and create lasting change.
Depression
Depression can make life feel distant, heavy and joyless. You might struggle to get out of bed, feel numb or hopeless, lose interest in the things you once loved or carry a quiet pain that no one sees. Depression is not weakness — it’s a signal that something needs care and healing.
Using clinically-proven approaches, I’ll help you to identify what’s keeping you stuck and introduce you to new ways of thinking, feeling and living. Step-by-step, you’ll rediscover meaning, joy and the strength to move forward — even when that first step feels insurmountable.
Grief and Major Life Changes
Life doesn’t always go according to plan. Grief, divorce, break-ups, parenthood, retirement or career changes can leave you feeling anxious, lost or uncertain about your future. You don’t have to navigate these moments alone.
I provide a supportive space to process change, loss and uncertainty with warmth and compassion. Together, we’ll address the changes you’re facing and I’ll help you identify what matters most to you in your journey forward. I’ll help you build resilience so you can travel the road ahead with purpose and confidence.
Relationship & Behavioral Issues
Couples Therapy
Relationships can bring love, safety and joy — but also deep hurt. If you and your partner feel stuck in conflict, emotionally distant or unsure how to repair your bond, couples therapy can help.
I use Emotionally Focused Therapy, a clinically-proven approach that gets to the root of relationship distress by identifying each partner’s emotional needs beneath the conflict — like the need to feeling seen, valued and safe. Together, we’ll practice expressing those needs in ways that draw you closer instead of pushing you apart.
I also integrate Behavioral Couples Therapy to strengthen communication, rebuild trust and help each of you show up in ways that nurture intimacy and respect. Whether you’re fighting, drifting apart or healing after a rupture, couples therapy can be the turning point toward closeness and a stronger bond.
Addictions
Addiction often begins in unresolved childhood experiences — when emotional needs went unmet, boundaries were crossed or safety and acceptance were absent. Alcohol, drugs, pornography, video games, food, sex or spending may start as ways to numb pain, manage overwhelming feelings or fill an inner void. Over time, what once soothed you, can take over, creating harm, shame and disconnection from yourself and others.
In a safe, non-judgmental space, we’ll explore how your past experiences shaped your patterns, uncover the triggers that keep them alive today and develop healthier ways to cope and connect with others. Permanent recovery is possible when we address both the addictive behaviours and the early wounds that drive them.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders often begin as a way to cope with deep emotional pain, frequently rooted in childhood or adolescence. Experiences of criticism, neglect, high-pressure or a lack of emotional safety can make controlling food, weight or body shape feel like a way to manage distress or regain control.
Behaviours like restricting, bingeing, purging or over-exercising may appear focused on food or appearance, but their roots often lie in unresolved hurt and unmet emotional needs. With care and compassion, we’ll address both your eating behaviours and the emotional wounds beneath them — helping you build a healthier relationship with yourself, your body and food.
Sex-Related Issues
Sexual difficulties are highly distressing — and many people suffer in silence — feeling embarrassed, ashamed or unsure of where to turn. Things like erectile dysfunction, painful intercourse, difficulties with orgasm or low desire can negatively impact self-esteem and strain relationships. These challenges are more common than you think — and they are highly treatable.
I offer a safe and respectful space to explore and resolve sexual concerns. I utilize proven treatment interventions that restore normal sexual functioning. Whether the causes are psychological or relational, we’ll work together to reduce your anxiety, improve communication and help you reconnect with your body and your partner in healthier, more satisfying ways.
Faith, Religion & Spirituality
Christian Counselling
For those who want to integrate their Christian faith into therapy, I offer an approach that honors both your religious and emotional life. Christian Counselling seamlessly combines the insights of modern psychological interventions with biblical wisdom to support healing. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, trauma, relationships or spiritual doubt, we’ll explore these challenges through a lens grounded in faith, hope and grace.
Our work may include scripture, prayer and Christian teachings as part of your healing process — always tailored to your level of comfort and belief. This approach welcomes clients from all walks of faith and invites deeper spiritual growth while addressing emotional struggles with care and compassion.
Therapeutic Approach
Your journey is unique — and your therapy should be too. I use a personalized integrative approach, carefully tailoring your treatment to fit your specific needs and goals. Whether through a single method or a blend of approaches, my aim is to find the path that works best for you, helping you to heal, grow and move forward with confidence.
How I Can Help: Therapeutic Approaches
Trauma-Informed Therapy
Everyone’s experience of trauma — big or small — shapes their emotions, thoughts and relationships. This approach honors your story, focuses on healing past wounds without causing more harm and helps you build resilience and emotional strength for the future. To learn more about Trauma-Informed Therapy click HERE.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR gently guides your brain to process traumatic painful memories, reducing their emotional distress. It helps relieve distress and strengthens your resilience so you can face life’s challenges with more clarity and confidence. EMDR also provides a gentle, restorative sense of healing — offering warmth, comfort and deeper emotional connection alongside the relief of past pain.
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
EFT helps you uncover and understand deep emotions and unmet needs, whether in couples or individual therapy. By improving emotional awareness and connection, EFT supports healing and helps build stronger and more authentic relationships.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you understand how thoughts, feelings and behaviors are linked. It offers practical tools to challenge unhelpful thinking styles and develop healthy coping skills — it is especially effective for anxiety, depression, OCD, addiction and sex-related concerns.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy (MBT)
By learning to be present with your thoughts and emotions through breath awareness and meditation, MBT teaches you to reduce stress and respond to life’s ups and downs with calm and balance.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT supports you in accepting difficult feelings and thoughts instead of avoiding them. It helps you clarify what matters most to you and commit to living a meaningful, values-driven life — even when things feel tough.
Humanistic Therapy
This compassionate approach focuses on your personal growth and potential. Through empathy and non-judgment, it helps you to connect deeply with your authentic self and create a more fulfilling life aligned with your values.
Strength-Based Therapy (SBT)
Instead of focusing on fixing problems, this approach highlights your strengths and past successes. By building on what you already have, you’ll gain confidence and develop new ways to overcome challenges and thrive.
Christian Counselling
If you desire a more faith-based approach, I offer therapy that integrates Christian faith with modern psychology, blending biblical wisdom, prayer and scripture with the approaches described above. Together, we’ll address challenges like anxiety, trauma and relationships through a lens of faith, hope and grace.
Complimentary Consultation
Schedule a Complimentary Phone Consultation
Let’s begin with a brief, no-pressure phone call. You’ll have a chance to share a little about what’s bringing you to therapy, ask any questions you may have and get a feel for how I work. One of the strongest predictors of success in therapy is feeling safe and connected with your therapist—this conversation will help us both see if we’re a good fit.
You can reach me by voice or text at 438-886-2702, or by email at dr.peter.psychology@gmail.com. Since I’m often in session, text or email is usually the best way to reach me.
Testimonials
Special thanks to the patients who went out of their way to post comments about their experience. It is very much appreciated. – Dr. Peter 🙂
(the following reviews have been abridged for space considerations, click on the button below to read the reviews in full)
Personal life

When I’m not in the therapy room, there’s a good chance you’ll find me in the kitchen — chef’s jacket on, wooden spoon in hand and music playing while delicious foods sizzle and simmer away. Cooking brings me joy and keeps me connected to my Italian roots. It nourishes both body and mind and I truly love creating meals to share with the people I love.
Food is love on a plate — whether it’s a rustic Tuscan Ribollita soup or a classic Spaghetti Aglio e Olio. And yes, cream has no place in a real Carbonara… and don’t even get me started on pineapple on pizza 😫 The sizzle of garlic meeting olive oil or the rhythm of pasta as it’s tossed through its sauce — to me, that is the sound of love!
In addition to cooking in ways that support my health and well-being, I also make time for regular exercise. Resistance training at the gym keeps me strong and energized, while long power walks give me space to reflect and clear my mind.
I’m steady, kind and fun-loving — someone who values laughter as much as loyalty. That’s the same balance I bring into the therapy room: Professionalism and focus, but also warmth, humor, and heart.
Contact Us
Serving Canadian & International clients
(438) 886-2702
dr.peter.psychology@gmail.com
West Island location
19820 Gouin Boul. Ouest Pierrefonds, Qc, H9K



