Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, Online

Therapy for Teens, Young Adults, and Family

Our Mission:

Guiding Teens and Young Adults on the Path to Lasting Mental Health
We specialize in counselling and therapy for teens, young adults, and family

Hello!
I’m JOHANN KONG MSW, RSW

Counsellor, Psychotherapist

picture of Johann Kong MSW, RSW, owner of Pivot Counselling pivot-counslling.ca

I’m Johann Kong (it’s a German name pronounced “Yo-Han”).

I’ve been a therapist and manager of clinical practices and health programs for over 30 years. During this time I have helped organize and manage counsellors in public and private settings to become more effective at helping clients and patients move toward better health.   

My clinical practice specializes in pediatric psychiatry and trauma counselling with teens and young adults. I bring insight, knowledge, and over three decades of experience in diverse settings to help my patients make positive changes in their lives.

Using a contemporary approach and time-tested techniques, I help you achieve your goals while fostering hope and confidence. I balance the use of proven measurement and evidence-based processes with an eclectic blend of therapies and compassion and the knowledge that you are the driver of the extent of the changes you want.

We can either focus on a specific concern, or you may choose to do longer-term work to address chronic behavioral patterns. 

Contact me, and let’s take the first steps to make real changes together- because an experienced and proven therapist who is truly invested in helping you is only a telephone call away.

Qualifications

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Social Work
  • Master of Social Work
  • Human Resource Management

Therapy or Counselling

  • Adult Individual
  • Child and Adolescent
  • Couples
  • Family
  • Cross-Cultural Living
  • Adjustment/Career

Experience Profile:

  • Pediatric Psychiatry and Medical Emergency Medicine 
  • Child and Youth Clinical Service Manager:  Youth Wellness Hub Central Toronto
  • Social Work coach/teacher
  • Adult Clinical Service Manager:  Adult Mental Health, Addictions, Telemedicine, Geriatrics
  • International Clinical Supervisor:  Employee Assistance Provider:  Domestic and International
  • Child Welfare Supervisor and counsellor working across Ontario helping families and children better manage the trauma they have experienced from abuse and neglect.

“What a wonderful experience it was to work with Johann. His expert care and guidance helped our son with life-changing results.”

Happy Parent

Our Counselling Process

We work one-on-one with your child in-person or virtually (online or phone). Most clients find significant progress within just three sessions. Our focused approach during each session, coupled with personalized strategies, allows us to efficiently address your child’s challenges and work towards their goals.

 

  1. Schedule an Appointment
    Schedule a 15-minute Zoom call to ensure we are a good fit for each other. Fill out the contact form, and a therapist will follow up within 24 hours to schedule your first appointment.  Counselling is almost always about fit and readiness.  The first contact is not used to start the counselling process but to gauge if we are the right fit. If not, that’s okay because the therapist can guide you on where you might want to look to get the right help for your family.


    Your initial call is free.
     

 

  1. Create a Plan
    During the first session, we will assess your child’s challenges and strengths. The therapist may also provide mental health measurement tools to get a baseline of your child’s mental health wellness using standardized tests.  Our initial assessment process can be very detailed.  This is to ensure that the therapist has a broad section of information to assess with the client root problem source along with current stressors.  Often this first session leaves the client with more questions than answers.   As a result, most of our initial sessions may need to be extended to 90 minutes or separated into two sessions.   Sessional rates are billed on an hourly basis so you may get that extra time for free.   We can schedule them accordingly.  Unfortunately, not much counselling and therapy may occur in the first session.  However, the therapist will always squeeze in something for your child to work on for each session.


    You’ll have peace of mind that meaningful change is possible.
     

 

  1. Take Small Steps Forward
    Counselling/Therapy work starts after the second session.  Your child will move forward by taking small, manageable steps by establishing goals.  The therapist will help your child navigate challenges and build the necessary skills for success at every opportunity.  The learning process that takes place through our sessions contributes to a dynamic and meaningful experience that helps things stick.  Since the therapist is essentially working for your child, your child will decide how much information can be shared with you.  We recognize that the parent is essential to your child’s health and wellness and every effort is made to encourage partnership.


    You and your child will feel hopeful about their future.
     

 

  1. Change takes time.  
    Counselling is often problem-focused.  Therapy is almost the same thing but focuses on changing behaviour which is much more complicated and can often take more time. Therefore, your child’s counselling and therapy process requires accountability from everyone involved. The time and resources you provide must be results-driven. Your therapist recognizes this and is driven to work with you to establish a framework that shifts dependency from the therapist to the team in order to effect the most meaningful change. Most counselling outcomes can effect positive change within three sessions. More complex problems may require more time. Either way, we will work with you and your child to develop a sustainable and affordable plan.


    Your child will develop important skills that will last a lifetime.