Maxime R. Renaud, Psychologist
My profile
As a clinical psychologist in private practice in Montreal and a member of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec, I offer assessment and psychotherapy services to adults and adolescents.
I support people experiencing a range of psychological difficulties, including depression, anxiety, phobic disorders, attachment disorders, and simple or complex post-traumatic stress disorder.
As a certified EMDR psychotherapist, an approach recognised for the treatment of psychological trauma, I have a particular interest in psychotraumatology. I therefore regularly support people who have been through particularly difficult experiences, such as accidents, physical or sexual assault and abuse, or situations of child abuse or emotional neglect.
My work is primarily based on cognitive-behavioural therapies (CBT) and follows a humanistic approach, centred on listening, respect and understanding each person’s lived experience.
My background
Over the years, I have worked with people facing a wide variety of circumstances and psychological difficulties.
Domestic and family violence
Early in my career, I spent several years working in the field of domestic and family violence, where I supported both victims and perpetrators in clinical and institutional settings. This work enabled me to develop a deep understanding of relationship dynamics, violence and their psychological impacts.
Médecins Sans Frontières
I subsequently spent several years working with Médecins Sans Frontières, where I supported refugees and asylum seekers who had endured deeply traumatic experiences, such as war, systemic violence, torture or human trafficking. This clinical work with people who had experienced severe and repeated trauma led me to further my training in psychotraumatology and to develop a therapeutic approach sensitive to the complexity of their life stories.
EMDR Training
Working with these patients led me to undertake training in EMDR therapy at the Institut Français d'EMDR (IFEMDR). I am now a certified EMDR psychotherapist and a member of EMDR Canada as well as the International EMDR Association (EMDRIA). In my practice, I regularly incorporate this form of psychotherapy where it is appropriate. It provides a particularly useful framework for understanding and treating the lingering effects of traumatic events, reducing the emotional impact of difficult experiences that continue to have adverse consequences in the patient’s current life, and facilitating the integration of these experiences.
My practice
I currently maintain a private practice in Montreal, where I see adults and teenagers aged 14 and over who wish to undertake psychotherapy. Sessions take place in my office, in a calm and confidential setting that is conducive to open discussion and reflection.
If you would like to start therapy, you can get in touch with me by clicking the button below. Once I have received your message, I will take the time to ensure that your enquiry is in line with the services I offer, and then I will invite you to a brief telephone conversation. This initial discussion will enable me to better understand your needs, check that the approach I offer meets your expectations, answer any questions you may have, and arrange a first appointment.
Our first two or three sessions will be dedicated to an assessment phase. These will help me to better understand your current situation, your background and the difficulties you are facing, as well as to work with you to set the objectives for the process. This will also enable us to gradually build a relationship of trust and allow you, to decide whether you feel comfortable with the process.