Untying the Knots  
Counselling Services 

I am Kayon McDermott, dedicated to helping you experience self-empowerment, compassion, and healing by untying the knots of trauma. With a background spanning private practice, non-profit organizations, and community mental health, I specialize in addressing childhood trauma and attachment injuries. My work focuses on resolving communication issues, rebuilding trust and safety, and navigating vulnerability, distorted thinking, and emotional regulation. If you have felt silenced, I offer a genuine space where you can be heard and supported throughout your journey.

In my community mental health work, I have supported individuals, youth, and newcomers as they overcome complex challenges, including domestic violence, substance use, sexual assault, and housing instability. I also have extensive experience assisting clients as they navigate the legal and child welfare systems (CAS/CPS).

I am deeply committed to aiding Black and Afro-Caribbean communities in breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma. Additionally, I work closely with couples seeking to escape negative relational patterns and mothers navigating the burdens of parental shame and guilt. My practice provides trauma-informed care tailored to individuals, couples, and families, integrating both Christian and non-Christian perspectives to meet your unique needs.

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 Overcoming Cultural Barriers and Stigma 

Recognizing barriers like stigma and cultural pressures within the Black community—where seeking help can be misconstrued as weakness—I provide a safe, culturally sensitive space. As a Jamaican Canadian, I understand these dynamics and aim to shift the perspective from "What's wrong with you?" to "What happened?", fostering empathy and honest dialogue within families. As a parent, this is an ongoing goal of mine - parenting from a trauma-informed perspective. 

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Transitioning from Survival to Thriving

Drawing from my own experiences with trauma, grief, and loss, I help clients transition from mere survival—characterized by people-pleasing and boundary challenges—toward genuine emotional well-being and deeper relationships.

Through our work together, I support clients in:

• Understanding the impact of intergenerational trauma.

• Identifying and setting healthy boundaries.

• Developing clear communication styles and core values.

• Building a foundation of safety, security, and trust.

• Releasing anger and moving toward forgiveness and healing.

Ultimately, I believe that addressing these deep-seated impacts and breaking historical cycles empowers individuals and the broader community to truly grow and thrive.

Connect with me today to begin your tailored healing journey. An example of a typical session is included in the What to Expect section below.