About

Meet Breana.

A Registered Psychotherapist with nearly 20 years alongside vulnerable and neurodivergent children, teens and young adults across Ontario.

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Breana Rutledge, Registered Psychotherapist, seated in her virtual therapy office

Breana Rutledge smiling with her dogs Stewie and Joy

Hi, I'm Breana

A space to be yourself, no translation needed.

I'm Breana Rutledge (she/her), a Registered Psychotherapist with a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. For almost 20 years, I've volunteered and worked with neurodivergent children and youth, children with physical disabilities, and the youth homeless population in different clinical settings.

I specialize in working with children, teens and young adults and their families, ages 4 to 29. I understand how much change and transition happens in a young person's life through these formative years, and I believe I can offer them a safe space to be who they are and to seek support as they need it.

My clients have taught me that being present, kind and empathic is key to real trust, and to the space where the work actually happens. That's what Be Free Therapy Group is built on.

Credentials & Training

Grounded in clinical training. Built around you.

Every session is shaped by ongoing training in how young minds actually work, from CBT for anxiety and DBT-informed skills, to ACT, children's grief and trauma-informed care.

Education

Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University
Bachelor of Applied Science in Adult Development (Minor in Child, Youth & Family Studies), University of Guelph
Bereavement Education Certification, University of Toronto
Addictions Careworker Diploma, McMaster University

Professional Registration

Registered Psychotherapist (RP), College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
Professional Member, Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP)

Specialized Training

BECK Institute: Essentials CBT & CBT Focused: Anxiety
UofT Continuing Studies: DBT (Foundational Training Part 1)
Psychwire: ACT for Beginners
SickKids Learning Institute: Children's Grief & Bereavement Certificate
SickKids Learning Institute: Essential Skills for Assessing and Treating Children & Families Certification
SickKids Learning Institute: Complex Trauma, Level 1 & Level 2
ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)

Delicate ferns growing from mossy rock, a quiet image of resilience and natural growth

My Approach

Integrative. Evidence-based. Never one-size-fits-all.

I draw from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy and Person-Centred Therapy, choosing what fits the person in front of me, not the other way around.

For younger clients, that often means play, art and interactive activities. For teens, it's collaborative conversations and practical tools. For young adults, it's honest, grounded work on the questions that don't have easy answers.

You don't have to have the right words. That's my job.

See how I work with each age →

Outside the Session

A little more about me.

When I'm not with clients, I'm hiking, traveling, at a concert or art show, or spending slow time with friends, family and my dogs Stewie and Joy. Being a good therapist means staying a curious, full human, not just the person in the chair.

LGBTQ+ Affirming Neurodivergent Affirming Anti-Oppressive Practice

Everyone belongs here.

You don't have to shrink parts of yourself to be in this space. Be Free Therapy Group is explicitly affirming of LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent clients, and committed to anti-oppressive, culturally responsive care.