For anyone living or working in Bells Corners, finding a healthy balance between the quiet tranquillity of the Stony Swamp Greenbelt trails and the busy commercial stretch along Robertson Road can sometimes feel completely out of sync. As an established West End hub, Bells Corners brings its own unique everyday pressures—from navigating the Moodie Drive rush hour and the 417 slog to balancing high-stress careers near the DND Carling campus and the tech sector.
At Rippeyoung & Associates, we skip the "clinical cold" academic vibe in favor of an approachable, "down home" environment. Our West End practice is located in Nepean, just minutes down the road from Bells Corners. Founded by Matthew Rippeyoung, our team is made up of real people who combine deeply human, lived experiences with evidence-based mental health care.
While the West End offers a fantastic mix of suburban convenience and nature, the internal "noise" of stress and life transitions doesn't automatically disappear. While treating anxiety and depression are absolute staples for every single practitioner on our team, Bells Corners residents frequently reach out to us for support with:
We don't try to fit your unique life into a rigid psychological box. Instead, we look at the real-world factors pulling you down and draw from a blend of honest, conversational, and proven frameworks to help you find your footing again:
In a community that values practical, real-world results, solution-focused therapy is an incredibly popular choice. It helps you identify your existing strengths and map out actionable, concrete steps to move toward the future you want.
ACT is highly effective for those feeling completely overwhelmed by life's unexpected "growing pains." It teaches psychological flexibility, allowing you to stay anchored in the present and make choices aligned with your core values, even when faced with heavy thoughts or stress.
Our past experiences and the stories we tell ourselves shape how we view the world today. Looking beneath the surface allows you to "re-author" old narratives, untangle deep-seated emotional pain, separate yourself from your problems, and discover new paths to long-term healing.
Core Areas of Focus
Therapy is not something "done to you"; it is something we engage in together. My clients often remark on how quickly they feel at ease. I provide a secure, confidential environment where you can discuss things you may have never shared with anyone else—without fear of judgment.
Many people in Bells Corners reach out for therapy during periods of transition, uncertainty, or emotional strain. You may be balancing family responsibilities, commuting across Ottawa, navigating workplace stress, adjusting to a major life change, or simply feeling disconnected from the version of yourself you want to be. The first step isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating space to better understand what you're experiencing and identifying what would help you move forward. Therapy begins with a conversation about your current challenges, your personal history, and the goals that matter most to you.
Together, we'll explore the patterns, experiences, and circumstances contributing to your concerns while developing a practical path toward improved well-being. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, relationship difficulties, burnout, low mood, self-esteem concerns, or life transitions, the process is tailored to your unique circumstances rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. For many residents in Bells Corners and the surrounding west Ottawa communities, therapy provides an opportunity to slow down, gain perspective, and develop meaningful strategies that support long-term emotional health.
| Current Feeling | Likely Area of Focus | How We Work Through It |
|---|---|---|
| Finding it difficult to keep up with competing demands from work, relationships, and everyday responsibilities. | Anxiety & Stress Management | Developing practical coping strategies, improving emotional regulation, and reducing overwhelm. |
| Feeling isolated, disconnected, or uncertain about your next chapter in life. | Life Transitions & Personal Growth | Exploring goals, identifying obstacles, and creating a clearer path forward. |
| Carrying the effects of ongoing workplace pressure, caregiving responsibilities, or chronic stress. | Burnout & Work-Life Balance | Strengthening boundaries, building resilience, and creating healthier patterns for long-term well-being. |
Meet The Team
We believe therapy is much more effective when you're talking to a real human being who genuinely gets it. Our team brings a rich mix of professional expertise and diverse life experiences to the table.
Esteban Rivera: For many people in Bells Corners, life can feel like a constant balancing act between work demands, family responsibilities, and personal well-being. Esteban helps clients slow things down, make sense of what they're experiencing, and explore meaningful ways forward.
Drawing from both professional training and over a decade of personal experience in therapy, Esteban understands the courage it takes to seek support. He works with individuals facing anxiety, trauma, attachment concerns, identity exploration, and significant life transitions. His approach emphasizes curiosity, self-understanding, and creating a safe space where clients can openly examine challenges without judgment.
Clients often appreciate Esteban's grounded, authentic style and his ability to help them uncover strengths that may have been overlooked during difficult periods of life.
Geoff Taylor (Registered Psychotherapist): Whether you're navigating relationship difficulties, career uncertainty, grief, or questions about life's direction, Geoff offers a thoughtful and collaborative approach to therapy.
Before becoming a psychotherapist, Geoff worked in creative industries, healthcare advocacy, and caregiving roles. These experiences shaped his understanding of how personal history, relationships, and life experiences influence emotional well-being. Geoff helps individuals and couples look beyond immediate challenges to better understand the deeper patterns that may be affecting their lives today.
For Bells Corners residents seeking support with relationships, emotional growth, trauma, or major life changes, Geoff provides a compassionate environment where meaningful conversations can lead to lasting insight and change.
Leily Shafaee Millward (Registered Psychotherapist - Qualifying): Life transitions can bring uncertainty, stress, and emotional challenges that are difficult to navigate alone. Leily works with adolescents, adults, and couples who are looking for practical support and a deeper understanding of themselves.
Her approach combines evidence-based therapeutic techniques with genuine compassion, helping clients feel heard, supported, and empowered throughout the process. Leily has a particular interest in supporting individuals experiencing anxiety, relationship concerns, self-esteem challenges, trauma, infertility, and pre- or post-natal transitions.
Many clients appreciate Leily's ability to create a welcoming environment where they can explore challenges openly while developing practical strategies that support long-term well-being.
Vanessa Cardinal (Registered Psychotherapist): Vanessa believes therapy should be both supportive and approachable. She works with adolescents and adults who may be struggling with anxiety, stress, relationship concerns, self-esteem challenges, emotional overwhelm, or periods of uncertainty.
Her therapeutic style combines empathy, evidence-based strategies, and a genuine commitment to helping people better understand themselves. Vanessa creates a space where clients can examine recurring patterns, build healthier coping skills, and work toward goals that feel meaningful and achievable.
For individuals in Bells Corners looking for a therapist who offers warmth, understanding, and practical guidance, Vanessa helps create a therapeutic experience that feels personalized, collaborative, and focused on lasting growth.
Seeking therapy close to home eliminates the friction of a stressful, hour-long trek down the highway.
A: Absolutely. To accommodate busy work schedules or those living in surrounding rural areas, we offer secure, virtual therapy sessions that protect your privacy and fit seamlessly into your day.
A: If you are planning on using supplemental health insurance, check with your insurance plan as to whether you need a referral for claim submission. For many insurance companies, we can also do direct billing, which means we do the paperwork for you on your insurance claims. Otherwise, you do not need a referral from a family physician to begin seeing a professional in Ontario; you are welcome to reach out to us directly.
A: While both psychologists and psychotherapists provide talk therapy, the main difference in credentials is that psychologists are trained to provide and communicate a diagnosis of a mental health condition. Whereas the training of psychologists focuses on illness, the training of psychotherapists focuses on wellness. Both paths provide exceptional, compassionate care.
Our practice is proud to be an inclusive space for all members of the Stittsville and Ottawa West community.
We know that reaching out for help takes courage, and the last thing you want to do is spend time and money on an initial appointment with someone who just isn't the right match for your personality. We want to save you the expense and frustration of a wrong first appointment. Whether you are unwinding on the local Greenbelt trails or commuting home after a long shift, your mental wellness should be a priority. Book a consultation. Let's connect, cut through the clinical stiffness, and make sure you partner with the perfect person for your goals.
1150 MORRISON DRIVE, SUITE 205
OTTAWA, ON K2H 8S9
P 613.596.9197
F 613.596.6499
E INFO@MATTHEWRIPPEYOUNG.COM
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Find more satisfaction in life
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Ready to get started? You can book a session using our online scheduler below, or just give us a call or send an email. Our assistant will help guide you through the process.