Therapists in M6R
My approach is collaborative, empowering and culturally sensitive.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by a difficult situation in your life? You may not feel like your usual self or you're going through change or loss that has impacted you in unexpected ways. I’m a trauma specialist focusing on depression, anxiety, grief, and relationships to self and others. I will help you shift out of negative thinking patterns and limiting beliefs about yourself. You'll begin to understand the connections between your thoughts, emotions and actions, and be supported to live life fully, aligned to your highest values. You may be searching for meaning and purpose or wanting to feel more satisfied in your relationships.
My approach is collaborative, empowering and culturally sensitive.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by a difficult situation in your life? You may not feel like your usual self or you're going through change or loss that has impacted you in unexpected ways. I’m a trauma specialist focusing on depression, anxiety, grief, and relationships to self and others. I will help you shift out of negative thinking patterns and limiting beliefs about yourself. You'll begin to understand the connections between your thoughts, emotions and actions, and be supported to live life fully, aligned to your highest values. You may be searching for meaning and purpose or wanting to feel more satisfied in your relationships.
Kirsten H. A. Iler
Registered Psychotherapist, Hon BA, MA, JD, RP
Verified Verified
Toronto, ON M6R (Online Only)
We all want to feel better and brighter, more joyful and alive. We crave rich, fulfilling relationships. Do you suffer from stress, anxiety, depression, or chronic health issues? Are you feeling stuck navigating difficult life transitions or relationship issues? Let’s work together to identify your strengths and work through your challenges in a warm, safe space using a gentle yet powerful process.
We all want to feel better and brighter, more joyful and alive. We crave rich, fulfilling relationships. Do you suffer from stress, anxiety, depression, or chronic health issues? Are you feeling stuck navigating difficult life transitions or relationship issues? Let’s work together to identify your strengths and work through your challenges in a warm, safe space using a gentle yet powerful process.
Therapy with me is a process of increasing awareness, helping you to see things in your life as they are. This can be scary, and I will help you to hold any painful parts with safety and tenderness. With more awareness and compassion you can take more effective action in your life. All this happens within a caring relationship where I will bring my full self. I have spent time living a rigid and disconnected life - through therapy, spirituality, and community I have found softness and flexibility with myself and with others, a place from which I’ll meet with you. I’m curious, where would you like to feel more flexible and connected?
Therapy with me is a process of increasing awareness, helping you to see things in your life as they are. This can be scary, and I will help you to hold any painful parts with safety and tenderness. With more awareness and compassion you can take more effective action in your life. All this happens within a caring relationship where I will bring my full self. I have spent time living a rigid and disconnected life - through therapy, spirituality, and community I have found softness and flexibility with myself and with others, a place from which I’ll meet with you. I’m curious, where would you like to feel more flexible and connected?
It is never too late to find relief from persistent anxiety and the lingering weight of unresolved trauma. Are you yearning for a deeper spiritual connection and meaning in your life and anxiety, & behaviour patterns are getting in the way? This disconnection can be accompanied by overwhelming anxiety and lingering impacts of past trauma, hindering your ability to navigate life authentically. Aligning choices with your soul's purpose becomes challenging amongst these emotional burdens, impacting relationships and growth. Combining Compassionate Inquiry with energy therapy techniques I can help you connect with your authentic self.
It is never too late to find relief from persistent anxiety and the lingering weight of unresolved trauma. Are you yearning for a deeper spiritual connection and meaning in your life and anxiety, & behaviour patterns are getting in the way? This disconnection can be accompanied by overwhelming anxiety and lingering impacts of past trauma, hindering your ability to navigate life authentically. Aligning choices with your soul's purpose becomes challenging amongst these emotional burdens, impacting relationships and growth. Combining Compassionate Inquiry with energy therapy techniques I can help you connect with your authentic self.
In my private practice as an expressive arts therapist I use the arts along with conversation and reflection, to help clients get ‘unstuck,’ uncover resources for change and growth, live with suffering when necessary and celebrate the joy of life as we humans always have -- by making meaning through making art. Increasingly, I also draw on Internal Family Systems (working with our "parts") to support and inform a safe and effective healing environment. I work with clients suffering from anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, creative blocks, eating disorders, physical illness, grief, trauma and sexual abuse.
In my private practice as an expressive arts therapist I use the arts along with conversation and reflection, to help clients get ‘unstuck,’ uncover resources for change and growth, live with suffering when necessary and celebrate the joy of life as we humans always have -- by making meaning through making art. Increasingly, I also draw on Internal Family Systems (working with our "parts") to support and inform a safe and effective healing environment. I work with clients suffering from anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, creative blocks, eating disorders, physical illness, grief, trauma and sexual abuse.
You really can feel more comfort and joy in your own skin! You can unwind shame and anxiety around your a/sexuality and a/gender and discover them as a source of vibrancy and affirmation. Pleasure is a profound healer and you deserve more of it in your life! I’m here to help you live your most fabulous life while enjoying the process along the way. You might be thinking, is that even possible? Isn’t therapy painful? Therapy with me is a warm collaboration, with laughter, practicality, good science and more than a pinch of creativity. I show up as a real person and journey beside you towards your goals.
You really can feel more comfort and joy in your own skin! You can unwind shame and anxiety around your a/sexuality and a/gender and discover them as a source of vibrancy and affirmation. Pleasure is a profound healer and you deserve more of it in your life! I’m here to help you live your most fabulous life while enjoying the process along the way. You might be thinking, is that even possible? Isn’t therapy painful? Therapy with me is a warm collaboration, with laughter, practicality, good science and more than a pinch of creativity. I show up as a real person and journey beside you towards your goals.
Aliya Amarshi
Registered Psychotherapist, PhD
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
Toronto, ON M6R (Online Only)
Not accepting new clients
Reaching out to talk to someone can be a vulnerable decision to make. Maybe this is your first time seeking the support of a therapist or maybe you've been in therapy for years. There may be something specific that you are struggling with, or perhaps you are just interested in working on your overall personal growth. Wherever you are in your process, I am glad that you've landed here. As someone who has been on the path of self-growth and healing for many years, I know what it feels like to ask: Why do I feel this way? Will it get better?
Reaching out to talk to someone can be a vulnerable decision to make. Maybe this is your first time seeking the support of a therapist or maybe you've been in therapy for years. There may be something specific that you are struggling with, or perhaps you are just interested in working on your overall personal growth. Wherever you are in your process, I am glad that you've landed here. As someone who has been on the path of self-growth and healing for many years, I know what it feels like to ask: Why do I feel this way? Will it get better?
See more therapy options for M6R
Culturally Sensitive Counsellors
How does culturally sensitive therapy work?
A culturally sensitive therapist will tailor their approach to therapy based on the individual client’s background. This may include changing their style of interaction (asking open-ended questions vs. being the “expert” voice), their affect (seeming warm or “neutral”), how much personal information they disclose about themselves, and more. It’s also important for a culturally sensitive therapist to acknowledge larger societal forces that may impact their client due to the client’s background.
How effective is culturally sensitive therapy?
Some professionals have expressed concern about highlighting cultural differences in therapy, suggesting that it might promote stereotypes and harm the therapeutic bond; however, many experts agree that cultural sensitivity tends to strengthen the connection between therapist and client and help clients feel heard and understood. A culturally sensitive approach to therapy can be especially helpful for those not in the cultural majority, especially when combined with proven therapies like Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
What are the limitations of a culturally sensitive approach to therapy?
While being culturally sensitive is generally a valuable skill to have, a therapist cannot treat every client from a similar background the same way. Each client is an individual with their own values, personal preferences, and life experiences that will need to be explored during therapy. In addition, it’s rare for a therapist and client to have identical backgrounds, so there may be some cross-cultural differences to navigate during therapy, but a culturally sensitive therapist can do so with empathy and respect.
Can culturally sensitive therapy be done online?
Yes, online therapy using a culturally sensitive approach can be beneficial. Therapy can sometimes be difficult to access for clients from diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic standing. The array of mental health support available through the internet makes it possible for clients to find a good therapist match regardless of where they live.