Therapists in Toronto, ON

Focus Areas: relationship/family issues, ADHD, men’s issues, meaning and identity, life transitions, substance use, LGBTQ2IA+ mental health, creativity & artistic practice. Who could you be? What kinds of relationships could you have? What could your life look like? The answers to these questions are rarely clear, and the path of growth is often filled with challenges and uncertainties. I'm a therapist practicing in Toronto and across Ontario, providing a non-judgmental space where you can explore your experiences, gain new perspectives, and develop the tools and resilience needed to create meaningful change in your life.

I'm a registered psychotherapist (qualifying) supporting adult individuals in navigating life transitions, relational difficulties, depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and cultural identity challenges. I also help clients find clarity in their journey of self-discovery, and cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and identity. In our therapeutic relationship, you can expect a safe and welcoming space characterized by warmth, curiosity, and even moments of humour when they can contribute positively to your healing process.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself, Paola DeLaBarrera, RN Psychotherapist/Counsellor/Life Coach with an MA in counselling. A bit about me, I am a seasoned professional with extensive and diverse experience in health, wellness, and education. I believe we hold great inner strength and energy and it is that inner strength that guides us to self-compassion and self-love. My therapeutic approach focuses on various humanistic modalities that connect mind and body awareness, my approach is centred on engaging with self and understanding who you are. I invite you to embark on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment.

I am a relational psychotherapist and trauma practitioner. I completed 5-year Psychotherapy training at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto, 3-year Somatic Experiencing training for trauma resolution (Montreal), and I hold a MA in Women's and Gender Studies (Carleton University, Ottawa). I have worked deeply with people struggling with a range of emotions/experiences including grief, self-harm, suicidal ideation, anger, childhood abuse and psychosocial trauma (including war), post-immigration experiences, relationship difficulties and self-actualization issues. My practice is trans, queer, fat and sex worker affirming.

I am an experienced Clinical Psychologist, helping adolescents, adults and couples cope with distressing life events and mental health disorders. My passion is to help clients regain balance and move forward with their lives. I can address the following issues with you: depression and anxiety, poor sleep, grief/loss, alcohol or drug abuse, stress, workplace issues, relationship problems, life transitions (e.g., job loss, moving, retirement), chronic health problems, traumatic events, low self-esteem, procrastination, aging, marital difficulties, parenting, affairs. Although you may be currently struggling, it takes courage to seek help.

Accepting new clients & Group Supervision- I work with women experiencing feelings of low self-esteem and anxiety. Do you ever feel unappreciated or stuck? As though no matter how hard you try you are never enough? In today’s fast paced world, it can be so hard to find a safe space to open up and let those emotions go. If life is magnifying the negative thoughts in your head, I can help you find your voice, and together we can discover your true self-worth. Everyone deserves to feel appreciated and accepted.

In our lives, we often find ourselves stuck. We find it difficult to stop thinking, feeling, or behaving in ways that are no longer useful. Our interpretations of past experiences, beliefs about ourselves, others and the world, can sometimes hold us back from enjoying the present and imagining a better future. We want things to change but are uncertain how to change them. We need time, space, and guidance to transform ourselves and forge a new path. As a psychotherapist, I help facilitate your journey and guide you towards your personal goals by empowering you to remove emotional and psychological roadblocks.

Clients typically seek therapy because they are struggling with emotional issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, relationship problems, OCD, career issues among other things. The ideal client not only has the desire to work on their issues but also the willingness to explore difficult areas in depth. Therapy requires some commitment and willingness to explore issues and with some dedication and consistency, huge strides can be achieved in one's personal journey to wholeness.

I really enjoy working with clients motivated for growth and change, and curious about themselves; what makes them "tick". The depth of my craft involves creating and holding a therapeutic space or "container", enabling my clients to turn inwards and discover what moves them unseen. Patterns in personality and emotion emerge into view; emotional processes become unstuck and able to flow through to resolution. An inner space opens for something new. It is a tremendous honour and privilege to accompany and serve people on this journey as a trusted ally, a witness, and expert midwife of psychological change.

It’s important that you feel supported while navigating the ebbs and flows of life. With curious attention and compassion, I aim to create a space for you to feel seen, heard, and valued. I work collaboratively with clients to build a strong sense of self-understanding and self-connection by exploring new perspectives, practicing awareness, and letting go of disruptive patterns. Common themes include acute or major life stressors, chronic stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, reduced self-worth, and difficult or unstable relationships.

Life can throw you challenging situations that leave you feeling overwhelmed and emotionally drained. Whether you're battling stress, anxiety, depression, or relationship difficulties, you're not alone. I understand the emotions and challenges you're experiencing and want you to know there's a path towards healing. I will provide a safe, judgment-free space where you can freely share. Together, we'll uncover the root causes of your struggles and find strategies to move forward. I draw upon various therapeutic modalities, tailored to your unique needs, to help you regain control of your life and achieve emotional well-being.

Each of us has a unique story to tell. It captures the who, what, where, when, and why of our formative experiences and begins early on, when we are the most vulnerable. Many of us have learned to bottle it up. This “bottleneck” hardly leaves us feeling secure within ourselves or recognized by others. At some juncture, you may have rightfully tried speaking your truth to someone “safe.” But, instead of receiving empathy and compassion, you were ignored, belittled, berated. Ultimately, the feeling of being heard, understood and accepted is crucial for overall wellbeing. It paves the way for a life full of meaning and purpose.

Emotional pain is an inherent part of the human experience, but you don’t have to go through it alone. In our sessions, we will work through your struggles and together create a clear path for you to feel in control and content with your life. You'll enter a non-judgmental space where you can truly be you, with the ability to express your innermost thoughts and feelings. I will meet you where you are in your journey with acceptance and compassion. I work with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, trauma, attachment issues and interpersonal concerns such as work, family, relationships and friendships.

Suffering is an inherent part of the human experience. In the course of a lifetime, crises happen, unpredictable challenges arise, and in response we develop habit patterns that are often protective but also inhibit our growth and freedom. Therapy will help clear the path so that you can see a way forward. I walk that path with you and provide a container for self-exploration and inquiry. I work with mood disturbances, trauma, attachment issues, self-esteem, and spiritual emergence. Depth therapy is a journey that will take you into yourself and lead you back to yourself while being witnessed by a safe, compassionate presence.

I'm a graduate of the Ontario Psychotherapy and Counseling Program and a Registered Psychotherapist. My ambition is to offer a humanistic approach in a psychodynamic setting, with a focus on a client-centred, relational, and a conversational model, as well as providing a safe space where you, the client, and I can work together to achieve therapeutic goals. As part of a collaborative approach to therapy, I feel this process of working with clients can bring about an understanding of what they have been experiencing, describe particular moments that may have led them to this point, and support a new self-structure.

Nicky’s approach to working with her clients is one that fosters collaboration, a present and thoughtful atmosphere, with unconditional kindness and respect for her clients. Emphasizing a humanistic approach to psychotherapy, Nicky works with clients who are dealing with Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions, Interpersonal Relationships, Self-Compassion, Self-Esteem and Emotional Regulation Issues.

As we go through difficult experiences, I believe that there is comfort in not being alone. I believe that a connection with another person can provide an opportunity to feel safe as we explore unknown parts of our lives. I am hopeful and believe that there are possibilities that are here to be uncovered in each of us. I bring generosity of spirit into my work and will meet you where you are at in your process and we will move forward in a way that feels right for you. I am open to sitting with whatever it is that you are experiencing, including those places that may feel scary, painful or overwhelming.

Do you feel overwhelmed? Are you constantly worrying about what you have to do next? Are you having difficulties believing in yourself? Do you feel like you are stuck in life? I have found that these are common concerns that clients experience before accessing psychotherapy. I am here to work with you, at your own pace, to increase your awareness and agency. I believe that the psychotherapy journey begins with being heard, seen, understood, and accepted. From here, self-acceptance, self-awareness, and self-growth are inevitable.

Genuine, non-judgemental, and empathetic by nature, I am passionate about helping people navigate some of life’s most difficult struggles. My passion for psychotherapy stems from witnessing our resiliency when given the proper support and a safe place to heal. In my practice, I meet clients where they're at and aim to walk alongside them as a supportive guide in their therapeutic journey. For some, therapy is about healing past trauma or working through emotionally turbulent times; for others, it's about finding closure, self discovery, or confiding in someone unrelated to their circumstance.