Therapists in London, ON

Dr. Afsheen Anwar is a registered clinical and counselling psychologist in Ontario and a member of CPA. She obtained her PhD in Psychology from Pakistan in 2012. From a Southeast-Asian, Muslim background, Dr. Anwar has been passionately involved with teaching, consulting & clinical practice since 2000 at a national & international level. She has over 23 years of clinical experience including assessment & therapy with individuals, couples & families, and has worked in both individual and group settings. She works with clients to address various issues including mood disturbances and anxiety, relationship conflict & personal growth.

When I think about therapy, I imagine my client’s search for well-being and healing as if they were lost and trying to find their way home. You might know where home is, but find yourself stuck in darkness, not being able to find your way. As your therapist, I see myself holding the flashlight. You are the one who knows your way to healing, and I have the tools to help get you there easier. This is what I believe therapy looks like; us walking together on your journey. As we travel together to help you find “home”—your place of healing, peace, and comfort—while I share my knowledge and tools to help you find that “home”.

I am a licensed Clinical and Counselling Psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. I hold a Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology from McGill University and have completed my pre-doctoral internship at Brampton Civic Hospital. I provide comprehensive assessment and evidence-based treatment for individuals facing a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, shame, self-criticism, perfectionism, relationship issues, complex trauma, PTSD, and emotion regulation, among others.

Hey there! Thanks for stopping by. I'm Samira & I offer a safe space where you can be heard and understood. Although seeking therapy may be difficult and quite intimidating at first - it’s one of the bravest things you can do - to take that step in order to understand your own story and start the healing process and journey. It definitely takes a lot of courage! Understanding this, I strive to provide a compassionate, safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental space for you to feel comfortable to unburden yourself when it comes to the most personal and intimate parts of your life – one where you can explore and better understand yourself.

Your religion, spirituality, or culture has become a source of distress, or even suffering—rather than of strength. You’re struggling with feeling pressured to make choices based on cultural/religious expectations and beliefs that don’t work for you, with conflicts in interfaith or multicultural relationships, or perhaps whether to leave or join a religious community. You’ve found yourself thinking, "I don't know who I am anymore, or what I'm doing with my life." Relentless uncertainty or confusion can leave you feeling too drained to cope with life, much less enjoy it. At this point, you just want to feel "not broken."

I believe that when we come to therapy, we have the potential to heal ourselves. We are the masters of our own paths in life. It’s the circumstances in our lives—such as our social environment and various other factors—which can prevent us from living up to our full potential. I believe that through therapy, these hidden potentials can be realized. As a therapist, I act as a facilitator to help my clients see what they already have inside of them, foster self-acceptance, and help them reach their life goals through discovery of the self and of one’s own strengths.

Voted Top 5 in Toronto for Best Psychotherapists in 2021, NKS Therapy is a team of psychotherapists, marriage/family therapists, counsellors and life coaches in Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga, and Oakville who specialize in mental health support for adults, couples, teenagers, and families. With multiple experts on the NKS Therapy team, we will help you achieve your goals through a deeper understanding of yourself, and help you make conscious choices today. We offer sessions virtually & in-person. Start living a better life today with a FREE 15-minute therapy consultation! A Happier, Healthier, Better Version of Yourself awaits.

During the decade I spent working as a social scientist, I heard stories of strength, resilience, and courage. I also heard stories of humiliation, abuse, and grief. Throughout, what I have found most compelling is the storytelling. If you are here and are considering reaching out, I cannot wait to hear your story. My own journey with therapy has led me here. For most of my life, I felt I was walking in the dark, often stumbling and getting hurt. When I began therapy, it felt like someone switched a light on, allowing me to finally see the obstacles I had been running into. My goal is to help each client to turn on their own light.

***ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS: IN-PERSON & PHONE/VIDEO*** We believe that there is good in every person, and hope in every situation. We have helped individuals, couples, and families heal, grow, and connect. As relational therapists, we appreciate the impact that our relationships have on our well-being. We do not see clients as having something wrong with their minds that necessarily needs to be fixed. Rather, we see our clients as unique individuals, each with their own stories and perspectives, embedded in important relationships and contexts that impact them. We see strengths and we see hope, even when it feels like there is none.

***NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS FOR PHONE/VIDEO**** People enter my office for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they find it difficult to make a decision or feel that they cannot get out of a vicious circle of problems, struggle to adapt to new conditions or don’t feel safe, and sometimes it is simply difficult for them to live from day to day due to mental health or physical concerns. Sometimes they want to help their loved ones and don't know how. They often want to feel free from feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, overcome the struggles and move forward.

Life can be challenging as each day may bring unexpected stresses or circumstances. We may not always be able to control what comes our way, however, I believe that therapy can be a place that supports you in processing and navigating through those experiences. I understand how difficult it can be to share vulnerable or painful parts of your life with others. That is why my goal as a therapist is to prioritize our relationship and ensure it is a space where you feel valued, heard, and understood.

I work with racialized, LGBTQ+, and immigrant communities, who are experiencing issues related to anxiety, depression, ADHD, and trauma related to their intersectional identities and experiences. I work well with individuals who are open to exploring their emotions and thoughts in a safe and non-judgmental space. They seek a therapeutic relationship where they can foster self-awareness, identify patterns of behavior that may no longer serve them, and cultivate healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. I encourage collaborative approaches with clients, and aid in facilitating their personal growth and empowerment.

I believe that everyone is unique and exploring our inner world can help us appreciate this uniqueness. Our journey and the pain that we go through in our life make each of us special. I have helped individuals, couples and families to discover their pain and realize how it impacts themselves and their relationships. The new meaning and insight that we gain from this exploration helps us accept and love our unique selves, and build deeper relationships with our loved ones.

***STILL OPEN FOR IN-PERSON GUELPH/MISSISSAUGA*** I believe that there is good in every person, and hope in every situation. I have helped hundreds of individuals, couples, and families heal, grow, and connect. As a relational therapist, I appreciate the impact that our relationships have on our well-being. I do not see clients as having something wrong with their minds that necessarily needs to be fixed. Rather, I see my clients as unique individuals, each with their own stories and perspectives, embedded in important relationships and contexts that impact them. I see strengths and I see hope, even when it feels like there is none.

***NOW ACCEPTING CLIENTS FOR IN-PERSON (SAUGA/VAUGHAN) AND PHONE/VIDEO*** Let’s be honest, life is hard, and in many ways, we juggle more today than we ever have! Life’s challenges can leave us feeling stressed, confused, demotivated, even helpless and hopeless. It can be a tough road to travel, but you don't have to walk it alone. As a therapist, I don’t think anyone should feel that way. I am committed to supporting my clients with guidance, care, and connected to the proper resources. With experience working with youth, students, adults, and parents, I enjoy collaborating with clients on a variety of challenges.

Is it hard keeping up with life's demands? Are you feeling stuck? I know this is a difficult and you may be feeling uncertain whether change is possible and if therapy is the right move for you. It's hard managing everything on your own, and I want you to know that you don't have to go through it alone, I am here to help. I take on a client-centred approach that is integrative of other therapies, so I can follow your lead and individualize care to fit your needs. This is your journey and you are the true expert of your life.