Therapists in Stratford, ON

The pressure is soul-crushing. Life looks great on paper but you’re burnt out. You were expected to be the perfect child. Speak and act right, best the best, achieve. Mistakes meant you failed. As an adult, there’s no room for rest. You’ll be bored. Seen as weak. It’s exhausting keeping up the façade. You’ve tried therapy to help with your stress, overwhelming thoughts, and unhappiness, but you were overbooked. You tried to squeeze it in, but finding the right therapist who didn’t judge felt impossible. I understand because I’ve been where you are. I was bullied at school and work, told “Get lost you Paki, go home to your country.”

I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the CRPO. I obtained a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the United States. My integrated psychotherapy approach for individual adults/teenagers, couples, and families combines relational, emotion-focused, attachment informed, trauma informed, and somatic elements. This comprehensive approach emphasizes the importance of your relationship with yourself and others, encourages emotional exploration, considers attachment histories, acknowledges trauma's impact, and fosters trust and positive self-esteem. It aims to promote individual/relational healing, inside and out.

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.

As a therapist, my goal is to help you to navigate through the difficult situations, life changes and events. Together, we can focus on skills that foster resiliency in the face of inevitable life challenges and stressors. I have several years of experience working with teens and adults dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues, substance use and other mental health concerns. I appreciate the complexities and challenges that life has to offer especially from a cultural and racial lens.

I'm an experienced clinical psychologist providing consultation and treatment to adults and seniors, with a focus on emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. I identify as Muslim and aim to provide therapy in a culturally sensitive way. I work with individuals who identify with a wide range of challenges including anxiety disorders, depression, adjustment issues, interpersonal and relational difficulties, chronic pain, and cognitive difficulties. I work primarily from a holistic, emotion focussed, embodied approach with emphasis on mindfulness, acceptance, and self-compassion.

Sarah Ahmed completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Masters of Social Work degree from University of Toronto, specializing in Mental Health and Addictions. Sarah has worked with a diverse clientele within a multitude of clinical inpatient and outpatient settings. Sarah provides individual and group counselling to individuals suffering from mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, coupled with co-occurring substance use issues. Additionally, Sarah also provides support for loved ones on how to sustain healthy relationships and manage life stressors.

Thank you for reviewing my profile. I am currently accepting clients who are facing the challenges of mental health diagnoses and substance misuse. I provide evidence-based, specialized approaches to supporting people experiencing complex PTSD, anxiety, depression and other integrative challenges. If your goals include working with an experienced therapist to grow, expand, and gain the skills necessary to achieve your wellness, I will provide you effective support. My services are geared to assist the general public, as well as First Nations, and culturally diverse communities seeking support for healing, recovery and wellness.

My areas of speciality include emotional disturbances, addictive behaviors, substance use, anxiety, depression, life transitions and coaching, interpersonal relationships, self-esteem, stress, trauma and spirituality. I have experience working with adolescents, adults, and families from a diverse range of cultural, ethnic, socio-economic and educational backgrounds. More specifically, my previous clinical experiences have afforded me the unique experiences of working with troubled teenagers suffering from addictive behaviors, refugees who have experienced significant trauma, couples pursuing international adoption.

Are you experiencing anxious thoughts, depressed mood, or finding it hard to adjust to major life transitions? Do unwanted and intrusive thoughts and feelings hinder your ability to fully engage in a meaningful life? Are you finding it challenging to cope with uncertainty in your life? Are you currently facing emotional challenges related to pregnancy or postpartum experience? We'll take time to discover your strengths and work towards your journey.

I believe that awareness of self, thoughts and feelings are an essential aspect of one's well-being. My goal is to help my clients build resilience and achieve self-sufficiency. I enjoy working with adults (and young adults) struggling with life stressors or traumatic experiences and providing them with the skills and confidence to cope successfully. From my experience as a youth counsellor and a facilitator for family violence, I have acquired skills in helping individuals facing a broad range of mental health problems and life challenges.

Accepting NEW Clients - Ready to conquer stress, anxiety, or sadness and reclaim "feeling like yourself"? Overwhelmed by life's pressures, past traumas, or relationship challenges? Eager to grasp how your thoughts and feelings today connect to your overall sense of self? Seeking a therapist who gets your values and background, connecting you to your past, present, and future experiences? Let's team up to explore your struggles or dive into understanding yourself better. I'm here for both individuals and couples, guiding you through past, present, and future explorations.

Are your thoughts taking control? Not feeling yourself? Experienced something tough recently that you can't seem to get past? Going through family struggles, relationship conflict or communication breakdown? Or are you looking for help for a child or teen? Sometimes life struggles can become roadblocks that prevent us from working towards our goals and living our best, most fulfilling lives. As a therapist, I want to help you work through those roadblocks. I strive to provide a safe, nonjudgmental, and collaborative space to help you work through struggles, achieve your goals and get back to a fulfilling, meaningful life.

Thank you for viewing my profile. I am accepting new clients. My practice services individuals, children, youth, families, and groups. We provide psychotherapy to support emotional distress, but not limited to anxiety, lack of motivation, sadness or depression, grief, feeling overwhelmed, feeling stuck in your life and relationship issues. Taking the first step can be difficult, we understand. If you are struggling with mental health issues, the team at Support & Growth Counselling Services can help. We offer a variety of counselling and psychotherapy services to ensure that you and your loved ones can build happy and healthy lives.

***NOW ACCEPTING CLIENTS FOR PHONE/VIDEO*** It’s a privilege and honour to be doing this work, and to walk alongside clients on their respective healing journeys. I believe that everyone is the expert of their own lives and life experiences. By working collaboratively and through meaning-making, I aim to support clients in connecting with their needs, dreams, hopes, as well as to the answers I believe each person has inside them. My approach is trauma-informed, non-directive, strength-based, and client-centered. Healing, the discovery of possibilities, one’s resilience, and one's gifts can all be part of the therapy process.

At the Journey Counselling and Psychotherapy, we believe that every person who wants therapy should receive therapy regardless of the cost. Our Affordable Therapy Program offers accessible therapy at a rate of $75. We offer a Drop-In Therapy program on Fridays from 12-5pm for urgent care. Our Drop-In operates on a pay-what you can model, accessible to everyone regardless of your budget. Life is a journey. We believe that everything that has happened to you has helped to shape who you are, but does not need to define you moving forward. Whether you are looking to move away from something or towards something therapy can help.

You have found this site as you are taking the first step towards change. These first steps are often scary & difficult but we are here to support you! Our highly trained and compassionate therapists provide a range of services that are usually covered by your extended healthcare plan. We strive to create a safe & comfortable environment in which, you will be able to work through the issues that you are finding yourself struggling with. We are dedicated to helping people maintain a state of wellness for themselves & their families. New to our practice: student therapists offering compassionate rates. Please inquire.

I specialized in working with patients who have experience trauma and are struggling with PTSD, depression, anxiety, OCD, and addiction. I also specialize working with couples to help them learn to better connect and rebuild their relationships.

I became a therapist because, just like you, I am human and have had my fair share of battles. It took a long time for me to get to where I am today. I recognize that in moments of hopelessness, it is hard to find determination, that depression can be scary, that anxiety can be overwhelming, and that traumatic experiences can leave one feeling emotionally exhausted and drained out. I acknowledge the stigma associated with mental health and in going to therapy. For this reason, I know how crucial it is to provide therapy that is client-centered, empathetic, and unique to each person’s needs.

Accepting new clients. My practice services individuals, children, youth, families, and groups. We provide psychotherapy to support emotional distress, but not limited to anxiety, lack of motivation, sadness or depression, grief, feeling overwhelmed, feeling stuck in your life and relationship issues. Taking the first step can be difficult, we understand. If you are struggling with mental health issues, the team at Support & Growth Counselling Services can help. We offer a variety of counselling and psychotherapy services to ensure that you and your loved ones can build happy and healthy lives.