Therapists in Hamilton, ON

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.

You have tremendous power. The power to define your world, your relationships, your life. The power to be your true self. Yet, life can bring challenges that make us feel powerless. Passion can turn into doubt, fear, and anger. Love and joy can become pain and emptiness. For many of us, no single event alone changes us, but at some point, we find ourselves lost. I believe in the power of hope. I believe you can rediscover your strength, purpose, and sense of control. You can reclaim yourself—your courage, confidence, clarity, creativity, and compassion. I have hope that you can be who you want to be, no matter what comes your way.

Finding the right therapist can be a daunting and intimidating process. This is why I appreciate the strength and courage that it takes to reach out for help. I also admire the ambition and belief that positive change is possible. Therefore, I would be so honoured to support you in identifying your needs, goals, and taking these next steps with you. My goal is to build and maintain a strong and trusting therapeutic relationship with you, so you can feel empowered and confident, in yourself and in your decision making. I provide a comfortable and judgement-free space for you to be able to express yourself and grow.

For those feeling unfulfilled, stuck, not quite themselves, or struggling with emotional regulation, I welcome you. I work with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, childhood sexual abuse, relational and developmental trauma, and personal relationships. I utilize a variety of evidence-based modalities including psychodynamic, mindfulness, solution-focused, trauma-informed, and emotionally-focused approaches. I provide a space for clients that is free of judgment, inclusive, and empowering.

In order to work effectively on something, we must know its root and nature. I believe that half the battle is truly understanding why our struggles are occurring in the first place. Once we know the root of the concern and the thoughts, feelings, experiences, and ideas that reinforce its existence, we can then begin to dismantle its power—brick by brick. I believe in holding space for people to tell their stories and explore parts of themselves they may have never before felt safe to share with others. It is through this brave process of standing face-to-face with every part of who we are that we can decide who we would like to be.

I am committed to making a positive impact on people's lives. I am a firm believer in the power of empathy and active listening and I am dedicated to creating a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to explore their thoughts and emotions. I believe that the most profound human connections are built upon empathy, trust, and a sincere desire to help others. My approach to therapy is integrative, drawing from various techniques to tailor treatment plans to the specific needs of each client. I have witnessed the transformative impact of a therapeutic relationship built on trust and mutual respect, as both a therapist and a client.

“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” - Carl Rogers I believe that the first step in moving towards the life you want is to accept yourself and your position as they are. This is not a request to settle, but rather, an invitation to look at the cards you hold. Only after accepting how things are can your next steps be determined. I can provide the space for you to express how difficult things are, while the healing relationship we build together will serve as the vehicle driving change. Seeking support is not easy, and you are stronger than you think by simply taking this first step.

Life rarely goes according to plan, and in our most difficult times, many of us have not had the support and tools needed to navigate losses, transitions, and traumas. My role is to help you find your way through hardship, while expanding your capacity to meet challenges from a place of resilience and acceptance. Your struggles are not due to your own inadequacy; rather, I believe all behaviour makes sense on some level, when viewed from the right perspective. I work from a holistic stance that accounts for the individual, cultural, and societal factors affecting each of us uniquely, and therefore requires a personalized approach.

Imagine a space where science and art harmonize, meeting you with understanding and creativity: this is the heart (and brain) of my therapy practice. I invite you on an exploration as unique as you are, where empathy lights the way. You are not alone, and I am so proud of you for taking this step! My own journey, where I overcame being unable to read until the 3rd grade, testifies that no obstacle is insurmountable with creativity, commitment, and support. I believe that for everyone, regardless of the cards dealt, there exist many paths to a fulfilling life—let’s discover together how your own path might unfold most vibrantly.

Reaching out for support can be difficult—I commend you for the courage to see what therapy can offer! As a person of colour and member of the LGBTQ+ communities, I have lived experience and special insight into what it’s like to navigate the unique challenges that come with intersectionality. I have a background in working with sexual health, resilience, wellbeing and challenges that uniquely affect intersecting persons of colour, gender and sexuality. I’m grateful to have supported many folx who went through a difficult time in their life, dealt with a mental health concern, or wanted to explore more about themselves.

Among all the things we want for ourselves, perhaps happiness tops the list for most. But life may not always turn out the way we expect, and that can hurt. There may be times when we feel stuck, angry, lost, confused, unhappy, or overwhelmed. What do we do then? In such times, I like to remind myself that “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional” (Haruki Murakami). This perspective offers us strength to move towards inner healing and positive change. Seeking therapy is brave work, and a beautiful way to practice self-love; when you truly love yourself, you value who you are and can grow towards the best version of yourself.

My goal is to support and guide you back to wellness no matter the trials and tribulations that life presents. I have a keen interest in supporting anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and trauma. Above all, I take pride in building genuine therapeutic relationships with my clients while helping them become the best versions of themselves. Having started my own therapeutic journey as a client myself, I can more deeply appreciate the importance of this client-therapist relationship. The therapeutic journey is not always easy, but I believe that we are stronger together.

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.

I understand psychic and emotional crises as your body’s best effort to cope with what it is experiencing. All of our behaviours and impulses make sense if we bring a warm curiosity to the bigger picture of your life, your body, your mind and your lived experience. I work to co-create a space where you new stories about yourself can emerge, stories that are more expansive, generous and allowing of what you have lived through. Whether you are working through addiction, compulsive behaviour and thinking, anxiety, depression, grief, ruptures or general existential confusion, I am here to hold it with you.

I hold the belief that inherent goodness resides within every individual and that hope can be found in even the most challenging circumstances. Therapy offers a special opportunity to explore this goodness and hope. In my experience as a therapist, I have had the privilege of supporting and empowering individuals, couples, and families on their journey towards healing, growth, and connection. I approach all my clients with a deep appreciation for their unique identities, shaped by their personal narratives and perspectives. I am attuned to working with individual strengths while fostering a capacity of hope.

Welcome! I understand how uncomfortable and difficult it can be to reach out for help, and you have taken the most difficult step already. I’m happy to support you in your healing journey – you don’t have to do this alone. I support youth and adults around issues with anxiety, depression, ADHD, life transitions, and relationship issues. I’m also a proud ally of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

If overwhelmed, stressed out, and anxious seem to be your common state of being, or if you are struggling with feelings of guilt, shame, and hopelessness, or if despite all your best efforts you can't seem to get from where you are to where you want to be, leaving you feeling stuck; then therapy can provide you with a safe space to be seen, heard, and understood. We can uncover the root of why you are stuck and struggling, and discover the innate wellness and wisdom that resides within you, which can help create a new way of being in the present, so that your future can look like what you desire.

Money should never be the reason you DON'T go to therapy. We never want money to be a barrier to accessing therapy. This is why Affordable Therapy Ontario (ATO) exists: to make therapy accessible for all! Created by Building Bridges Psychotherapy, we are a diverse team of licensed therapists providing high quality therapy to those who need it. We offer in-person services in Mississauga and Vaughan, with more locations to come. We also offer therapy over video and phone. We work with individuals, couples, and families. For a full list of all the issues and concerns we work with, check out our sister website: bbtherapy.ca/services.

I am fascinated by the beautiful interconnection between the mind and body. As a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) my vision is to promote mental wellness and reduce the stigma around it. I am passionate about improving the mental wellness of individuals along with facilitating personal growth and effective change. As my client, I will meet you where you are. I see you as a unique individual with your own strengths. Respecting your perspective, culture, and individuality is a key aspect of how we will build a therapeutic relationship. I am also constantly working towards providing a safe and inclusive space for you.