Therapists in M4Y

“Into this world we’re thrown…” (Morrison, 1971) are more than groovy lyrics, they seem to reflect how we’ve all just kind of landed somewhere on a map; amongst peoples and situations we’re expected to navigate; during this exact moment in history…I also feel as though we’re each doing our best to adapt and find peace despite all this. Leaning on curiosity, compassion, and humour, I’ve had the privilege of being a second set of eyes for individuals from all walks of life, and stages psychological development, whom have been faced with a wide array of obstacles they just needed a fellow traveller to help work things through with.

As a therapist, I treat adults seeking support with their sexual orientation or gender identity, along with the challenges of coming out. I also treat symptoms such as anxiety, and depression, or are seeking assistance in family conflicts. As a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, I can offer letters for adults seeking gender-affirming care services that require a therapist's letter. Lastly, those who come to see me want to look deep into themselves, and set goals to parse through their internal judgments to see how our negative experiences with others and society have impacted our own self-esteem.

Change and solutions are possible! Help is available. Psychotherapy addresses a variety of issues and I can help you with everything from anxiety to depression to life and relationship issues. Often the hardest part is simply making the decision to begin. I offer a unique approach; in addition to traditional office visits, I also offer online sessions. Many people enjoy the added benefits of 'meeting' online; reduced travel time to and from their appointments, greater scheduling flexibility and being able to continue whether they are feeling under the weather or away on vacation.

I work from an anti-oppressive, trauma informed, client centered perspective. In other words I respect the perspectives, goals and needs of my clients who are seeking support to understand themselves and others. As a therapist I become your ally in search of your truth and understanding of yourself, the world and others around you. I believe that working with a therapist can be helpful in sorting out your feeling and thoughts to face your challenges in life and become the best version of yourself. I aim to offer a non-judgmental and open conversation so you can find the way to build awareness and making changes in your life.

Everyone's mental health struggles are unique and complex. Seeking help for mental health issues is often a difficult decision to make, and I am here to support you every step of the way. Your mental health challenges can affect every aspect of your life, from your personal relationships to your work or school performance. It can be hard to talk about your experiences with others and that you may feel misunderstood or stigmatized. I want you to know that I am here to listen to you and provide a safe and non-judgmental space for you to explore your thoughts, emotions, and reclaim your path to fulfillment.

Trauma is a part of life that impacts us heavily. There are some events in life that take place unexpectedly, and, it can be difficult to cope, heal, and move forward. Through experience, it is my understanding that we all move at our own pace and need a setting that is safe and non-judgemental to tell our story.

I've been a trauma therapist in Toronto for over 25 years, helping people with PTSD or trauma; those who have struggled with a painful past. I use a trauma-informed approach, that draws on attachment theory, I see individuals, couples or families, who have been affected by trauma. Many of my clients are in high distress from grief and loss, they often have difficult family relationships, or they're trying to cope with anxiety, eating disorders, or emotional pain.

Clinicians accepting new patients: As a community-minded organization, we sincerely believe that emotional healing and personal growth are within your reach. Through a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive lens, we offer individual therapy for issues related to anxiety and depression, gender and sexuality, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), self-esteem / self-confidence, and sexual trauma. If you live in downtown Toronto, identify within the LGBTQQ2S+ community, or simply seek positive change, get in touch with us today by visiting us at www.cwcp.ca

Seek first to understand is central to my work. There are many of us who have gone through life feeling misunderstood and judged and have felt the need to hide parts of our experiences to feel accepted in conversations. Taking the first step to begin talking about your experiences in ways that capture the essence of who you are can feel scary. Creating the space for open and honest conversations about what matters to you help me to better support your journey to self-discovery and growth. I blend a holistic, non-judgment approach with effective evidence-based treatment strategies.

Dan works with adolescents, adults, queer folks and seniors from a strengths-based, client-centered domain. Through his warmth, humour, and genuine care, Dan helps people from traditionally marginalized populations and those who feel they have been forgotten about or left behind in some way. Dan’s interested in helping people stuck in grief – over the death of a loved one, a relationship ending, a change in the family dynamic, the loss of a pet or job. Trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship issues, LGBTIQ+ issues, conflict, shame, and self-esteem can interrupt our daily lives and prevent us from healing. Dan’s insight,

It's tough out there. It's not just in your head. Relationships are complex. Jobs, careers, and school are demanding. On top of that we’re supposed to walk in nature, hit the gym, meditate, and drink eight glasses of water per day (great things, but feel like chores when we're exhausted). On top of it all, asking for help is hard, and we expect ourselves to balance everything on our own. But what if you’ve never seen healthy ways to manage stress? What if anger has only been exploding or shutting down? What if your only strategy for painful emotions is to numb or push them away?

“The good life is a process. Not a state of being. It is a direction. Not a destination.” I am a compassionate and dedicated social worker with many years of experience providing psychotherapy to diverse clients (youths, adults, seniors, and families with diverse ethnic/racial/cultural/ LGBTQ2+/ socioeconomic backgrounds). I bring experience working in clinical and community settings to address a wide range of concerns.

* I offer my clients secure video, phone, as well as in person sessions.* My practice includes a range of people and issues and I enjoy that diversity. You bring a curiosity about yourself, your situation and a desire for something different in your life. A common denominator among my clients is your need to be seen and heard for who you are. I am honoured to be an insightful guide to my clients as they discover and express themselves more authentically.

Warmth, engagement, attunement and compassion - these are some of the characteristics that support the relational work I offer clients. I'm an attachment-based, trauma-focused therapist, trained to integrate many other therapeutic approaches - for example, mindfulness, body-based approaches, stress reduction, psycho-education. I am particularly experienced in working with emotional neglect and abuse, physical/sexual trauma and dissociation, mood disorders, low self-esteem, self-harm (including eating disorders and addiction), identity issues (gender, sexuality and culture) and relationship difficulties (personal and professional).

Your well-being and personal growth are my focus. I create a safe space for open expression and healing, and I'm here to help you navigate your personal journey. I firmly believe that every individual is unique, with their own stories, strengths, and challenges. My approach is centered around your needs and aspirations. Through empathetic listening and a non-judgmental attitude, I aim to truly understand your perspective. Together, we will explore the dynamics that shape your life, identifying patterns that either strengthen or hinder your personal growth.

We are living in difficult times. Many people today are feeling alienated from themselves and others, feeling anxious or depressed. Some are feeling little or nothing; others are overwhelmed, having difficulties with relationships, or they're confused about their direction in life. Wherever you are, I will meet you there with kind attention and encouragement, and together we will unravel your tensions and discover how to help you find your inner strength and resourcefulness. I have been practising as a Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist for over 20 years and have helped many people find greater health and fulfillment in life.

With over two decades of experience as a therapist, I specialize in helping adults, couples, mental health providers, and first responders through the various challenges life presents. I aim to provide you with personalized care that is supported by research-based methods. Together, we'll work on developing a toolkit of strategies and skills to help with your personal or professional growth This process will empower you to handle challenges more effectively, whether you're dealing with grief, loss, anxiety, low self-esteem, trauma, communication difficulties, work or relationship issues.

I am a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and a member of the Canadian Association for Psychodynamic Therapy (CAPT). I completed a Bachelor of Psychology from the Belarusian State University in 2004 and a Bachelor of Clinical Psychology from the joint program of the Belarusian State University and Lateran University (Pisa, Italy) in 2004. I received my certification as a Gestalt Therapist from the Moscow Gestalt Institute in 2004 and again from the Gestalt Institute of Toronto in 2016. Please visit https://www.cwcp.ca/volha to learn more about my experience, qualifications, and working style.

I believe you know yourself best, and I am here to listen. Life is hard sometimes, and you don’t have to walk this path alone. Connection is important to me, and I believe it can be healing. I aim to support you as best I can through whatever life has thrown at you, offering a judgment-free space filled with empathy, curiosity and patience. I have experience working with seniors and members of the LGBTQ+ community. I have adopted a flexible, client-centred approach to psychotherapy in the hopes of meeting you where you are at and supporting you however is best at the time.