Attachment-based Therapists in Kitchener, ON
I provide trauma-informed attachment-based parent counselling, Circle of Security Parenting, and child counselling.
Parenting is hard and all of us make mistakes but knowing how to read our child's emotional cues and how to repair the inevitable ruptures is a game-changer for developing the relationship we want with our kids. If you are just starting out on your parenting journey and simply want to develop a secure attachment/bond with your baby or have been struggling with responding to your child's emotions for years, parent counselling might be the next best step in your relationship with your little(s). Kids' behaviours are always communicating something, and having someone to discuss these behaviours with can be so helpful.
I provide trauma-informed attachment-based parent counselling, Circle of Security Parenting, and child counselling.
Parenting is hard and all of us make mistakes but knowing how to read our child's emotional cues and how to repair the inevitable ruptures is a game-changer for developing the relationship we want with our kids. If you are just starting out on your parenting journey and simply want to develop a secure attachment/bond with your baby or have been struggling with responding to your child's emotions for years, parent counselling might be the next best step in your relationship with your little(s). Kids' behaviours are always communicating something, and having someone to discuss these behaviours with can be so helpful.
Accepting New Clients – Let’s Make Sense of What Feels Stuck!
You hold it together on the outside, but inside, it’s a different story. Maybe your relationships feel strained, childhood wounds keep resurfacing, or self-doubt lingers no matter how hard you try to move forward. Therapy with me is a space to understand these patterns, make sense of your emotions, and start feeling more like yourself. In our work together, we’ll untangle the patterns that keep you stuck, explore where they come from, and find ways to move through them with more clarity and self-compassion.
Accepting New Clients – Let’s Make Sense of What Feels Stuck!
You hold it together on the outside, but inside, it’s a different story. Maybe your relationships feel strained, childhood wounds keep resurfacing, or self-doubt lingers no matter how hard you try to move forward. Therapy with me is a space to understand these patterns, make sense of your emotions, and start feeling more like yourself. In our work together, we’ll untangle the patterns that keep you stuck, explore where they come from, and find ways to move through them with more clarity and self-compassion.
Adrienne Hafemann
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW, CH
2 Endorsed
Kitchener, ON N2M
Waitlist for new clients
I practice from an attachment-based, neurobiological, and relational framework focusing first and foremost on building a trusting, genuine, and comfortable therapeutic relationship that allows for challenge and change.
I understand and admire the courage it takes to reach out for support and am committed to respecting your time, effort, and trust. Our work together will be based on transformational approaches that quickly get to the root of the symptoms and concerns you are experiencing so that lasting change becomes possible, both within yourself and in your relationships. I believe our symptoms make perfect sense when they are better understood and, at one time, they served a helpful and protective purpose. Together, we will explore the unconscious learnings and narratives that are holding you back so you can get out from under your history.
I practice from an attachment-based, neurobiological, and relational framework focusing first and foremost on building a trusting, genuine, and comfortable therapeutic relationship that allows for challenge and change.
I understand and admire the courage it takes to reach out for support and am committed to respecting your time, effort, and trust. Our work together will be based on transformational approaches that quickly get to the root of the symptoms and concerns you are experiencing so that lasting change becomes possible, both within yourself and in your relationships. I believe our symptoms make perfect sense when they are better understood and, at one time, they served a helpful and protective purpose. Together, we will explore the unconscious learnings and narratives that are holding you back so you can get out from under your history.
There are valid reasons behind your behaviour and emotions. We function best in an environment where we feel safe, loved and valued and can develop healthy relationships and a positive sense of self. We can then better explore life from a position of mental and emotional well-being. Perhaps this has not been your experience. Trauma and distress can affect your feelings and behaviour. The hurt may have left you feeling unsafe, devalued and negative towards yourself. You may struggle with poor coping options that have caused harm and suffering to yourself and those around you. You might be finding it difficult to navigate life.
There are valid reasons behind your behaviour and emotions. We function best in an environment where we feel safe, loved and valued and can develop healthy relationships and a positive sense of self. We can then better explore life from a position of mental and emotional well-being. Perhaps this has not been your experience. Trauma and distress can affect your feelings and behaviour. The hurt may have left you feeling unsafe, devalued and negative towards yourself. You may struggle with poor coping options that have caused harm and suffering to yourself and those around you. You might be finding it difficult to navigate life.
I am a somatic and holistic-spiritually integrated practitioner, with a focus on attachment-based or sexuality/relational trauma symptoms, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), or challenges related to CPTSD/PTSD.
I work with somatic approaches including Havening somatic technique (certified) and Focusing as well as spiritually integrated approaches such as arts-based therapies, oracle cards and bibliotherapy. I work with clients who want to deepen personal spiritual integration, find meaning, direction, and belongingness through life.
I am a somatic and holistic-spiritually integrated practitioner, with a focus on attachment-based or sexuality/relational trauma symptoms, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), or challenges related to CPTSD/PTSD.
I work with somatic approaches including Havening somatic technique (certified) and Focusing as well as spiritually integrated approaches such as arts-based therapies, oracle cards and bibliotherapy. I work with clients who want to deepen personal spiritual integration, find meaning, direction, and belongingness through life.
I am an eclectic practitioner, using many different modalities including DBT, systems, neurodiversity affirming, emotion-focused, attachment-based, strengths-based, humanistic, anti-racist, collaborative, and always client-centered.
I became a Social Worker because of this intrinsic desire to walk alongside people through their pain and into their growth. As I’ve continued my own growth, both personally and professionally, I have developed a deep passion for working with folks across the lifespan, from ages 8 to 90, as they work towards healing and peace. I have worked with folks with various neurotypes, substance use and addiction, those experiencing housing insecurity and poverty, intimate partner violence/domestic violence, trauma and attachment challenges, self-esteem, emotion regulation, self-harm, suicidal ideation/suicidality, Dementia, and TBI/ABIs.
I am an eclectic practitioner, using many different modalities including DBT, systems, neurodiversity affirming, emotion-focused, attachment-based, strengths-based, humanistic, anti-racist, collaborative, and always client-centered.
I became a Social Worker because of this intrinsic desire to walk alongside people through their pain and into their growth. As I’ve continued my own growth, both personally and professionally, I have developed a deep passion for working with folks across the lifespan, from ages 8 to 90, as they work towards healing and peace. I have worked with folks with various neurotypes, substance use and addiction, those experiencing housing insecurity and poverty, intimate partner violence/domestic violence, trauma and attachment challenges, self-esteem, emotion regulation, self-harm, suicidal ideation/suicidality, Dementia, and TBI/ABIs.
I work from an attachment-based trauma treatment perspective that focuses on the mind-body connection.
Accepting new clients! I enjoy working with people who have had long-term mental health struggles and a history of trauma. The people I see are often struggling with understanding the impact of childhood wounds, stressful relationships involving difficulties with intimacy or autonomy, coping with the after-effects of sexual violence and/or feeling stuck in emotions such as shame and loneliness. These people may be trying to reconcile their values and desired way of being in the world with intense reactions that seem to come out of the blue. I also do work regarding gender, sexuality and neurodivergence.
I work from an attachment-based trauma treatment perspective that focuses on the mind-body connection.
Accepting new clients! I enjoy working with people who have had long-term mental health struggles and a history of trauma. The people I see are often struggling with understanding the impact of childhood wounds, stressful relationships involving difficulties with intimacy or autonomy, coping with the after-effects of sexual violence and/or feeling stuck in emotions such as shame and loneliness. These people may be trying to reconcile their values and desired way of being in the world with intense reactions that seem to come out of the blue. I also do work regarding gender, sexuality and neurodivergence.
My therapeutic technique also incorporates Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based, ego state, neurobiological, and attachment-based therapies.
In her book The Gifts of Imperfection, Bréné Brown says that “owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do”. It is my privilege as a Psychotherapist to provide space and support as individuals dive into the stories of their lives and do the hard work of healing. Certified in EMDR, and other types of evidence-based trauma therapies, I’m grateful to be able to provide an opportunity for individuals to release the emotional, mental, and physical blocks caused by trauma and other difficult life circumstances.
My therapeutic technique also incorporates Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based, ego state, neurobiological, and attachment-based therapies.
In her book The Gifts of Imperfection, Bréné Brown says that “owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do”. It is my privilege as a Psychotherapist to provide space and support as individuals dive into the stories of their lives and do the hard work of healing. Certified in EMDR, and other types of evidence-based trauma therapies, I’m grateful to be able to provide an opportunity for individuals to release the emotional, mental, and physical blocks caused by trauma and other difficult life circumstances.
My clinical work has been based in grief, trauma and attachment-based concerns creating a supportive foundation for many complex cases.
I offer experienced support for social workers, registered psychotherapists (qualifying) and registered psychotherapists. Individual sessions are designed to explore your clinical work while enhancing your skills and fostering your growth. My collaborative approach emphasizes ethical practice, self-awareness, and advanced therapeutic techniques, providing practical insights to navigate challenges and build confidence in your practice. If you're looking to elevate your practice and achieve your professional goals, let’s work together to make that happen.
My clinical work has been based in grief, trauma and attachment-based concerns creating a supportive foundation for many complex cases.
I offer experienced support for social workers, registered psychotherapists (qualifying) and registered psychotherapists. Individual sessions are designed to explore your clinical work while enhancing your skills and fostering your growth. My collaborative approach emphasizes ethical practice, self-awareness, and advanced therapeutic techniques, providing practical insights to navigate challenges and build confidence in your practice. If you're looking to elevate your practice and achieve your professional goals, let’s work together to make that happen.
Do you feel feel lost or confused about who you are, and what brings you joy or pleasure? Folks that prioritize everyone else around them end up exhausted and have no energy left. I work with people to help them find what they need – it could be validation, acknowledgement, finding the things that bring them joy, or discovering what pleasure feels like in their body. I will aid you in exploring the sensations in your body to figure out what causes stress, relaxation, or brings you joy so you have the ability to navigate between emotions and so you can live the life you want to live
Do you feel feel lost or confused about who you are, and what brings you joy or pleasure? Folks that prioritize everyone else around them end up exhausted and have no energy left. I work with people to help them find what they need – it could be validation, acknowledgement, finding the things that bring them joy, or discovering what pleasure feels like in their body. I will aid you in exploring the sensations in your body to figure out what causes stress, relaxation, or brings you joy so you have the ability to navigate between emotions and so you can live the life you want to live
I work from a client-centred, attachment-based lens.
Are you anxious and insecure in relationships? Do you people-please, ruminate, avoid conflict, and put loved ones' needs before your own? When others are upset, do you assume you did something wrong and feel responsible for their emotions? If so, let's get to the root of your attachment and the past experiences which shaped how you think, feel and act today as an adult. With self-awareness and kindness, we can build secure strategies to share your needs assertively and create healthy communication, increase a sense of "home" and peace in your body, regulate your emotions, and enjoy being present with those we love.
I work from a client-centred, attachment-based lens.
Are you anxious and insecure in relationships? Do you people-please, ruminate, avoid conflict, and put loved ones' needs before your own? When others are upset, do you assume you did something wrong and feel responsible for their emotions? If so, let's get to the root of your attachment and the past experiences which shaped how you think, feel and act today as an adult. With self-awareness and kindness, we can build secure strategies to share your needs assertively and create healthy communication, increase a sense of "home" and peace in your body, regulate your emotions, and enjoy being present with those we love.
Our evidence-based treatments are tailored to meet the needs of children, teens and families and include CBPT, EMDR, play therapy, expressive arts therapies (music, art, dance/movement, writing), animal-assisted therapy, sport social work, narrative therapy, attachment-based family therapies among others.
Bloom Child & Family Therapy supports children and their families using creative approaches and evidenced-based practices. At Bloom we strive to provide accessible, quality mental health care for children, adolescents and their families. Bloom therapists are ultra-creative! Play, expressive arts and animal-assisted therapies allow Bloom to make their services accessible to all children and their families. Whether you are coming for family therapy or your child is attending therapy, we believe that family and/or primary caregivers are key to children’s healing and growing. We are looking to build strong and healthy families.
Our evidence-based treatments are tailored to meet the needs of children, teens and families and include CBPT, EMDR, play therapy, expressive arts therapies (music, art, dance/movement, writing), animal-assisted therapy, sport social work, narrative therapy, attachment-based family therapies among others.
Bloom Child & Family Therapy supports children and their families using creative approaches and evidenced-based practices. At Bloom we strive to provide accessible, quality mental health care for children, adolescents and their families. Bloom therapists are ultra-creative! Play, expressive arts and animal-assisted therapies allow Bloom to make their services accessible to all children and their families. Whether you are coming for family therapy or your child is attending therapy, we believe that family and/or primary caregivers are key to children’s healing and growing. We are looking to build strong and healthy families.
Darijan Northstar @ Kaleidoscope Counselling Co.🌈
Registered Psychotherapist, MSc, MBACP, RP
1 Endorsed
Online Only
My approach is eclectic, and I use elements of CBT, DBT, ACT, Attachment-Based Therapy, Solution-Focused, Existential, and Hypnosis, so that I can help facilitate trauma healing and transformation within my clients.
Hey, I’m Darijan (he/him). It’s nice to virtually meet you! As a proud member of the LGBTQ2IA+ community, I offer inclusive, affirming care and bring a culturally sensitive perspective to my practice. I’m deeply committed to honouring your individuality and unique life experiences while creating a therapeutic environment that encourages your growth and self-discovery. I can help you explore your experiences, process difficult emotions, and develop tools for emotional resilience.
My approach is eclectic, and I use elements of CBT, DBT, ACT, Attachment-Based Therapy, Solution-Focused, Existential, and Hypnosis, so that I can help facilitate trauma healing and transformation within my clients.
Hey, I’m Darijan (he/him). It’s nice to virtually meet you! As a proud member of the LGBTQ2IA+ community, I offer inclusive, affirming care and bring a culturally sensitive perspective to my practice. I’m deeply committed to honouring your individuality and unique life experiences while creating a therapeutic environment that encourages your growth and self-discovery. I can help you explore your experiences, process difficult emotions, and develop tools for emotional resilience.
You're branching out - maybe you've started school or moved away from home, and you begin to realize that not all families function like yours.... sound familiar? This 'aha' moment can bring about all sorts of confusion and hurt about the way that we were raised. At Everworth Counselling, I help young adults who grew up in chaotic homes, with emotionally immature parents, and/or with childhood trauma to better understand their upbringing, how it impacted them, and where to go from here.
You're branching out - maybe you've started school or moved away from home, and you begin to realize that not all families function like yours.... sound familiar? This 'aha' moment can bring about all sorts of confusion and hurt about the way that we were raised. At Everworth Counselling, I help young adults who grew up in chaotic homes, with emotionally immature parents, and/or with childhood trauma to better understand their upbringing, how it impacted them, and where to go from here.
I draw from EFT, IFS, CBT, attachment-based, and somatic therapies to support emotional healing.
Do you feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck—maybe even isolated and invalidated—even when surrounded by well-meaning family, friends, or a spouse? You are not alone, and I see you. I have been there too—navigating a chronic illness and starting life in Canada at 18 as an immigrant. These experiences shaped my path and led me here, ready to support you on yours. I offer a safe and affirming space to explore your emotions, challenges, and goals—at your pace, in your own voice, grounded in empathy and cultural understanding.
I draw from EFT, IFS, CBT, attachment-based, and somatic therapies to support emotional healing.
Do you feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck—maybe even isolated and invalidated—even when surrounded by well-meaning family, friends, or a spouse? You are not alone, and I see you. I have been there too—navigating a chronic illness and starting life in Canada at 18 as an immigrant. These experiences shaped my path and led me here, ready to support you on yours. I offer a safe and affirming space to explore your emotions, challenges, and goals—at your pace, in your own voice, grounded in empathy and cultural understanding.
I am passionate about emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being. I believe in treating the whole person (mind, body and spirit) who is connected to bigger systems of family, friends, community and society. I provide therapy to individual, couples and families experiencing challenging circumstances, and who are looking for a supportive place for positive change and growth. I have experience working with people who present with such concerns as: * Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Self-esteem * Loss, Grief * PTSD, Childhood trauma/Abuse * Couple and relationship counselling * Parenting & Blended family issues
I am passionate about emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being. I believe in treating the whole person (mind, body and spirit) who is connected to bigger systems of family, friends, community and society. I provide therapy to individual, couples and families experiencing challenging circumstances, and who are looking for a supportive place for positive change and growth. I have experience working with people who present with such concerns as: * Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Self-esteem * Loss, Grief * PTSD, Childhood trauma/Abuse * Couple and relationship counselling * Parenting & Blended family issues
While using an attachment-based lens, I often start with focusing on acceptance and teaching calming strategies for the nervous system.
I strongly believe that we all have the wisdom to know where we need to make changes in our lives. We all want to live lives of less and more. Lives with less disconnection, overwhelm, and feeling stuck. Lives with more connection, communication, and joy. I work with a multitude of obstacles, including anxiety, depression, trauma, problems with social communication, emotional dysregulation, and other issues that get in our way of living more fulfilling lives. In therapy, I incorporate aspects of CBT, ACT, DBT and EMDR, building on skills and teaching new ones, while gaining new insights and perspectives on our lives.
While using an attachment-based lens, I often start with focusing on acceptance and teaching calming strategies for the nervous system.
I strongly believe that we all have the wisdom to know where we need to make changes in our lives. We all want to live lives of less and more. Lives with less disconnection, overwhelm, and feeling stuck. Lives with more connection, communication, and joy. I work with a multitude of obstacles, including anxiety, depression, trauma, problems with social communication, emotional dysregulation, and other issues that get in our way of living more fulfilling lives. In therapy, I incorporate aspects of CBT, ACT, DBT and EMDR, building on skills and teaching new ones, while gaining new insights and perspectives on our lives.
I work primarily from a psychodynamic, relational, and attachment-based lens, incorporating somatic approaches.
Our lives are filled with contradictions: we have intimate relationships and yet we find ourselves holding back in different ways; we notice intense inner yearnings for change but struggle to move beyond the same patterns and repetitions. You may be coming to therapy with one particular issue in mind that you want to explore, or perhaps you're bringing a general sense of unease and stuck-ness that you find yourself in. Often times what initially brings us to work with someone can lead to many unexpected areas of exploration.
I work primarily from a psychodynamic, relational, and attachment-based lens, incorporating somatic approaches.
Our lives are filled with contradictions: we have intimate relationships and yet we find ourselves holding back in different ways; we notice intense inner yearnings for change but struggle to move beyond the same patterns and repetitions. You may be coming to therapy with one particular issue in mind that you want to explore, or perhaps you're bringing a general sense of unease and stuck-ness that you find yourself in. Often times what initially brings us to work with someone can lead to many unexpected areas of exploration.
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming and scary. You might feel unsure of where to begin or vulnerable in sharing your challenges. Nicole Addario takes a holistic, individualized approach to ensure your therapy is tailored to you. She strives to create a safe, empathetic space where you feel heard, respected, and free to be your authentic self. Nicole is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. She has worked with clients from diverse backgrounds, and has additional research experience at CAMH, studying youth mental health and parent-child relationships.
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming and scary. You might feel unsure of where to begin or vulnerable in sharing your challenges. Nicole Addario takes a holistic, individualized approach to ensure your therapy is tailored to you. She strives to create a safe, empathetic space where you feel heard, respected, and free to be your authentic self. Nicole is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. She has worked with clients from diverse backgrounds, and has additional research experience at CAMH, studying youth mental health and parent-child relationships.
Your Way Counselling is about helping good people achieve the psychological well-being, relationships, self image, and mental health they want. Services are Family Therapy based and build on your strengths. You may find that you already have the knowledge you need to achieve your goals and yet choose to have professional support to gain confidence in yourself. Whether you are feeling completely overwhelmed or want support to deal with relationships and behavioural issues that are affecting your wellbeing and mental health please feel free to call. We can talk over your needs and make a plan that suits you.
Your Way Counselling is about helping good people achieve the psychological well-being, relationships, self image, and mental health they want. Services are Family Therapy based and build on your strengths. You may find that you already have the knowledge you need to achieve your goals and yet choose to have professional support to gain confidence in yourself. Whether you are feeling completely overwhelmed or want support to deal with relationships and behavioural issues that are affecting your wellbeing and mental health please feel free to call. We can talk over your needs and make a plan that suits you.
See more therapy options for Kitchener
Attachment-based Counsellors
Is attachment-based therapy the same as attachment therapy?
Attachment-based therapy may be confused with what is called “attachment therapy” (sometimes called “holding therapy”), a discredited and dangerous approach to treating children with attachment disorders, autism, or other mental health concerns. Attachment therapy—not attachment-based therapy—may involve restraining a child, forcing eye contact, and other coercive or abusive techniques. None of these practices are used in attachment-based therapy and the two modalities are in no way related.
What should I expect from attachment-based therapy?
Attachment-based therapy is based on attachment theory, which posits that children’s early relationships with their caregivers strongly influence their ability to navigate the world later in life. Thus, adults who seek attachment-based therapy should expect to deeply explore their childhood, identifying the dynamics or experiences that disrupted their attachment and the steps necessary to overcome challenges that arose as a result. Parents and children should expect to explore the possible factors that disrupted the parent-child relationship and work toward restoring trust and connection.
How long does attachment-based therapy last?
Certain forms of attachment-based therapy, especially those designed for parents and children, last for a set number of sessions; for example, Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up, a specific attachment-based approach for young children who have undergone early adversity, unfolds over 10 one-hour sessions. When attachment-based therapy is practiced on adults or combined with other modalities, it may not last a specific length of time; clients may wish to ask prospective therapists how long they expect treatment to take.
Does attachment-based therapy work?
Most of the research on attachment-based therapy focuses on children and adolescents. Some of this research shows a positive effect, especially for attachment-based family therapy (ABFT). Other studies, however, have found that attachment-based therapy is no more effective than other approaches to childhood depression, anxiety, or suicidality. Less is known about the therapy’s efficacy on adult populations.