Multicultural Therapists in Mississauga, ON

I welcome you with a willingness to learn more about whatever might be holding you back in life or your relationship(s). My approach to therapy is client-centred and collaborative. I strive to explore solutions that work in your environment. I am a South Asian, gay/queer, cisgender man, immigrant/settler, & I have extensive experience working with heterosexual & queer/2SLGBTQ+ individuals & couples.

In-Person & Virtual - Accepting Client - No Waitlist - Insurance Coverage. McDowall Integrative Psychology & Healthcare (McDowall) is a team of registered psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors and therapists-in-training who are committed to providing you with professional, compassionate therapy and assessment services. We offer traditional psychological and psychotherapy services, but when needed, we incorporate integrative therapies in order to provide optimal psychological outcomes. We use an integrative psychology approach that addresses the root causes of your mental health concerns.

My goal is to support clients with finding the direction and solutions they are seeking to the challenges they face. I provide a welcoming space for clients to explore personal uncertainties and learn concrete strategies to accomplish the healing, change, and growth they hope to achieve.My practice is to embrace diversity and a collaborative ,anti-oppressive ,non-judgmental approach . My approach is to work in partnership with clients to restore healthy communication, trust, emotional connection, and intimacy within their lives.

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 believe that everyone has the potential to heal, grow, and change. I believe that we all have our own unique story. Just like a locked door, our struggles can seem insurmountable at times. But with the right support and guidance, we can find the key to unlock these barriers and live more freely. My goal is to provide a safe and supportive space for you to explore your challenges, tap into your inner strengths, and achieve your goals. Using a strengths-based approach, I provide a supportive and collaborative partnership to help you develop new skills and insights for a more fulfilling life.

I wear many professional hats. I am an MD, MACP, RP(q), a Clinical Researcher, a Project Management Professional, a Professor at George Brown College, previously an instructor for 15 years at UofT and a family oriented female. I am a published author in the Journal of American College of Cardiology, International Diabetes Federation and the Journal of European Society of Cardiology. I have a number of years worth of work experience in mental health. I have taken care of clients in the in/out patient settings. I believe in providing a non-judgmental and safe space for people to share. My aim is to build stronger communities.

Now accepting clients for phone/video! In life, we take many paths. Some paths are smooth and effortless, while others can be rough and challenging. Sometimes, on a particularly difficult path, we can lose sight of our goals, loved ones, and the connection to our inner selves. On the surface, it may feel like we do not have the strength to get through these hardships. But I believe that we can find it within ourselves to forge new pathways towards happiness. Therapy is empowering! By working through emotions, thoughts, and feelings, you can grow into the person you want to be, and achieve your full potential

Hello and thank you for being here. I understand that this can be a nerve-wracking and a new experience for you. But I'm happy you're here and seeking the support you need. As a therapist, I will support you along your therapeutic journey and help you in identifying and achieving your goals. I offer a non-judgemental, safe and empathetic space for you to be in and a space you can trust.

You're not alone in this journey. I work with many adults who grapple with anxiety, depression, or feelings of 'not good enough.' Often, they're navigating major life changes and transitions, seeking clarity and understanding amidst the chaos. It's normal to lean on support to make sense of what's happening both internally and externally. As I always say, "We are not meant to do it alone." Together, we can explore, and untangle your thoughts & emotions. My approach is anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive. I believe in holistic therapy, considering each unique individual within their surrounding environment.

I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. My passion for supporting people in their healing journey is rooted in a massive stigma around mental health, which I experienced while growing up in Pakistan. I have worked towards raising awareness about maternal and children health issues, pregnancy stress, postpartum depression, and respectful parenting. I provide compassionate, people-centered, and strength-based support to help people cope with anxiety, depression, childhood trauma and PTSD, stress, relationship and family issues, grief, etc.

Do you sometimes think to yourself "my child's behaviour is out of control!". Do you think "I want to help my child so desperately but somehow it feels like I end up making things worse" ? Maybe you blame yourself and wonder "where did I go wrong?". Maybe other people in your child's life blame you. You know something needs to change but don't know where else to look. You've exhausted all the options you know of- you've spoken to other moms, teachers, maybe other therapists. You worry about your child's happiness and stability if something doesn't change. This is hard stuff! I want you to know, you're in the right place!

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.”

With over 10 years of strength and mindset coaching, I have come to see the value of combining the training of the mind and body. My approach as a therapist evolves from this, appreciating the uniqueness of each individual. As an athlete, I am fascinated by what we can do and how we can create our own story and journey. Providing culturally sensitive and anti-oppressive therapy is one of the key focuses of my practice. I have had a culturally rich upbringing that encouraged and fostered multiculturalism throughout my life and has furthered my curiosity and appreciation for diversity and inclusiveness.

I am registered with the College of Psychologists (CPO) and all of my services include clinical supervision with CPO registered Psychologists, which inform my continued professional development. Research in the area of 'common factors' emphasizes the client-therapist relationship and factors that are unique to you and your life circumstances as important predictors for therapy success, and it informs my approach to support you in creating positive change. I meet clients non-judgmentally, and my approach is uniquely dynamic, collaborative, and solution-focused, with therapeutic presence and authenticity.

In my therapeutic approach, collaboration and adaptability are key. I bring extensive experience in assisting individuals from diverse backgrounds who are grappling with complex trauma, challenges in emotional regulation, and experiences of loss. Together, drawing upon your courage, we will explore evidence-based methods to craft a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs. My mission is to provide support and empowerment as you embark on your journey towards healing and growth.

Feeling stuck? Struggling with overwhelming emotions? Let's navigate this journey together. With empathy and understanding, I provide a safe space for exploration and growth. Maybe past traumas haunt you or daily life feels too much. I've been there. As someone who understands the pain and confusion firsthand, I'm here to help. Together, we can untangle the knots, find clarity, and start your healing journey. You're not alone; let's take this step forward together.

Anger, anxiety, depression, family conflict, domestic violence, acute and chronic/complex trauma comprise some of the challenges individuals experience in their lives. If you are a person struggling with any of these issues and/or experience other mental health concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out for a brief chat to discuss whether I am the right therapist for you. I am a Registered Master of Social Worker (MSW, RSW) with over 25 years of extensive experience serving complex mental health needs for individuals, couples, and families. I offer services in English, Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu.

You are confused, angry, frustrated or keep blaming yourself. Your sleep is disturbed or your brain is working non-stop. You feel exhausted and you have difficulty staying focused. You have isolated yourself, find yourself crying frequently, don't feel happy, avoid certain situations, keep getting into arguments, get angry, or end up sabotaging relationships. You are stressed from work or school. You are experiencing conflicts in your relationship. You may have suicidal thoughts. I have vast experience working and supporting people experiencing depression, anxiety, guilt, anger, low self-esteem, grief & bereavement, stress, relationship issues and mental health challenges.

We all have a story to tell that is uniquely ours. These stories can include our positive experiences but also times when we're faced with challenges that can make us feel stressed, overwhelmed, and unmotivated. As a therapist, I'm committed to providing you with a non-judgmental and safe space to tell your story. Whether you're facing a life transition, the effects of trauma, or challenges in your relationships—I want to help you to discover your strengths, embrace self-compassion, and take manageable steps towards your goals. I work holistically and collaboratively to tailor to the specific needs, values, and goals of each client.