Buddhist Therapists in Central Toronto, Toronto, ON

Thank you for being here! I work with adults who may experience emotional and behavioural difficulties. I specialize in treating anxiety disorders, OCD, depressive disorders, personality disorders, PTSD, racial trauma, grief and loss, and other relational problems. I also work with those who have experienced childhood trauma. In my work, I consistently and sincerely acknowledge the importance of the transgenerational impact of acculturation on our beliefs, worldviews, and sense of self. I genuinely believe that we are not broken, so we do not need "fixing;" instead, we work to be the self we want to be!

"I believe one of the bravest things you can do is to begin to understand your own story." I have dedicated my life to build a practice where people can come to a place of peace, where you feel comfortable and safe to unburden yourself about the most intimate and personal aspects of your life without the fear of being judged or shamed. This process allows you to shed the layers that keep you going in the same cycles and help you start a new and more fulfilling chapter in your life. Calling a therapist can be intimidating, but I hope you will take a moment (and maybe a deep breath) to call and see how I can help.

I work with people from all nations and cultures, and I work more with adults in my practice and with some Chinese when I also speak both Mandarin and Cantonese. Life is never smooth. From time to time, we need to seek help from others to face the challenges. As a professional psychotherapist, I am keen to journey with you through your life difficulties such as traumatic events, life changes, loss, and grief. I will help you to identify your own feelings, emotions, values, faith, and strength to face your life problems causing stress, anxiety or depression etc. Hopefully we work together to find meaning and transcend life changes.

My approach values humour, creativity and honest self-discovery focusing on experiential learning and a multitude of ways to help you move forward, learn and grow from all that you will encounter in life. I am here to listen, to assist you in discovering your deepest self and help you live in alignment with your inner being and values. Together we will uncover the strategies that best help you invoke wisdom, kindness and patience with yourself and others. I specialize in ONLINE THERAPY across Ontario, AND I see clients in person in a therapeutic environment in mid-town Toronto.

It is difficult to feel stuck in and overwhelmed by recurring issues in your life. I aim to create a safe environment for collaborative healing and growth. Whether you struggle with family dynamics, life transitions, emotional coping, or other difficult experiences, my approach focuses on helping foster curiosity to explore yourself, courage to face any challenges in your path, and the creativity it takes to discover unexpected solutions or resolution.

Therapy is a powerful process that can open you up in ways that are familiar and unexpected. It can be both scarry and beautiful. But what is most important is that you trust and feel safe with the person you are opening up to. As a Gestalt trained humanist psychotherapist with over 20 years of varied therapeutic experience I make the cultivation of that relationship and your trust the foundation of our work. Once this co-created safe space is established, no matter what shows up in sessions – fear, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, trauma, depression, family issues, alienation, substance use, feelings of inadequacy -

Life can be difficult. We all need help sometimes. You may feel overwhelming anxiety, sadness, grief, shame, or you can't stop the flood of negative thoughts. This can affect your sleep, physical & mental health, ability to connect with others, & your ability to focus & learn. You might blame yourself or feel helpless. This can be isolating, feel heavy, & get in the way of living a full, happy, and authentic life, aligned with your values & needs. If you want support with symptoms of anxiety or depression, to meet yourself with compassion & wisdom, build resiliency, & live with more happiness, ease, & connection, please reach out.

I work in a non-pathologizing, strengths-based way, and your dignity is important to me. I am an experienced psychotherapist with a focus on transitions, relationships, trauma and mindfulness. I offer a customized treatment experience that takes into account your preferences and past experiences and how these fit with evidence-based approaches.

When difficult times come, people are drawn to look at themselves. The habitual patterns of personality and relationships may no longer work or may be unsuited to who you are now. Feelings like shame, guilt and loneliness are painful. Unconscious defenses that protected you in the past can create problems rather than solve them and can actually inhibit your growth and freedom in the present. Therapy can increase self awareness, improve relationships, vitalize your sense of self, help you to discovery meaning and purpose, provide solutions to problems and reduce feelings of distress. Therapy is like a renovation. 30 years experience.

I offer an individualized approach to helping each person I meet to adapt, grow and thrive with life challenges. We face so many challenges our lives: traumatic experiences and loss, relationship issues, pain, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and other forms of stress and illness. I prioritize what is important and meaningful to each individual. This intention has led me to gain expertise in a variety of therapeutic approaches and find ways to integrate them in a way that works for you.

Most new clients will be cared for by professional colleagues working under my clinical supervision at our clinic Ottawa River Integrative Mental Health. I am a therapist for other therapists, a healer for wounded physicians. Our clients are high performers who struggle with the downside of over control, perfectionism, and anxiety. Many clients complete their therapy less controlled by their conditioned habits, fears, traumas, and aversive motivations. It gives me joy to see clients leave their time with us with all parts more aligned with Self, Curiosity, Compassion, Clarity, Connectedness, Creativity, Courage, Confidence.

Susan works with individuals from all walks of life who may embrace a range of mental health needs. She recognizes that each individual may need to seek therapy for a number of reasons, such as receiving support during tremendous transitions in life; to face and endure new challenges; or even to deal with the difficulties that one may encounter. Susan believes that every individual has the innate capacity to cope with the challenges that life offers, but it can be difficult to access these abilities from the experiences that each of us have had before.

Take a deep belly breath. There is a lot out there telling us what we should be, how we should feel, what we should be doing - it doesn’t always fit with how we actually are/feel/do. This can create feelings of anxiousness, depression, stress and worthlessness. The therapy space is a special one - where you can be whatever you need to be in that moment - raw, undone, clumsy, flailing, contemplative, curious, angry. All of you is welcomed here.

No Band-aid solutions here. Helping Individuals and Couples Facing: Sex Addictions, Healing Affairs, Sexual Trauma or Abuse, Porn Addiction, Love Addiction and Sex Crimes are my specialties. This includes the person experiencing these challenges, and their partner's or spouses who are confused and hurt, and their families. According to Parole Services, I have never had someone sexual re-offend while under my care and have only had 5 couples ever separate under my care. I can help with sexual enhancement, growing in intimacy, and relationship recovery. Imagine the possibilities that good therapy can have in your life!!

“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.

Unfolding, experiencing and living our authentic selves is what I am passionate about. I am highly skilled in guiding clients in accessing and exploring obstacles that are results of our deeply rooted beliefs. Unquestioned beliefs or limiting thoughts that can manifest as anxiety, depression or other psycho-emotional difficulties can actually be guiding lights on our journey to our true Selves. The essence of our being remains untouched as we grow and is waiting to be found and reconnected with. When you connect on a deeper level with your Self, your purpose, gifts, and talents show in their fullness and potentials show up.

I believe that therapy should always be a place where we find unconditional acceptance, are held in a positive light, regularly gain insights and reflection, and are free to voice our thoughts and feelings without fearing criticism or shame. I have experience supporting individuals with depression, anxiety, struggles with substance use, relationship challenges, trauma, and issues of identity and self-worth related to race, culture, family, gender and sexuality.