Adoption Therapists in Toronto, ON

I am a Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist of California. My therapy is founded on Client Centered therapy which holds the belief that people are fundamentally good and have a desire to fulfill their potential and become the best people they can be. I use Cognitive Behavioral, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution Focus therapy, and other approaches in my therapy. I provide individual, adolescent, couple, family, and group therapy in English and Japanese. I obtained my M.A. in Counseling Psychology at Lewis & Clark College in Oregon in 1999, was licensed in California in 2006 and am practicing Psychotherapy in Toronto.

I chose social work as a career because I believed in the founding principles of the profession such as the dignity and worth of every human being and I support his/her right to self-determination. I work with all participants in ADOPTION to achieve their full identity as individuals and as family members. I assist expectant birth parents in considering the impact on their own lives of making and refining an adoption plan for their child. I prepare prospective adoptive parents for the role and special tasks of adoptive parenthood.

Are you struggling with Loss? Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Neonatal death? Infertility? Are you pregnant after loss? I offer a compassionate and sensitive space for you to freely express your sadness, despair and rage at the 'unfairness' of it all and will provide you with support and insight as you try to rebuild your life after a devastating loss. Are you adopted and considering Reunion? Are you in a Blended Family needing support? I am available ONLINE by Zoom anywhere English is spoken. Early morning, evening and weekend appointments available as needed. See website for more information. Sliding scale re fees.

I am an adoption competent social worker assisting families in post- adoption integration. Working from a trauma-informed and attachment bases I help families formed by adoption find success in meeting the needs of their adopted child(ren). I have specialized training in Watch, Wait and Wonder (an infant/toddler attachment tool), in addition to working with children and teens in the areas of anxiety, depression and self-harm. I work with couples to assist them in addressing the issues that are getting in the way of gaining greater fulfillment in their relationships and getting on the same page with respect to their parenting goals.

I am a Registered Social Worker with a Masters in Social Work with a Clinical specialization. I’m originally from a small town in New Brunswick and completed my studies in several Provinces across Canada. I also resided abroad for over a year and gained further experience in the field. I bring knowledge from multiple settings in the field with significant experience from children and families who have experienced child abuse or navigated through the Child and Family Services system, adoption and post adoption supports.

Blended families and individuals and families created through adoption , fostering and donor-assisted reproduction have unique histories and experiences which differ from families created through birth alone. All have experienced losses and the trauma of broken birth bonds. These experiences can provoke conscious or unconscious feelings such as grief, anger and shame which have significant impacts on self-value, behaviours, relationships and intimacy. Accessing, understanding & grieving are necessary before personal change and deeper interpersonal connections can be made.

I am an experienced social worker and adoptive parent of 3. I also have 15 years of experience as a foster parent in the child welfare system and have cared for more than 45 children in that time. Over the years, I have worked with children aged 5 and up, youth, and adults of all genders and sexual orientations. I have a special focus on working with people affected by adoption including adoptees, adoptive parents, birth or kindship family, etc. I am especially trained and skilled to help people who struggle with an issues related to adoption , such as identity, abandonment, sense of worth, and sense of belonging.

With a foundation rooted in Relational Gestalt psychotherapy, my role as an enlightened witness supports you as you feel your feelings, strive to make sense of how you approach the world around you and proceed on your healing journey. I work from an embodied approach to support you as you explore your difficulties, past and/or present, that you may struggle to verbalize. My compassionate side, with a little humour thrown in for good measure, makes difficult feelings a little easier to navigate. We can use conversation, movement, art, music or role play during our sessions—whatever interests you.

Neurodiversity-affirming therapy with a neurodivergent therapist. Identity exploration, navigation of neurotypical institutions, screening for autistic burnout, processing lived experiences of ADHD, and more. My healing-centred approach creates space for you to safely unmask and explore your authentic self. Sessions are available via video, phone, and secure synchronous text.

I have been committed to supporting the development of individuals, couples, and families since 2001. My work has focused on the areas of mood, anxiety, traumatic stress, personality, attachment, and relationships/family systems. In addition, I work regularly in the area of family-building, including fertility stress, perinatal and postpartum issues, third-party reproduction, fostering, and adoption as well as parenting. I am a clinical supervisor for psychologists, psychotherapists, residents,​ and graduate students from various Universities, teaching integrative and trauma-focused therapy, as well as psychological assessment.

I offer relational psychotherapy, a gentle, client-centred approach that provides space to explore issues creating difficulties for you, work to understand their roots, and support you in making the changes you wish to make. Whether you're struggling with difficult feelings or relationships, a crisis in your life, ongoing stress, or issues from the past, this is a space where you can sift through your feelings and thoughts with connection and support. My style as a therapist is warm, open and accepting. I practice within a trauma-sensitive, anti-oppression, LGBTQ*-affirming framework.

Everything can be broken down into small and manageable steps, and even small shifts can produce significant change and offer much needed relief. If you or your loved one (child, adolescent, or partner) seems to be stuck in repeating behaviours, or patterns that are stretching your patience and energy reserves, you've come to the right place. I'm here to help shoulder some of the emotional weight you've been carrying, and to let you know there is hope, tangible tools and strategies, and positive change on the other side of bravely stepping into this process.

Experiencing sadness, worry, or distress? Are past traumas impacting your present? Feeling "different"? Is it hard to navigate the world socially? These are some of the mental health, identity, and social concerns that can impact individuals and their families, impeding wellbeing. I provide psychotherapy and assessments to assist with a range of issues including mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, abuse, attachment concerns, anger, autism spectrum disorder, learning/attention issues, addictions, family functioning problems/transitions (e.g., divorce, adoption ) etc. I also have unique training and experience supporting gender/sexual identity-related exploration, coming out, and/or transition/surgery readiness assessments.

Feeling more sad, or anxious than your usual? Suffering due to a loss? Dealing with an aftermath of trauma you experienced long time ago, or recently? Going through your relationship/marriage crisis? Struggling with your self-esteem? Struggling with your own, or that of your close one's LGBTQ - related issues? Going through a stressful immigration process? Affected by the COVID19 pandemic, HIV/AIDS, or other chronic illness? Dealing with issues related to separation from biological family and, or with adoption experience? Stressed by your academic / work performance? Finding yourself in a life transition?

I am a Clinical Social Worker with more than 25 years experience in mental health. I work collaboratively with my clients to develop a strong therapeutic relationship and gain a better understanding of their situation. I create an inclusive, accepting and non-judgmental space for clients to feel comfortable in. Working from a strengths based, trauma informed framework, I use a psychodynamic lens to explore past experiences which may be contributing to present difficulties. By linking the past to the present and working in the here and now, we are able to gain a deeper understanding of internal and interpersonal difficulties.

I am dedicated to the emotional well being of youth, children and their families and to help them find the equilibrium that respects everyone's needs, temperament, developmental stage and aspirations. I use a wide range of approaches tailored to the child and family such as play therapy, art therapy, narrative and solution focused approaches, mindfulness, parent-child attachment and positive behavioural support strategies.

Are you experiencing anxiety, panic, depression or other mental health concerns? Or are you new in Canada and looking for support orientating to Canadian schools, workplaces and other institutions? If so, let’s talk. I also have personal and professional experience with the adoption process, racial trauma, and gender violence.

Are you seeking relief, clarity and well-being? Realigning your inner strengths and creating the balance you desire and deserve in your life is achievable! Stressful relationships (personal, family, work), loss, depression, anxiety, anger and conflict are some things I can assist you with. I can help you with being focused and grounded and, ultimately, more present. Being present, with yourself and others, is the only place from which you can make effective, conscious, lasting choices and changes. During 24 years in private practice I've had the privilege of working with many people of different ages, personalities and backgrounds.