Attachment-based Therapists in Toronto, ON
See all counsellors in Toronto
Sepideh Saedi
Registered Psychotherapist, MA, RP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am especially influenced by
attachment-based
, interpersonal, and emotion-focused therapies.
I work with individuals experiencing a wide range of difficulties that life can offer, including: depression, anxiety, self-esteem, emotional regulation (i.e., anger management, mood fluctuations), body image issues, sexual assault, self-harm, relationship problems, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, chronic health and disability issues, post-immigration experiences, grief and loss, healing from interpersonal trauma, burnout and job dissatisfaction, life transitions and decisions, as well as the stressors that accompany everyday living. My clinical practice celebrates diverse cultural backgrounds, gender identities, and sexualities.

Flora Gerlai
Registered Psychotherapist, Hon BA, MACP
Verified
6 Endorsed
Verified
6 Endorsed
I work using an integrative approach incorporating models such as Solution-Focused therapy,
attachment-based
frameworks, Cognitive Behavioural therapy, Narrative therapy as well as Mindfulness-Based techniques.
Hello and welcome to my page! Have you been feeling anxious or overwhelmed lately? Are you looking to gain some clarity in your next steps or set goals to work towards in your future? Are you looking to understand past narratives that may impact your current relationships? I approach my work with a warm, caring and empathetic lens, combining a perspective that all behaviours reflect an underlying need and that when those needs are met with compassion and understanding, positive change can occur. I would love to work alongside you as we discover ways of coping and healing through difficult times.

Ayasha Mayr Handel
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified
Verified
Approaches: somatic, Sensorimotor, animal assisted, mindfulness, polyvagal/neurobiological,
attachment-based
, relational, psychodynamic, existential, ecological, feminist.
I am an unapologetic autistic, disabled social worker and trauma therapist. I work collaboratively with autistic/neurodivergent individuals, families, professionals and leaders, providing non-violent, disability/racial/gender justice based healing support. Healing supports are attuned, holistic, depathologizing and decolonizing; reconnecting with self, community and culture. Our neurotypes do not need “treatment”, and our problems are not the result of “social skills deficits”. Deep healing and liberation come through challenging neurodisablist and sanist systems and finding pathways back to our embodied wisdom, power and JOY!
Toronto, ON M9N
& Online

Ally Florence
Registered Psychotherapist, MA, RP, CSAT(C)
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Toronto Psychotherapy Space offers both online and in person psychotherapy appointments. Please view our website and give us a call to book a free 15-minute consultation with Ally or one of our clinical therapists. Ally is passionate about helpig clients work through their past and present difficulties, working from a trauma informed lens and meeting people where they are at on their recovery journey. Ally uses multiple therapeutic modalities when working with clients such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT),Solution Focused Therapy, and attachment based approaches.

Melanie Van Nieuw Amerongen
Registered Social Worker, BSW, MSW, RSW
Verified
Verified
All of us can be presented with hardship, pain and overwhelm - sometimes without warning. It is in these stressful moments that we may struggle to find the tools to cope. Confronted by life’s challenges, it can become difficult to see the path forward.

Farah Sheikh
Registered Social Worker, BA, BSW, MSW, , RSW
Verified
Verified
I draw on inspiration from a variety of modalities including
Attachment-Based
Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative and Mindfulness.
As a social worker, psychotherapist and a child of South Asian immigrants, my practice is informed by a broad range of clinical, academic and cultural experiences. I am an individual and family therapist, specializing in working with children, teens and adults. My expertise is in emotional regulation, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss.

John W. Clarke
Registered Psychotherapist, MEd , RP, ThM, MBACP
Verified
Verified
My general therapeutic approach is integrative, and I have a particular interest in using cognitive-behavioural,
attachment-based
, and relational therapies to treat anxiety, depression, various phobias, chronic pain, stage-of-life issues (particularly mid-life issues), and couple relationship challenges.
Greetings! I consider it both an honour and a privilege to be held in a position of trust and to listen and respond to my clients’ unique, rich life stories. Since 2014, I have accumulated extensive clinical experience using cognitive-behavioural therapy and relational, person-centred interventions to treat adults with various psychological, emotional, and spiritual challenges. Irrespective of my therapeutic approach and the presenting issue, I place the highest priority on creating a warm and empathic, safe, non-judgemental space where my clients and I can collaborate to come up with workable short- and long-term solutions.
Waitlist for new clients

Alison Sharp
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
My integrated approach: EMDR, CBT, narrative,
attachment-based
and psychodynamic therapies.
There are so many reasons why you might be thinking about therapy and I am so pleased you landed here. Maybe you’ve noticed a habit of getting in your own way when it comes personal or professional goals, or maybe you've been feeling anxious or down but unsure why; maybe unresolved memories or feelings have been intruding into your present, or maybe you don't quite feel how you would like to feel about yourself at this point in your life. I can help you make sense of these experiences and make the changes you want. Together we will build on your strengths, learn new coping skills, and work towards a more fulfilling life for you.
Toronto, ON M6P
& Online
Waitlist for new clients

Leslie Kirsh
Registered Psychotherapist, RP, MEd
Verified
Verified
I am a registered psychotherapist who has a particular interest in attachment and family therapy. I work with young people and their parents, adults and their parents, siblings of all ages, and individuals. The goal of family work is to help family members work through barriers in their relationships and ideally to reconnect and find safety together. In individual therapy I think systemically and help folks make connections between their mental health struggles and the world around them. I work with clients with depression, anxiety, experiences of trauma and the many other challenges that can cause distress.

Safa Ali
Registered Psychotherapist, MA, RP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Depending on what is needed, I tend to work with person-centred, emotion-focused, mindfulness/compassion-based, internal family systems, and
attachment-based
approaches to therapy.
Therapy is not about eliminating all problems or "fixing" yourself, but is simply a way of stepping back from your life in order to examine it more deeply. My approach encourages change that emerges from understanding - rather than fighting with- yourself. This is the foundation on which you can increase your ability to manage difficult emotions and thoughts, improve your connection with others, work through past experiences, or make important life choices. I am grounded in trauma-informed, harm-reduction, and social justice frameworks, and have worked extensively with trauma and substance use in a community mental health setting.
Toronto, ON M6G
& Online

Alexandra Torrie
Registered Psychotherapist, MEd, RP, CCC, RCC(BC)
Verified
Verified
I draw on somatic, emotion focused and
attachment-based
therapies to broaden your understanding of your experience, help you discover your inner strength and foster self-compassion.
I see psychotherapy as a chance to come back to yourself. When faced with challenges in life we can forget our strengths, values, and sense of self. Psychotherapy offers the chance to rediscover these things and uncover more. Together we can navigate life’s challenges while building new skills and resilience to create a stronger sense of self. The therapy space that we create together is one where you can discuss anything and explore emotions, experiences, thoughts, and behaviours in a space and relationship that is safe, supportive, and dedicated to your well-being.
Toronto, ON M5R
& Online

Sophia Labonte
Registered Psychotherapist, BEd, MA, RP
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
Need things to change a little or a lot? Life can be tough at times, and navigating through the many challenges alone can be stressful and isolating. I'm a Registered Psychotherapist, with over 18 years of experience in the mental health field (teaching counselling, workshop facilitation, supervising, therapy…) Whether it be searching for meaning and happiness, managing symptoms of anxiety or depression, working through crises and/or trauma, building relationship skills like conflict management and communication, or finding more balance in life, I take a client-centred approach to guide and support people in reaching their goals.

Stefanie Mathes
Registered Psychotherapist, MA, RP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am a registered Psychotherapist with a MA in Psychology from McGill University. All of my services are directly supervised by a registered Psychologist who is an ongoing source of clinical guidance and feedback in my work. 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.
Toronto, ON M6K
& Online
Not accepting new clients

Karina Rakhimova
Registered Psychotherapist, MPs, RP
Verified
Verified
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy, Existential-Humanistic approach,
attachment-based
and mindfulness-based therapies, as well as psychotraumatology inform my understanding and ability to address experiences of relational wounds, emotional “burnout”, grief and loss, uncertainty, despair, broken heart, loneliness as well as fear and restlessness.
There are moments in our lives when we are looking for a change, figuring out the next step, getting stuck and feeling that we can’t live our life fully. There are, also, moments of deep emotional pain, disappointments, struggles that come from our encounter with isolation, change, meaning, separation/attachment, death. Not always we can see clearly how to tackle life challenges and we want to have someone to check with, be heard, get ideas for the new directions. Learning to face the inevitable problems, difficulties, upsets, and crises of existence with confidence is what therapy is all about.

Zahra Jamal - Psychotherapy Services
Occupational Therapist, MSc OT, OT(Reg)
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Life can feel overwhelming at times, leaving you feeling stuck or adrift. You may be overwhelmed with feelings of sadness, worry, anger, shame, fear, grief or despair. Struggling with difficult emotions can take away from living in the present moment. Instead you may find yourself dealing with anxiety, self-criticism, over-thinking, reliving painful memories and stuck in patterns that no longer serve you. Together we will slow things down so we can explore your experiences and the parts of you that may be hard to understand.

Hila Zlotnik
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified
Verified
This could include elements of
attachment-based
and relational approaches, mindfulness, CBT and DBT therapies, narrative therapy, emotion-focused therapy and trauma-informed therapy.
I have worked as an individual and family therapist with youth, adults and caregivers in community mental health settings for ten years. I use an integrative approach in my practice and draw from a range of therapeutic modalities depending on your specific needs, situation and your hopes for therapy.
Toronto, ON M6H
& Online

Kareem Elawar
Registered Psychotherapist, BA, TLI DIp
Verified
Verified
I support clients by providing a place to sort through and process all that feels overwhelming and difficult to manage alone. Together we will explore the places where you may feel stuck, held back, confused, frustrated or disconnected. I specialize in working with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, trauma and PTSD, addiction, life transitions, grief and loss, family conflict and relationship issues. Together we will identify the barriers that limit you, shift negative thoughts, feelings and patterns, process old wounds and deepen your understanding of how you connect with yourself, others and the world around you.
Not accepting new clients

Kavita Patel
Registered Social Worker, RSW, MSW, OASW, OCSWSSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I draw on inspiration from a variety of modalities, theories and perspectives from
Attachment-Based
Theory, Emotional Focused Therapy (Couples), Systemic Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative and Mindfulness Based techniques.
Feeling alone in your relationship? Experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety and always feeling overwhelmed? Know that you are not alone. If your goal is to start feeling like an active participant and being an expert in your own life and if you are seeking for a safe space to talk and someone to truly listen to you, your journey towards this goal can begin now.

Amanda Neves Therapy & Associates
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Using an
attachment-based
and trauma informed lens, we can untangle inner conflict to help you arrive at a greater sense of emotional clarity.
The quality of our inner world matters. When we don’t feel quite like ourselves and key relationships are impacted, our sense of self and ability to engage more fully in life can take a hit. As a team of registered social workers, we collaborate with young people, adults, couples and families, as they present life challenged so they can thrive with stability and increased confidence. We rely on evidence based modalities such as CBT, ACT, DBT, mindfulness, IFS, EFT, AEDP, ISTDP, and somatic-based approaches to provide effective, specialized support.

Deshawna Dookie
Registered Social Worker, RSW, RYT
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
I am a Trauma-Informed Social Worker, Therapist and Yoga Instructor based in Toronto, Ontario. For over ten years I have been working towards mental health awareness within Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC) communities. Through culturally informed counselling, my clients are able to address generational trauma, attachment based relationship issues, and improving self-esteem, just to name a few possibilities. In sessions, we will work together to understand the root causes that bring you to counselling, and how we can empower you with the tools to overcome them.
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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.