Buddhist Therapists in 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.

You? You're probably awestruck by the beauty of this world but also heart-broken by the cruelty of some of the people in it, and enraged at the injustice. Maybe you have unimaginably intense emotions that you struggle to surf, a quick mind but difficulties connecting with others, creative impulses you can't quite express (or not as fluidly as you used to), or are in a relationship where one of you is a POC and the other isn't and you're just trying to make your crazy love work. You might be a healthcare provider needing to replenish your own well, or a therapist seeking an empowering Clinical Supervisor.

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.

Feeling stuck is painful. Seeing the same issues and patterns arising time and again despite all efforts to move past them can be disheartening. I can support you to look deeply, with body and mind, into what is happening. Together, we welcome all the parts of you, even the wounded or troublesome ones, to the table where they can be honoured and learned from with compassion and curiosity. As your clarity and self-awareness increase so will your capacity to make conscious choices that are in line with the life you wish to lead.

Mindfulness teaches us how to relate to ourselves with kindness. I understand how the struggle to avoid or control difficult experiences can leave you feeling like your own worst enemy. Mindfulness is a different strategy. It's about learning to feel at home in our own bodies and our minds - even in times of trouble. My work is grounded in my own personal practice: a 20 year meditator with 14 years as a mindfulness educator, I'm a graduate of a Buddhist seminary with a master's degree in Counselling psychology and specialized training in working with trauma and abuse.

My ideal client is one who feels ready to let go of an old pattern that no longer serves them. This takes awareness, courage, and compassion. You might be in the beginning stages of change, and just getting to know the problem, be it anxiety, depression, problems in relationships, or a life transition. You may have made significant change already, having implemented good habits, but reached a plateau and now wish to develop these good practices further. I support my clients by meeting them where they are at, making values-based decisions from a calm, clear place, and accessing mental flexibility wherever they are stuck.

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.

Sometimes life seems difficult, and we may feel like nothing is working. We may feel lonely, isolated, filled with self-doubt, depressed, anxious, overwhelmed, hopeless, and helpless. We long for connections, while afraid of being hurt. We hope that someone can listen to us and validate our emotions, suffering, and struggles; we hope to be seen, heard, and cared for. However, it can be scary to reach out for support, showing our vulnerabilities and not knowing how others will respond to them. My wish is to create a safe space for you to share your experiences, struggles, and emotions. I am here to be with you and listen to you.

I specialize in working with people on career related mental health issues. Career issues as well as trauma and messages we receive from society can result in: Self-doubt, anxiety, stress, depression, trouble setting boundaries, burn-out, mind-body disconnection, lack of self-confidence, guilt with self-care & more. I have supported many people on their journeys of reconnecting to their true self. Many report feeling more empowered to make choices in their relationships and careers that align with their core values and inner wisdom. If this resonates with you, I would be happy to connect.

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.

You are on your way to deeper growth. I know because you are on this site, actively looking for support. Well done, you. Although, right now it may still feel a little rough. Fair enough. Being human is hard. Regardless of your very human issue: trauma from the past; stuckness in life; relationship issues; out of control anxiety and stress; chronic illness; career struggles; or just feeling lost and confused, the key to moving forward lies within you. Looking inward to see your own values and beliefs is the beginning to accessing your strengths to continue to grow and thrive.

I am currently a Masters level MA in Counselling Psychology practicum student who is qualified to practice onsite under the clinical supervision of an approved Supervisor. 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.

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.

You may be seeking inner stability, hope, healing, clarity, personal growth, meaningful connections or you might be in a transition; I can support you. We can work towards moving beyond coping mechanisms to a more peaceful/harmonious life. I combine cuttings edge brain/body-based therapies with talk therapy. This helps process patterns that keep you from being happy. In our sessions you will feel heard and seen this promotes self acceptance which is the first step to changing. We’ll have conversations that will increase awareness this will help you understand yourself better, feel self-compassion, and live with more ease.

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.

Congratulations for finding the strength to start the process of healing and transformation. Are you seeking a kind guide and compassionate support to find your way through some difficult or challenging territory? Or perhaps you are carrying something that you need to set down? Sometimes emotions can be profoundly powerful and maybe you would like to feel a sense of mastery over your system again. Maybe you know something is just not right but it is hard to define in a way that releases it.