Dissociative Disorders (DID) Therapists in Toronto, ON
CONGRATULATIONS. You've taken the first step towards getting help. Finding the right therapist can be difficult. For that reason, I offer an initial 40 min. consult for free. My LGBTQ positive practice is in Mind/Body & Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. Problems I work with are: Sexual Abuse, Problematic Sexual Issues/Behaviours, Gender issues, Low Self Esteem, Anxiety, Trauma, Depression, Loss/Grief, Dissociation, Relationship issues and DID. I pay close attention to overwhelming thoughts, emotions, and sensations. My previous massage practice (1989-2014) reflects my knowledge of how emotions are expressed and often held in our bodies.
CONGRATULATIONS. You've taken the first step towards getting help. Finding the right therapist can be difficult. For that reason, I offer an initial 40 min. consult for free. My LGBTQ positive practice is in Mind/Body & Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. Problems I work with are: Sexual Abuse, Problematic Sexual Issues/Behaviours, Gender issues, Low Self Esteem, Anxiety, Trauma, Depression, Loss/Grief, Dissociation, Relationship issues and DID. I pay close attention to overwhelming thoughts, emotions, and sensations. My previous massage practice (1989-2014) reflects my knowledge of how emotions are expressed and often held in our bodies.
Life can be overwhelming at times, and reaching out for support is a big step. I work with people facing challenges like depression, anxiety, PTSD, intellectual disabilities, substance use, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. My approach combines mindfulness, CBT, and music therapy, always with empathy at the core. I’m here to provide care that’s fair, accessible, and personalized to fit your unique needs. Together, we’ll work toward stability and a healthier mindset in a space where you feel safe, heard, and supported.
Life can be overwhelming at times, and reaching out for support is a big step. I work with people facing challenges like depression, anxiety, PTSD, intellectual disabilities, substance use, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. My approach combines mindfulness, CBT, and music therapy, always with empathy at the core. I’m here to provide care that’s fair, accessible, and personalized to fit your unique needs. Together, we’ll work toward stability and a healthier mindset in a space where you feel safe, heard, and supported.
Isabella Fermin
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), RP(Q)
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Toronto, ON M5H
Belief in the strength of the human spirit grounds my approach; I see every behaviour as serving a purpose, even if it seems counterproductive or harmful. I love to help people recognize their own power, as we work to build new responses and relationships that reflect the safety they deserve. I can help you explore the impact of past wounds and trauma, and guide you toward healthier, more empowered living. I believe we heal within relationships—therapy offers not only space for self-understanding, but also a transformative relationship where you can rewrite your story, find hope, and connect more deeply with yourself and others.
Belief in the strength of the human spirit grounds my approach; I see every behaviour as serving a purpose, even if it seems counterproductive or harmful. I love to help people recognize their own power, as we work to build new responses and relationships that reflect the safety they deserve. I can help you explore the impact of past wounds and trauma, and guide you toward healthier, more empowered living. I believe we heal within relationships—therapy offers not only space for self-understanding, but also a transformative relationship where you can rewrite your story, find hope, and connect more deeply with yourself and others.
Maryam Ashkan
Registered Psychotherapist, MA, RP
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Toronto, ON M2N
Waitlist for new clients
When your past lives on, you aren’t being fair to your future! You may feel like you are reliving the same old story and stuck in a repetitive pattern of negative thoughts, behaviour, and emotions with no way out. As a therapist, I walk with you to revisit these old stories and guide you to change this pattern. We will have an open conversation where you bring the knowledge of your life and I bring the knowledge of how a change can happen. My experience as a therapist has taught me that people need to be understood in an open, nonjudgmental, supportive and nurturing environment. Part of my job is to provide this environment.
When your past lives on, you aren’t being fair to your future! You may feel like you are reliving the same old story and stuck in a repetitive pattern of negative thoughts, behaviour, and emotions with no way out. As a therapist, I walk with you to revisit these old stories and guide you to change this pattern. We will have an open conversation where you bring the knowledge of your life and I bring the knowledge of how a change can happen. My experience as a therapist has taught me that people need to be understood in an open, nonjudgmental, supportive and nurturing environment. Part of my job is to provide this environment.
Lucie Ritchie & Heal Psychotherapy Inc.
Registered Psychotherapist, MA, RP
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
Toronto, ON M9A
The impacts of trauma rewire the brain and nervous system to experience the world as a threatening place. This adaptation alters how we relate to ourselves and others, and it leads us away from authentic identity. Trauma, whether big or small, includes events like past childhood abuse, emotional neglect, violence, grief, rejection, chronic pain and illness, to name a few. You may become stressed, anxious, experience intrusive thoughts, fear, and rage. You may feel alone, easily triggered, trapped, and like there’s a void within—like you just can’t be yourself again. Yet, you have no clue that it all stems from unprocessed trauma.
The impacts of trauma rewire the brain and nervous system to experience the world as a threatening place. This adaptation alters how we relate to ourselves and others, and it leads us away from authentic identity. Trauma, whether big or small, includes events like past childhood abuse, emotional neglect, violence, grief, rejection, chronic pain and illness, to name a few. You may become stressed, anxious, experience intrusive thoughts, fear, and rage. You may feel alone, easily triggered, trapped, and like there’s a void within—like you just can’t be yourself again. Yet, you have no clue that it all stems from unprocessed trauma.
Maybe you feel like you’ve lost a part of yourself. Or you experience intense emotions, or feel empty inside. Maybe you walk around the world with a poker face. This is often the pain that trauma leaves behind. You’re not “broken.” You can heal. The deep sense of peace, calm & joy on the other side of this pain is something I want everyone to feel. Together, we’ll heal the root issues at the core of this pain so you can make lasting change & show up in the world as your true self. Hearing your story is my privilege; so I value working holistically, balancing validation with gentle direction & equally being dedicated to your healing.
Maybe you feel like you’ve lost a part of yourself. Or you experience intense emotions, or feel empty inside. Maybe you walk around the world with a poker face. This is often the pain that trauma leaves behind. You’re not “broken.” You can heal. The deep sense of peace, calm & joy on the other side of this pain is something I want everyone to feel. Together, we’ll heal the root issues at the core of this pain so you can make lasting change & show up in the world as your true self. Hearing your story is my privilege; so I value working holistically, balancing validation with gentle direction & equally being dedicated to your healing.
Trauma Therapy - Claire Gavalia
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Online Only
Many adults come to see me feeling overwhelmed and burdened by shame, eager to move forward but uncertain of the right path. They often long for connection and healthy relationships but may not have been shown how. Trauma-related symptoms—such as depression, anxiety, and negative thoughts—have led to what feels like a lifetime of pain. My role is to guide and support you in healing from the weight of this trauma, empowering you to navigate the world with a renewed sense of lightness and purpose. Together, we can uncover your strengths and create a path toward a more fulfilling life.
Many adults come to see me feeling overwhelmed and burdened by shame, eager to move forward but uncertain of the right path. They often long for connection and healthy relationships but may not have been shown how. Trauma-related symptoms—such as depression, anxiety, and negative thoughts—have led to what feels like a lifetime of pain. My role is to guide and support you in healing from the weight of this trauma, empowering you to navigate the world with a renewed sense of lightness and purpose. Together, we can uncover your strengths and create a path toward a more fulfilling life.
Trying to cope with the pressures and stresses of life leaves us anxious, depressed, and disconnected from ourselves and others. Many of us fall into self-sabotaging behaviours or repeat unhealthy relationships. Many of us face the limitations of psychiatric treatment and are forced to carry the weight and stigma of diagnosis. Many of us struggle simply to maintain our creativity and our sense of self against overwhelming pressures to conform or perform. We all need the chance to check in and process our feelings and reactions, to work through the struggles of our personal history, and find new and creative ways to move forward.
Trying to cope with the pressures and stresses of life leaves us anxious, depressed, and disconnected from ourselves and others. Many of us fall into self-sabotaging behaviours or repeat unhealthy relationships. Many of us face the limitations of psychiatric treatment and are forced to carry the weight and stigma of diagnosis. Many of us struggle simply to maintain our creativity and our sense of self against overwhelming pressures to conform or perform. We all need the chance to check in and process our feelings and reactions, to work through the struggles of our personal history, and find new and creative ways to move forward.
Clyde Thaddeus Mason
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW, BSW
Verified Verified
Online Only
Waitlist for new clients
I help people recover from trauma using Somatic Experiencing and adapted Internal Family Systems. I work with people who are plural or systems, Autistic, or survivors of religious, medical, or sexual violence. I prioritize transgender, 2S, and nonbinary survivors. I am open to everyone. From a Somatic Experiencing perspective, trauma is energy trapped in the nervous system caused by incomplete protective responses. Sensations are the language of the nervous system. I will guide you to notice and listen to your body's sensations so that you can regulate your nervous system and grow your capacity to feel presence, joy, and relief.
I help people recover from trauma using Somatic Experiencing and adapted Internal Family Systems. I work with people who are plural or systems, Autistic, or survivors of religious, medical, or sexual violence. I prioritize transgender, 2S, and nonbinary survivors. I am open to everyone. From a Somatic Experiencing perspective, trauma is energy trapped in the nervous system caused by incomplete protective responses. Sensations are the language of the nervous system. I will guide you to notice and listen to your body's sensations so that you can regulate your nervous system and grow your capacity to feel presence, joy, and relief.
As you go along in life, do you find yourself switching between different moods and hijacked by so many contradictory feelings and impulses that feel out of your control or conscious awareness? You may wish to live life more fully and meaningfully while you find yourself inhibited or limited with struggles between your wish for involvement in ordinary life and fear of leaving the house, mistrust of relationships, or hopelessness about future. In dealing with these personal challenges, you may feel flooded and severely anxious or in trying to disconnect or deny these responses, may feel chronically depressed and alienated from self.
As you go along in life, do you find yourself switching between different moods and hijacked by so many contradictory feelings and impulses that feel out of your control or conscious awareness? You may wish to live life more fully and meaningfully while you find yourself inhibited or limited with struggles between your wish for involvement in ordinary life and fear of leaving the house, mistrust of relationships, or hopelessness about future. In dealing with these personal challenges, you may feel flooded and severely anxious or in trying to disconnect or deny these responses, may feel chronically depressed and alienated from self.
Andy L'Heureux
Registered Psychotherapist, BSc, MEd
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Online Only
Waitlist for new clients
Therapy doesn't have to be scary! I know first-hand what it can be like to suffer in silence, longing for change, & struggling to find someone who "gets" you. If you grew up in a home where you didn't get the support that you needed, if you went through something that you feel like you have never recovered from, or if you feel like a black sheep everywhere you go, I would be happy to co-create a non-judgmental healing space where you feel seen, heard, & valued. We can work on things like learning to understand yourself, re-gaining control of your life, & appreciating the parts of you that have clawed you out of your darkest times.
Therapy doesn't have to be scary! I know first-hand what it can be like to suffer in silence, longing for change, & struggling to find someone who "gets" you. If you grew up in a home where you didn't get the support that you needed, if you went through something that you feel like you have never recovered from, or if you feel like a black sheep everywhere you go, I would be happy to co-create a non-judgmental healing space where you feel seen, heard, & valued. We can work on things like learning to understand yourself, re-gaining control of your life, & appreciating the parts of you that have clawed you out of your darkest times.
Meet Our Dissociative Disorders (DID) Counsellors
Are you going through something emotionally painful? Experiencing anxiety, panic, depression, or addiction? I will work efficiently and effectively with you to find the root of your struggles, so you can put an end to your suffering and find permanent resolution to the problems you are experiencing. I use a highly specialized approach that can help restore happiness and clarity in your life, regardless of how complex or upsetting your situation may be.
Are you going through something emotionally painful? Experiencing anxiety, panic, depression, or addiction? I will work efficiently and effectively with you to find the root of your struggles, so you can put an end to your suffering and find permanent resolution to the problems you are experiencing. I use a highly specialized approach that can help restore happiness and clarity in your life, regardless of how complex or upsetting your situation may be.
I support adults struggling with PTSD and complex trauma. Whether there was an exact moment things changed, or whether you’re dealing with the long-term effects of ongoing pervasive events, trauma can be confusing, isolating, fragmented, and takes its toll. My aim is to help clients through their transition towards understanding, clarity, self-acceptance, and growth without the fear of judgment. Using an integrative trauma-informed approach I have additional training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT).
I support adults struggling with PTSD and complex trauma. Whether there was an exact moment things changed, or whether you’re dealing with the long-term effects of ongoing pervasive events, trauma can be confusing, isolating, fragmented, and takes its toll. My aim is to help clients through their transition towards understanding, clarity, self-acceptance, and growth without the fear of judgment. Using an integrative trauma-informed approach I have additional training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT).
Treena Peters-Sunburst Counselling & Consulting
Registered Social Worker, BSW, MSW, RCSW, RSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Online Only
Welcome to Sunburst Counselling! Trauma is my specialty and it would be a privilege to support you with resolving yours. You may be asking what trauma is? Trauma can result from anything that causes the mind and body distress. After the traumatic event is over, you may be "triggered" when experiencing certain smells, sounds, tastes, sights or touch and unexpectedly be taken back to the memory and distressing emotions. When this happens, you may feel like you are reliving the traumatic event over and over again. If this sounds familiar to you, I can help!
Welcome to Sunburst Counselling! Trauma is my specialty and it would be a privilege to support you with resolving yours. You may be asking what trauma is? Trauma can result from anything that causes the mind and body distress. After the traumatic event is over, you may be "triggered" when experiencing certain smells, sounds, tastes, sights or touch and unexpectedly be taken back to the memory and distressing emotions. When this happens, you may feel like you are reliving the traumatic event over and over again. If this sounds familiar to you, I can help!
Are you working through challenges, or seeking growth? Have your tried methods not been especially true? You may not have a coherent formulation of what you seek (especially for those new to therapy); part of my job is to help you reach those insights and feel hope or excitement for the change to come. If you're reticent, I welcome you to a commitment-free chat to get a better sense of the process. If you're ready and want to make a change, now is the time. My door is always open.
Are you working through challenges, or seeking growth? Have your tried methods not been especially true? You may not have a coherent formulation of what you seek (especially for those new to therapy); part of my job is to help you reach those insights and feel hope or excitement for the change to come. If you're reticent, I welcome you to a commitment-free chat to get a better sense of the process. If you're ready and want to make a change, now is the time. My door is always open.
I am a registered clinical social worker, primarily working with people to address concerns related to anxiety, depression, sex and sexuality, low motivation, anger, and relationship difficulties. I have worked for many years, providing services to diverse LGBTQ+ communities, as well as post-secondary students. I aim to create a therapeutic space that is anti-oppressive, sex/kink-positive, trauma-informed, and values the principles of harm reduction.
I am a registered clinical social worker, primarily working with people to address concerns related to anxiety, depression, sex and sexuality, low motivation, anger, and relationship difficulties. I have worked for many years, providing services to diverse LGBTQ+ communities, as well as post-secondary students. I aim to create a therapeutic space that is anti-oppressive, sex/kink-positive, trauma-informed, and values the principles of harm reduction.
I am a registered clinical psychologist dedicated to helping people achieve more satisfying relationships, an improved work life, greater self-esteem, and more fulfilling lives Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, experiencing difficulty in your relationships, feeling stuck on the past, or struggling with life transitions, I can help you to navigate life's challenges with enhanced mindfulness and awareness, and with increased competence and confidence.
I am a registered clinical psychologist dedicated to helping people achieve more satisfying relationships, an improved work life, greater self-esteem, and more fulfilling lives Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, experiencing difficulty in your relationships, feeling stuck on the past, or struggling with life transitions, I can help you to navigate life's challenges with enhanced mindfulness and awareness, and with increased competence and confidence.
Are you facing any; relationship challenges, substance abuse, self-harm, disordered eating, isolation? Struggling to find effective therapy due to long waitlists? If you're seeking to master Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills to regain stability and joy, Dialectical Living is here for you. Our ideal client craves tools for emotional regulation, yearns for healthier relationships, and desires a path to inner peace. DBT has demonstrated success in effectively managing conditions such as bipolar disorder, BPD, ADHD, anxiety, addiction and more. We would be honoured to be a part of your DBT journey. Plant that DBT seed today!
Are you facing any; relationship challenges, substance abuse, self-harm, disordered eating, isolation? Struggling to find effective therapy due to long waitlists? If you're seeking to master Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills to regain stability and joy, Dialectical Living is here for you. Our ideal client craves tools for emotional regulation, yearns for healthier relationships, and desires a path to inner peace. DBT has demonstrated success in effectively managing conditions such as bipolar disorder, BPD, ADHD, anxiety, addiction and more. We would be honoured to be a part of your DBT journey. Plant that DBT seed today!
Our comprehensive DBT program is committed to providing compassionate & effective treatment for individuals who may experience intense emotions (such as anxiety, depression, anger, shame, guilt), impulsive behaviours (such as self-harm, suicide, stealing, substance use, risky behaviours), & stormy relationships (which could look like switching between pushing people away & clinging to them, challenges with saying no). We also offer trauma treatment through Prolonged Exposure-DBT and/or Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) because many of the current day experiences, emotions & views of the world, are based on previous experiences.
Our comprehensive DBT program is committed to providing compassionate & effective treatment for individuals who may experience intense emotions (such as anxiety, depression, anger, shame, guilt), impulsive behaviours (such as self-harm, suicide, stealing, substance use, risky behaviours), & stormy relationships (which could look like switching between pushing people away & clinging to them, challenges with saying no). We also offer trauma treatment through Prolonged Exposure-DBT and/or Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) because many of the current day experiences, emotions & views of the world, are based on previous experiences.
Therapy is a process of supported inquiry. Something remarkable happens when we are listened to deeply, when we speak openly to someone with psychological insight. The more understanding we have of ourselves and our feelings, the more choice and fulfillment becomes available to us. Therapy is powerful work, it can help us shift from coping with life's challenges to feeling more fully alive, attuned in your relationships; daily life becomes marked by less struggle, and a greater capacity to relate meaningfully. My role is to assist you in the art of living, to create new possibilities for resilience, connection, and well-being.
Therapy is a process of supported inquiry. Something remarkable happens when we are listened to deeply, when we speak openly to someone with psychological insight. The more understanding we have of ourselves and our feelings, the more choice and fulfillment becomes available to us. Therapy is powerful work, it can help us shift from coping with life's challenges to feeling more fully alive, attuned in your relationships; daily life becomes marked by less struggle, and a greater capacity to relate meaningfully. My role is to assist you in the art of living, to create new possibilities for resilience, connection, and well-being.
See more therapy options for Toronto
Nearby Dissociative Disorders Counsellors Searches for Toronto
- Aurora
- East York
- Etobicoke
- Markham
- Mississauga
- North York
- Richmond Hill
- Scarborough
- Thornhill
- Vaughan
- Woodbridge
- York
Dissociative Disorders (DID) Counsellors
How does therapy for dissociative disorders work?
Dissociation may be triggered by stress or other upsetting circumstances, and therapy can address the traumatic events at the core of an individual’s dissociation. Understanding why a person may dissociate can help the therapist and the individual come up with alternative methods of coping. A person with a dissociative disorder may get stuck on negative thinking, for example, and treatment like cognitive behavioral therapy is a gold standard for breaking such thinking. And dialectical behavior therapy, for example, can help a person manage their anguish through better emotion regulation.
Which therapies are best for dissociative disorders?
Specific approaches used by professionals include cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavior, psychodynamic, schema therapies, among others. Cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior therapies are two widely used therapies that can help individuals with painful memories and past traumas. These therapies work to integrate an individual's different identities into one person.
Are there specific medications for dissociation?
There are no specific medications prescribed for dissociative disorders. However, psychosis, depression, anxiety, and/or panic often co-occur in dissociative disorders. A psychiatrist may prescribe medications for any accompanying symptom—which may include antipsychotics like aripiprazole, antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or anti-anxiety drugs like benzodiazepines.
How often and how long are therapy sessions?
Like any type of therapy, sessions depend on the individual. Patients may see improvement within 15 to 20 sessions, at an average of 50 minutes per session, others may opt for 20 to 30 sessions over, perhaps, a six-month period. There are still other patients, especially those who have co-occurring conditions like depression and anxiety, who may need to continue sessions for up to 12 to 18 months.