Therapists in M5S

As a clinical psychologist, my theoretical bases are developmental, psychodynamic and self-psychology theory. I strive to help my clients understand more about themselves, especially how early family dynamics, traumatic events, and major relationships of the past continue to play out throughout our lives, often in unexpected ways. Understanding the impact of these connections in terms of current concerns, be they family, career, environmental or social, can help prepare us to meet the challenges we face. Then there are more specific, targeted concerns that people have. For these concerns we turn to additional approaches.

It is often during difficult times that one looks for support and trying to find the right match in a therapist may increase fears and doubts. My role is to build a caring and trusting relationship allowing you a safe space to be open and genuine. In this new relationship you can rediscover yourself and develop new ways of relating to others. I am very passionate about the work I do and I find it rewarding to support growth in others.

Drawing on a wealth of experience, and on several traditions, I offer effective therapy that is tailored to my clients' needs. I bring to my work a non-judgemental, warm, and interactive style, which helps promote desired change. I work with adult individuals, couples, and adult families, on relationship issues, adjusting to separation, grief, traumatic loss, trauma and PTSD. I also work with work-life balance and burnout, unblocking creativity, anxiety and depression, and managing anger. In addition, I offer consultation services to clinicians.

Throughout life we necessarily craft intricate maps for moving through the systems that shape our world, expertly guiding ourselves through the ups and downs of ambiguity, trauma, unpredictability, and change. But what happens when our comprehensive structures stop serving us? And how do we move forward when they stop suppressing our pain? Feeling at odds with our trusted narratives and methods is an unfamiliar and exhausting experience, and my goal is to help you move towards the parts of yourself that feel dark and untouchable—a process that, over time, softens feelings of fear and shame.

I believe in people’s resiliency and that each of us is capable of growth, and reaching new goals and possibilities. I am a registered social worker, psychotherapist, and my approach is one of calm, non-judgmental and strength-based collaboration. Drawing on resources such as narrative, emotion and cognitive behavioural therapies and psychodynamic concepts, I work with people who are experiencing pain in their lives, and together we explore and address the issues affecting their sense of well-being. They develop the insight and skills to solve problems, initiate change and work toward attaining their goals.

I am a Registered Psychologist and Psychoanalyst in Toronto with 25 years experience and a highly regarded teacher and clinical supervisor with extensive experience in psychotherapy training and supervision. I am a Lecturer in Psychiatry in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto and train and supervise psychiatry residents in psychodynamic psychotherapy at the University Health Network. I am also on Faculty and a Supervising Analyst at the Toronto Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis and I teach in the Advanced Training Program in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at the Toronto Psychoanalytic Institute.

I have been working in the field for over 25 years, supporting people who are dealing with personal difficulties of different kinds: sadness, depression, sex and sexuality related issues, dating/intimacy/broken-heart, anxiety, trauma, grief, immigration and displacement related issues, existential and mid-life crises, or simply "figuring out" their life. I provide compassionate, empathic, non-judgemental, and both intellectually and emotionally rewarding therapy experience.

Life can bring many challenges, and it takes strength and courage to reach out for help. It is my honour to support and provide a safe and confidential space for you. As we build a collaborative and trusting therapeutic relationship, we will work toward positive transformation and a deeper self-understanding. I have extensive experience working with BIPOC emerging adults (aged 18-30s) with concerns relating to identity discernment, careers, family concerns, relationships, life transitions, depression, and anxiety.

Whether struggling with low mood, navigating anxious feelings, confronting challenging relationship dynamics, or seeking to enhance your relationship with yourself, psychotherapy offers a supportive and confidential space for exploration and transformation. By delving into the root causes of your concerns, we can cultivate deeper understanding and implement effective strategies for lasting improvement.

For lots of reasons, we can often feel disconnected from our selves. Navigating loss, feeling anxious or frustrated with life, or difficulties in relationships can leave us feeling overwhelmed and stuck. For most of us, we’re often not sure how to deal with hard feelings. So we adapt as best we can, and develop strategies to cope. Sometimes these strategies can start to interfere with our lives. Which is why Therapy can help. By being curious about your experiences, and listening intently, we can begin to learn what your needs are and move towards feeling better.

I offer an honest, compassionate, and collaborative space where we examine and engage with your challenges and conflicts. Perhaps you're struggling with your thoughts and feelings or you find yourself stuck. As we grapple with your challenges truthfully, we may find new insights and ways to navigate life. Beyond labels, let us be curious about your relationships with yourself and the world around you. I believe there is wisdom to be found in our suffering, and I hope our work brings you the insights that help you to live better. My approach is supportive and challenging, emphatic and direct.

Are you looking to address the underlying emotional causes to your difficulties once and for all? Perhaps you have already tried learning skills to manage your symptoms or engaged in supportive talk-therapy but have not found the relief you are seeking. If you are stuck in patterns of behaviours or thoughts that are perpetuating your suffering and you are seeking a new approach, we can work together to help you break free from these patterns. We are a team of clinicians who are dedicated to providing evidence-based treatments tailored to your unique needs that achieve long-lasting positive outcomes efficiently.

With caring, compassion, and good humor, I can help you increase clarity into your personal values and goals, identify and change patterns that are holding you back, and make meaning from your experiences. I collaborate with you to ensure that we are effectively making strides to restoring a sense of balance. I provide Individual Therapy for Adolescents and Adults to treat Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Relationship Issues, Life and Career Transitions, Addiction, and Emotion Dysregulation. I have advanced training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and have practiced in residential, intensive outpatient, and outpatient clinic settings.

As a psychologist, my goal is to support my clients to deepen self-understanding and awareness while calming and alleviating present distress. I welcome working with adult individuals and couples from all racial, religious, cultural, gender identity, and sexual orientation backgrounds.

I specialize in clients with relationship, self-esteem, anxiety, sex, body image and family dynamic challenges. The goal is understanding current feelings and difficulties and where they come from, to create new, positive interpersonal experiences and relationships. Often these feel impossible to conquer alone and I help clients unpack with an aim to resolve these issues.

I have worked extensively with mind and emotions, energy, relationship mastery. I have 21 years of experience as a therapist and I am a person who is continuously growing and improving while supporting my clients to grow and improve. My area of expertise is connectedness, self and other awareness, relationship mastery. My work with people at its core promotes change and moving on with one's life, renewed vitality, gaining perspective, clarity and new certainties. Whatever your issue is, let me know so I can offer you help. As an RP, conveniently located for High Park, Roncesvalles, Parkdale and Bloor West Village, I offer one-to-one and couples' therapy to a diverse clientele in west-end Toronto. Areas of focus include relationships, self-esteem, emotion regulation, dealing with physical, mental or emotional abuse, anxiety, stress, depression, loss, grief, power-imbalance, understanding and coping with change, managing and resolving conflict, putting down roots as an immigrant, mindfulness, and more. I am also a Complimentary Therapist trained in the UK and I offer Skype sessions, world-wide.

Deciding to seek help is a powerful step toward better mental health. Through my experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families, I understand that difficulties may arise regardless of one's age or phase of life. From life challenges to transition periods (e.g., changing careers, schools, relationships), to traumatic experiences, it can be difficult to make sense of our selves or our directions. I am proud to support clients from all walks of life (inclusive of all gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, races, cultures, and relationship types) in achieving their own unique vision of success.

My clients are interested in achieving goals through insight creation. Together we can work through themes of family of origin, interpersonal relationships, attachment, emotion regulation, gender- and sexuality-related stress, and moreover, the underlying roots to current, stressful realities.

Sometimes we are looking for change, figuring out our next step, or getting stuck and not living our lives fully. There could be moments of deep emotional pain and struggle when we feel alone and vulnerable, facing isolation, grief, loss or insecurities in important relationships. Not always we see clearly how to tackle those and we want to have someone to check with, be heard and seen, or get ideas for new directions. Learning to face inevitable life challenges, upsets, and crises of existence with confidence is what therapy is all about.