Therapists in West Toronto, Toronto, ON

Life is beautiful but it is also hard, exhausting, sad, messy and temperamental. Coping with the intense pressures and stress we face can be very challenging and isolating. I believe therapy is about having a relationship where we can safely and authentically explore and discover where we tend to hide parts of ourselves, run away, and hold back our truth from the world. Together we will explore this in a manner that welcomes and supports your whole being to foster an ongoing process of self-awareness, healing and self development - and towards you moving in the world with greater resiliency, authenticity and a deeper sense of self.

I view therapy as a creative process. A creative process requires connection, trust, and a sense of humour. I bring over a decade of experience in the arts to my work as a psychotherapist, and have spent my life building supportive spaces where we try things, fail productively, and sometimes reach breakthroughs collaboratively. Together we will investigate the nuances of your story and explore alternate ways of being with your thoughts, feelings, mind and body. I'm queer, and work from a relational, attachment-focused, and trauma-informed perspective.

There are times in our lives that we cannot get a handle on the challenges in our life. Sometimes our genetics play a role, i.e. intergenerational traumas, and other times, life, and all its stressors gets overwhelming. For some, systemic barriers exist that impede a capacity for wellness. During these times, it is helpful to work with a trained therapist to support you as you find your way back to your healing, happiness and inner peace. Therapy is a process of growth, unlearning, and self-discovery. In my therapy sessions, I promote behavioral transformation and inner peace by encouraging curiosity, compassion and acceptance.

Whether you are struggling with anxiety, personal relationships, mood shifts, insecurity, grief or painful memories rooted in trauma, you shouldn't have to work through it alone. I provide a safe and supportive environment where we will work on shifting your relationship to past experiences. I will help you develop strategies in emotional regulation, relationship-building and self-love, by building self-awareness and reframing thought processes.

If you work with me, you will find that I am warm, receptive, and engaging. I will offer practical tools and new ways of thinking that you can use right away to cope with the present and make plans for the future. Together we can dive into issues such as work life integration, communication with loved ones, routines and organization, and creating a meaningful, values oriented life. Sometimes we will dive into your past, because that is where a lot of challenges start, but it will always be in the service of your present and your future.

Maybe you are looking to get some relief from anxiety, grief, depression, or to heal trauma. Or maybe you are looking to build confidence, strengthen relationships, or explore ways to communicate. I am here to support and provide a kind, compassionate space to explore, find clarity, steady footing and to grow and thrive. I believe that each individual already has the wisdom and knowledge needed for their own well-being and healing. My role as a therapist is to act as a guide along this journey and provide the tools to work with and help one get in touch with the inherently healing force within each individual.

Therapy is a journey towards appreciating, knowing and growing into who you are. I want to help you find breathing room in the spaces that feel small, tight and limiting in your life. With the support of my presence, curiosity and body-mind awareness we can clarify what is confusing and bring energy and focus to the next step. With person-to-person humility, I endeavour to meet you in the blank, heavy and unsteady times ready for tears to unravel or the spark of humour that puts it all into perspective. This process can help you create a life that is rich in meaning, dignity and purpose unique to you.

I am passionate about working with folks of all ages and their families to support their journey to explore and get curious about their coping strategies and thinking patterns so they can lead fulfilling lives. I draw on multiple theories and approaches that promote strength, resilience, and wellness. I believe in creating a collaborative, non-judgmental space that meets the individual goals and values of the clients I work with.

It can be difficult to navigate our world especially when increased demands are placed on us either internally or from the outside. Are you feeling overwhelmed? Are you finding it difficult to find yourself with all of the noise and demands that are placed on you? Would you like to claim your personal power and learn how to be the best version of yourself on your own and in relationships? Whether you are suffering with anxiety or depression or a mixture of both, I can help. Perhaps you have a history of emotional, psychological, physical or sexual abuse, or you have been bullied or been in an invalidating environment, I can help.

If you are struggling with feeling overwhelmed, or experiencing difficulties related to interpersonal relationships, navigating big life changes, or feeling anxious or depressed, you are not alone! Reaching out and starting your journey in therapy is so brave! Regardless of what you want to achieve in therapy I am ready to accompany you on your journey to grow in new and meaningful ways.

The clients that I connect with are often sensitive and reflective. They may feel somehow different or misunderstood. I work well with teenagers and young adults; queer clients of all ages; people navigating ADHD; folks who have been confined to institutions; and "over-thinkers" who are interested in becoming more connected with themselves, their bodies, and the world around them. My background in critical mental health research grounds my practice in compassion, justice, and freedom.

The decision to start therapy takes a lot of courage and trust. Our team of therapists have decades of experience and wisdom working with people like yourself who are navigating significant life changes. Whether you are recovering from trauma, healing difficult relationships, or struggling with loss, our team of therapists provide a safe and confidential space to support you on your journey. Healing from mental health problems requires cultivating a compassionate attitude towards self as well as learning practical strategies to manage challenging emotions. Therapy can be a gateway to leading a better life and seeing possibilities.

I practice trauma-informed somatic & relational psychotherapy. Relational psychotherapy values how the relationships in our life, from birth to death, impact how we understand ourselves, each other, our connections, ruptures and how we engage in daily experiences. Body-centered therapy uses the body to access, resource and heal unresolved trauma. Developing somatic resources, increases our capacity to feel safe in our bodies, gain a deeper knowing of ourselves, feel resourced & to heal. Together we will explore, what's happening in your life, where you struggle, your hopes, and how to move towards healing & thriving.

Emotional pain is an inherent part of the human experience, but you don’t have to go through it alone. In our sessions, we will work through your struggles and together create a clear path for you to feel in control and content with your life. You'll enter a non-judgmental space where you can truly be you, with the ability to express your innermost thoughts and feelings. I will meet you where you are in your journey with acceptance and compassion. I work with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, trauma, attachment issues and interpersonal concerns such as work, family, relationships and friendships.

Healing looks different for everyone, and that is why we begin with a full understanding of your experiences and the context in which they occur. I work collaboratively with you to explore those meanings and help you gain agency over these narratives to live a life with more space for compassion and curiosity in mind, body, and experience. Whatever you are working through, I respect you as the expert. My role is not to analyze, pathologize, or label you, it is to understand you as your whole self, including your experiences, identities, values, and how you have been impacted by the current systems that are set in place.

Whether you self-identify as an ADHDer or love someone who is, if you want support from someone who really gets it, I can help. If you seek answers to the challenges that often go with being an ADHDer, or if you're newly diagnosed and seek guidance on moving forward, I can help. If overwhelm, stress, or anxiety is making it difficult to function, I can help. If you're feeling misunderstood, alone, frustrated or hopeless in a relationship with an ADHDer or non ADHD partner, I can help. If you seek a better connection with those who matter, but struggle to create healthy boundaries and communication, I can help.

Recent years have not been kind to our mental health. As we come out of this pandemic, it is natural to feel stuck, overwhelmed, or even inadequate compared to those who seem to be moving forward with ease. As a result, you may be questioning your level of connection in your relationships and home-life, perhaps your ability as a parent. Are you yearning for change but feel unable to find the motivation to initiate a plan of action? Are you wishing to be the source of support that your loved ones need but lack direction for how to fulfill this role as a parent or caregiver?

Among holding space for hundreds of people across the world, I use a combination of evidence-based and holistic approaches. Through providing in-person and online therapy - I help people to recognize and let go of negative patterns, and create empowering beliefs and habits. Providing a safe, non-judgmental space where you can feel comfortable to explore your challenges, and gain the insight and confidence to take control of your life. With my guidance, you could gain the clarity and focus to create meaningful and lasting change.

Years ago, at a health consultation, I was asked a trauma related question that caused me to reflect on the connection of the mind and body. It completely confounded me yet, it stayed with me. As soon as I returned home I opened my laptop and began to research trauma and the body. And, what I found led to my realization of the significance of an embodied approach to healing. It also began my journey into the field of psychotherapy.