Therapists in Mississauga, ON

As a woman of colour and a child of immigrants, I help folks who are faced with multiple identities and cultures, and the relationship and identity challenges that come with this. I believe therapy should explore both the impacts of intergenerational trauma, as well as your elements of intergenerational strength that have helped you thrive. With compassion and warmth, I support my clients in their process of healing, breaking cycles and building a healthier sense of self. I also provide specialized support in women’s issues including pregnancy and infant loss, and maternal perinatal/postpartum mental health.

When I think about therapy, I imagine my client’s search for well-being and healing as if they were lost and trying to find their way home. You might know where home is, but find yourself stuck in darkness, not being able to find your way. As your therapist, I see myself holding the flashlight. You are the one who knows your way to healing, and I have the tools to help get you there easier. This is what I believe therapy looks like; us walking together on your journey. As we travel together to help you find “home”—your place of healing, peace, and comfort—while I share my knowledge and tools to help you find that “home”.

Have you been feeling sad, anxious, alone, or discouraged? Are you searching for ways to improve the quality of your life and your relationships? Often, we may feel stuck in a place from which we cannot escape. I know how hard and painful this can be, but you don't have to go through this alone. Reaching out for professional support to navigate your emotional, behavioural, and relationship challenges can be life changing. Together, we will walk this journey in a calm, non-judgmental, and supportive space!

***ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS: IN-PERSON & PHONE/VIDEO*** We believe that there is good in every person, and hope in every situation. We have helped individuals, couples, and families heal, grow, and connect. As relational therapists, we appreciate the impact that our relationships have on our well-being. We do not see clients as having something wrong with their minds that necessarily needs to be fixed. Rather, we see our clients as unique individuals, each with their own stories and perspectives, embedded in important relationships and contexts that impact them. We see strengths and we see hope, even when it feels like there is none.

"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." - Carl Rogers. As individuals, we spend our lives on a continuous expedition of self-discovery and personal growth, marked by highs and lows. Throughout our journey, therapy can become a guiding compass to build resilience and strength to overcome challenges that we may face along the way. Through embracing the transformative approach of self-acceptance, we accept our ability to cultivate positive change within ourselves and our relationships.

Some people have been dealt a difficult hand in life which can make pushing forward seem impossible. Challenges like anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and relational issues can be hard to navigate alone. I believe each person has the ability and skill to be able to help themselves. It's my role to help support people in that process. My job is not to “fix”, but to guide and assist you with becoming your best self. I have worked in both clinical and community settings with individuals, families, children, and youth from various ages and backgrounds and have learned much about the strength of the people I have worked with.

Among all the things we want for ourselves, perhaps happiness tops the list for most. But life may not always turn out the way we expect, and that can hurt. There may be times when we feel stuck, angry, lost, confused, unhappy, or overwhelmed. What do we do then? In such times, I like to remind myself that “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional” (Haruki Murakami). This perspective offers us strength to move towards inner healing and positive change. Seeking therapy is brave work, and a beautiful way to practice self-love; when you truly love yourself, you value who you are and can grow towards the best version of yourself.

Welcome! I understand how uncomfortable and difficult it can be to reach out for help, and you have taken the most difficult step already. I’m happy to support you in your healing journey – you don’t have to do this alone. I support youth and adults around issues with anxiety, depression, ADHD, life transitions, and relationship issues. I’m also a proud ally of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

Life can present us with complex challenges, and seeking support is a courageous step toward healing and personal growth. Ivona is here to provide a safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental space where you can embark on your journey of self-discovery and well-being. Ivona is more than a therapist; she's a dedicated partner in your healing journey. With over 20 years of experience working with diverse populations, she understands the unique emotional needs of her clients. Ivona utilizes Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFIT) and (IFS) to take you deep into your experiences and to heal from past emotional wounds.

I believe that challenges can be beautiful, albeit deeply painful, opportunities to create a life you feel inspired to live There is hope in every situation, and often life’s greatest lessons are learned during its biggest obstacles. Life's not always easy. Hardships and transitions can blindside you and leave you feeling like you’re just trying to survive, and on autopilot. And then the questions come: Who am I? How did I get here? The life you have doesn’t reflect the one you imagined. While we can not change the past, we can choose to create meaning in our experiences, and determine how its legacy comes forward with us.

***NOW ACCEPTING CLIENTS FOR PHONE/VIDEO*** It’s a privilege and honour to be doing this work, and to walk alongside clients on their respective healing journeys. I believe that everyone is the expert of their own lives and life experiences. By working collaboratively and through meaning-making, I aim to support clients in connecting with their needs, dreams, hopes, as well as to the answers I believe each person has inside them. My approach is trauma-informed, non-directive, strength-based, and client-centered. Healing, the discovery of possibilities, one’s resilience, and one's gifts can all be part of the therapy process.

Welcome! Let me start out by telling you what I tell all my potential clients: Therapy is such an individual process and so much of it has to do with finding the right therapist. Many of us have similar training and areas of expertise but we all differ in personality. I want to use this space here to give you an idea of my vibe and approach. I’m a little quirky with a gentle approach and strong ability to challenge you and explore with you. I can sit with you in heavy spaces, difficult feelings, and complex thoughts.

My heart is for those who are overwhelmed, burnt out, stuck, struggling, and disconnected. Your story has made you who you are, but it doesn’t have to define your future. I believe you are the expert on your experience and my role is to help you find yourself again. During my years working with survivors of intimate partner violence, I developed a passion for supporting people through their personal journey of growth and healing. As a mother of four teens and young adults with ADHD and ASD, I am dedicated to helping individuals and families understand neurodiversity and learn to flourish.

**See our website for other therapists accepting new clients** I am mental health therapist as well as a multi-faith spiritual and religious care provider (also known as a chaplain). My strength is working with anyone's faith and spirituality to help them with their mental health and spiritual journey. I work with all faiths and religious. In my practice, I see each client as a complex and unique person with stories, worldviews, and challenges. My goal is to aid you in accessing your inner resources such as the experiences you cultivate from your stories and the beliefs that find root in your worldviews to cope with challenges.

Life happens to all of us, and it can be unfair, traumatic, disappointing, and stressful. It can leave you feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, hurt, and exhausted. Know that no matter the situation, you have what it takes; you are enough to overcome the problems that pose as barriers to your authentic connection to yourself and others. I have supported and equipped individuals, couples, and families to live a relational life of authentic connection to themselves and others regardless of the circumstances they encounter. There is hope in every situation! Remember, through the metamorphosis comes a beautiful butterfly!

In order to work effectively on something, we must know its root and nature. I believe that half the battle is truly understanding why our struggles are occurring in the first place. Once we know the root of the concern and the thoughts, feelings, experiences, and ideas that reinforce its existence, we can then begin to dismantle its power—brick by brick. I believe in holding space for people to tell their stories and explore parts of themselves they may have never before felt safe to share with others. It is through this brave process of standing face-to-face with every part of who we are that we can decide who we would like to be.

I believe that when we come to therapy, we have the potential to heal ourselves. We are the masters of our own paths in life. It’s the circumstances in our lives—such as our social environment and various other factors—which can prevent us from living up to our full potential. I believe that through therapy, these hidden potentials can be realized. As a therapist, I act as a facilitator to help my clients see what they already have inside of them, foster self-acceptance, and help them reach their life goals through discovery of the self and of one’s own strengths.

I believe that people are much more understandable when you know their life journey. I believe in the power of human connection and the healing that this connection alone can bring about in therapy. My clients know that I am there rooting for them as they navigate difficult chapters: past, present, and future. This is why I am always honoured and excited to hear someone’s story. Looking at the different layers of your story will help us track where certain patterns and cycles have started. Together, we will work through the parts that need healing. We will move forward with this information to make positive changes in your life.

Accepting New Clients! When you combine compassion and science with experienced Mental Health Experts, you get counselling that works. We offer a wide range of services including: Psychotherapy, Couples Counselling, Child & Teen Counselling, Family Therapy, Cuddle Therapy, and more! In order to bring meaningful changes to your life we incorporate an array of evidence-based approaches such as Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). In addition to providing high-quality and compassionate support, we offer services on a sliding-scale so that therapy can be affordable for all.