OUR   TEAM

"Compassion……. a basic kindness, with a deep awareness of the suffering of oneself and of living things, coupled with the wish and effort to relieve it ." - Paul Gilbert

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Meet Vivian

Registered Psychotherapist ⎮ Registered Nurse   RP, RN, CSAM, CCATP

Founder 

 

 

 

 

No one should have to try to navigate personal challenges alone. My passion in therapy is to partner with my clients to create a trusting relationship that can foster healing, personal growth, and positive life change. Therefore, it is my pleasure to extend hope, and a path toward healing and wholeness to anyone caught in life’s struggles.

My ongoing pursuit and passion lie in providing mental and physical support to those undergoing emotional and physical turmoil. I value genuineness, thoughtfulness, and kind humour in my therapy practice. Guided by empathy and compassion, I provide a safe, respectful therapeutic atmosphere where we explore your struggles, skill sets, victories, and dreams.

As therapy progresses, we will do some exploring to see what’s going on under the surface. I will work with you to identify the places of isolation and hurt in your life. We’ll collaborate to identify healthy coping skills and learn new tools that will ultimately help you reach your goals.

During my career as a registered nurse, I have volunteered on several crisis-focused medical missions, witnessing the effect and toll of mental distress. A particular experience brought my heart back to helping people care more about their mental well-being. In 2002, I accompanied an ENT/Reconstructive plastic surgeon to remote areas in China, where we performed corrective surgeries on babies and young adults born with cleft lip and palate birth deformities. Many families reported being shunned and ostracized by their communities due to the physical differences between their children and themselves. The extent of this prejudice also meant that individuals were excluded from receiving medical care, receiving a primary education, or participating in the greater community.

I was struck by the families’ resilience and endurance while experiencing unjust behaviour and ridicule from their communities. I thought of the perseverance and enormous motivation to seek medical attention at our outreach clinic.

In 2005, with the Canadian Medical Association of Toronto (CMAT), I embarked on another medical mission to Pakistan for 21 days, shortly after a deadly earthquake. The trauma that affected these people was far beyond physical wounds, as they were traumatized by grief, death, the devastation of their homes, and the struggles ahead.

Collectively, these experiences provided me – with first-hand teaching moments. More significantly, each experience taught me the depth, breadth and range of social challenges. Each moment has led me to become a more able, empathetic, objective and compassionate professional. 

Approaches: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing – EMDR, Relational therapy 

Areas That I Specialize In

Training and Certifications

Associates

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Meet Sly

Certified Sports Psychologist CSP, APS, CSC

I have worked with many Toronto athletes, some of whom have gone on to compete in the Olympics. These experiences have shown me the importance of mental wellness. Often the separating factor between athletes (with the same physical capabilities) was their mental well-being. I want each of my clients to reach their full potential. And instead of being held back by your mental health, I want to work with you to transform it into a tool you can use to succeed and reach your full potential. I would be pleased to help you if you are an aspiring athlete that believes your mental health is holding you back from obtaining tremendous success in your sport or profession.

My personal philosophy related to therapeutic treatment involve consciousness, mindfulness with integrated sports psychology. I believe that establishing trust and creating a comfortable and judgement-free environment are critical for you to effectively grow and heal. My easygoing and mellow communication style, creates a calming and supportive environment. This allows clients to feel at ease, and creates a connection- which is critical for trust. Once I have earned your trust, and identified areas you would like to improve we can work together to develop tools and a plan to help you achieve what you want in life.

There is a perceived disconnect between athletes/sports and your personal mental health treatment (assuming you are not an athlete). However both have struggles they need to overcome, through goal setting and practice. My background and experiences have given me a unique insight on how to help you identify and overcome hurdles. Once the areas you are struggling in are identified I want to work with you to enhance your performance and success. We will work together to empower you to have control of your life, be confident in your capabilities, and work through anything that is stopping you from reaching your potential. In a nutshell, I want to empower to have the life you want for yourself.

Areas That I Specialize In

Training and Certifications

Meet Rosa

Registered Psychotherapist OCT, RP

Everyone has a different story and faces challenges that are unique to them. I prioritize and recognize the importance of individualizing with each client. This entails moving at a speed you are comfortable with, allowing me to earn your trust and work with you to improve your mental health and well-being. I provide a non-judgemental, safe space to let you be completely transparent and vulnerable.

Like anything worth doing, therapy can be complex. Please remember that therapy is not a quick fix but an ongoing process that requires time, consistency and effort. If you are willing to commit to the operation of healing and self-improvement, I am confident that we can work together to address the challenges you currently face. I take a strength-based approach; while acknowledging and addressing weaknesses, we focus on your strengths and capabilities to empower you throughout this process.

I am motivated by my journey with self-growth. I understand how challenging and even isolating it can be at times. It takes self-awareness to recognize why you are the person you are today. I look forward to helping you take the courageous steps forward to be your best self; the person you envision yourself to be.

Approaches: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Gestalt Therapy, Mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy.


Areas That I Specialize In

Training and Certifications

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Meet Melissa

Registered Psychotherapist – Qualifying 

In my therapeutic approach, I strive to cultivate a safe space for clients to share and work with challenging thoughts and feelings. I do so by creating a non-judgemental environment which encourages free discussion and self-exploration. I am a very warm and comforting person, while at the same time, able to provide constructive feedback and guidance.

Regret, guilt, insecurity, uncertainty, and confusion are common for everyone to feel from time to time. To address such feelings, I will guide you using a person-centered approach, which serves to increase self-acceptance, personal growth and expression. We will collaborate to tailor the best individualized treatment for you, which might include cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and mindful self-compassion among other modalities. 

I believe people were born to feel satisfied, manage challenges effectively and to feel optimistic about their lives. It would be my honour to work with you to create solutions which cultivate more fulfillment in your life.

Approaches : Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction, Emotional Freedom Technique, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Internal Family Systems.

Areas That I Specialize In

Training and Certifications

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Meet Bara

Registered Psychotherapist – Qualifying 

In my therapeutic approach, I prioritize balance. We have all struggled from time to time with balancing different aspects of our life and the burnout that occurs when our life is out of balance. To achieve balance in our lives, mindfulness is critical. In therapy and everyday life, it is essential to be aware of yourself and your surroundings to ensure your day-to-day activities contribute to the person you want to be.

“If it’s out of your hands, it deserves freedom from your mind too.” – Ivan Nuru.

Throughout my work life and management experience, I have gained much experience working with people and the ability to recognize patterns in people’s lives. With individual
therapy, I take a wholistic and humanistic approach, acknowledging that you are the expert on your own experiences and your perceptions are key. Therefore, I take the time to fully understand your truth and help you navigate where you want to be. In couples counselling, I work with your relationship to repair commitment and communication.

If you are considering therapy, we will work towards a collaborative process. The level of effort and commitment to therapy are essential for the outcomes you desire and I am ready to join you on your journey to a brighter future. 

Areas That I Specialize In

Training and Certifications