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Favouring dialogic and narrative therapy methods, Heather creates a collaborative space where folks can explore options and move towards creating change. She also draws from Solutions Focused Therapy and Emotion Focused Therapy to help clients identify their patterns, better understanding themselves and those around them. Grounded in curiosity and compassion, sessions tend to be highly conversational and relaxed, with an equal focus on emotions and rationality. A guiding question in her work is simple: How do you feel, and what do you want to do about that?

Before moving into therapy, Heather worked as a sexuality educator focusing on consent, desire, and communication. She’s been coaching folks looking to reconnect to their sense of sexuality, navigating finding healthy partnerships or exploring new facets of their desires since 2013, and running workshops since her undergraduate days. Her work is trauma-informed, sex-positive, kink positive and supportive of consensual non-monogamy. Actively anti-racist, she strives to keep her work culturally-informed and anti-oppressive.

Favouring dialogic and narrative therapy methods, Heather creates a collaborative space where fol... Read More

Ebru is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and an Associate Member of ASTO, registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Holding a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) from Yorkville University. Ebru has also completed training, including a Human Sexuality Intensive from the Kinsey Institute. She also has additional training in EFCT, EFiT, and ADHD.

Growing up in an environment where sex was taboo, Ebru understands the impact of misinformation around sex and sexuality. This experience fuels her passion for providing a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their fantasies, desires, and relationships. Her training also gives her unique insight into the challenges neurodivergent individuals face in intimacy and self-acceptance, ensuring therapy embraces diverse ways of thinking, feeling, and communicating. Ebru strives to help clients feel seen, heard, and supported on their journey.

Ebru is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and an Associate Member of ASTO, registered wit... Read More

Athena Ferraro completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at the University of Toronto where she specialized in Mental Health and completed the Collaborative Program in Addiction Studies (CoPAS). She received her Honour’s Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Guelph, majoring in Psychology: Brain and Cognition. She’s registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Deeply passionate about her work, Athena’s counselling approach is down-to-earth, authentic, compassionate, and client-centered. She’s committed to supporting her clients through their experiences. Her clinical interests include depression, anxiety, emotion regulation, coping behaviours such as self-harm, substance abuse, gambling, excessive gaming and internet use, as well as postsecondary student mental health.

She also works with clients experiencing school or work stress, general life transitions, identity questions, and meaning-making and existential concerns. Athena uses techniques from various therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), existential therapy, and solution-focused therapy.

Athena completed her clinical training at a mental health hospital in Toronto, where she worked with youth & adults struggling with a range of mental health issues, including clinical depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, early psychosis, and addiction. Prior to completing her MSW, Athena worked in the non-profit sector, volunteered as part of a care-team for Hospice clients & their families, worked in Accessibility Services at a university, and worked as a Research Assistant on various projects (focused on depression & its treatment, non-suicidal self-injury, suicide intervention & prevention, acculturation & mental health, and wellness initiatives for university students). She has also been involved in various mental health advocacy & awareness initiatives. She has been working in private practice in the Waterloo region since 2016.

Aside from work, Athena loves spending time with her partner and their preschooler, nature & being outdoors, reading, live music, Radiohead, satire (e. g. The Onion), road-tripping, and practicing mindfulness in everyday life.

Many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and extended health care plans will cover services rendered by a Registered Social Worker.

Athena Ferraro completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at the University of Toronto wher... Read More

Riley is a calm and grounded therapist who strives to make the therapy room a little lighter for her clients. Riley values building genuine and meaningful connections across diverse backgrounds. As Riley is a curious and growth-oriented person, she places great importance on empathetic listening to fully understand her clients’ unique experiences and perspectives. Riley offers a warm, comforting and non-judgmental space where you can be your authentic and genuine self. She believes healthy and honest communication is the key to positive and fulfilling relationships.

Riley completed her undergraduate degree at Nipissing University in the Honours Specialization in Child and Family Studies program. She is currently completing her Masters in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy, at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Riley has experience in educational settings working mindfully with children, parents, caregivers and instructors. Additionally, she has worked with seniors to alleviate stress, anxiety and loneliness during the arrival and transitioning process to retirement home living.

Riley’s goal is to promote the wellbeing of her clients. Riley believes in listening to understand her clients’ individual worlds and realities. This approach, she believes, allows her to privilege her clients’ beliefs, perspectives, and values, fostering a better therapeutic alliance and enhancing client growth. Riley is a lifelong learner and approaches each person she meets with curiosity, openness, acceptance, inclusivity and compassion. Riley appreciates diversity, different cultures and learning new languages.

Riley believes meeting individuals where they are in their healing process is essential in providing curated care. While Riley is growth-oriented, she understands that the change process is unique and personal, and must be approached with a client-centered lens. In session, Riley will offer gentle compassion for individuals who are feeling stuck or uncertain of where to turn next.

Riley is sex-positive, and enjoys supporting individuals in exploring what sex and sexuality mean to them. Riley is passionate about helping individuals connect better to their sexual selves and strives to enhance the communication that occurs in relationships.

Outside her professional life, Riley cherishes time with her family, friends, and pets – Vimy, Juno, Beaumont, and her chickens. She enjoys biking, hiking, traveling, playing sports, watching movies, reality TV, and staying active at the gym. Riley values appreciating the simple things in life and has a passion for nature and animals.

Riley is a calm and grounded therapist who strives to make the therapy room a little lighter for ... Read More

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Karen specializes in individual therapy with adults, using systems and attachment theories in conjunction with basic Buddhist tenets of mindfulness and compassion for Self and others, to guide client explorations through their own stories. This allows for a flexible combination of narrative and solution-focused approaches to identifying and articulating clients’ needs and goals, encouraging positive changes to help achieve them. Karen can help clients better understand the influence of interconnected thoughts, feelings, stories, values, and expectations on conscious and subconscious behaviours and decision-making patterns. She can also help reconnect them with the strengths and resources available to, and within, themselves in times of crisis.

Professional communications has been Karen’s job in one form or another for twenty-five years. She has previously been a technical writer and information developer in Waterloo Region’s IT community, and is deeply understanding of the myriad stresses found in High Tech—and the impacts those stresses can have on one’s personal, family, and professional life. She is experienced with a broad spectrum of relationship styles and power-exchange dynamics, gender identities, and sexual orientations, including almost 30 years with the BDSM, polyamory, and swingers communities in Southwestern Ontario. Karen has also trained as a support group facilitator for those who have offended sexually, through Waterloo Region’s Community Justice Initiatives.

Spiritual issues and resources from all faith traditions are explicitly welcome. She has been a student of Tibetan Buddhism for several years, and pursued her Master’s degree in counselling through the multi-faith environment of Waterloo Lutheran Seminary (Wilfrid Laurier University). Inclusion or exclusion of spiritual topics is entirely at the client’s discretion.

Therapeutic sessions with Karen are typically 50 minutes in length, but 90 minute sessions are also available by request.

Many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and extended health care plans will cover services rendered by a Registered Psychotherapist.

Karen specializes in individual therapy with adults, using systems and attachment theories in con... Read More

Christine started working in mental health over ten years ago with the ideology that you should “become who you needed when you were younger.” They have worked with individuals with a range of backgrounds. Their passion for working with grief and trauma grew over the years upon recognizing that our past experiences impact us more than we may realize.

Christine uses a postmodern approach drawing from their training in narrative therapy, mindfulness, IFS, and EMDR. They believe that together it is possible to create new stories of our lives that feel more empowering and genuine. They care about the messaging we have internalized throughout our lives and encourage individuals to determine what messages still serve them. EMDR allows them to reprocess some of these messages.

Christine is passionate about understanding our inner systems and how they influence our day-to-day lives. Through Internal Family Systems (IFS) Christine encourages their clients to go inside and explore their inner world. IFS looks at how/when/where different parts of ourselves come up to protect us (i.e. perfectionist, avoidant, people pleasing, rage, eating disorders, etc.), while also looking to heal and unburden our more wounded parts. IFS allows us to connect with our core self to help us show up authentically and make decisions from a self-led approach.

Christine also has extensive experience working with traumatic bereavement and first responders. Trauma can get in the way of being able to grieve our losses. EMDR can be helpful when we cannot access the good memories of those we have lost because traumatic images are flooding our minds. They also became passionate about working with first responders after being a crisis clinician working out of police detachments. During our darkest times, it is important to remember that we do not need to suffer in silence. Sometimes it is difficult to verbally express how we feel and we might not know how to ask our partner for support; this is when coming to see a therapist as a couple can be beneficial. Through guided sessions, couples are able to strengthen their bond and to learn the skills required to fully communicate with one another during the most challenging times. Using methods cultivated by the Gottman Institute for Couples Therapy, Christine is able to fully examine the relationship and determine its strengths, as well as the areas that need a little more development. As a Gottman trained therapist, they are able to provide suggestions to strengthen the particular areas of potential growth. Christine also incorporates an IFS approach within couples sessions to encourage partners to understand and voice their activated parts so communication can happen between both of their core selves. A blended Gottman and IFS approach can be especially helpful when one or both partners has experienced trauma.

When Christine is not working, they are most likely to be found being active or somewhere in the woods. Their giant Bernese Mountain dog is most likely not far from them.

Many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and extended health care plans will cover services rendered by a Registered Social Worker.

Christine started working in mental health over ten years ago with the ideology that you should “... Read More

Lindsay is compassionate. She takes the view that we are all trying our best. Her approach is grounded in what is important to the client and what they want in their life. Lindsay will work with you collaboratively so that you may express your authentic self. She views mental health or addiction symptoms as protective mechanisms that have developed as an adaptation to stressors or life events. Lindsay is sex and kink positive, supportive of consensual non-monogamy, as well as pagan and queer friendly.

Lindsay uses a nonjudgmental approach that looks at the role emotions and behaviours play in the lives of individuals and relationships to see if they are helpful or if they are causing issues. Cognitive approaches can be used to examine the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Emotion focussed approaches can be used to examine the patterns in our life, how they are impacting us and our attachment needs.

Outside of work, Lindsay enjoys spending time with her friends and partner, being outside in nature, fitness, reading, and learning.

Many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and extended health care plans will cover services rendered by a Registered Social Worker.

Lindsay is compassionate. She takes the view that we are all trying our best. Her approach is gro... Read More

Fariba is a Registered Social Worker in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and the Ontario Association of Social Workers. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master of Social Work from the University of Waterloo.

She specializes in individual, relationship, and sex therapy. She offers a warm, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed approach that is always tailored to each client’s unique needs. Grounded in attachment theory and trauma-informed practices, her work integrates a variety of modalities, including Narrative Therapy, CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, EMDR, IFS-informed, Spirituality and Mindfulness.

Fariba works with a diverse range of clients and issues, with a particular focus on supporting those experiencing anxiety, depression, past trauma, burnout, breakups, life transitions, low self-esteem, self-criticism, body acceptance, and sexual difficulties.

Fariba celebrates and embraces the resilience and strength of her clients. She acknowledges their experiences and ensures they feel seen, wholly accepted, and validated, encouraging them to explore their innermost thoughts and emotions. She meets clients exactly where they are, offering thoughtful reflections to support deeper self-awareness, connection, and empowerment. Her greatest joy is helping clients reconnect with themselves and their loved ones and move toward a life of greater ease, fulfillment, and aliveness.

Services provided by a Registered Social Worker are often covered under many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and extended health care plans.

Fariba is a Registered Social Worker in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers ... Read More

Haley is a Registered Psychotherapist. Haley obtained her Master of Arts Counselling Psychology degree from Yorkville University. Haley trained at the Centre for Treatment of Sexual Abuse and Childhood Trauma during her Master’s and developed a passion for working with individuals who have experienced trauma. She believes the effects trauma are unique and personal to the individual’s internalized experience, recognizing that there is no “one size fits all” in therapy.Alongside her work with adults, Haley also has experience in working with at-risk youth within the non-profit sector.

Haley has a special interest in working with religious trauma and has a passion for working alongside fellow LGBTQIA2S members. Additionally, Haley also has experience in working with ADHD, anger, anxiety, bipolarity, burnout, depression, dysthymia, gender, and sexuality.

Haley works from a holistic, anti-oppressive and trauma-informed framework, and seeks out continued education to maintain a culturally competent practice. She uses an integrative approach that is tailored to each client, drawing from attachment-based strategies, Polyvagal Theory, Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Psychodynamic, and Mindfulness. She also enjoys integrating creativity into her approach, using experiential interventions to help clients best communicate and explore their internal experience. Haley is sex and kink positive, and in working with her, you can expect a dash of humour in the sessions as well as a relaxed, collaborative environment. She prioritizes building a strong therapeutic alliance and creating a safe, non-judgemental space for her clients.

Haley advocates for everyone’s story, its value and power, and she feels her role is to work alongside clients to provide space for their narrative to be heard and to help client’s access their inner resources to increase empowerment, acceptance, and support. She is honoured to work alongside each client and is looking forward to hearing your unique story.

On her off time, Haley enjoys exploring new documentaries to watch, paddle boarding, working on her novice banjo skills, and spending time with friends, family, partner and 17-year-old cat.

Many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and extended health care plans will cover services rendered by a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying).

Haley is a Registered Psychotherapist. Haley obtained her Master of Arts Counselling Psychology d... Read More

Kim is a Registered Psychotherapist who completed her MEd in Counselling Psychology at the University of Toronto.

Kim draws from a variety of evidence-based therapeutic frameworks, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapy, acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), and psychodynamic therapy. She has advanced training in grief recovery and works with a variety of clients with different issues, especially supporting clients who are experiencing low self-esteem, self-criticism, burnout, breakups, life transitions, body acceptance issues, and parents needing support, especially parents and caregivers raising neurodivergent children.

Kim specializes in compassion-focused therapy (CFT), a form of psychotherapy grounded in research in developmental psychology, emotional neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, and Buddhism. Self-compassion is a cornerstone of empowerment and can be found through kindness to oneself, treating oneself as a friend. The strength that flows from this realization allows clients to transform from their own worst critic to their own strongest ally, capable of setting and maintaining healthy boundaries and of knowing what they need and want to live in peace and harmony. This strength also helps clients create change and set and meet goals with kindness and support, rather than self-criticism.

Kim believes that the relationship between client and therapist is rooted in respect, equality, and trust. This authentic connection is the foundation for growth and positive self-discovery. Through compassionate listening and empathetic personal engagement, Kim strives to maintain an open and kind space for her clients to gain insight, explore their fears, express their pain, and in which they can develop a deeper connection and peace within themselves and in their relationships.

Many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and extended health care plans will cover services rendered by a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying).

Kim is a Registered Psychotherapist who completed her MEd in Counselling Psychology at the Univer... Read More

Sergius started his career in 2013 by providing therapeutic counselling at Horizons for Youths with mental health needs and involvement with the criminal justice system in Toronto. Sergius went on to provide informal counselling and support to refugee families and newcomers to Canada who have experienced trauma, chaos, and/or post-traumatic stress symptoms. Sergius also has experience working with clients who experience anxiety and depression. Sergius is able to assess the risks and strengths of families to build their capacities to care for their children.

Sergius is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a counselling modality that can help folks embrace the life they want, change their thought processes and situational reactions. Sergius takes a client-centred approach, which considers each person’s unique cultural background and family history. He is committed to creating a safe, open, trusting and non-judgemental environment for any client he sees and treats them holistically. Sergius recognizes the vulnerability and bravery it takes for clients to seek counselling and psychotherapy services and feels privileged in doing such an important work.

Many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and extended health care plans will cover services rendered by a Registered Social Worker.

Sergius started his career in 2013 by providing therapeutic counselling at Horizons for Youths wi... Read More

Rob Smith has extensive experience providing direct support to individuals struggling with complex health, mental health, and substance use challenges. Rob’s warm and approachable manner helps him work well with adults and youth who have previously found it difficult to seek counselling support. His clients appreciate the confidential and nurturing environment he provides, helping them work through their life’s challenges. Rob can assist individuals with: relationship struggles, building a healthy work and life balance, challenging life transitions, problematic substance use, and concurrent disorders.

Rob believes that a collaborative therapeutic relationship is the key to creating an environment that fosters change and promotes growth. His approach integrates techniques from various therapeutic orientations to suit the unique needs of each client. He works with clients to co-create individualized therapeutic plans based on positive change goals that are realistic and attainable.

Rob is a Registered Social Worker in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and the Ontario Association of Social Workers. He holds an undergraduate degree in History from Carleton University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and extended health care plans will cover services rendered by a Registered Social Worker.

Rob Smith has extensive experience providing direct support to individuals struggling with comple... Read More

Education: Sarah obtained her Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Guelph; majoring in Psychology and minoring in Family and Child Studies. Sarah is a Registered Psychotherapist and is an active member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) & the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP), and the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP).

Therapeutic Style: Sarah brings a validating and warm-hearted approach into her guiding principles as a therapist. She understands that the heart of great therapy starts with a strong therapeutic connection and honours bringing this connection to help you reach your personal and professional goals, while providing care and attention to the deeper parts of you that yearn for change! Sarah provides a safe space for you to feel authentically witnessed, motivated towards change, and capable of approaching your present and past concerns (maybe for the first time) that still need healing. Collaboratively and inclusively, Sarah will partner with you on your journey and meet your needs in a way that feels most comfortable for you. Through offering intuitive insight and kindness, you will feel welcomed and embraced in her office as you connect together to face your present concerns and begin to live a fulfilling life!

Therapeutic Approaches: Sarah operates from a trauma-informed framework and is trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), Mindfulness, and uses evidenced-based clinical techniques to help you learn healthy ways of coping.

Specialities: Sarah particularly enjoys working with individuals with concerns relating to: anxiety, assertiveness, boundary setting, career or work issues, communication skills, depression, difficulties in relationships, emotion regulation, emotional neglect in childhood, feelings of inadequacy, life transitions (career, work, school), low self-confidence, self-acceptance, self-care, self-love and compassion, stress management, and work, school or life balance.

Many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and extended health care plans will cover services rendered by a Registered Psychotherapist.

Education: Sarah obtained her Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville Univ... Read More