Emotion Focused Therapy Therapists in Canada

I am a Registered Psychologist who works from a collaborative and person-centred approach. My therapeutic philosophy is centred on the belief that the client is the author of their life journey. From this perspective, the counsellor is a fellow sojourner whose role is to explore experiences and situations that may contribute to one feeling stuck. Often this may involve working with emotions, understanding intra/interpersonal dynamics, and exploring negative events in a manner that can be conducive to growth and learning. My approach to therapy builds on Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) by integrating narrative and systemic models of counselling. Clinically, I have worked with youth, families, and adults in a variety of settings including the University of British Columbia Counselling Services, the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Complex Trauma Resources, the Veterans Transition Network, and through private practice. Some circumstances and challenges I have worked with include: depression, anxiety, trauma, racial identity and racism, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, relationship issues, life transitions, and grief and loss. I have developed several mental health interventions and programs, including the Core Connectors Initiative, a mental health literacy program for youth, and the (Re)Claim and Connect counselling group for addressing anti-Asian racism. I have also served on several committees on equity and diversity and provided training on cultural considerations in clinical contexts. If you are looking for counselling, please feel free connect. My website and contact information can be found on this page.

Have you ever rushed out the door only to realize you forgot something or spilled coffee all over yourself? Have you ever said to yourself, “I'm tired of feeling this way/ I shouldn’t be feeling like this,” yet the feelings persist and sometimes come back stronger? These may seem like two distinct, unrelated instances I am raising, but I parallel them with how we often approach our problems: we tend to want to rush through them or judge ourselves for having the emotions and reactions to the difficulties life tosses at us. I’m here to propose an alternative: your feelings are valid, no matter what you’re seeking help for. We rarely move through life with intention and space to slow down and reflect. I see counselling as a dedicated space created for you by you to get curious about yourself, tend to the parts that need some fine-tuning and updates, and process some uncomfortable emotions that the outside world doesn’t always give space for. I offer 15-minute complimentary consultations for all clients who are interested in working with me. Looking up therapists is a big step – in my opinion, you are already halfway from where you began to where you would like to be!

If you find yourself navigating through the complexities of life, know that seeking counselling is a courageous and empowering choice. People seek counselling for a myriad of reasons, each journey as unique as the individual taking the first step. You might be facing the pressure of anxiety, the shadows of depression, or the echoes of past traumas. Life's challenges can be multifaceted, stemming from personal relationships, work-related stress, existential questioning, or unforeseen transitions. As a couple, you may be experiencing the severance of disconnection, rupture of infidelity, or the growing pains of change. I combine a tapestry of approaches to support you on your transformative journey. Mindfulness techniques provide a grounding anchor to the present, while Adlerian therapy delves into understanding the influence of your past on your current self. For couples therapy, I incorporate the Gottman method and Emotionally Focused Therapy to rebuild your foundations. Culturally sensitive and trauma-informed, my practice is a safe haven for individuals of all backgrounds and identities. No matter what brings you to therapy, we can cultivate resilience, uncover your inner wisdom, and empower you to live authentically and aligned with your values. With warmth, I am looking forward to connecting with you.

Hi! I'm Maddie, I'm a Registered Social Worker providing in person and virtual services in the lower mainland. I specialize in supporting women who are seeking to reach their goals, overcome obstacles, and create healthier relationships with themselves and others. I believe that every woman has a unique story and possesses the strength, knowledge, and resilience to achieve positive change. My approach to therapy is grounded in trust, compassion, and connection, and I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental space where women can explore their experiences and emotions. My work is holistic and integrative, drawing from evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, and Narrative Therapy, as well as mindfulness techniques to strengthen the connection between mind, body, and spirit. I cater my approach to the needs and goals of each client, and I am committed to developing long-lasting relationships with each person I work with. Whether you are new to therapy or seeking a fresh perspective, I am dedicated to supporting women in their journey towards healing, growth, and self-discovery.

I grew up in Saskatchewan but was called to the mountains and relocated to the Canadian Rockies at the age of eighteen. Since then I have lived abroad, on the coast, and now call Rossland, BC my permanent home. My upbringing instilled in me a strong desire to contribute meaningfully to my community and society. I am at my best when I am able to help others. My drive to contribute coupled with an interest in human decision-making led me to counselling. On my journey to becoming a counsellor I completed a number of experiences that sharpened my ability to understand, listen, and empathize with others: getting an undergraduate degree in psychology, working as a research assistant, volunteering to teach underserved youth snowboarding, working on a crisis line, and lastly, as a support worker– integrating adults with autism into their community in Trail, BC. I completed my practicum at Child and Youth Mental Health services (CYMH) under the guidance and supervision of Sean Larsen. It was under Sean’s expert guidance that I found my passion for helping children and youth. My time at CYMH assisted me in understanding how I can help families struggling with interpersonal and mental health concerns. As my practice has grown, I realized the distress many parents were experiencing in their romantic relationships. I took Gottman Method Couples Therapy training to provide couples counselling to our community and help struggling couples create better communication and understanding. I honour confidentiality, openness, connection, and engagement.

My name is Micah, and I identify as a female first-generation immigrant. s a Filipino-Canadian, I am motivated to create a safe space for other people of colour individuals to feel fully seen and heard. Concurrently over the last 16 years, I have spent 5 years working with the elderly community (specifically those with dementia and Alzheimer’s), 5 years in healthcare helping families work through grief and loss, 11 years working with adults with acquired brain injury, and 10 years working under a social service capacity with youth across Bangladesh, Africa, India, and Nepal. In my professional identity thus far, I have gained valuable insights and skills that have contributed to my therapeutic journey. As a result, I have developed a holistic and person-centered approach to therapy that integrates evidence-based, strength-based, mindfulness, and somatic-based practices. I believe this approach best equips me to meet your specific concerns and needs. To me, therapy is a space where we can explore, discover, and tackle distressing thoughts, feelings, or behaviours that may be holding you back. In our sessions, you can expect me to provide you with tangible tools and strategies to foster meaningful change, and to create opportunities to experience vulnerability in a safe space. Our work together will focus on raising awareness in the present moment so that you may accept and live a life full of clarity and authenticity.

Hello, I am Ayesha Azfar, a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and I have my Master of Counselling Psychology from Adler University. My practice is located in Coquitlam BC and I provide Individual, Couples, and Relationship Counselling services. When we experience traumas or life stressors it can be not only overwhelming, but also very isolating as it often feels like no one can understand what you are going through. Without having a space to explore and unpack these stressors in a meaningful way, we often turn those thoughts and feelings inwards, internalize our issues and experience guilt and shame. This can also lead to negative interactions with our loved ones and can adversely impact our relationship with them. I am passionate about working with clients who feel like they are "not good enough" or who worry about living up to the expectations of others. I help them to develop self-acceptance, reduce people-pleasing behaviours, and learn how to establish and maintain boundaries. In all my experiences of providing therapy, I firmly believe that clients hold within themselves the key to unlocking the tools to help overcome their challenges. My passion lies in helping clients access their strengths, provide an understanding of their own agency and facilitate their journey towards change. My focus is to help individuals grow from their struggles, heal from their pain and move forward to where they want to be in life so that they can thrive. As an immigrant to Canada and a member of the BIPOC community, I have an understanding of the diverse and multicultural impacts on therapy and how they intersect. I have over 10 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families with a special focus on South Asian and Muslim communities.

I am a first(ish) generation Canadian, originally from western Ukraine. I work primarily with folks who moved to Canada or have family that has moved to Canada from other places. The clients that find me a good fit want somebody who is comfortable with diverse perspectives, and is somebody they can connect with, versus strictly being someone who provides educational resources and exercises. This is what I strive to be as a therapist, to "get" my clients and where they are coming from, so that our work together is anchored in understanding and trust. My practice is highly influenced by attachment theory, relational/interpersonal therapy and family systems theory. This means that we look at struggles you're facing not only on an individual level, but also with the goal of helping you find relationships of care and support in your everyday life. If you're interested in working with me, reach out and I'd be happy to schedule a free consultation call with you.

I am a trauma-informed Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BCACC and is a BCPFFA Silver Seal Endorsed clinician. I currently serve as a treatment provider for WorkSafe BC through their Occupational Trauma Response and Mental Health Treatment Services programs; as well as the WorkBC funded Survivors of Violence and Youth at Risk programs. I also has extensive experience in providing counselling support services for victims of abuse and trauma. ​ I earned my Master of Counselling at City University of Seattle in 2015 and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Family Sciences and Psychology at the University of British Columbia in 2002.

Julie has Master’s Degrees in Clinical Psychology and Clinical Counselling and is currently finishing her doctorate’s degree in clinical psychology. In addition to professional training and experiences in psychotherapy and treatment, clinical counselling, behavioural intervention, and neuropsychological assessments, Julie also has a background in psychological research at the doctoral level and uses the empirical insights gained from previous studies to supplement her current clinical practice, making her unique as a practitioner of both clinical-scientist and scientist-practitioner models. Julie has worked with BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse (BCSMSSA), Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV), Chimo Community Services, and local medical clinics and healthcare centres. She has provided individual and couple/family therapy, treatments, and assessments to individuals for disorders and issues including depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, feeding and eating disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, neurocognitive disorders, affect management, self-regulation, stress management, sexual/physical abuse and violence, crisis intervention and stabilization, couple/marital/parenting conflicts, academic/work stress, identity crisis/exploration, self-introspective needs, loneliness, and relationship difficulties. She identifies as a cisgender female who is open to clients belonging to the LGBTQIA2S+ communities. Julie applies an integrated theoretical framework informed by trauma theory, understanding of behavioral and neuropsychology, and multicultural sensitivity to her eclectic therapeutic approach. As an advocate of positive psychology who understands that mental health is more than the absence of illness, she focuses on building success and helping clients flourish rather than merely reducing distress. Her clinical repertoire includes Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), CASE Approach for Risk/Suicide Assessment, Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Motivational Interviewing, Somatic Experiencing/Body Awareness Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Clinical Hypnosis. Owning to her mixed ethnic heritage, she is a native speaker of English, Mandarin, and Hokkien, and has conversational-level skills in Japanese and Cantonese.

Whether you’re struggling with stress, relationship issues, trauma, or burnout, therapy is a space where you can feel heard, validated, and empowered to make meaningful changes. My approach to therapy involves exploring all parts of your life and uncovering the hidden emotions and meanings. I believe therapy is a reflection of real life, where the challenges, patterns, and growth we experience in session often reflect our everyday experiences. Whether you’re struggling with stress, relationship issues, trauma, or burnout, therapy is a space where you can feel heard, validated, and empowered to make meaningful changes. My approach to therapy involves exploring all parts of your life and uncovering the hidden emotions and meanings. I believe therapy is a reflection of real life, where the challenges, patterns, and growth we experience in session often reflect our everyday experiences. I take an integrative approach, meaning I tailor therapy to your unique needs. Though I use a variety of therapeutic modalities, the most meaningful work happens when we co-create a personalized approach. That often means taking pieces from different methods and using your strengths to form a puzzle that fits your unique life story. You are the expert in your own life, and my role is to guide and support you. Let’s explore how we can work together toward meaningful discovery and growth! If you feel we are a good match, feel free to connect for a free 15-minute consult where we can discuss your goals and ways I can support!

I support individuals navigating a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, stress, grief, trauma, life transitions, and relationship concerns. No matter what brings you to therapy, I aim to help you deepen self-awareness and develop practical strategies that help build resilience and promote healing. As a therapist, my approach is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and a deep respect for your lived experience. I offer client-centered care that draws from strengths-based and trauma-informed modalities, working with you to build a therapy plan that reflects your values, goals, and vision of wellness. My priority is to foster a space where you feel safe, seen, and empowered to be your authentic self. My educational background includes a Masters in Counselling Psychology, Masters in Anthropology, and Bachelors in Psychology and Cinema. I possess additional training in several evidence-based and trauma-focused therapeutic modalities. Together, we will design an approach that is tailored to your unique needs and preferences, and one that delivers meaningful results. I worked in public, private, and creative sectors before transitioning to counselling, where I gained experience as a crisis responder and in employment and career advising. My diverse professional experiences along with my own mental wellness journey help me to provide well-rounded support that is grounded in continuous self-reflection.

I work with LGBTQ2S+ adults who are tired of being "hooked" by their own minds—that loop of anxiety, the "not good enough" narrative, or that "stuck" feeling. Whether you’re navigating a life transition or just feeling "flat," I help you get your hands back on the steering wheel of your life.

Do you have a story you feel you need to share with someone? Maybe it’s your first time opening up, or maybe you tried before, but just never quite felt heard. If there’s something inside of you that needs telling, I’m here to hear you out. I often work with clients who suffer from depression, trauma, anxiety and relationship issues. I can also be particularly helpful to clients who’ve felt they haven’t gone deep enough in therapy, who tend towards dissociation or intellectualization, or who find themselves between cultures—immigrants, children of immigrants, people from interfaith families, and "third culture kids." I practice psychodynamic psychotherapy, which is based on the premise that the more we understand about ourselves, the more freedom we have to make new choices. If you’ve ever felt stuck without knowing exactly why, or even if you understand why but can’t quite seem to change things, psychodynamic psychotherapy can be immensely helpful. Life can be deeply painful, but it can also be joyous. I aim to be witness to all of you without judgment, so that you can come to know yourself more fully, and therefore have all the more freedom to choose not only how to respond to what life throws at you, but also what life it is you want to live.

Top Specialities: trauma, anxiety, attachment issues I believe our life events shape us into who we are today. We weren’t BORN with an inner critic, perfectionism, or people-pleasing tendencies! Something happened in our lives that taught us those behaviours. Maybe we learned that it’s less painful to avoid confrontation than to risk rejection or failure. Maybe we learned that to ensure safety, we must be hypervigilant, constantly looking out for threats. Those behaviours likely helped you survive at one time, but now, they might be causing chronic anxiety, difficulties in your relationships, and low self-esteem. I will help you understand your emotions and unlearn beliefs and coping behaviours that are no longer serving you. We’ll learn how your past and present experiences are contributing to the issues you want to let go of, and carve a path forward. Therapy can help you process your experiences and develop coping skills to manage your reactions and emotions. I have experience helping with anxiety/stress/burnout, trauma, relationship/attachment issues, self-esteem, depression, emotion regulation, and borderline personality disorder. I’m especially passionate about treating developmental/attachment trauma to improve self-esteem, foster safety and security, and move towards secure attachment patterns. My Approach/Style As a therapist, I have a friendly, authentic, and warm demeanour. I believe a strong connection with your therapist is of crucial importance, so I take extra care to ensure I’m understanding your needs and perspective. (This doesn’t mean I’ll never challenge you!). I’m also happy to share appropriate information about my own life if helpful and relevant. I believe everyone has inner wisdom and resilience. I respect your autonomy, so I will always support you in coming to your own conclusions and finding your own solutions. But I also don’t shy away from sharing different insights and perspectives, or giving guidance and advice if needed. Types of Therapy After spending some time getting to know you, I’ll apply the therapy techniques that best suit your concerns. I use techniques informed by schema therapy, inner child work, IFS, ACT, CBT, DBT, EFT, mindfulness, and attachment theory. I am also trained in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy, which is an evidence-based and WHO-recommended treatment for trauma and PTSD. If you’d like to learn more, please reach out for a free consultation! *Please note, I am located in Toronto, and my working hours are as follows: Tuesday and Wednesday: 11am-7pm Eastern Time Thursday: 1pm-7pm Eastern time Friday: 10am-5pm Eastern Time

Hey there, I'm Jan! I offer a safe, non-judgmental, and unbiased space for therapy and counseling in an easy-going, relatable way. I have done my BSc in Psychology at the VU Amsterdam and finished my MSc in Clinical Psychology at Erasmus University Rotterdam. I have worked as a therapist/counselor in Cape Town, South Africa which exposed me to working with diverse groups of people. I have finished my Master's thesis on mindfulness practice and its effects on students in regards to burnout and fatigue. However, I am also trained in motivational interviewing, ACT, and CBT with a constant drive to keep learning. I believe that having a great therapeutic relationship is really important for a good outcome in therapy. I aim to be the therapist that doesn’t recite word for word what they learned in university textbooks but one that integrates therapeutic techniques into tailored sessions all while making it feel natural and comfortable for the client. The first intake session is always free! Ask me about my student rate!

Hi there and welcome! I’m Yaroslav (or Y for short), a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the CRPO. If you are here, you might be feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or weighed down by challenges that feel hard to manage on your own. Maybe you are dealing with anxiety, burnout, relationship struggles, or simply a loss of direction. Whatever brings you here, I want you to know you don’t have to face it alone. I work with adolescents (12+) and adults, individually or in couples, supporting clients through stress, anxiety, depression, intense emotions, addictions, and relationship ruptures. Therapy with me is collaborative—we will focus on your unique needs, strengths, and goals, moving at a pace that feels right for you.

Do you struggle with anxiety, people pleasing or feelings of overwhelm? Do you have a difficult relationship with your parents or get easily triggered? Maybe you have ADHD (or think you do) and feel like you can't do life "right"? If you experience any of these, I can help! You likely need to uncover unhelpful patterns, heal the past wounds holding you back, and develop actionable tools to help you return to a more grounded, regulated state. I'll help you process AND keep you accountable (warmly and compassionately of course). I'm trained in both Talk and Art Therapy. You can try both or choose whatever one feels best for you. Why try art therapy? Because sometimes our thoughts and feelings are hard to express with words alone. Creativity can provide another avenue of expression to dig in deeper. Heads up: No art skills are needed and we'll still use talk therapy approaches too! My style is warm, curious and collaborative. That involves both listening AND supporting you shift out of patterns no longer serving you. Together, we'll build on sessions over time with intention and direction. Let's get you thriving, not just surviving! To book a free consult, email or visit my site for the online booking link.

If you’re finding it hard to connect with others, feeling stuck in painful relationship patterns, or overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, or sadness, you’re not alone. Many of the struggles we face are not flaws or signs of failure. They are often adaptations to past experiences where emotional needs, like being comforted, feeling safe, accepted, or truly heard, weren’t fully met. I work with adults navigating relationship challenges, low mood, overthinking, uncertainty about themselves, or difficulties with focus and restlessness. These experiences can be influenced by many factors, such as ADHD, burnout, identity-related stress, or difficult past experiences. You might notice patterns like shutting down, feeling easily overwhelmed, or being misunderstood in your closest relationships. These are often protective responses that once helped you cope, but are now getting in the way of the life and relationships you want. My approach is grounded in a trauma-informed lens and an understanding that mental health is shaped by many layers—our biology, environment, culture, and early relationships. I also pay close attention to how the nervous system responds to stress and safety, helping you make sense of your emotional reactions with more compassion and less shame. Clients often share that they feel relieved when their struggles finally start to make sense. I walk alongside you with warmth and respect as we explore your experiences with curiosity, not judgment. My hope is to help you reconnect with parts of yourself that feel lost, hurt, or misunderstood. Together, we’ll build healthier emotional responses, uncover strengths buried beneath survival patterns, and move toward a life and relationships that feel more secure, fulfilling, and aligned with who you are.