IFS Therapists in Canada

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.

My work is grounded on the perspective that how we story our lives is incredibly powerful, and it is through these stories that we make sense of the world, ourselves, and our experiences. Some stories are helpful and empowering, and some stories can cause us to feel frustrated, and helpless. Part of the work is to examine the stories that we have told ourselves, and give ourselves permission and space to create a new story that better fits who we are and who we are becoming. I’m excited to meet you and hear the stories you will share. I would love nothing more than to walk with you on your journey towards transformative healing and discovery.

Hi, I'm Nicole (she/they). You might wonder what therapy can offer you, and that is a fair question. I used to ask the same thing and I remember my first therapy session as a client, I was so nervous I got in a car accident on my way to the appointment. Being vulnerable and sharing a piece of yourself can be so intimidating. It makes sense to feel nervous. Reaching out for support is challenging, and can also be empowering, I commend you for considering it. I am committed to providing as safe a space as is possible to those who would choose to trust me with their story. Part of that includes an understanding of how systemic power and inequity impacts us all. I navigate the world as a white, settler woman. I also have lived experience with chronic illness, and a late-in-life ADHD diagnosis. These, among other pieces of my identity, impact my lived experiences of the world as your identity impacts yours. Because of this, I use an intersectional, systemic approach in my work, leaning on Feminist Theory and utilize AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy) and Narrative techniques. I believe you have resources and answers within yourself, and I am honoured to support you as you discover and grow in your own strength. I take a collaborative approach, meaning you get to play an active role in deciding how our time together is spent. Ultimately, I am committed to your healing and will use all of the tools at my disposal to support you on your journey. My hope for you is that you flourish in your life, and are able to feel all of the joy and delight that comes from that.

My journey to becoming a counsellor started with my own appointment in a counselling office. I remember feeling nervous about the process, but eventually felt inspired by my own healing journey to support others in the same way that counselling has helped me heal and grow. I am passionate about self-growth and discovery, and I love supporting you to better understand your past, make connections and build skills for a better and stronger future. I work from a trauma informed and attachment model and I strongly believe that part of the healing process that happens in counselling is through the therapeutic relationship. I work collaboratively with you to meet your goals in counselling, and I am truly honoured every time someone chooses to invite me into that journey – I know it is not easy! I welcome working with diverse clients of all ages, cultures, genders, sexual orientations and abilities and I currently work with clients ages 12 and up. I specialize in relational and childhood trauma, eating disorders, relationship concerns and anxiety. I am trained in EMDR, OEI and Lifespan Integration Therapies - all of these therapies are designed to help you process traumatic events or negative self beliefs and bring you healing from your past. Trauma disconnects us from ourselves and our bodies and so part of our work will be to help you become more connected to yourself, your feelings and your body. If you have any questions about this please reach out for a consultation call - I would love to chat with you to see if I'm the right fit for you.

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.

Are you looking for a ‘hype you up’ but call you on your shit therapist? I might just be your gal! Are you dealing with perfectionism? Going through a break up? Contemplating making a big life change? Experiencing grief, stress, overwhelm or loneliness? I prioritize authenticity in therapy, and aim to help people untangle themselves from problems that hold them back. I work with you as we navigate the peaks & valleys of life experiences. I often support, students, hospitality workers, parents, teachers, nurses, shift workers, ski patrollers, guides & 'first timers' to therapy. Life can be messy & complex. Are you looking for a ‘hype you up’ but call you on your shit therapist? I might just be your gal! Are you dealing with perfectionism? Going through a break up? Contemplating making a big life change? Experiencing grief, stress, overwhelm or loneliness? I prioritize authenticity in therapy, and aim to help people untangle themselves from problems that hold them back. I work with you as we navigate the peaks & valleys of life experiences. I often support, students, hospitality workers, parents, teachers, nurses, shift workers, ski patrollers, guides & 'first timers' to therapy. Life can be messy & complex. My office located in the Kitsilano neighbourhood of Vancouver at 4th & Arbutus. I offer virtual counselling via telehealth throughout BC. *Insurance* Counselling is covered or reimbursed by many extended benefits programs. I am registered with many major Canadian insurance providers: Canada Life | Great-West Life Green Shield Canada Manulife Medavie Blue Cross Mines & Associates SunLife AMS - UBC Student Benefits Vail Resorts EAP *Education & Registration* I hold a master's degree in counselling from City University and a bachelor's degree in Child and Youth Care from the University of Victoria. I am dual licensed with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) as a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) as a Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC). License Numbers: RCC # 20414 CCC # 11250646 *A bit more about how I work & my background* Lexie (she/her) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor practicing on the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) territories. Lexie’s approach to counselling is characterized by warmth, authenticity, and compassion, with a goal of fostering a relaxed environment where clients can explore their thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment. Lexie roots her work in a trauma informed, anti-oppressive, social justice lens. This may involve looking beyond the individual to understand their experiences within broader social and cultural contexts, as she joins clients on the path to self-discovery, healing, and change. Lexie has over ten years of experience working in the field of mental health. She draws on her experience providing counselling and practical supports to diverse communities, including children and families with complex medical and mental health needs, new immigrants and LGBTQQ2S+ folx. She has worked as a grief and loss counsellor at a hospice, provided crisis and suicide prevention support and developed industry specific work place mental health trainings for the hospitality and tourism sector. Montira Mental Health was born out of Lexie’s own experience as a hospitality manager at different backcountry lodges across British Columbia. As a lodge manager, Lexie observed the intersection of mental health and personal challenges within remote and isolated live/work environments which lead to high rates of burnout amongst her staff. ​​The transient nature of tourism dependent communities, seasonal employment, high cost of living and limited access to low barrier community mental health offerings further impacted her staff. Lexie’s connection to the outdoor community is born out of years of living, working, and recreating in the Rocky, Purcell, Selkirk and Coast mountains. She is an avid backcountry skier, trail runner, and hiker who finds a deep sense of connection to herself and her community through time spent in the outdoors. To learn more, please see my website: montiramentalhealth.com

I’m Amber (she/her); I am an Asian, settler, cisgender woman living and practicing on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. I welcome diverse clients of all cultures, genders, and sexual orientations. I appreciate that we all come with unique stories and histories, and I think it is important to recognize and celebrate how these shape the way that we experience the world. I feel honoured and privileged to walk alongside my resilient clients in their personal healing journeys. I am passionate about EMDR, art therapy, play therapy, and other trauma-informed practices because of their potential to support the transformation and healing of both ourselves and our communities. My role is to hold space for you to come as you are and for your experiences to be met with compassion, curiosity, and tenderness. I believe that we all have the capacity to heal and grow especially in relation to others. Together through our work, we can begin to undo the aloneness that often comes with having negative experiences. I have a deep compassion and respect for the experiences that my clients entrust in me and through a collaborative approach, I hope to honour your lived experiences. Together we will establish a direction in our work that feels supportive of your goals and values. I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, my Bachelor of Education, and my Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology at UBC. I have additional training in the areas of trauma, attachment theory, emotion-focused therapy, and narrative approaches. In addition to counselling, I have also worked as an elementary school teacher in Vancouver. I have a special appreciation for the unique challenges experienced by children, adolescents, and their families. I believe connection, non-judgement, and trust are vital to building a strong therapy relationship.I think every piece of ourselves is important and together we will work with, rather than against, your experiences and emotions. It is important to me that you feel both safe and empowered throughout this entire process. In my spare time you can find me curled up with my dog Yuki watching musicals and reading fantasy novels.

You’ve learned to hold it all together; for family, for culture, for survival. You’re insightful, but tired. Maybe it’s anxiety, burnout, people-pleasing, or the quiet weight of not feeling fully seen. You want space to exhale and to feel understood. My clients seek clarity, regulation, and belonging. Together, we’ll explore the patterns you’ve inherited, the ones you’re ready to let go of, and the parts of you waiting to feel at home. I offer culturally responsive, neurodivergent-affirming therapy with a deep understanding of identity, belonging, and the impact of cultural and family systems on emotional well-being. My approach is integrative and person-centered, drawing from ACT, IFS, CBT, and mindfulness to support emotional regulation, self-trust, and meaningful change. Starting therapy is vulnerable, especially if you're used to managing on your own. You don’t have to carry everything alone. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of where to begin, I’m here to support you. Let’s work together to explore what healing, safety, and alignment might look like for you.

Hi, I’m Kayla, I’m a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and I work to support autistic adults and other neurodivergent experiences. I’ve spent a big part of my career in the disability sector, especially supporting autistic folks. I’ve worn a lot of different hats along the way and these precious experiences are what shape and inspire my work as a counsellor today. My practice is grounded in a judgement free, neurodivergent-affirming, collaborative space. I provide counselling for adults who want clarity, a sense of direction and guidance. We can work to understand you, make sense of your experiences, and identify meaningful changes that align with who you are and who you are becoming. Many of my clients are young adults with autism navigating the current phases of their life. For some this includes transitional periods, for others this means settling in. I offer a safe and supportive space to explore who you are, and work to build a clear sense of direction and identity within you.

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

Welcome, I'm passionate about helping individuals navigate life's challenges and cultivate a deeper sense of well-being. Change is daunting when you are alone at the start of a journey. My approach is rooted in creating a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space where you can explore your inner strengths, overcome obstacles, and foster lasting change. Having a someone working with you as you go through change can make it a lot more manageable. My therapeutic style is best described as empathetic, genuine, safe and collaborative. I am trained to help you overcome your current challenges and emerge more resilient. Working together, we will develop strategies for you to meet your own personal goals. You are more than a label or a set of symptoms. You are unique and my approach is developed to be adjusted based on your personal needs. My practice draws from various therapeutic approaches. I guide clients in embracing their emotions, clarifying their core values, and taking meaningful steps toward a life rich in purpose and fulfillment. I also help individuals and couples develop secure emotional bonds, strengthen their relationships, and nurture healthier ways of connecting with themselves and others. Whether you're seeking support for trauma, anxiety, relationship struggles, or personal growth, I tailor my therapeutic approach to meet your unique needs. Together, we'll embark on a journey of healing, self-discovery, and empowerment. Your mental health matters—let's take the first step toward a brighter and more fulfilling future I used to work as an C-suite executive in the corporate world and have decided to orient my future to helping others on their journey.

I offer therapy for adults who feel stuck in patterns with food, their bodies, or their relationships with themselves. Many of the people I work with are thoughtful and self-aware, yet still find themselves caught in cycles of emotional eating, body dissatisfaction, or feeling like they’re “never quite enough.” You might understand the why of your struggles, but still feel pulled back into the same patterns—and that can be frustrating and exhausting. My approach to therapy goes beyond surface-level strategies. Together, we’ll take the time to understand the underlying patterns that are shaping your experience—often rooted in earlier relationships, life transitions, or ways you’ve learned to cope. I draw from a relational, psychodynamic lens as well as Internal Family Systems (IFS), which helps us gently explore the different “parts” of you—like the part that criticizes, the part that copes through food, or the part that feels overwhelmed. I work from a weight-inclusive, non-diet perspective, meaning we won’t focus on changing your body. Instead, we’ll work toward building a more compassionate and sustainable relationship with food, your body, and yourself. I also support clients navigating major life transitions, including the shift into motherhood. Returning to work, changes in identity, and the emotional complexity of this stage can bring up feelings that are hard to make sense of alone. Therapy with me is collaborative and paced in a way that feels manageable. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin—we’ll make sense of things together.

Are you struggling to maintain relationships? Maybe you feel disconnected, unable to get through the day without negative thought patterns. As a psychotherapist, I work with both teens and adults, specializing in relational and childhood trauma. However, I also work with individuals who have faced various life challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and attachment difficulties. Holding a queer identity and a crisis counselling background, my therapeutic space is highlighted in inclusivity, incorporating anti-oppressive and strength-based frameworks to create a safe, non-judgmental space for you to express your thoughts freely. My sessions often take a client-centred approach, building a collaborative process of unlearning damaging self-beliefs, practicing healthy coping skills, and reclaiming your life through newly formed self-awareness. This is your journey, and I will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan specific to your unique needs and goals. I view trauma as a relational experience. Not only is it often experienced in relationships with others, but it is also a new development of healthy relationships that can assist in healing.

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.