Self-Compassion Therapists in Canada

Hi there and welcome! I’m Yaroslav (or Y for short), a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the CRPO. Life can feel incredibly heavy when you're carrying the belief that you're somehow not good enough. You may find yourself constantly second-guessing your decisions, comparing yourself to others, struggling with self-criticism, or feeling overwhelmed by shame. Perhaps you've spent years trying to be what everyone else needs you to be, while quietly wondering why you still don't feel worthy, confident, or at peace. You are not alone. Many of the struggles we experience—whether it's self-doubt, shame, relationship conflict, or feeling disconnected from those we love—are deeply human responses to difficult life experiences, unmet emotional needs, and the challenges that come with navigating relationships, family life, and personal growth. These struggles do not mean there is something wrong with you. They often reflect the ways you've learned to cope, survive, and make sense of your experiences. As a therapist, I bring not only professional training but also a deep understanding of what it means to navigate life's challenges, uncertainty, and the ongoing work of self-discovery and growth. Like many people, I have experienced moments of self-doubt, vulnerability, and the complexities that come with balancing relationships, responsibilities, and personal well-being. These experiences have strengthened my belief that healing happens not through perfection, but through self-compassion, connection, and the courage to face our struggles with curiosity rather than judgment. I help individuals, youth, and couples create lasting change by addressing the deeper emotional patterns that drive distress and disconnection. I offer in-person therapy in Hawkesbury and virtual therapy across Ontario, providing a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental space where you can show up exactly as you are. My work with individuals and youth focuses on overcoming feelings of inadequacy, shame, self-criticism, anxiety, and emotional pain through the evidence-based approaches of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Compassion-Focused Therapy, and Schema Therapy. Together, we explore the origins of painful beliefs such as "I'm not good enough," understand the emotions beneath the struggle, and develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself. As therapy progresses, many clients begin to experience greater self-acceptance, emotional resilience, confidence, and freedom from the patterns that have kept them stuck. For couples, I specialize in helping partners navigate parenting challenges, communication difficulties, recurring conflicts, and emotional disconnection. Parenting can place enormous pressure on even the strongest relationships, often leaving couples feeling more like teammates managing responsibilities than partners deeply connected to one another. Using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), we identify the negative cycles that create distance and frustration, helping both partners better understand their own needs and each other's experiences. Through this process, couples often strengthen their emotional bond, improve communication, rebuild trust, and rediscover a sense of connection and partnership. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in the belief that every person has the capacity for growth and healing when they feel emotionally safe, understood, and supported. Therapy is not about fixing you—because you are not broken. It is about helping you better understand yourself, heal old wounds, and develop new ways of relating to yourself and the people who matter most. Whether you're struggling with shame, low self-worth, anxiety, relationship challenges, or the demands of parenting, you don't have to navigate it alone. Meaningful change is possible, and support is available. If you're ready to take the next step toward greater self-compassion, confidence, and connection, I invite you to reach out. Contact me today to book a consultation and discover how therapy can help you create the lasting changes you're looking for.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, or struggling to balance different parts of yourself? Maybe you’ve felt misunderstood or like your needs aren’t being fully seen. You might also be dealing with relationship challenges or difficult emotions. Trying to meet the expectations of family, society, culture, work, and your own inner standards can add extra pressure. Holding multiple identities can make this even more complex. As a queer woman of colour, I can relate to how challenging this can be. I’m passionate about supporting LGBTQ+ and racialized individuals, as well as folks from all walks of life. Together, we’ll work to create a space where you can feel heard and supported as you navigate life’s challenges. Whether you’re seeking understanding, practical tools, or a safe space to process difficult emotions, we’ll go at your pace to find what feels most helpful for you. Life can be tough, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. If this resonates with you, let's connect for a free 15-minute consultation to see if we might be a good fit.

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.

I (she/her) have been practicing therapy since 2016. Originally from Newfoundland and Labrador I’ve made the West End of Toronto home and St. Joseph’s Health Centre my primary workplace where I work as a Child and Family Therapist. I have countless trauma trainings, plus DBT, CBT, DDP, EFFT, Psychodrama for Traumatic Stress, and exposure to Gestalt Therapy. I participate in psychoanalysis and am a true believer in the healing relational aspect of therapy. I know the importance of an intersectional approach to personal growth, and I seek to help you discover wholeness versus the elusive permanent wellness. Relational dynamics are my expertise, they play important roles in how we see ourselves and live our lives.

I support clients navigating anxiety, life transitions, grief and loss, relational difficulties, burnout, and perfectionism. I work with clients to develop a more compassionate understanding of themselves and their experiences, reconnect with their strengths, and move toward a life that reflects their authentic self and values. I offer low-cost sessions for individuals through the Full Circle Program at Design Your Life Centre as a student therapist working under the supervision of Dr. Stacy Thomas. This program is for individuals who would not otherwise be able to afford therapy. My approach is rooted in humanistic and person-centred principles, drawing on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I bring a warm, nonjudgmental, and grounded presence to my work. I am committed to creating a space where you feel safe enough to explore difficult experiences and emotions and to supporting you, with patience and genuine belief in your capacity to change, as you work toward the life you want to lead.

Life gets hard. So many responsibilities, it's hard to put ourselves first and we can stumble. We can feel isolated, overwhelmed, a sense of dread and anxiety with each passing day. This can lead to depressive feelings, loss of self confidence, addictions, self harm, and even suicidal thoughts. You're not alone if you're feeling this way. It can be especially hard to understand what is happening inside, if we had challenges in our past. I use an integrative person-centred approach so that together, we can work together to untangle the past, connect fully with yourself today, and build tools for the brighter future that you are hoping for. There may be many goals on your journey to well-being. In collaborating together, you will have a safe place to name your feelings for what they are: yours. I offer a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive lens to understanding, processing, and healing the roots of negative thoughts, feelings and experiences that may have been holding you back. Stepping into healing is an amazing act of courage. Working together, we can explore what is most meaningful for you today, as we navigate your journey towards mental health and well-being.