+ More about Nat

Nat was first introduced to both therapy and meditation practice thirty years ago within the context of his own healing and self-discovery journey and since that time has studied, practiced and taught mindfulness based practices in Canada and the US. Nat has taught and mentored others within the context of traditional Buddhist retreats, workshops on mindfulness and compassionate communication practices, and individual, couple and family therapy sessions.

Nat has also explored these above themes in his academic work having conducted experimental psychological research on the effects of mindfulness and emotional awareness in reducing aggressive responses to goal threats as well as exploring how somatic awareness and embodied mindfulness practices can be integrated into couple and family therapy.

Nat's clinical interests include understanding the role of attachment processes and trauma in interpersonal development; language and systems of meaning; and strategies for challenging internalized social and cultural messages that get in the way of experiencing the freedom, connection and safety that we all long for as human beings.

Nat has training in a wide range of therapeutic models and techniques, including social constructionist approaches to individual, couple and family therapy (Dialogic, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Narrative Therapy) and as Cognitive Behavioural (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioural (DBT) therapies. Although these models continue to inform elements of Nat's therapeutic work, he primarily works from a Process-experiential and Mindfulness-based approach, drawing on Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) to help clients be more in tune with their moment-by-moment experience, learn more about the inner world, and be able to self-soothe and be emotinally present to others.

In an earlier stage of life Nat worked as a professional musician and strongly believes that creativity is an essential part of life, whether one is engaged in a formal creative discipline, problem solving, or attempting to get kids off to school in the morning.

+ More about van

Van offers a flexible therapeutic approach that is client-centred and collaborative. She takes a compassionate and thoughtful approach to ensure that she understands your concerns and your hopes for therapy. Van’s therapeutic style is well-paced, warm, and caring. She uses a dynamic combination of evidence-based treatment approaches and incorporates practical and experiential treatment activities to support positive treatment outcomes.

Van’s practice interests also include the treatment of emotional disorders, trauma and addiction, grief and loss, and supporting families experiencing high conflict separation/divorce.

Van has completed training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Somatic Interventions, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Solution Focused and Narrative Therapy, Family Systems Therapy and IFS informed, and Sex Therapy.

+ More about Aiwen

Aiwen is a former lawyer who practiced law for a number of years before recognizing and accepting her passion for helping and supporting clients in a deeper and more meaningful way through psychotherapy. She believes that our sense of fulfillment and purpose, and our ability to respond to life’s circumstances depend on our understanding and acceptance of ourselves, healthy and deep connections with others, and, if desired, a faith in something greater.

To that end, Aiwen utilizes EFT - Emotionally Focused Therapy; IFS - Internal Family Systems; CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy; Attachment Theory; Family Systems Theory; and ACT - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Her hope is to bring new understanding, compassion and awareness to individuals and couples as they examine long-standing behavioural and interactional patterns that no longer serve them.

Overall, Aiwen works from a systems perspective. She seeks to understand her clients within their unique context. This means she takes into consideration not just a client’s personality traits, but also the family in which he or she was raised, the culture in which he or she grew up, any faith/spirituality, as well as major life experiences, and any other contributing factors. In all of her work, she endeavours to be trauma-informed and non-pathologizing, and to approach with compassion and curiosity.

+ More about Shawn

Relationship counselling approaches such as Emotionally Focused Therapy and John Gottman's work have given therapists "a new language" to use with clients and an understanding of the "mechanics" of communication. Part of Shawn's approach in relational work is to help clients identify the verbal and non-verbal cues that they engage in and how these connect to deeper emotional experiences, needs and desires. With a greater understanding of these emotional expressions, couples and families can start to understand their own unique "dance" of communication, and the areas that need to be tweaked and improved for greater relationship satisfaction.

Prior to dedicating himself to clinical practice Shawn served the community in a variety of roles, including administering anonymous HIV testing, crisis intervention & severe mental illness support, as well as outreach services at a Drop-in Centre for Street Youth.

+ More about Larry

At the heart of all Larry’s work is a client-centered approach which emphasizes respect, authenticity and acceptance. Larry is passionate about helping families and couples and works mindfully to help them transform their lives together. He supports individual clients in enhancing self-esteem, healing through loss, and finding solutions to life’s heavy problems.

Larry uses a variety of current therapeutic models. With couples, Larry draws on the Gottman Relationship Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy. With individuals Larry utilizes Schema, Acceptance-Commitment, Solution Focused, Narrative and Logo therapists.

Most importantly, Larry’s work is informed by his own personal life challenges, including separation and divorce, blended family life, aging parents, loss through death, parenting teenagers, and career change. Larry welcomes people of all faiths, world views and backgrounds, ages and sexual orientations. When Larry is not counselling he is riding his bike, running a half marathon, reading at Aroma or visiting his nine grandchildren.

+ More about Kira

Kira has extensive experience counselling couples dealing with marital or family issues and children facing challenges with life transitions, and mental or behavioural complexities. Kira also provides sports therapy for individuals experiencing performance issues due to challenges with personal or family life circumstances. Kira has a passion for helping clients reach their full potential, happiness and wellbeing.

+ More about Krishna

Krishna uses an integrative approach in therapy depending on client needs, context and comfort. This means that she draws from various proven therapy techniques such as emotion focused therapy, solution focused therapy, narrative therapy, strategic therapy, Bowen’s intergenerational model, structural model and more.

Krishna is trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, queer affirmative, and culturally sensitive. She recognises the significance of cultural context and life experiences in shaping ideas, identities, personalities, and perspectives of individuals. She strives to practice with humility when working with people from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to diversity based on culture, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, relationship format, ability, past experiences of trauma, mental/physical health etc. She highlights strengths within individuals; the courage, resistance, and resilience people show against dominant discourses and oppressive systems.

Some of the common issues that Krishna has worked with include parenting stress, couple conflicts (such as issues of power and control, intimacy, communication, infidelity, life transitions), supporting couples with trauma experiences, mental/physical health challenges, addictions etc.

+ More about Renee

Renee completed her studies and training in Los Angeles, California, where she worked extensively with marginalized youth in inner-city schools, along with maintaining a private practice, where she worked with individuals, couples and families.

Renee draws primarily on psychodynamic, interpersonal, relational, Emotion-Focused (EFT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) models of psychotherapy. She has worked for many years with clients who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, loss, substance-abuse, eating disorders and self-harm.

Prior to becoming a therapist, Renee worked for many years with young children in a democratic learning environment that focused on healthy emotional and social development. Through this experience, she learned meaningful and authentic ways to support children in finding safe outlets for their big feelings and develop strong problem-solving skills that included helping them set their own boundaries and be respectful of others’ boundaries. She regularly incorporates and adapts this approach into her work with clients of all ages.

+ More about Benjamin

Benjamin is trained in and comfortable working from a variety of clinical models, including Solution-Focused, Cognitive-Behavioral, Emotionally-Focused and Narrative. He takes a person-centred approach, and believes that the therapeutic relationship is built on trust, respect, compassion, acceptance, validation and understanding. In his work, he consistently demonstrates attentiveness to engaging his clients’ internal resources and their potential to create positive changes in their lives. Through insight, self-awareness and the acquisition of tools geared towards coping with life’s challenges, he believes that the therapeutic process is invaluable in nurturing and supporting healing in his clients’ lives and relationships.

Benjamin’s professional training and personal experiences allow him to offer a non-judgmental environment, sensitive and intuitive insight, and solid therapeutic skills that help clients to move forward in their lives.

Benjamin understands that some of the issues clients bring to therapy may be private, difficult to talk about, embarrassing, or painful. He has worked with people on many difficult issues and aims to provide a safe space for clients to talk about their concerns.

Benjamin can help you:

• Find solutions for family, couple & workplace conflicts
• Improve communication at home
• Manage stress, anxiety, anger and moods
• Cope with grief and loss
• Resolve trauma and past hurts
• Increase confidence and self-esteem
• Find sexual intimacy
• Be the parent and family member you prefer to be

+ More about Yasmin

Yasmin began her career working with individuals in private practices and psychiatric facilities in the Middle East and continued her education and clinical training in Canada and the US. Her breadth of experience both clinically and culturally allows her to effectively work with individuals, couples and families from diverse backgrounds.

Yasmin works gently and compassionately and uses clinically tested and evidence-based interventions to enhance relationships and overcome personal obstacles. Yasmin can help clients impacted by depression, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, relationship conflict, trauma, and infidelity.

Yasmin will work with you to:

• Develop coping strategies for hardships and loss;
• Improve overall well-being;
• Become “unstuck” from a cycle of disconnection;
• Understand and respond to your partner’s cues;
• Increase emotional connection and enhance intimacy;
• Find solutions for conflict

Yasmin’s greatest reward as a therapist is helping her clients explore ways to make positive changes in their lives that will empower them and instill hope for the future.