Find a Therapist in North York, ON

You might be here because you’re tired. Tired of carrying old wounds that still ache, tired of questioning your worth, tired of feeling stuck in patterns you can’t seem to change. Maybe you’re adjusting to a new season of life: becoming a parent, rebuilding after loss, navigating illness, or trying to feel at home in who you are. Even if you’ve learned to hide your pain behind a polished exterior, part of you still hopes life can feel lighter, more connected, and more true to who you really are. I believe therapy can be a space where you can finally set that mask down. Where all parts of you: your fears, your hopes, your culture, your strengths, are welcome and respected. I don’t see you as broken. I see you as someone who has learned to survive in the best ways you could, and who is ready to heal and grow. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in deep respect for your lived experience. Together, we’ll explore what’s weighing on you, whether it’s anxiety, trauma, self-esteem struggles, perinatal challenges, identity shifts, relationship dynamics, or chronic illness. I draw from trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally responsive approaches to help you reconnect with your own wisdom and capacity for change. In our work, you can expect compassion and curiosity rather than judgment. I’ll help you make sense of your story, find tools to cope, and rediscover the parts of you that may have been overshadowed by pain or overwhelm. You deserve a space where you feel seen, valued, and supported as you move toward the life you want.

Feeling sad and unable to figure out why? Constantly worrying about what will happen next? Feeling lost and looking for direction? I can work with you to help you deal with the different pressures and stressors in your life. I meet you where you are and walk alongside you to help you reach your full potential. My focus puts you first and builds a strong therapeutic relationship between us through respect, empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard. I have facilitated grief support groups which has provided me with an in-depth knowledge of grief and the skills that can help individuals find meaning once again after a loss. I am also a Certified Anger Management Counsellor and an EMDR Trained Practitioner We will work together, in a warm and safe environment, to reach your acceptable level of satisfaction and comfort, at a pace of your convenience. You can totally do this, and I can help you. I am ready when you are!

If you’re here, something in your life is asking for relief, clarity, or change. Maybe you’re tired of carrying everything alone. Maybe your relationships feel heavier than they should. Maybe you’ve been strong for so long that you don’t remember what it feels like to simply breathe without pressure. You might be navigating anxiety, stress, emotional patterns, cultural expectations, or pain you’ve never had the space to unpack. Whatever brought you here, I want you to know: you’re not alone, and you’re in the right place. When we work together, my focus is simple—I help you slow down, understand yourself, and reconnect with the parts of you that are overwhelmed, unheard, or forgotten. I meet you exactly where you are and offer a space where you can speak freely, feel understood, and explore what’s been weighing on your mind and heart. You won’t get judgment, dismissal, or a cold clinical approach. You’ll get someone who listens deeply and supports you with honesty, warmth, and cultural awareness. My style blends psychotherapy with mind–body work and culturally rooted healing principles. I believe your story, your upbringing, and your lived experience matter. They shape how you see the world and how the world responds to you. Together, we explore how your history impacts your relationships, your boundaries, your triggers, and the way you protect yourself. We unpack your patterns, strengthen your emotional foundation, and build practical tools you can use right away to feel more grounded and in control. Therapy with me is an active and collaborative process. We talk, we reflect, we challenge old narratives, and we develop new ones that empower you. I’ll help you understand yourself on a deeper level and guide you toward healthier connections, healthier coping, and a healthier relationship with your own mind and emotions. My goal is to help you feel lighter, clearer, and more secure in who you are. If you’re ready to explore healing that is culturally grounded, compassionate, and genuinely transformative, I would be honoured to walk with you. You can begin your journey here through CoachSpence Wellness & Therapy Services, where your story is honoured and your growth becomes the priority.

When triggered by the right stressors, the genes we are born with can lead to anxiety, depression, mood swings, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations. And throughout life, we may experience abuse, neglect, loss, poverty, trauma and situations that make us feel “stuck.” Most stressors require support via therapy. Some respond better to medications. Whether it's ongoing therapy, medication, or a combination of the two, I will give you the evidence-based research. YOU will decide what's best for you.

If you want change in your life, but you need help breaking down your goals into action items and you could use accountability to help you accomplish them, I recommend therapy. Therapy often comes with an expectation of deep introspection and emotion-focused, talk-driven sessions, but with a Cognitive-Behavioral approach, thoughts and feelings are important in the healing process. I focus on how your behavior is affecting your world, and how you can change your behavior to change the life you’re living. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, reach out to me. I love sharing what I know so that you can feel and act better in your life. We will collaborate to set goals and track improvements as they occur. I believe we all have brand new opportunities to make new choices in each moment that will improve our lives. The power to change is not dependent on our past choices but on how we decide to live in this moment. I work with individuals, couples, and families. I give a lot of advice and see myself as an educator who can use my knowledge to equip you with helpful tools. I am trained in the Gottman method and believe that conflict between partners is inevitable and that improving the frequency and quality of positive interactions is vital to long-term stability of the relationship. I also work with children and their families, especially focusing on ADHD, ODD, and anxiety. When a child is experiencing these sorts of concerns, I approach progress and resolution with the parents and child together. I believe in the goodness of children, and that setting them up for good choices is something that rests largely in the family environment. I am also an expert in ADHD evaluation and treatment. I am very thorough in my reports and recommendations. Evolutionarily, ADHD is a strength, and I love helping shed light on how to best navigate this world with an eye to the strengths and available strategies and habits that can set you on a sustainable path.

My approach to care is grounded in active listening, empathy, and collaboration. I work closely with my patients to develop personalized treatment plans that address their unique needs and goals. I work with those who struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and many other mental health concerns.

Chances are you are here because you are feeling like your life has gotten out of your control. I know how awful it feels when life events and responsibilities overwhelm our dreams. Explore Whats Next was created to respond to your individual needs, to provide relief from emotional pain with effective, practical and long lasting results. At Explore Whats Next the personal experience and professional expertise of our therapists, with your knowledge of yourself and motivation, combines to address the stresses that threaten to engulf you. My approach is collaborative to maximize your counseling experience. I create a comfortable place for you in a style that is compassionate, direct, and non-judgmental. I value irreverence, enjoy a good sense of humor and believe laughter has a healing power all its own.

I start by meeting people where they are and approaching each session with curiosity, hope, and even a little humor. I wonder what is really standing between them and the life they want. Sometimes that means people need me to listen, while other times I need to ask some gentle questions. In session, you will have my full attention. Often, we have to talk about the hard stuff, and that can feel uncomfortable, but often your discomfort is the first step toward growth and change. As a therapist, I am really fortunate to see how a person's resilience, courage, and desire for a richer life often unfold as we work together.

Do you ever feel like you're alone or perhaps that you are the only person to have this feeling? There is simply no reason for this suffering. Everybody experiences stresses within their lives and I want to help you out! My passion is for understanding the place you are at today and helping guide you to where you desire to go next. You may be sad, angry, indifferent, confused or simply numb. You may even think that you will never quite feel happy and safe again. But you truly can and you will. No matter what you bring to our sessions, we can work collaboratively to discover the best solution for you. For the past nineteen years I have worked with people struggling with anxiety and depression, individuals experiencing betrayal or grief, survivors of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, people recovering from domestic violence and neglect, and anyone who has undergone events that have caused them to feel hopeless. I have considerable training, and have supervised clinicians, utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy and a strength based approach. With such therapeutic skills, I counsel people to deal with depression, anxiety, trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, abuse, cutting, grief, and to help them feel complete again. I also offer therapy to families and couples that have issues communicating when there is an absence of trust. It has additionally been my privilege to lead groups for adolescents who have experienced bullying andor cope with low self-esteem, and possess feelings of "I just don't belong." If you are seeking an empathic, safe and nonjudgmental environment to heal and to explore what's next, I welcome you to give me a call today.

Do you feel anxious, angry, sad, or dissatisfied? I offer a caring, safe, and judgment-free place to explore your feelings. I tailor my approach to meet the needs of each client based on strengths you already have. Therapy gives you a chance to discuss life's challenges, your specific concerns, and any emotional difficulties you face. I aim to help you gain control of your life by promoting insight, offering you coping skills, and helping you better manage challenging feelings. Together we'll find solutions that can lead to positive changes.