Hi, my name is Kersti, I have been a counsellor for more than 25 years. I have a degree in Adlerian psychotherapy. Clarity is my hope for each person I meet with. Whether your struggle is with depression, anxiety, disordered eating, a relationship, or past or present trauma – clarity means a better awareness and understanding of yourself.

Knowing yourself allows you to make choices best for you, consciously. It can be challenging to unravel all of the often conflicting messages we hear, and tell ourselves. But it is crucial for living an authentic, whole, and joyful life. I offer a safe, judgment-free space to be listened to and heard. I believe that feeling “seen” unlocks inner wisdom and resilience.

I have also completed training in Narrative Therapy, CBT, EMDR, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and attachment-based interventions. Currently, I am also completing my Somatic Experiencing training. SE is a somatic trauma treatment, closely partnered with and complementary to Polyvagal Theory.

Specialties: Trauma, Anxiety & Depression, Life Transitions, Couples Counselling.

Hi, my name is Kersti, I have been a counsellor for more than 25 years. I have a degree in Adler... Read More

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We all have experienced difficult encounters that leave us questioning our world view or even ourselves. Some challenges we cope with well on our own, building strength and resiliency for the future. Unfortunately, some challenges we cannot face alone. Allowing ourselves to reach out and find the right support and encouragement during such difficult times takes courage and can be crucial to our well-being. Difficult experiences can break us down or build us up.

I aim to create safe emotional spaces to help people explore, cope with, or overcome their difficulties towards acceptance, serenity, inner peace, empowerment, and healthier relationships. My process for each session involves supporting people to be able to express and understand feelings, develop new ways of thinking or behaving, and skill development for stress management and behavioral change. I help clients feel validated and supported during your difficult times with active listening and goal-oriented therapy focused on experiential change. My methods include narrative therapy, CBT, CPT and DBT. I have a Master of Arts Degree in Addictions Counselling. I have supported many clients over the last three years overcoming trauma and addictive behaviors for more functional and meaningful living.

Finding the right support is a difficult task and can oftentimes be a daunting experience. I am here to connect with you and work collaboratively to meet your unique needs. I am happy to provide a short phone consultation to determine if my background and personality are a good fit for your therapy needs. Let’s connect and explore your journey of self-discovery.

We all have experienced difficult encounters that leave us questioning our world view or even our... Read More

My name is Asad and I received a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Health Promotion and recently attained my Masters of Pastoral Studies, with a Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy certificate. My Islamic education has come primarily through the Mathabah Institute under the tutelage of Shaykh Omer Subedar. I have learned the basics of Fiqh, Aqeedah, tafsir and Usool ul Quran through Mathabah Institute and continue to further my Islamic education through the Taqwa Institute and the Irshad Center for Hanafi Studies.

I use a variety of approaches in my treatment, borrowing aspects of CBT, DBT, ACT and narrative therapy with clients. I have had over a decade of experience working as a health and wellness coach, helping Muslim men and women improve their lives. My background gives me keen insight into the interplay between physical, mental, and spiritual health.

I have over three years of experience working with the Muslim community as a Peer Counselor with the Naseeha Muslim Youth helpline. Speaking with Muslims from different ethnicities, cultures, and family backgrounds has given me an understanding of the pulse of the Muslim community and knowledge of what problems are affecting us today.

My passion lies in helping those dealing with porn and sex addictions. I have gained experience working with this population as a coach with Purify Your Gaze. This has equipped me to navigate the nuanced issue of addictions within the Muslim community, as well as the way they impact relationships.

I focuses on a holistic approach to psychotherapy and know the importance of spirituality in upholding a fulfilling life and using a spiritually and culturally conscious approach when working with clients. I seek to develop resiliency in my clients so that they can take on life’s challenges while following their values to achieve meaningful goals.”

My name is Asad and I received a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Health Promotion and recent... Read More

I am a compassionate psychoanalyst with more than ten years of clinical experience supporting patients of diverse gender, age and ethnic backgrounds. I am at present a member of the Toronto Psychoanalytic Society, the Canadian Psychoanalytic Society and the International Psychoanalytic Association. I integrate a myriad of current techniques and approaches with varied technologies that best suit the clients’ needs. My main areas of focus are adult and teenage sexuality, gender, addiction and trauma, particularly parent-child separation trauma. Together with the patient, we build a Time and a Space to RECALL the untold past, to REFLECT in a coherent way on our emotions and bodily experiences, and RECONCILE with our desires and fantasies, no matter how devastating these may appear to be. We then recall, reflect and reconcile in order to attain a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

I am a compassionate psychoanalyst with more than ten years of clinical experience supporting pat... Read More

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Choosing to start therapy can feel overwhelming and intimidating at times, however, my goal is to make this experience as comfortable as possible for you. Through my work I strive to build a strong collaborative relationship with my clients, providing them with a safe non-judgmental environment where they are receiving an ample amount of support and empathy.

I highly value a client-centred approach therefore I am dedicated to constructing a treatment plan that is unique to every individual’s needs, goals, and strengths. As I have lived experience surrounding some of the challenges that first-generation, Punjabi-Canadian individuals may undergo, I hope to use that experience to relate and connect with clients who come from a diverse range of backgrounds.

I am interested in supporting individuals who are experiencing challenges with stress, anxiety, depression, concerns around self-esteem/self-confidence/self-acceptance, and/or improving one’s overall well-being, through building adaptive coping mechanisms and implementing positive life transitions. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Solution Focused Therapy, Strength Based Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Culturally Sensitive Therapy, and Emotion Focused Therapy.

Choosing to start therapy can feel overwhelming and intimidating at times, however, my goal is to... Read More

Hi my name is Cecy Daniel, MSW, RSW.

Therapy can be daunting but also a sacred, fulfilling journey for it rebuilds relations with others as well as one’s own self. It allows fears, weaknesses and sufferings to exist but more importantly to be transformed into strength, hope, clarity and recovery. I work hard with my clients to strengthen their sense of agency/choices, widen their capacity to self-reflect, evaluate, regulate any difficult thoughts, emotions, actions & psycho-educate on topics relevant to them.

I am trained in Emotion-Focussed therapy, Solutions-Focussed therapy, Dialectical Behaviour therapy and have experience working with adolescents, adults, couples and families. I empower clients to validate their inner strengths, work through their weaknesses, self-advocacy skills to voice their needs.

Hi my name is Cecy Daniel, MSW, RSW. Therapy can be daunting but also a sacred, fulfilling journ... Read More

Hi, my name is Harveen Dhatt (She/Her) and I am currently enrolled in the masters of counselling psychology program at Yorkville University and completing my practicum at Serene Heart Counselling. A psychotherapy intern is similar to a resident, who has competed their class training and is now applying their training in a real-world setting. I have successfully completed my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Honours at York University. I have experience working with a diverse population of children, youth, and adults. I am also certified in suicide prevention.

I am under the supervision of Saima Zaheer M.Ed psych, RP, CTIC, and Clinical Director of Serene Heart Counselling & Psychotherapy Services, whom I receive supervision from on a weekly basis. I have experience working with a variety of clients including those who are dealing with stress, depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship issues. I am trained in a variety of approaches including trauma-informed, mindfulness-based, solution-focused, cognitive-behavioural, and person-centred.

Hi, my name is Harveen Dhatt (She/Her) and I am currently enrolled in the masters of counselling ... Read More

Hello, my name is Rida Fatima and I am currently completing my master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. I have completed my course work and now looking forward to applying my knowledge as I become a part of Serene Heart Counselling as an intern student.

My interest in psychology was sparked when I did my field placement during high school where I worked with individuals with disabilities and intellectually challenged young adults. I learned during my placement that my passion lies in psychotherapy. Therefore, I chose the path which focused on mental health and community services. I graduated from University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science degree, with a double major in Psychology and Health Studies. Throughout my pursuit in the field of psychology, I worked/volunteered in different organizations, with various groups, including children at Holland Kids Rehabilitation Center, and adults at Scarborough General Hospital. In addition, I also worked as a community mental health counsellor and am currently volunteering with two help lines, Distress Centre of Greater Toronto and Naseeha. I am also certified in suicide prevention. I have experience working with clients who are struggling with depression, relationship problems, anxiety, and stress. Finally, I am trained in various theoretical approaches such as, cognitive behavioural therapy, solution- focused, person-centred, trauma-focused therapy.

As an intern, I am currently under the supervision of Saima Zaheer M.Ed psych, RP, CTIC and Clinical Director of Serene Heart Counselling. I will be receiving supervision every week from her and will be benefiting from her knowledge and experience.

Hello, my name is Rida Fatima and I am currently completing my master’s degree in Counselling Psy... Read More

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Hi, My name is Saad Khan. I have a BSc Honours in Kinesiology and Health Sciences, with a minor in Psychology, from York University. Following that, I completed my Masters in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. I am an active member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).

The field of mental health has been a passion of mine since high school. I have spent a decade working and volunteering in various mental health facilities, including hospitals and clinics. Having served with the Canadian Armed Forces - Reserves, as a Medic, I have been able to see the various effects of trauma, burnout, inter/intra-personal conflicts, and more, amongst individuals. I have had the opportunity to serve a wide demographic including veterans, law enforcement personnel, first responders, healthcare workers, amputees, and many more.

I have extensive experience in addressing trauma, depression, and anxiety-related issues. I utilize a variety of evidence-based modalities including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and Narrative Therapy.

I look forward to supporting your growth and journey to resilience, through meaningful dialogue and self-exploration.

Hi, My name is Saad Khan. I have a BSc Honours in Kinesiology and Health Sciences, with a minor i... Read More

Feyza has extensive training and experience in managing behavioural issues with children, adolescents, and adults. She also works with a range of emotional, cognitive, and behavioural issues of kids and adults by currently getting trained and gaining experience in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Trauma-Informed Therapy, and Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT).

In her personal time, she enjoys engaging in a healthy lifestyle by exercising, having a healthy diet, reading, spending time outside in nature, and meeting friends. She starts applying a holistic approach to wellness from herself.

Feyza has extensive training and experience in managing behavioural issues with children, adolesc... Read More

Varsha Ramkumar (She/Her), Master of Arts, RP-Q, Member- College of Registered Psychotherapists. Truth be told, all of us go through many story lines and create our own unique narratives as we go about our daily lives. We are the authors of our lives. And in therapy, I truly respect that. You will see in our sessions, as we work together to build a therapeutic relationship, I will make every effort to help you make sense of your unique experiences and support you on your journey. I intend to create a safe environment for you, where we would focus solely on your key strengths and apply these to cater to your needs. My practice is guided by a trauma-informed; strengths-based framework employing techniques from Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. I have extensively worked with adolescents, adults (individuals & couples) and seniors. I follow a collaborative, compassionate and empathetic approach to therapy. Together, we would explore your strengths and develop strategies that would help achieve therapy goals and move us ahead in the healing process. You can talk to me in English, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam. “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you” - Maya Angelou

Varsha Ramkumar (She/Her), Master of Arts, RP-Q, Member- College of Registered Psychotherapists. ... Read More

Mrs. Hanaa Rashid holds a Master of Education from Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS, and a Master of Social Work from Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS. She has several years of experience working with individuals and families in various settings; hospitals, community centres, settlement services and schools. She works from an anti oppressive framework and is trained in the following modalities; strengths based, solution focused, attachment based, narrative therapy, Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), trauma informed, collaborative problem solving (CPS), restorative practices, play therapy, family centered interventions and specific trainings geared towards parenting support. She is a trained facilitator for the following evidence based parenting programs; The Incredible Years, Circle of Security and Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) and a train the trainer for Restorative Practices. She has a special interest in working with children and parents. She uses a holistic approach when working with service users and also takes into consideration the cultural contexts which affect individuals and families.

Mrs. Hanaa Rashid holds a Master of Education from Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS, ... Read More

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My purpose as a counsellor is to assist in fostering the strengths that the client already possesses. I strive to work on building a client’s self-esteem and confidence. I believe that everyone is their own expert and I strive to work with the client and assist them in developing coping skills. I work to provide strategies for them to understand and process their emotions more effectively.

I aim to create a therapeutic space in which clients feel safe, respected, and supported. I practice psychological treatments that are evidence-based. My approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution- focused, Client- Centered and Mindfulness.

Languages: English, Urdu, Punjabi

My purpose as a counsellor is to assist in fostering the strengths that the client already posses... Read More

Being invited to come alongside you for a season as we navigate troubled waters is a great honour. I view counselling as a life-on-life journey where we work together to discover what healing and wholeness can look like for you.

My name is Mike Wiebe, and I am currently completing my Master of Divinity in Clinical Counselling at Tyndale. Several years ago I completed an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies. I am very excited to join Serene Heart as an intern. I will be under the supervision of Saima Zaheer M.Ed psych, RP, CTIC, whom I meet with regularly.

I have previously worked as a pastor in a small, rural community. This provided me with many opportunities to walk alongside people through some of the most difficult times in their lives. I have also walked along side people in various settings and through various issues including: prison ministry; providing support to homeless and impoverished people; mentoring; mental health issues; addiction recovery; issues related to human sexuality; marriage preparation; separation; divorce; violent and traumatic events; and suicide.

These experiences and more have given me a passion for helping people find hope, healing, and wholeness.

On the personal side of things, I have been married for over twenty years and we have one miracle daughter. I enjoy working with my hands, DIY projects, auto repair, camping, canoe tripping, movies, and spending time with friends and family.

Being invited to come alongside you for a season as we navigate troubled waters is a great honour... Read More