Balanced Life Therapy★ 4.7 (23 reviews)27 Gowan StClosed for the dayView clinic

Kimya Shahi

About Kimya

Areas of Focus Academic and workplace stress • Anxiety (generalized and social) • Caregiver stress and burnout • Codependency • Depression • Grief and loss • Health concerns • Life transitions • Newcomer, immigrant and Third Culture Kid (TCK) experiences • Self-esteem • Sexual violence • Trauma-related concerns My Style & Approach You don’t have to navigate life’s challenges on your own. Speaking with a supportive professional can provide a private, non-judgmental space to make sense of what you’re experiencing and begin moving toward meaningful change. My goal is to create a warm, patient, and non-judgmental environment where you feel heard and understood; as I believe feeling understood is the first step towards change. Clients have described me as calm, kind, and approachable, and I strive to bring these qualities into every session. I work with people who are looking for focused, collaborative, and goal-oriented therapy. My approach draws primarily from Solution-Focused, Narrative, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), while also incorporating other approaches based on presenting concern (e.g. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, etc.). Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, I consider your unique experiences and the findings of academic literature when determining which therapeutic approaches may be most helpful. We will work together to develop a treatment plan that may include psychoeducation, emotional processing, exploring patterns and past experiences, and developing practical strategies for moving forward. Education & Experience I hold a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from York University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto. I am a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with experience providing counselling and support across community mental health, primary healthcare, victim support, immigration services, addiction services, and youth programs throughout Ontario. These experiences have given me the privilege to work with people from diverse backgrounds and support them through a wide range of challenges. I bring this broad perspective into my practice, recognizing that our experiences are shaped not only by our individual circumstances, but also by our relationships, communities, cultures, and the larger systems around us.