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# YourTherapist Psychotherapy & Counselling: Your Therapist provides accessible and professional psychotherapy and counseling, available in person at our Ottawa, Toronto, and Kingston locations or online across Ontario. Founded by Zahra Nafar, a Registered Psychotherapist and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, our clinic is dedicated to modern mental wellness that fits your schedule. We offer personalized support for anxiety, depression, trauma, and more, using effective therapeutic approaches to enhance mental well-being. Whether in person or through our secure e-therapy platform, we are here to support your journey to better mental health.

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://yourtherapist.ca/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [The Powers of Addiction: Understanding Its Grip and Pathways to Recovery](https://yourtherapist.ca/the-powers-of-addiction-understanding-its-grip-and-pathways-to-recovery/): Have you ever asked yourself whether you do or use something too frequently? Or that a behavior or certain substance can dictate your mood and energy? How about wondering if it is becoming a problem or whether it is affecting your daily responsibilities or relationships?
- [Asserting boundaries and prioritizing your needs: the power of “No”](https://yourtherapist.ca/asserting-boundaries-and-prioritizing-your-needs-the-power-of-no/): It is often the first word that children learn to say: “No.” Children have no problem responding to parents’ pleads with this powerful word: “Do you want to take a nap? Do you want to use the potty before we get in the car? Do you want to kiss Auntie Helen?” “NO!”
- [Love in the time of Covid](https://yourtherapist.ca/love-in-the-time-of-covid/): Love is patient, love is kind, and love is extremely different in times of a pandemic; we’ve learned that last part over the past year.
- [Anxiety is the real Dementor](https://yourtherapist.ca/anxiety-is-the-real-dementor/): Remember in Harry Potter, those creatures called the Dementors that sucked the happiness out of people everywhere they went? They remind me of anxiety, that dreadful feeling of doom, cold sweat, raised hard rate, nausea and shallow and rapid breathing, are all symptoms of anxiety.
- [Combating loneliness and lifting yourself out of the slump](https://yourtherapist.ca/combating-loneliness-and-lifting-yourself-out-of-the-slump/): Why Do I Feel So Lonely?
- [Dear Therapist: How do I cope with lack of self-esteem from childhood abuse?](https://yourtherapist.ca/dear-therapist-how-do-i-cope-with-lack-of-self-esteem-from-childhood-abuse/): Anonymous: 
- [I love you, but I hate being with you!](https://yourtherapist.ca/i-love-you-but-i-hate-being-with-you/): As my client shared this with me, I knew she was not alone.
- [Sleep….Why is it so hard?](https://yourtherapist.ca/sleep-why-is-it-so-hard/): Sleep, a basic human need, an activity that comes so easily to people when they are infants, and children can become very complicated as we grow older.
- [Therapy in the times of COVID 19](https://yourtherapist.ca/therapy-in-the-times-of-covid-19/): Since the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, life has changed in so many ways that it is hard to imagine it going back to what we considered normal before this crisis.

## Pages
- [Child and Youth Mental Health](https://yourtherapist.ca/child-and-youth-mental-health/): Our Child & Youth Mental Health services provide developmentally appropriate support for children, adolescents, young adults, and families who are facing emotional, behavioural, or life-stage challenges. Growing up comes with stress, transitions, and big feelings, and many children and teens need a safe place to talk, learn coping skills, and build confidence.
- [Veterans & First Responders Mental Health](https://yourtherapist.ca/veterans-first-responders-mental-health/): At YourTherapist, we understand that service-related stress can affect every part of life. Veterans, CAF members, RCMP officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders often carry experiences that are difficult to explain and even harder to process alone. Our Veterans & First Responders Mental Health services provide specialized, trauma-informed support for people who have spent years responding to high-pressure, high-stakes situations.
- [Privacy Policy](https://yourtherapist.ca/privacy-policy/): Effective Date: April 26, 2026
- [Trusted Partners and Resources](https://yourtherapist.ca/trusted-partners-and-resources/): Dr. Ricci and her team of psychologists offer psychological assessments, including: Neuropsychological Assessments, Disability Assessments, Medical-Legal Assessments, Insurer's Examinations and Catastrophic Assessments.
- [Keishawna Elliott](https://yourtherapist.ca/keishawna-elliott/): Keishawna is a dedicated administrative professional with a diverse academic background and a passion for supporting mental health services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Carleton University and graduated with honours from Algonquin College, where she completed Law programs. Her combined expertise in psychology and legal studies allows her to approach her work with a unique perspective and keen attention to detail.
- [Danika Faig](https://yourtherapist.ca/therapists/danika-faig/): Danika is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Her approach to therapy is person-first and collaborative, helping clients identify their goals, meet themselves where they are, and build on their strengths.
- [Maureen MacDiarmid](https://yourtherapist.ca/therapists/maureen-macdiarmid/): Maureen (BSW, MSW, RSW) has been in practice for 34 years and is an experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor. She provides clinical supervision to psychotherapists who are registered with the OCSWSSW as well as those who are registered and qualifying with the CRPO. Small group, dyad, and one-to-one clinical supervision is offered.
- [EMDR](https://yourtherapist.ca/emdr/): EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy technique designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences and distressing memories.
- [Neurofeedback](https://yourtherapist.ca/neurofeedback/): Neurofeedback, or EEG (electroencephalogram) biofeedback, is a therapeutic technique that provides real-time feedback on brainwave activity through a computer-based program. This intervention uses auditory or visual signals to help individuals become more aware of their mental states and encourage conscious adjustments in their cognitive patterns. The idea is that by recognizing and modifying specific brainwave patterns, individuals can enhance their brain's functioning, potentially alleviating symptoms associated with neurological or mental health conditions.
- [Salima Chehardine](https://yourtherapist.ca/therapists/salima-chehardine/): Salima is a Registered Social Worker passionate about helping and empowering people to move through life’s challenges. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of Algeria, a Bachelor’s degree in social work from University of Manitoba, and a Master’s degree in social work from University of Dalhousie.
- [Charlotte Londry](https://yourtherapist.ca/therapists/charlotte-londry/): Charlotte is a Registered Psychotherapist. She believes that the way we navigate our lives and face challenges begins to improve when we are given the opportunity to feel heard, understood and supported. Connecting with people and ensuring a safe place for them to explore their inner voice is a crucial component to treatment and she emphasizes true collaboration to find happy and healthy ways through life’s difficulties. Charlotte works from a strengths-based approach and meets each client where they are. She strongly believes in connecting through genuine empathy, honesty, and acceptance to help others develop their own personal growth goals and in establishing communication patterns and resources that can extend beyond the therapeutic room.
- [Cameron Spicer](https://yourtherapist.ca/therapists/cameron-spicer/): Cameron is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with over a decade of experience in mental health services, including work in addictions, crisis support, and developmental disabilities. He is a compassionate and dedicated therapist who is committed to supporting individuals as they navigate life’s challenges and move toward meaningful change.
- [Sara Katanforoush](https://yourtherapist.ca/therapists/sara-katanforoush/): Sara is a Registered Psychotherapist (#13362) from the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, a Certified Canadian Counsellor, and holds a Professional Membership with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Sara is a dedicated psychotherapist whose commitment to her work is inspired by personal experiences navigating through various difficulties and seeking timely support. Drawing from a person-centered and collaborative approach, Sara emphasizes the importance of a strong therapeutic alliance where both therapist and client work together.
- [Natalie Armbruster](https://yourtherapist.ca/therapists/natalie-armbruster/): Natalie is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and a member of the Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists (OSRP). Natalie is a Certified Trauma Professional (CTP) and she works with a variety of clients providing a range of support for anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma, and overall well-being. Natalie utilizes an integrative therapeutic orientation drawing from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Person Centered Therapy (PCT), Existential Therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Clinical Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT/Tapping), and Internal Family Systems Theory (IFS).
- [Clinical Supervision](https://yourtherapist.ca/clinical-supervision/): Experience the benefits of supportive, meaningful, and effective clinical supervision.
- [Family Communication Therapy](https://yourtherapist.ca/family-communication-therapy/): A divorce or breakup can be one of the most traumatic emotional experiences in life. YourTherapist has created a program for couples and families who are going through the process of a breakup or divorce to help them heal together and start a healthy journey forward.
- [Walk and Talk Therapy](https://yourtherapist.ca/walk-and-talk-therapy/): Walk and Talk therapy takes place outdoors while you walk with your therapist. Walking side by side can create a comfortable and natural space for conversation. For some people, being outdoors and moving can make it easier to talk openly, reflect, and explore thoughts and emotions. This can help build a strong therapeutic connection and support meaningful change.
- [Family Counselling](https://yourtherapist.ca/family-counselling/): Family counselling is a form of treatment that is designed to address specific issues affecting the health and functioning of a family.
- [Couples Counselling](https://yourtherapist.ca/couples-counselling/): Couples counselling can help individuals learn about one another, communicate effectively, and grow as individuals while becoming loving partners.
- [Individual Therapy](https://yourtherapist.ca/individual-therapy/): Individual therapy is a collaborative process between a therapist and an individual and aims to help you with life’s challenges and build a more content life.
- [Sara Beck](https://yourtherapist.ca/therapists/sara-beck/): Sara is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She believes that communication is key to helping us understand our struggles and find a path through them. Her collaborative, strength-based approach draws on elements of CBT, ACT, narrative therapy, and solution-focussed therapy.
- [Sara Avriel](https://yourtherapist.ca/sara-avriel/): Sara is a bilingual professional with an unstoppable passion for learning. She brings professional and academic experience in mental health and web accessibility to support YourTherapist’s clinicians and patients. Wearing many hats – whether in public or private service – to support the delivery of mental health services is her greatest pride.
- [Maryam Gerami](https://yourtherapist.ca/therapists/maryam-gerami/): Today, Maryam works with children, teens, adults and couples, utilizing a variety of clinical interventions to help her clients identify negative patterns of behaviour and communication and make sustainable changes to those behaviours. Addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, relational issues, and Autism spectrum disorder, Maryam treats her clients with compassion and inclusivity to move from being stuck and distressed to building healthy and resilient lives.
- [Hannah Smith](https://yourtherapist.ca/therapists/hannah-smith/): Hannah is a Registered Psychotherapist who believes that we are all the experts in our own lives. Her approach to therapy is to meet with clients where they are and help them to realize their strengths. She believes that building a strong therapeutic relationship is the key to being able to work together as a team. Together they can find the appropriate skills and strategies to enable clients to make their desired changes and move towards or even beyond their therapeutic goals. She is continually amazed by the resiliency of others and is honoured to be invited to share their deepest struggles. Hannah believes in an integrative approach to therapy to find what works best for each individual.
- [Diana Moldoveanu](https://yourtherapist.ca/therapists/diana-moldoveanu/): Diana is a Registered Psychotherapist and a Certified Canadian Counsellor who brings a unique strength-based approach to practice. A scholar of the human character and soul, she is here to help you foster unique sets of strengths to tackle life goals with sustained empathy, creativity, enthusiasm, and energy. Diana is dedicated to bringing you effective therapeutic approaches based on the latest scientific findings in positive psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and motivational interviewing to assist you in navigating challenges effectively and authentically.
- [Catherine Howson](https://yourtherapist.ca/therapists/catherine-howson/): Catherine Howson holds a Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology and is a Registered Member in good standing with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She has specialized training in addictions counselling, couples therapy, trauma treatment, critical incident response and has extensive experience working with mandated clients within the justice system. She has training and expertise in providing cognitive-behaviour therapy for mood and anxiety disorders, cognitive processing therapy for trauma responses, solution-focused brief therapy for single-session counselling and Adlerian psychodynamic interventions, where appropriate.
- [Carly Crump](https://yourtherapist.ca/therapists/carly-crump/): Carly Crump is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Carly completed her MA in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University, as well as completing an MSc in Neuroscience and a BSc in Neuroscience and Mental Health and, both from Carleton University. Her previous research focused on understanding the influence of genetics, trauma, and social support in the development of depression and resilience in adults.  She provides psychotherapy to adolescents, adults, and seniors. Carly has significant experience working with clients who are experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, relationship issues, life transition and adjustment stress and more. She strongly believes in implementing an integrative and multifaceted approach to healing, as she believes that one treatment does not fit all.
- [Akriti Paudyal](https://yourtherapist.ca/therapists/akriti-paudyal/): Akriti Paudyal is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Akriti completed her MA in Counselling and Spirituality at Saint Paul University. She provides counselling and psychotherapy services to individuals 18 and over, as well as families and couples. She has previous experience working with clients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, grief, depression, trauma-related symptoms and disorder eating.
- [Zahra Nafar](https://yourtherapist.ca/therapists/zahra-nafar/): Zahra Nafar, Ph.D., MACP, is the founder and director of YourTherapist Psychotherapy and Counselling, a mental health clinic dedicated to providing Canadians with exceptional, evidence-based, and inclusive mental health care.
- [FAQ](https://yourtherapist.ca/faq/): A Registered Psychotherapist (RP) is a licensed mental health professional trained to provide psychotherapy. They meet strict standards in education, clinical training, and ethics, and are qualified to assess and treat a range of emotional and psychological concerns. RPs are regulated by professional bodies such as the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).
- [Contact Us](https://yourtherapist.ca/contact-us/): It all starts here.
- [Therapists](https://yourtherapist.ca/therapists/): Registered Psychotherapist, Ph.D. MACP, Clinic Owner-Director
- [Psychotherapy & Counselling Services](https://yourtherapist.ca/psychotherapy-counselling-services/): YourTherapistPsychotherapy & Counselling Services
- [Blog](https://yourtherapist.ca/blog/)
- [Fees](https://yourtherapist.ca/fees/): At YourTherapist, healing is our passion. Our affordable and sliding-scale fees reflect our commitment to provide quality and affordable mental health care to our fellow Canadians.
- [About](https://yourtherapist.ca/about/): YourTherapist Psychotherapy and Counselling Clinic (YTPC) was founded by our director, Zahra Nafar, a Registered Psychotherapist, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), Certified Addictions-Informed Mental Health Professional (CAIMHP), and an advocate of mental health in the Ottawa community.
- [YourTherapist Psychotherapy & Counselling](https://yourtherapist.ca/): YourTherapist Psychotherapy and Counselling Clinic was founded by our director, Zahra Nafar, a Registered Psychotherapist, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), Certified Addictions-Informed Mental Health Professional (CAIMHP), and an advocate of mental health in the Ottawa community. She has worked with Carleton University as a therapist and has years of experience working with the Government of Canada’s employees.

## Podcasts
- [Coping with Political Anxiety](https://yourtherapist.ca/podcast/coping-with-political-anxiety/)
- [Starting the Conversation: Talking to Kids and Teens About Sexuality, Boundaries, and Consent](https://yourtherapist.ca/podcast/starting-the-conversation-talking-to-kids-and-teens-about-sexuality-boundaries-and-consent/)
- [Addiction and the Brain: Understanding the Science Behind the Struggle](https://yourtherapist.ca/podcast/addiction-and-the-brain-understanding-the-science-behind-the-struggle/)
- [Borderline Personality Disorder: Breaking Myths, Finding Hope](https://yourtherapist.ca/podcast/borderline-personality-disorder-breaking-myths-finding-hope/)
- [The Gilmore Girls Guide to Love & Relationships (Part 2: Rory)](https://yourtherapist.ca/podcast/the-gilmore-girls-guide-to-love-relationships-2/)
- [Adult ADHD: More Than Forgetfulness](https://yourtherapist.ca/podcast/adult-adhd-more-than-forgetfulness/)
- [The Gilmore Girls Guide to Love & Relationships (Part 1: Lorelai)](https://yourtherapist.ca/podcast/the-gilmore-girls-guide-to-love-relationships-1/)
- [The Neuropsychology of Heartbreak](https://yourtherapist.ca/podcast/the-neuropsychology-of-heartbreak/)
- [Love is blind, or is it?!](https://yourtherapist.ca/podcast/love-is-blind-or-is-it/)
- [​Understanding OCD](https://yourtherapist.ca/podcast/understanding-ocd/)
- [Rest and Mental Health](https://yourtherapist.ca/podcast/rest-and-mental-health/)
- [The Truth About PTSD](https://yourtherapist.ca/podcast/the-truth-about-ptsd/)
- [The Psychology of Romance Series: Therapists Decode Love in Popular Movies, TV and Books](https://yourtherapist.ca/podcast/the-psychology-of-romance-series/)
- [Anxiety and life. Can it get better?](https://yourtherapist.ca/podcast/anxiety-and-life-can-it-get-better/)
- [Psychoanalysing Gilmore Girls: What Do Therapist Think?](https://yourtherapist.ca/podcast/psychoanalysing-gilmore-girls-what-do-therapist-think/)
- [How To Choose The Right Therapist](https://yourtherapist.ca/podcast/how-to-choose-the-right-therapist/)