Michael provides counseling and psychotherapy to adults, 18 years and older. He can support you in learning practical skills in managing mood and dealing with experiences of oppression. Michael is also here to help you build tools in working through grief and loss, non traditional relationships (i.e. open, polyamorous), gender journey, and complex health/mental health challenges including addictions. He is also a goal oriented therapist and works to ensure that each therapy session is productive.

Michael supports the idea of positive engagement through compassion, collaboration, connectedness, and humor between therapist and client. He believes that this leads to better mental health outcomes. His goal in therapy is to create a safe and comfortable space so you can talk about difficult things with care, kindness and no judgment.

Michael grounds his practice in anti-oppression, anti-racism and harm reduction frameworks. As a racialized queer and bilingual speaker (English and Tagalog), Michael uses a culturally sensitive and responsive approach to support you in therapy.

Michael provides counseling and psychotherapy to adults, 18 years and older. He can support you i... Read More

Joelleann (Joelle) Forbes, MSW, RSW is a registered social worker, a psychotherapist, and one of the co-founders of Hope Leads Mental Health Care. Joelle provides counseling and psychotherapy to adults across the gender spectrum, 18 years and older. Her therapeutic approach highlights the importance of empowerment, healing generational wounds, and nurturing the authentic self. She has experience supporting clients with navigating grief and loss, depression, anxiety, trauma, burnout, self-esteem, life transitions, and various forms of oppression. Throughout her years of practice, she has worked with adults from across the gender spectrum, and with many different cultural backgrounds and life experiences.

Joelle practices collaboration and compassion throughout the entire therapeutic experience. She has received professional training in culturally-adapted cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), narrative therapy, motivational interviewing, and trauma processing strategies.

Joelle aims to create a non-judgemental space to unpack past and present experiences that are contributing to mental health concerns, in hopes of finding a better way forward. If you are interested in starting your therapy journey with Joelle, please schedule a free, 15-minute meet and greet!

Joelleann (Joelle) Forbes, MSW, RSW is a registered social worker, a psychotherapist, and one of ... Read More

As a registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist in Toronto, I have provided mental health care for diverse communities for over 15 years. I’ve practiced on Family Health Teams, in community organizations, as well as in private practice. Having had the opportunity to work in different settings, I draw from a variety of modalities in order to create a unique space for healing, humour and hope.

My approach is one of meaningful connection. How do you relate to others, and to yourself? Our identities and past experiences can influence how we currently move in the world. Working together in the here-and-now, we can create a playful and compassionate space for you to step more fully into your authentic self.

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One of my areas of focus includes providing support to those who have, or are looking to make changes to substance or alcohol use. Whether you are looking to reduce use or stop, it is never a one-size-fits-all approach. We are all so beautifully different! Slowing down and cultivating moments of awareness can help you to pause. It is in this pause that you can have more freedom to make different choices, moving more in alignment with the type of life that you want.

As a registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist in Toronto, I have provided mental health care ... Read More

As a queer, neurodivergent woman of colour, I know what it feels like to move through the world without always being seen or understood for who you really are. I strive to create a compassionate therapeutic space where you can bring your full self without judgement or shame. It would be an honour to meet you where you’re at, and to help you step into the story you want for yourself.

My practice is rooted in an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed framework, and I integrate DBT and CBT skills with a narrative therapy approach. I can provide concrete skills and strategies for managing ADHD symptoms, and I support many clients with navigating neurodivergence in a world that is often not neuro-affirming—whether you have a diagnosis or not. I’m also passionate about supporting racialized folks in various diasporas, who may have complex relationships to family and culture.

As a queer, neurodivergent woman of colour, I know what it feels like to move through the world w... Read More

I am a Registered Social Worker in Toronto, Ontario with a bachelor’s degree in business management and master’s degrees in both psychology and social work.

Since 2006, I have been supporting people in traversing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, isolation, life transition, discrimination, racism, and systemic oppression.

Having gone through similar experiences myself, I weave together the lessons from my lived experience with my training in various modalities (which include: Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, Internal Family Systems-Informed EMDR, Ego States Therapy, Clinical Hypnosis, Attachment-Based Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Art Therapy, Mindfulness, Meditation, and Reiki) to create a compassionate therapy space that facilitates healing, respite, and growth for those facing hardship and uncertainty in their life journey.

Feel free to reach out. I would be honoured to walk this path with you.

I am a Registered Social Worker in Toronto, Ontario with a bachelor’s degree in business manageme... Read More

Hi! I’m Tolulola Taiwo-Hanna (Tolu), and I am a registered social worker and psychotherapist in Ontario, with a bachelor’s degree in social work and a minor in psychology, as well as a master’s degree in social work.

In my clinical practice, I have had the privilege of working in women’s mental health, general psychiatry, and gerontology, helping individuals, couples and families navigate significant life transitions, trauma, racial trauma, microaggressions, grief, conflict, interpersonal relationships, and low self-esteem.

I use a client-centered (humanistic), anti-oppressive and transformative social work practice approach. As a Nigerian-Canadian, my practice is rooted in principles of Afrocentrism anchored in the belief that we cannot be[come] whole in isolation, and that there is something greater than ourselves that is beyond what our eyes can see.

To better meet the needs of each individual client, I apply an integrative approach to psychotherapy, weaving together different treatment modalities from my training and personal experience.

Together, I hope we can bring you to a place of healing; help you hold your thoughts and feelings with an open hand; work toward identifying your values and living more closely in line with them; and deepen your sense of self-love while simultaneously adopting a more loving posture toward those around you.

Hi! I’m Tolulola Taiwo-Hanna (Tolu), and I am a registered social worker and psychotherapist in O... Read More

As a registered social worker in Ontario, I have worked with individuals exploring various intersections of identity such as race, gender and sexuality.

As an East Asian and white mixed-race, queer person, I understand the unique challenges of navigating identity and feelings of non/belonging. It can be hard learning to open up to someone, especially if we haven’t had a place where we felt safe enough to do so. In my practice, I aim to create a space where we can cultivate a strong working relationship built on trust and mutual respect. Having a non-judgemental space to talk to someone is so important in working toward understanding and addressing your needs.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health. My hope is to accompany you through moments of tension and heavy feelings and to witness your growth and strength as you work towards building the life you want. I look forward to cultivating this space of growth together!

As a registered social worker in Ontario, I have worked with individuals exploring various inters... Read More

My career as a Psychotherapist has allowed me to work with adults navigating a wide range of challenges, including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, life transitions, trauma, racial trauma, and more. I am deeply passionate about helping individuals and couples engage in self-discovery and pursue a greater sense of fulfillment. My approach is calm and welcoming, with the goal of fostering a nonjudgmental space grounded in trust and compassion.

You can expect our sessions to be rooted in empathy and collaboration. I use an integrative approach, drawing from a variety of therapeutic modalities to help you manage difficult emotions, develop healthier coping strategies, and make meaningful progress toward positive change.

As a Black-identifying therapist of Caribbean descent, I understand the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities and the lack of representation within many areas of mental health care. As such, I strive to tailor my approach to your cultural needs while thoughtfully considering the impact of your cultural identity on your mental health and overall well-being.

My career as a Psychotherapist has allowed me to work with adults navigating a wide range of chal... Read More