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

“Boozhoo” (Hello), ‘Uy’ Skweyul (Good day), and “Mucho Gusto” (Nice to meet you) my relation! As a psychotherapist and registered social worker in Ontario, Canada (originally from Tkaronto), who is now residing on the unceded territories of the Quw’ustun people of Vancouver Island, I have always been passionate about providing healthcare that honours people’s unique stories of survival and resiliency within a cross-cultural Indigenous worldview through trauma-informed and anti-oppressive counselling.

Myself riding the line between Native/Settler identities as an Ecuadorian-Canadian Mestiza, with a professional background in both urban and rural community-based practice, I’m most experienced working with Indigenous and racialized young people, 2SLBGTQ+ folks, families navigating violence and addictions, grieving persons, and survivors of trauma. I specialize in holding space for clients to define what healing looks like in their lives and supporting them in discovering their power to lead positive change.

I’m looking forward to walking with you on your journey!

“Boozhoo” (Hello), ‘Uy’ Skweyul (Good day), and “Mucho Gusto” (Nice to meet you) my relation! As ... Read More

Warmest Welcome! I recognize that this is a courageous step towards your healing and for that, what a beautiful act to do for yourself! Growing up as a new Canadian/immigrant I quickly learned that topics around mental health and wellness were often pushed to the side or rarely explored inside or outside of the home. Navigating these issues may feel lonely, especially when you feel unsupported or misunderstood. As a Qualifying Registered Psychotherapist, I intend to create a safe space for reflection, healing, unlearning, and relearning in therapy.

My experiences as an educator and work with Indigenous and East African communities have informed my therapeutic practice. This has helped me integrate cultural nuances in therapy (if need be). I utilize an anti-oppressive, client-centered, and empathetic approach. The therapeutic modalities I employ when helping my clients are Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Trauma-Focused Therapy.

Warmest Welcome! I recognize that this is a courageous step towards your healing and for that, wh... 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