Rediscovering Purpose: A Male Therapist’s Journey Back to Healing

I was hired to join the Shanti Psychotherapy team right from the beginning of the practice in 2022. Shortly after joining, I decided to take a hiatus from private practice to fully embrace the responsibilities of parental leave, dedicating myself entirely to staying at home with my son.

The role of a father goes beyond providing; it involves nurturing, guiding, and supporting. Being there. As my family of four embarks on this lifelong journey of learning, growing, and evolving, I find my core-self challenged often during moments of frustration and chaos. Having an understanding of Child Development, Relationships, and Attachment has played a pivotal role in enhancing my effectiveness as a father and therapist.

In my personal life and professional practice, I recognize the importance of creating space for myself and my clients to recognize the impacts of cultural and gender-based nuances in shaping relationships and parenting dynamics.

Take the steps with me towards building resilient and nurturing relationships with your people. Whether you seek assistance in navigating generational differences, communication barriers or simply wish to enhance your parenting skills, I am dedicated to fostering a supportive therapeutic alliance. Together, we can embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth, tailored to your individual needs and cultural context. It would be an honour to support you on your journey to becoming your most authentic self.


As a Registered Social Worker and a child of Trinidadian immigrant parents, I know how hard it is to reach out for help, for fears of not being understood and accepted without compromising your essence.

I want to reassure you that I approach my practice from a client centered, holistic approach to meet my clients’ where they are at. I have over fifteen years of front-line experience as a Child and Youth Worker in various community and counselling settings including schools, residential, day treatment, Children’s Aid Society as well as supporting youth and caregivers in their homes.

As a Registered Social Worker, I provide treatment for severe mental health, trauma, anxiety, depression, caregiver/family support, and difficult life transitions. My goal as a therapist is to establish a meaningful, collaborative, and trusting therapeutic relationship in which you feel respected, heard, and safe to explore your concerns.

I am experienced in offering individual and family therapy to various age groups and populations. My practice is trauma-informed where I integrate evidence-based models, including but not limited to emotion focused, attachment, cognitive-behavioural, solution-focused, psychodynamic, and mindfulness-based therapy. I work from a client-focused and culturally-sensitive framework. As an immigrant, person of colour who has overcome battles of my own, I recognize the role that intersectionality plays in our mental well-being.

I understand how daunting it can be to reach out for help and tackle the cultural or faith-based stigmas surrounding therapy. I realize that seeking support can be a difficult step. I am here to help you feel comfortable with your decision in the context of a warm, trusting, professional and accessible service – regardless of complexity.

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Not every relationship that starts with connection ends in safety.Toxic relationships often develop slowly — through patterns that create confusion, self-doubt, and emotional exhaustion. Over time, you may find yourself questioning your feelings, minimizing your needs, or walking on eggshells.Recognizing these patterns is the first step.�Healing takes time, support, and self-compassion.
You deserve relationships that feel safe, respectful, and steady.If you’re navigating the impact of a toxic relationship, therapy can help you rebuild your sense of self and move forward with clarity.#toxicrelationships #mentalhealthawareness #therapy #healingjourney #selfworth boundaries emotionalwellbeing

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“Narcissism” is a word we hear often — but it’s more than confidence or a big ego.
Narcissistic patterns can include manipulation, lack of accountability, and a strong need for admiration, often leaving others feeling confused, invalidated, or emotionally drained.Understanding these dynamics can help you recognize what’s happening and begin to set healthier boundaries.
You are allowed to protect your well-being.If you’re struggling in a relationship impacted by these patterns, therapy can provide support, clarity, and tools to move forward.Learn more on our website, in a blog post by Registered Psychotherapist Rashmi Kumar!#narcissism #mentalhealth #therapy #boundaries selfawareness healing emotionalhealth psychotherapy

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Are you 14–24 years old, based in Toronto, and ready for real conversations about sexual and reproductive health?
Join us at the Sexual & Reproductive Health (SRH) Youth Summit, hosted by Our Kids’ Health Network, on March 29, 2026.
This full-day, in-person event will bring together youth, healthcare professionals, and community organizations for interactive workshops and discussions focused on evidence-based sexual and reproductive health education. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, challenge myths, and connect with trusted experts and organizations through engaging community booths.
✨This summit centers youth voices, credible information, and creating space for honest and respectful dialogue. This is a free event, and lunch will be provided. Attendees will also receive a digital certificate of attendance. Don’t miss this opportunity!
Event details:
📅 March 29, 2026
🕘 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
📍 Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Toronto
🎟️ Cost: FREE (a $10 gift card will be provided to support local transportation)
👥 Who: Youth ages 14–24
👉 Register by March 15 using the QR code or the following link: https://lnkd.in/esmqdPZk
👉 For more information about the event: https://bit.ly/srhinfo
Know someone who should attend? Please share this post!
#SRHYouthSummit #OurKidsHealth #YouthHealth #SexualHealth #YouthEngagement

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Sitting with feelings, especially difficult ones, is a hard but important skill. Tolerating and soothing difficult feelings until they pass is an important skill that for most people is not taught or modeled well in our society that tends to avoid intense feelings. 💪🏽This ability bolsters our other skills of practicing grace, processing our emotions and allowing ourselves to move forwards towards the goals and life we want to curate. It’s important to explore and be curious about the emotions we are experiencing, to recognize what they are, to allow yourself to feel them. All emotions can be observed and supported with compassion until the feelings lesson.✨#emotionfocusedtherapy #therapytoronto #therapiststoronto #southasiantherapist #

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a little tour of our etobicoke space ✨
this is where anhad and our team of therapists work with teens, adults, couples, and families.

we support adhd, ocd, mood challenges, relationship concerns, and mental health struggles — in a space designed to feel calm, safe, and welcoming.#etobicoke #therapyspace #mentalhealthsupport #adhdsupport #ocdsupport

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Therapy can be a space to feel supported, understood, and gently challenged.

Cherry works with clients navigating anxiety, emotional overwhelm, relationships, and life transitions, offering a compassionate and grounded space for self-exploration and growth. Her approach is thoughtful, collaborative, and centred on meeting you where you are. 🤍🌱Book a free 20-minute consultation using the link in our bio or check out our website to see if working with Cherry feels like the right fit.#shantipsychotherapy #psychotherapy #torontotherapy #mentalhealthsupport #therapyjourney #healing

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Meet Irem Koc, a compassionate Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) at Shanti Psychotherapy — where therapy is tailored to you. She offers a calm, supportive space to explore what’s beneath the surface of anxiety, stress, depression, relationship concerns, identity questions, and cultural pressure.With a person-centred, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approach, Irem integrates evidence-based practices — including CBT, DBT, attachment-based and mindfulness-informed techniques — to help you feel more grounded, connected, and understood.Living between cultures herself, she deeply appreciates the challenges of navigating multiple identities and brings warmth, curiosity, and cultural awareness to every session.You can book with Irem here: https://www.shantipsychotherapy.ca/contact/#torontotherapy #torontotherapist #psychotherapist #couplestherapist #turkishtherapist

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