Mitra Bissessar | Therapist | Shanti Psychotherapy

Meet Mitra Bissessar

Registered Social Worker

MSW RSW

He/Him

 As a therapist, my journey has been shaped by personal discovery and cultural expectations. Coming from an Indo-Caribbean background, I know firsthand the pressures around career success, wealth, and family expectations. For years, I believed I had to fit into a specific mould to make my family proud, even if that meant suppressing parts of myself—like emotions, vulnerability, and creativity—that didn’t align with traditional views of achievement and strength. Over time, I realized that holding back my true self was affecting every part of my life. Now, as a husband and father, I’m still figuring it out as I go, trying to show up with openness, honesty, and care in my family, even when things feel uncertain. 

As a Registered Social Worker with a Child and Youth Background, I specialize in supporting: Young adults and teens exploring their identity, friends, school, anxiety, depression, feelings of social anxiety, self-worth, and purpose. In addition, couples working through cultural, emotional, or relationship challenges as well as families navigating complex dynamics, generational gaps, or cultural expectations. 

My work is about helping people from all walks of life reconnect with who they truly are. Together, we’ll explore the stories, beliefs, and barriers that may be holding you back. Whether you’re navigating cultural expectations, mental illness, family dynamics, or personal struggles, my goal is to empower you to define success, strength, and fulfillment on your own terms. 

Therapy is a space where your story matters. It’s a place where you can safely confront challenges, celebrate progress, and embrace every part of who you are. My practice is rooted in compassion, cultural awareness, and evidence-based care. I bring a trauma-informed lens to my work, tailoring sessions to your unique needs using approaches like: Emotion-Focused Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Practices. 

My goal is to support you in building a life rooted in authenticity and resilience. Therapy is a place where your unique story is honoured, and together, we work to celebrate every part of you. I believe that everyone deserves to live with self-compassion, fulfillment, and a deep sense of connection—to themselves and to others. Therapy isn’t just about problems—it’s about possibilities! Ready to take the first step? Let’s begin.

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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