Can We Really Inherit Trauma And Pass It On?
We can inherit a lot from our caregivers. Values and valuables, beliefs and traditions, physical characteristics and for a lot […]
We can inherit a lot from our caregivers. Values and valuables, beliefs and traditions, physical characteristics and for a lot […]
The term ‘self-care’ gets thrown around a lot. But what does it really mean? It often gets misconstrued as treating […]
Shanti Psychotherapy specializes in South Asian mental health for good reasons. In such a diverse society, it’s been clear for […]
There is a strong connection between our mental health, food and weight loss. A 2004 study called the Canadian Community […]
As parents we face the holiday period with a sense of excitement and anticipation of stress. We know that the […]
Trauma is a human experience that lives in our bodies, our spirit and reproduces through our relationships and intergenerationally. What […]
Physical Exercise Nutrition (including hydration) Sleep Social Connectedness. The key is to pay equal attention to each pillar. Ignoring one […]
We know for many South Asian students the pressure to succeed comes from parents. South Asian immigrant parents sacrifice a […]
Therapy is not about fixing you because you are not broken. Seeking therapy is often deeply stigmatized in South Asian […]
Adults, children and teens are more stressed than ever as our culture has become faster moving and more demanding with […]
As parents we are trying to do the best we can for our children. Parents are motivated by providing their […]
Therapy can seem like a really daunting process, especially when it feels like no-one really understands what you’re going through. […]
Meet Cathy Ding, MSW, RSW 🌿 We’re so happy to welcome her to the Shanti Psychotherapy team!
Cathy works with children, teens, adults, couples, parents, families, and university and international students, supporting concerns such as anxiety, trauma, relationship and family challenges, parenting, grief, life transitions, and cultural adjustment.
🗣️ Sessions in English, Mandarin & Cantonese
📍 Virtual and in person at Pape & Danforth
We’re so excited to have Cathy as part of the Shanti team! 💛
#asianmentalhealth #parentingsupport #childtherapist #torontotherapist #mentalhealthsupport
Meet Roma Shah, RP (Qualifying) 🌿 One of our therapists supporting clients through Shanti’s Making Therapy Accessible Program (MTAP).
Roma works with adults, individuals, and families, supporting concerns including anxiety, depression, relationship and family challenges, grief, life transitions, cultural identity, and immigrant and international student experiences.
🗣️ Sessions in English & Gujarati
📍 Virtual and in person at Pape & Danforth
💛 Reduced-fee MTAP sessions from $60–$120
We’re so happy to have Roma as part of the Shanti team!
#torontotherapist #culturallyresponsivetherapy #southasiantherapist #immigrantmentalhealth
Being raised by a narcissistic parent can shape an entire life!
A child learns that love has to be earned and that their feelings come second. Those lessons follow them into adulthood, affecting relationships, self-worth, and self-perception.
Choosing distance is rarely sudden. It usually comes after years of trying to be seen, heard, and loved.
In her new article, Shanti clinician Rashmi Kumar, RP, who specializes in healing from narcissistic abuse, explores:
• Why children are wired to seek a parent’s approval, and what happens when love comes with conditions
• The lasting toll: people-pleasing, hypervigilance, self-blame, and trouble setting boundaries
• The breaking point, when no amount of effort will change their behaviour
• “Ambiguous loss,” grieving a parent who is still alive, and gentle ways to create your own closure
• What estrangement can mean for your relationship with the other parent
• Cultural pressure: when “family comes first” adds guilt to an already painful decision • How therapy can help you rebuild self-worth without losing your culture
Estrangement isn’t about ending love. It’s about ending harm.
It’s more common than you think, and you are not alone. You can heal from this, and we’re here to help.
📖 Read the full article: link in bio
📞 Free 20-minute consultation: (437) 747-0692
🌐 shantipsychotherapy.ca
#narcissisticparent #narcissisticabuse #familyestrangement #adultchildrenofnarcissists #ambiguousloss
My high five "why": NO ONE should have to put aside their culture before they can heal.
I`m Angie Agrawal-Holstein, proud mom of three, a trauma therapist, and the founder of Shanti Psychotherapy.
I grew up second-generation South Asian in Southern Ontario. After 25 years in mental health, I know culture is the missing piece in care.
Research shows culturally adapted therapy brings 4.7 times greater odds of symptom remission (Hall et al., 2016). Yet most people have never heard of culturally relevant therapy or language matching. So they settle for one-size-fits-all care, and too many end up back in a revolving-door system.
At Shanti, therapy is offered in 15 languages by clinicians who understand family expectations, faith, stigma, and what it`s like to live between cultures. You don`t have to translate your feelings or explain where you come from. You can simply begin.
If we win the High Five Grant, it will fund a Canada-wide awareness campaign so people know this kind of care exists and can find it:
• A video series of our clinicians explaining culturally relevant therapy, in their own languages • Targeted outreach to newcomer and international student communities • Translated pamphlets for campus events, including our seven Laadliyan university chapters • Subsidized sessions through our Making Therapy Accessible Program
Culture isn`t a bonus in therapy. It`s essential.
Thank you @usbank and @highfivegrant for investing in mom entrepreneurs.
#highfivegrant #culturallyrelevanttherapy #languagematching #mentalhealthcanada #momentrepreneur #shantipsychotherapy
Violence and aggression toward education staff are increasing, raising important questions about the mental health and behavioural supports available within schools.
In a recent CBC News article, Shanti founder and trauma therapist Angie Agrawal Holstein speaks to the growing expectations placed on educators:
“It is not possible for teachers to wear all these different hats of behaviour specializations, diagnostics, as well as the emotional counseling support.”
Supporting students also means ensuring educators have access to the right professionals, resources, and systems around them.
🔗 Read the full CBC News article for more on this important issue in our bio.
#shantipsychotherapy #mentalhealthinschools #teachermentalhealth #studentmentalhealth #mentalhealthsupport education
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/violence-against-education-staff-in-n-w-t-on-the-rise-union-says-9.7322079
Teen therapy isn’t just “adult therapy, but younger.” It’s its own specialty.
So how do you know if a therapist is actually equipped to work with teens?
It takes real training, not just general clinical skills. We created a free checklist to help the community, parents and caregivers find the right fit for their child or teen. 👇
🔗 shantipsychotherapy.ca
#TeenMentalHealth #ChildTherapy #Culturallyattunedtherapy #ParentingSupport #Toronto MentalHealthMatters
Meet Claudia Louis, RP (Qualifying) 🌿 One of our therapists supporting clients through Shanti’s Making Therapy Accessible Program (MTAP).
Claudia works with teens (14+), adults, couples, university and international students, supporting concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, life transitions, school-based concerns, mood difficulties, and immigrant and newcomer experiences.
With a warm and culturally attuned approach, Claudia offers sessions in English and Tamil, both virtually and in person in Scarborough.
Through MTAP, Claudia also provides reduced-fee therapy from $60–$120/session, helping make ongoing mental health support more accessible for those experiencing financial barriers.
We’re so excited to have Claudia as part of the Shanti team! 💛
Visit the link in our bio to learn more or connect with our Intake Team to see if Claudia could be a good fit for you.
We’re so happy to welcome Andre Johnson, Registered Psychotherapist, to the Shanti community! 🌿
Andre offers a warm and supportive space for teens (14+), adults, couples, families, and first responders navigating trauma, relationships, grief, family concerns, and more.
Andre is currently offering virtual sessions in English! We’re excited for you to get to know him!
Book a consultation on our website or using the link in our bio!
Do you find yourself replaying conversations, expecting the worst, or getting stuck in the same thoughts over and over again?
Anxiety can make it difficult to switch off, even when you know your thoughts aren’t helping. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps you identify unhelpful thinking patterns, challenge them, and develop practical tools to respond differently.
Learn how CBT can help you break free from cycles of worry and build healthier ways of coping.
📞 Book a free consultation to learn more: https://www.shantipsychotherapy.ca/
#CBT #AnxietySupport #Overthinking #MentalHealthSupport #Psychotherapy
We have some exciting news! 💙
Shanti Psychotherapy has been selected as one of 100 Canadian small businesses to participate in the Backing Canadian Small Businesses program, funded by @amexcanada and administered by @dmzhq
With a $10,000 grant and 12 weeks of mentorship, we’ll continue expanding our community outreach and making culturally responsive mental health care more accessible.
Thank you to our clients, community partners, and everyone who has supported Shanti, we’re excited for what’s ahead! 🩵
#backingcanadiansmallbusinesses #shantipsychotherapy #communitymentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters
Meet Sonomi, Registered Psychotherapist at Shanti Psychotherapy. 🌿
Sonomi supports parents navigating stress, overwhelm, family challenges, and the everyday realities of raising children. She is passionate about helping parents build stronger connections with themselves and their families through compassionate, practical support.
📍 Virtual and in-person appointments available
📞 Book a free consultation to learn more
#MeetTheTherapist #Psychotherapy #ParentingSupport #mentalhealth
A wonderful day of learning, connection, and meaningful conversations at the OASDI Ontario K–12 International Education Symposium ✨
We were honoured to share our session, “What Do I Even Say? Scripts and Language for Mental Health Conversations with International Students,” and connect with so many educators dedicated to supporting student wellbeing.
Thank you to everyone who joined us—we left inspired by your commitment, compassion, and care for international students.
#internationalstudents #studentwellbeing #mentalhealthmatters #internationaleducation
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