Darshana Patel (she/her)

RSW, Psychotherapist

  • BA in Social Psychology, McMaster University, 2018

    Master in Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University, 2022

    "Dialectical Behavior Therapy Certification Training" PESI, 2022

    "Trauma counselling for mental health professionals: Level 2 trauma training", Sick Kids CCMH 2023

    "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Beginners", PsychWire, Russ Harris 2024

    • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

    • Compassion Focused

    • Culturally Sensitive

    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

    • Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)

    • Narrative Therapy

    • Psychodynamic

    • Solution Focused

    • Somatic

    • Trauma Focused

  • How do you approach working with clients who may be nervous about starting therapy? Starting therapy for the very first time can be scary! I let my clients know that they can ask any questions about the therapeutic process at any time and do provide them with as much information as possible to help ease their nerves.

    How do you keep your inner therapist and your inner human balanced? I'd like to say that my inner therapist and human selves both compliment each other, neither one can exist without each other. However, before I  enter a therapy space or start a session, I do have little practices that I like to do to help me tune into my therapist self. Sometimes that's setting a little intention or doing a quick grounding exercise.

    What helps you stay well? Staying balanced! I like to make sure that I am giving myself time to fill all of the different buckets in my life, whether that be family time or friends or movement.

    What book or podcast are you loving right now? I have been enjoying the Mel Robbins Podcast.

    What’s something small that’s brought you joy recently? Definitely not small, but looking at the lake always brings me joy and peace. 

 

Does it feel like stress, anxiety, or relationship struggles are taking up too much space in your life? Maybe work or family pressures are leaving you emotionally drained, or you’re feeling stuck in recurring conflicts with a partner. You might be navigating a breakup, trying to improve communication in your relationship, or figuring out how to set healthier boundaries. Whatever the challenge, you don’t have to work through it alone. I help reflective adults who are feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or uncertain about their next steps find clarity and regain a sense of confidence and control.

My approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Solution-Focused Therapy, giving us a structured yet flexible framework to explore what’s holding you back and build strategies that actually work for you. Together, we’ll take a practical and collaborative approach—first understanding the patterns keeping you stuck, then developing tools to help you navigate challenges with more confidence, and ultimately, creating meaningful, long-term changes. If you're ready to start making changes, I’d love to support you on that journey.

Area of Expertise

  • Grief

  • Life Transitions

  • Peer Relationships

  • Racial Identity

  • School Issues

  • Self Esteem

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Anxiety

  • Burnout & Stress

  • Relationship Issues

  • Coping Skills

  • Depression

  • Emotional Regulation

  • Family Conflict

Services Offered

  • Free 15 minute phone consultation

  • Individual therapy

  • Virtual Therapy: Weekdays and weeknights