ISSUES

Identity Exploration & Mental Health: Therapy for Self-Discovery

 
 
 

Understanding Identity and Mental Health

Identity is at the core of who we are—shaped by culture, race, gender, sexuality, neurodivergence, ability, and lived experiences. Navigating identity can be a journey filled with both self-discovery and external challenges. Societal norms, discrimination, and personal expectations can create stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. At Amanda Neves Therapy, we recognize the importance of holding space for your unique experiences and supporting you in exploring identity-related concerns with care and compassion.

Our clinic uses an anti-oppressive, client-centered approach, striving to prioritize your lived experience and evoke a power-with stance rather than a top-down approach. We acknowledge that you are the expert of your own life, and we work collaboratively to support your self-exploration, healing, and empowerment.

Common Identity-Related Challenges We Address

  • Racial and Cultural Identity: Persons of the Global Majority (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) may face racism, generational trauma, and pressures to assimilate while navigating cultural pride and belonging.

  • LGBTQ+ Identity: Those within the 2SLGBTQ+ community often encounter discrimination, family rejection, and internalized stigma, making self-acceptance and visibility challenging.

  • Neurodivergence: Autistic individuals, those with ADHD, and others who are neurodivergent may struggle with feeling misunderstood, masking behaviors, or navigating an ableist world.

  • Gender Identity and Expression: Non-binary, transgender, and gender-expansive individuals often face misgendering, lack of affirmation, and barriers to gender-affirming care.

  • Religious and Spiritual Identity: Those questioning or evolving within their faith may experience guilt, isolation, or tension between personal beliefs and familial or societal expectations.

  • Intersectionality: Many people navigate multiple aspects of identity at once, which can compound experiences of marginalization and resilience.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy offers a nonjudgmental space to explore your identity, process experiences, and develop self-compassion. Our therapists can help with:

  • Navigating racial trauma and intergenerational healing

  • Affirming gender and sexual identity in a supportive environment

  • Exploring neurodivergence with self-acceptance and self-advocacy tools

  • Understanding and embracing cultural or faith-based identity shifts

  • Building resilience in the face of systemic oppression and bias

At Amanda Neves Therapy, we integrate trauma-informed and experiential therapies to create an affirming and empowering space, drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), somatic approaches, and attachment-based models.

What to Expect in Therapy

Your first session is an opportunity to explore what aspects of identity you’d like to discuss, the challenges you’re facing, and your goals for therapy. We work collaboratively to ensure that therapy is guided by your needs, experiences, and values, rather than imposing external frameworks or assumptions.

You're Not Alone

Exploring identity can be complex, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our team is here to validate your experiences, provide tools for healing, and help you build a sense of empowerment in your authentic self.

We offer in-person therapy at our Toronto office and online therapy throughout Ontario.

Connect with a therapist today—call 647-490-7985 or book a session online.