Professional Background

Palak is a student at Yorkville University, currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychotherapy. Her journey in the field of mental health commenced five years ago at a Neuro-Psychiatry hospital, where she gained invaluable experience. This experience, coupled with her ongoing doctoral studies, stands as a testament to her expertise in comprehending the intricacies of the human psyche and addressing diverse mental health challenges. Spanning continents from India to Canada, Palak’s professional journey showcases her adaptability and zest for lifelong learning.

Offering virtual and in-person appointments

Philosophy of Practice:

Greetings,

In my therapeutic approach, I resonate deeply with the wisdom encapsulated in Dan Millman’s words: “The Secret of Change Is to Focus All of Your Energy, Not on Fighting the Old, But on Building the New.” This quote serves as a catalyst for holistic transformation—mind, body, and soul—which underpins my commitment to supporting clients in therapy.

What Sets Me Apart?

I wholeheartedly embrace the ethos embodied by the saying, “It takes a village.” My objective is to meet you precisely where you are and assist you in untangling the complexities of your life that may feel overwhelming or stagnant. I firmly believe in the inherent capacity for growth and self-improvement within each individual. During our sessions, I am dedicated to nurturing self-awareness, self-acceptance, and personal growth. Together, we will explore your unique strengths, values, and aspirations, empowering you to cultivate a more fulfilling and authentic life.

Drawing from my personal journey as an immigrant, I intimately understand the challenges of navigating life-altering decisions alone. My areas of specialization encompass anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem, emotional regulation, life transitions (including immigration and grief), stress/burnout, relational issues, intolerance of uncertainty, school and work-related stressors, pet bereavement, post-adoption, postpartum challenges, family conflict, performance anxiety, and gambling issues.

I welcome clients from diverse backgrounds, including couples, families, adults, teens, tweens, and children. Regardless of where you find yourself on your journey, I am here to provide support, guidance, and a compassionate presence to help you navigate life’s trials and embrace transformative growth.

Your journey to Healing, Growth, and Balance begins here.

Client Focus Couples, Adults, Teens, Tweens and Children under 11

Types of Therapy Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, (SFBT), Narrative Therapy, Person-Centered, Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT), Trauma Focused, Self-Compassion-Based Therapy, Psychodynamic, and Strength Based Therapy

Area of Specialities Anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem, emotional regulation, life transitions (immigration, grief), stress/burnout, relational issues, intolerance of uncertainty, school stressors, work stressors, pet bereavement, post-adoption, post-partum, and family conflict.

Languages English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu

Effective Low-Cost Therapist

Offering virtual and in-person appointments

Professional Background Palak is a student at Yorkville University, currently pursuing a Master ... Read More

Offering virtual and in-person appointments

Professional Background

Kayla Ortese integrates academic excellence with clinical proficiency to guide individuals towards healing, growth, and balance. With a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, Canada, she has a deep understanding of psychological principles, therapeutic techniques, and behavioral interventions. Additionally, her Postgraduate Diplomas in Applied Behavior Analysis from Humber College, Canada, and in Education from the National Teachers Institute, Abuja, Nigeria, enhance her ability to address various mental health issues and facilitate meaningful change. Completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria, has fortified her foundation in supporting individuals through their therapeutic journey.

Philosophy of Practice

Greetings,

In resonance with Freud, I believe that therapy extends “Beyond the Couch,” embracing a holistic journey that incorporates mind, body, and spirit. I perceive life’s trials as catalysts for personal evolution, acknowledging the profound beauty that can emerge amidst adversity. My curiosity about the complexities of the human experience informs my therapeutic approach, drawing inspiration from the natural cycles observed in the world around us, such as the metamorphosis of a butterfly and the growth of a flower.

What Sets Me Apart?

What sets me apart is my integration of diverse evidence-based practices into my therapy approach. I draw from trauma informed care practices, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative Therapy (NT), Schema Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Self-Compassion Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). My aim is to cultivate a culturally sensitive atmosphere where I honor and respect each client’s lived experiences and beliefs. Grounded in proven methods, my approach ensures effectiveness in addressing your specific challenges.

I believe a journey of a thousand miles starts with an intention before a step. With this ethos, I adopt an intentional therapeutic stance, collaboratively engaging with you to cultivate awareness of your journey’s processes and progress. I view the human journey as a series of seasons, each with its unique phases of growth, pruning, metamorphosis, and blooming.

Transformative Journey

In therapy, I collaborate with clients to navigate these seasons, supporting their path toward inner wellness, growth, transformation, and resilience. My profound insight enables me to guide clients through their transformative processes, fostering empowerment and self-discovery along their unique paths to healing, growth, and balance. This journey led me to establish “Inner Wellness Psychotherapy,” where I collaboratively work with clients facing various challenges such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, emotional regulation, life transitions, stress/burnout, gender issues, ADHD, autism, relational dynamics, PTSD, medical health anxiety, emotional trauma, intolerance of uncertainty, school, and work-related stressors, and more.

Empowerment and Discovery

With a client-centered and holistic approach, I strive to cultivate a safe and empathetic therapeutic environment, encouraging clients to embark on a transformative journey toward self-discovery, healing, personal growth, and balance. I support clients as they navigate life’s complexities, providing tools to empower them to achieve inner harmony and well-being. Through my practice, I aim to provide a nurturing space for clients to explore their inner resilience, embrace change, and blossom into their true selves. Together, let’s discover and harness your inner strength as we navigate life’s intricate tapestry.

Your guide to Healing, Growth, and Balance begins here.

Client Focus Couples, Families, adults, teens, tweens and children under 11

Types of Therapy Christian Counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, (SFBT), Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Schema Therapy, Person-Centered, Attachment Based Family Therapy (ABFT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Gottman Method, Trauma Focused, Self-Compassion-Based Therapy, Psychodynamic, Gestalt, Strength Based, and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT).

Area of Specialities Anxiety, faith issues, infidelity and trust, identity issues, sexual intimacy, emetophobia, medical health anxiety, ADHD, autism, depression, trauma, self-esteem, pet bereavement, emotional regulation, life transitions (immigration, grief), stress/burnout, relational issues, intolerance of uncertainty, school stressors, work stressors, pet bereavement, post-adoption, post-partum, family conflict, performance anxiety, gambling issues, depression, co-dependency and self-harm.

Languages English, Tiv & pidgin

Offering virtual and in-person appointments Professional Background Kayla Ortese integrates aca... Read More