ABOUT
Maryam Fazl, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist
She/her
Hello and welcome. I’m a Registered Social Worker and a Psychotherapist who assists people seeking change. It's often hard to feel understood, and always challenging to live with stress, depression, anxiety, interpersonal conflicts, and low self-confidence. I use evidence based therapies and provide a safe space where together we focus on developing skills to build resiliency in the face of these challenges.
My job as a therapist is to fully understand your experiences, and guide you through the therapy process. I have more than a decade of experience working with adults (18+) dealing with anxiety, depression, stress (ex: work, home- life, family, school), adjustment issues (ex: life milestones, post-immigration challenges), grief, shame, and guilt, interpersonal conflict, and perinatal concerns among others.
I work as a social worker and psychotherapist in a Toronto Family Health Team and have been working in community mental health for over 10 years.
You have taken the right step toward your wellness by looking up therapy resources. I look forward to meeting you for a free 15 minute consult where I can answer your questions about therapy.
HOW I CAN HELP
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
I provide individual (one-on-one) therapy to clients (18+) for a variety of presenting concerns. Here is a list of some of my specialties:
Adjustment concerns (when one is having a hard time coping with stressful life events)
Anxiety
Coping techniques
Depression
Harsh Inner Critic
Life transitions (ex: going to University, graduating, getting married, becoming a parent, starting a new career, empty nest, etc.)
Overwhelming feelings
Perinatal Concerns (experiencing anxiety or mood concerns during pregnancy and postpartum)
Excessive Shame and Guilt
Self-esteem
Stress
Sleep concerns
MY APPROACH
My therapeutic perspective is trauma-informed, attachment-based, and anti-oppressive. I draw from modalities such as mindfulness and compassion based therapies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectival Behavior Therapy (DBT). I can help you gain insight into the connection between your past and present experiences and how these impact your daily life. Together in session, we work on positive daily changes to live a more fulfilling and balanced life.
My practice is informed by:
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How one's health and mental health is impacted by systematic forms of oppression and intersectional challenges.
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A trauma-informed lens: trauma impacts a person's body and brain and ways of coping to keep one safe. In session, we may explore this further. By creating a safe space in session, focusing on strengths instead of pathologies, I work collaboratively with my clients on goals for treating these unhelpful ways of coping, and on building resiliency skills.
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Attachment lens: I work with my clients to understand how their early relationships with caregivers and other early childhood experiences have impacted the way they react to their emotions, to stress and in relationships.
I will always approach our sessions with kindness and compassion. I understand that ultimately you are the expert in your own life, so I am collaborative throughout the therapy process. I invite you to book a free 15 minute consult with me to see if we can be a good fit in therapy together!
TRAINING & MEMBERSHIPS
EDUCATION
I obtained both my Master of Social Work (2011) and Bachelor of Science in Psychology (2007) from the University of Toronto.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
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I have been working in community mental health since 2011.
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I currently work in a Toronto community inter-professional health team composed of family physicians, nurse practitioners, psychologists, nurses, dietitian, pharmacists among other team members.
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I work with clients 18+ referred for a variety of reasons, such as depression, anxiety, postpartum depression and anxiety, adjustment concerns, stress, going through life transitions, trauma, interpersonal concerns, etc.
TRAINING
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2021 An Introduction to Theory & Practice of Compassion Focused Therapy- The Compassionate Mind Foundation
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2021 Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy Training- Postpartum Support International
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2021 Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care- Postpartum Support International
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2020 Complex Trauma and Shame: Somatic Interventions-Janina Fischer
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2019 Certificate in Trauma Counselling –Natalie Zlodre
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2018 Dialectical Behaviour Therapy –Lynsey Davies
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2018 Interpersonal Psychotherapy-John Markowitz, Edward McAnanama, Paula Ravitz, Holly A. Swartz
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2017 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Insomnia-Colleen Carney
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2016 Trauma Recovery: Processing Shame and Guilt- Hincks- Natalie Zlodre
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2016 Complex PTSD and Developmental Trauma- Natalie Zlodre
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2016 Advanced Care Planning- LHIN
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2015 Substance abuse management-at CAMH with RNAO
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2015 Mindfulness-Based Groups Practice- University of Toronto and Sunnybrook Psychiatry with Kirstin Bindseil, Kate Kitchen & Steven Selchen
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2015 LGBTQ Inclusive Environment training- 519 Church St Community Centre
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2015 DBT Training-CAMH
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2014 Motivational Interviewing Training
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2011-2012 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Depression; anxiety; trauma)-T.A.P.E. Studies
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2011 Problem Gambling: Early Interventions- CAMH
MEMBERSHIPS
I am a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. OCSWSSW: 819408
I am a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers.
CONTACT ME
