The mind and the body are intrinsically connected. It’s amazing how our feelings, beliefs, and thoughts can show up in our physical bodies. We all have visceral reactions to our experiences and the world around us, and this may create physical sensations, or maybe just as thoughts that have stopped us from feeling safe within ourselves. Maybe this has shown up in your life as fear, anxiety, perfectionism, distrust, people-pleasing, or feelings of stuckness. These elements might be contributing to patterns in relationships, as creative or technical blockages, and in other parts of your life that are not serving you as you would like. It may even feel like it’s limiting your own access to your most authentic self and ability to express.

In my past work, I was an international operatic soloist, as well as a private singing teacher. For the past 16 years, I have personally worked in volatile work environments with painful power dynamics, and worked with performing artists developing their own personal and artistic growth while navigating broken systems. Although this may sound incredibly niche, I believe that, as things stand today, this story may resonate across many experiences.

Working through a trauma-informed, gender affirming lens, I find myself drawn to helping build safe internal spaces through polyvagal, somatic, breathing, and experiential interventions, in combination with techniques drawn from parts work, internal family systems, attachment theory, and relational theories, we work together toward self-discovery. My aim is to provide a safe external space while you create a safe internal space. 

Please feel free to email me at jbassmahon@thecompassionproject.ca to schedule a free, 20-minute initial consultation.

The mind and the body are intrinsically connected. It’s amazing how our feelings, beliefs, and th... Read More

Hey there, my name is Kayla (she/her). I am committed to fostering inclusive, empathetic spaces where individuals feel empowered to make decisions aligned with their values and goals. Specializing in supporting those navigating difficult life transitions or ongoing challenges, I offer a compassionate, informed, and non-judgmental approach to system navigation.  As a final-year Bachelor of Social Work student at Toronto Metropolitan University, my educational journey has strongly focused on the lived experiences of equity-seeking communities in Canada. With over 12 years of experience in the emergency shelter system, I have guided individuals through complex systems to achieve goals related to housing, substance use, mental health, and grief and loss, among others. My practice is deeply rooted in harm reduction principles, particularly in my work at a safer use site for women and gender-diverse individuals, where I co-create a therapeutic, community-based hub that supports healing and empowerment. I am especially interested in helping individuals who use substances, mothers during the prenatal and postpartum seasons, and those experiencing grief and loss, with a focus on neurodivergent-affirming care grounded in feminist and harm reduction frameworks.

Hey there, my name is Kayla (she/her). I am committed to fostering inclusive, empathetic spaces w... Read More

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Hi there! I’m Samm, a Registered Social Worker and Master of Social Work graduate from McMaster University. As someone who began their career working alongside children, youth, and families in recreation settings, I believe that in mental health care, there can be opportunities for joy, fun, and creativity. Mental health care can welcome you where you are at when it is flexible, collaborative, and there is a willingness for the counsellor to ‘think outside of the box.’

I know from experience that trying to balance all your areas of wellness while living with chronic illness and pain can feel overwhelming. The constant need for self-advocacy in medical, educational, and professional spaces is exhausting and isolating, impacting your mental health and ability to engage in everyday life. I’ve learned through navigating my own chronic pain and illness that balanced wellness is possible when you show yourself compassion and acknowledge your coping skills and resiliency.

In 2019 I transitioned from working with children, youth, and families to providing mental health and substance use support to women, trans, and non-binary folks experiencing homelessness in Hamilton. This work taught me the importance of centering gender-based harm reduction in my practice; I am here to support you on your journey whether it includes abstinence or not.

My approach to support is eclectic to ensure it is useful and doable for you! I specialize in anti-oppressive and trauma-informed arts-based engagement, coupled with Dialectical-Behaviour Theory, Cognitive-Behavioural Theory, System and/or Solution-Focused Brief Therapy modalities.

Hi there! I’m Samm, a Registered Social Worker and Master of Social Work graduate from McMaster U... Read More

Hi, nice to meet you. I’d like to start off by reminding you that You Matter. I am glad you are here. If you are having a hard time, let’s talk about it. My name is Leah (she/her) and I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) at The Compassion Project. I am committed to offering support for individuals who have a hard time feeling safe, heard, or cared for. Through a compassionate, person-centred approach I’ll help you navigate life’s challenges. I have a particular interest working with adults managing symptoms of anxiety, depression, ADHD, and trauma. I strive to work from trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and gender-affirming perspectives. I welcome all clients including those identifying as neurodiverse, queer, trans, and LGBTQ2SIA+. I will be here when you feel ready to talk. On your terms. Leah

Hi, nice to meet you. I’d like to start off by reminding you that You Matter. I am glad you are h... Read More

Chronic pain or illness? PTSD? Anxiety and depression? You need someone who has been there. I have over twenty years of lived experience with injury, illness, trauma and recovery which has given me insight into a world of harm, and the skills necessary to be resilient and heal. I can offer you the benefits of having a therapeutic relationship to deal with life’s unexpected challenges. I know how much help is essential to move beyond difficult circumstances and I want to be an advocate and a resource for that action to take place. I hope to take my strengths of providing compassion and empathy to each person I connect with in this role.

Chronic pain or illness? PTSD? Anxiety and depression? You need someone who has been there. I hav... Read More

Full session BOOKING FOR CURRENT CLIENTS ONLY!!! If you are a new client please schedule a free 20 minute session to get started.

Pauline is passionate about creating safer spaces in mental health care. She is the founder of The Compassion Project and the creator of The Empowered Supervisor Clinical Supervision Training Program.

She is also part time Faculty at Yorkville University in the Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) and Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (DCP) programs.

She currently practices psychotherapy, provides clinical supervision, and trains both new and more seasoned clinical supervisors.

Her areas of expertise are in Trauma specific psychotherapy; somatic therapy; addiction; complex PTSD and dissociation and other mental health disorders. In addition, Pauline provides IFS therapy; EMDR and integrates spiritual care and energetic healing practices.

Full session BOOKING FOR CURRENT CLIENTS ONLY!!! If you are a new client please schedule a free ... Read More

Thanks for joining me here, I’m Aliana!

As an intern therapist at the Compassion Project, my goal is to cultivate an anti-oppressive and trauma-focused practice to help you achieve a greater sense of well-being.

Through my studies in the Counselling Psychology MEd program at UofT and work, I have collected experience in addiction and challenges with mood. I am also experienced in the study of suicide, where I worked for two years as a research assistant at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. In this role, I worked closely with individuals presenting histories of suicide and coordinated their participation in various psychotherapeutic intervention studies to enhance their own sense of safety and autonomy. I learned to effectively facilitate conversations related to suicide and self-harm in an empathetic and non-threatening manner without overemphasizing the engagement of emergency services. This was a transformative experience in my career as it highlighted the power of leveraging a collaborative and client-centred approach to help individuals cope with life’s challenges.

This year I will also be working alongside those battling the system: folks who are struggling with precarious housing situations or who are unhoused. Housing instability is a foundational issue within the field of mental health that I hope to continuously address in my work to streamline the path to receiving other necessary supports related to addiction, financial aid, and health.

My hope is to continue to develop a psychotherapy practice that considers safety, empowerment, and barriers to accessing healthcare so that all folks can thrive regardless of their circumstances or identity.

Please reach out to schedule a free consultation today!

With care, Aliana

Thanks for joining me here, I’m Aliana! As an intern therapist at the Compassion Project, my goa... Read More