(Practice in Urdu and English)
I earned my master’s in counselling from the University of Toronto in 2010. Since then, I have been practising in Ontario in hospital and private settings. Prior to entering this field, I worked as a software engineer in Silicon Valley in San Francisco. My experiences there and of immigration, as well as a desire to be in a career which would be encouraged to deepen my presence and work on my own issues and shadows, led me into the psychology field.
Drawing on my own mental health struggles growing up and the significant experiences this life has presented me, I have developed a particular interest in helping men through depression, helping clients dealing with grief, loss, and life transitions, and working with Indigenous clients to heal traumas rooted in our colonial history.
Working with Indigenous Clients
The colonial settler history of Canada has led to significant impacts on mental health in Indigenous populations. Whether you are a survivor of the residential school system, or deal with the secondary effects of fractured communities and culture, the effects on mental health can run deep and manifest in every aspects of our lives. These can include an affinity towards substance misuse, relational difficulties, depression, grief, and the direct effects of trauma including flashbacks. At a more nuanced level our self-worth (including internalized racism), sense of identity, and ability to self-actualize and manifest can be impacted. Although very different, my own experience of growing up in South Asia and experiencing the secondary effects of extended colonial rule gives me a small window into how we can carry and be affected by these histories.
Please note I am registered with the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program (NHIB) and able to bill directly for sessions.
Working with Men
As men, we often navigate a unique set of social conditioning and childhood wounds that leave us vulnerable to depression. This conditioning often creates an inner disconnect, fueled by shame and guided by an internal voice that is critical and disparaging. While we may outwardly project a sense of confidence and success, our inner dialogue can be far less kind or encouraging. We often turn to substances, aggression, porn, sex, or overwork to fill the voids inside us. As Henry David Thoreau put it, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation,” and far too often, we leave this world with the song still inside us.
Over the years, I’ve developed a keen interest in helping men heal from depression and stuckness. The techniques I use are rooted in psychodynamic-relational and mindfulness theories. The core of the work focuses on creating a safe, supportive space for listening and self-reflection. This creates the foundation for us to become aware of how we keep ourselves hidden, empty, and disconnected. Often, the process involves healing past wounds or unraveling the limiting stories we carry — stories that may not even be our own. Ultimately, the goal is to cultivate a more alive, compassionate, and supportive stance towards ourselves, and in turn, towards those we love.
My Approach
My approach to therapy is integrative, in that I draw on multiple modalities, including Buddhist psychology, cognitive-behavioural therapy, psychodynamic-relational, solution-focused, and somatic-based therapies. At the same time, I am cognizant that the main ingredient for any successful therapy is the quality of the connection between client and therapist. The best way to assess that is in the first meeting — whether you feel heard and understood, whether you feel genuine curiosity from the therapist, and how you sense their ability to hold space and help. Clients often experience me as warm, caring, skillful, direct, and empathetic, with the ability to challenge when needed.
More About Me
In addition to being a psychotherapist, I am part of a number of other communities and interests. These include meditation, modern dance, improv through movement and clown, and community development projects in South Asia. I have spent significant time in meditation centres and organizing mindfulness retreats, which was my pathway into pursuing a career in psychology.
My own healing journey has involved Western therapies, as well as less mainstream approaches, including psychedelics, solo nature voyages, shamanic practices, and movement therapies.
The experiences which have influenced my identity include adapting to a physical disability, immigration, healing through depression and colonial history, and the influences of Eastern psychologies and mystical traditions. I identify as male, with ethnic roots in South Asia, and I am 50 years old.
I hope this page takes you a step further in your journey. Please feel free to reach out at 705-742-3120 if you would like to set up a time to talk further. Wish you well, and take good care.