Aarti Poon

Aarti Poon is a counsellor therapist, registered social worker, and certified educator with the province of Ontario. She holds a Masters Degree in Counselling Therapy from the University of Toronto, a Bachelors Degree of Social Work from Metropolitan (formally Ryerson) University, and an Education Degree from York University. Aarti has been actively registered to practice psychotherapy through the Ontario College of Social Workers Social Service Workers since 2008.

For the past 18 years, Aarti has worked in community based mental health agencies, clinical settings, and within the health and wellness industry providing mindfulness-based counselling programs, mental health and EDI consultation, and trauma-informed psychotherapy.

The most common issues or topics Aarti works with clients (of all ages) on are:
• Depression/Anxiety
• Pain management/Adjustment disorders
• Anger/Stress Management
• Settlement Issues (e.g. issues common to individuals/families who are new to Canada)
• Academic/Career Counselling
• Trauma/Complex Post Traumatic Stress
• Grief/Bereavement
• Divorce/Separation/Family Transition
• Communication Issues (building communication skills for personal, professional, and social needs)
• Major Life Transitions (i.e. academic, career, job, marriage, pregnancy, relationship etc.)
• Relaxation/Visualization/Mindfulness therapies (i.e. MMBT, EFT)
• Personal Growth/Development (i.e. coping strategies, conflict resolutions, goal setting)
Aarti works from a client centred/trauma informed approach that combines eclectic techniques from various modalities that match clients’ personalities and lifestyles. Some modalities that inform her work include Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Strengths based approaches, Feminist approaches, Solution-Focused approaches, and Mindfulness Based therapies.

Aarti’s philosophy as a therapist:
“I believe that the work I do is a process that is based on a trusting and open professional relationship between the client and myself. I often see my role as supportive to you, and whatever it is you are going through, figuring out, or resolving in your life at the time. As your therapist, I bring with me core values of respect, collaboration, open-mindedness, and integrity, and hope that we can establish a dynamic where you feel comfortable, supported and inspired through the process. It is a privilege to be able to work with people of all ages and backgrounds and is a very meaningful and rewarding experience for me as I go through my own process and journey in life as well. I always aim to provide a safe, open, positive space for all people regardless of race, sexuality, socio-economic status, ability, religion, culture or ethnicity”