Dhwani Rajan
Dhwani Rajan, Therapist-in-Training (she/her)
Therapist in Training
Provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Newfoundland, Nunavut
In times of great change - therapy can shine a light on the path forward
If you’ve been experiencing big changes in your life, be it moving, a new job, divorce, graduation, retirement, or the loss of a loved one, seeing a therapist may be helpful both during and after these challenging times. I have over 5 years experience working as a therapist, and I’ve lived through many big changes myself! I offer care for people ages 16 and up who are dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, stress, or struggling with their sense of self (feeling like they’ve lost their identity). The main methods I use in sessions are hypnotherapy, gestalt therapy-based approaches, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, and client-centered therapy.
When you discover more about your inner world, it opens your eyes to new possibilities
When you start to learn more about who you are, and why you’ve been behaving in certain ways (noticing certain habits and patterns) it can inspire positive change. It’s a great joy of mine to work with someone and be able to see when a new awareness dawns on them, and how their world changes for the better because of that realization.
In our sessions, you can expect me to show up with authenticity and warmth, and you are invited to come to our sessions just as you are as well. I believe that when you have the right environment to explore and speak in, you’ll be able to tap in more deeply into your own inner wisdom and strength. Together, we can figure out a way forward in our life, so that you know yourself better, and have the tools you need to live with renewed confidence and empowerment.
My story is one with many moments of change - I’ve found life is rarely linear
Although I am not that old, I feel as though I’ve lived many lives. I was born in India, with my beloved grandparents being a big part of my early years. I was interested in psychology from a young age, although I didn’t know it was called that- I just wanted to know why we do the things we do. I was fortunate to be able to formally study psychology at university and began working as a psychologist soon after graduating. Shortly after that, I got married. From that point, at the age of 25, I felt like I had ticked almost all the boxes expected of me: Get good grades, get into university, get a degree, get married - but I felt a little…lost… despite it all. I began to see that all these things were about achievement in some way or form; they were not about my inner world. I kept thinking- “What’s next?”
Who am I outside of my career and marriage?
These questions began a journey for me of knowing myself better and thinking about where I wanted to go. After a few years and many conversations with my husband, we decided we would move to Canada to begin a new chapter in our lives.
Then, just as we were about to leave, my father passed away suddenly, and soon afterward COVID hit the world, and life as we knew it changed. Our travel plans were put on hold for many months, and then, when we did move, Canada was much different than we expected due to it being in the throes of the pandemic. I found work, but not in my areas of expertise. I worked in retail, and it felt very far away from who I was and what I imagined before I arrived in Canada. Thankfully, with time, I was able to rebuild my credentials and am now working again as a therapist. But this journey has given me so much in terms of understanding what it means to lose your identity, find purpose, and then rebuild yourself anew.
Wherever your path leads you in life- having someone to talk to can help
No matter how much you plan, life has a way of surprising you. What can help in moments of change, including moments of great inner change and realization, is having someone to talk to. Being able to connect with someone who isn’t actively involved in your daily life can bring a fresh perspective and new ways to solve problems. (someone with formal training also may have more skills and tools they can share with you).
If you are interested in starting therapy and would like to see if I’m the right fit for your needs, please reach out - I’m accepting new clients and I look forward to meeting you!
Areas of Practice and Approach
Individual Counselling
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Hypnotherapy
Person Centered Therapy
Gestalt Therapy
Support For
2SLGBTQIA+
Agoraphobia
Anger Management
Anxiety
Body Image
Boundary Setting
Burnout
Caregiver Stress
Communication Skills
Death and Loss
Depression
Emotional Regulation
Family Dynamics
Financial Stress
Gender Identity
General Stress
Grieving Life Transitions
Immigration
Imposter Syndrome
Life Skills
Life Transitions
Panic Attacks
Perfectionism
Personal Development/Life Transitions
Racial Challenges
Self-Esteem
Sleep Issues
Social Anxiety
Suicidal Ideation
Trauma/PTSD
Women's Issues
Work or School Stress
Work-Life Balance
Age Group I Work With
16 and older
Professional Qualifications and Experience
Bridge to Registration and Employment in Mental Health (currently enrolled), BREM Canada
M.A Psychology 2013-2015, University of Mumbai
Professional Member, Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP)
Languages I Speak
English
Hindi
Marathi
Professional Fees
Consultations
- Initial consultations are FREE
- All consultations are 20 minutes long
Individual Counselling
- $70 + HST
- 50 minute session
Couples Counselling
- I’m not accepting couples at this time
Crypto Payments
- Are available
- Email us for more information
