Discovering Self Psychotherapy

Vanessa Russo, RP, CIMHP
Registered Psychotherapist
Hi, I’m Vanessa. I’m a Registered Psychotherapist and Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional who supports young adults seeking a deeper understanding of themselves — their emotions, inner experiences, and the patterns that shape their lives.
​
I’m the founder of Discovering Self Psychotherapy, and I offer virtual therapy to individuals across Ontario. My work is grounded in warmth, curiosity, and genuine connection, creating space for reflection, growth, and meaningful change — at a pace that feels right for you.
Ready to get to know each other?

A little about me..
My Therapist Self​
I’m a relational, person-centred therapist who values depth, humour, and authenticity. My own journey of self-reflection and inner growth has shaped the way I show up in this work — with curiosity, compassion, and respect for each person’s lived experience.
​
I’m drawn to helping people better understand their emotional worlds, explore the “why” behind their experiences, and reconnect with parts of themselves that may have felt overlooked, misunderstood, or pushed aside. Rather than focusing on fixing or changing who you are, my approach is about creating understanding — because clarity often opens the door to self-compassion, balance, and a greater sense of ease within yourself.
​
​Therapy with Me​​​​​
Therapy with me is collaborative, flexible, and tailored to you. I don’t believe therapy is a one-size-fits-all experience, and I honour that you are the expert of your own life.
​
I see therapy as a space we move through together — you setting the direction, with me alongside you, offering perspective, curiosity, and gentle guidance. Our work may include exploring emotions, patterns, and internal experiences in a way that feels supportive rather than overwhelming. My goal is to create a space where you can show up as you are, feel genuinely supported, and explore what growth looks like for you — in both meaningful and human ways.
​
Who I Support​​​​​​
I work with young adults who are feeling emotionally overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in patterns that no longer feel aligned. Many of the people I support are navigating questions around identity, purpose, relationships, and emotional balance — often during periods of transition or personal growth.
​
I support individuals who want to deepen their self-understanding, explore past and present experiences with care, and move toward a way of living that feels more grounded, intentional, and aligned with who they are.
​​​
​Approach to Therapy​
My approach to therapy is integrative and responsive, shaped by each client’s unique needs and goals. I primarily work from a person-centred and relational foundation, incorporating emotion-focused, narrative, strengths-based, and collaborative approaches.
​
I also draw from parts-informed and mindfulness-based practices when helpful, with attention to how emotional, physical, and lived experiences interact. Rather than following a rigid framework, my work is guided by curiosity, flexibility, and respect for your pace and process.
​
​License and Qualifications​​​​​​​​
I am a Registered Psychotherapist licensed with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). I hold a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology with Distinction and an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Psychology.
​
I have completed additional training in integrative mental health, emotion-focused therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, and strengths-based approaches. I am committed to ongoing learning and ethical practice, and I regularly engage in professional development to support my work with clients.
​
​Outside of Therapy
Outside of therapy, I value balance and intentional living. I enjoy movement, good food, live music, time in nature, and connecting with the people I care about most. I believe that growth and rest both matter — and that philosophy shapes how I approach life and my work.​
