Vanessa Russo, RP

I am a warm, witty, relational therapist who deeply cares about the wellbeing of others. My own journey of self-discovery and inner child work has ignited a passion for helping others uncover their true selves. I love helping people to better understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours on a deeper level - focusing less on the "what" and more on the "why" behind their experiences. I believe that this deeper understanding of the self helps foster self-love, self-compassion, and a sense of inner peace. ​

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Many of us struggle with not feeling in control of our thoughts and feelings. By exploring the root of our triggers and understanding our thought patterns, we can gain clarity and insight into ourselves. I often encourage my clients to imagine holding up a mirror to their inner selves - shifting the focus from external blame to personal reflection. The journey of self-exploration can increase our sense of autonomy and empower us to take charge of the aspects of our lives that once felt overwhelming. 

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What will it look like with me as your therapist? I cater my approach to meet the unique needs of every client I meet, as I do not believe therapy is a cookie cutter experience. I believe that you are the expert of your own lived experiences. This is your journey and you are driving the car, but I am right there with you, in the passenger seat bringing things into the room for us to explore together. You are not alone in this. We are a team, and I am committed to creating a safe space for you to show up authentically yourself - or perhaps a space to discover what that really looks like for you. Our sessions are a space designed for insight, growth, and even moments of laughter and tears. I believe the therapeutic relationship we build is truly everything, and you can trust that you will have my wholeheartedly support throughout this process.

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I help young adults navigate self-discovery and growth, emotion exploration, childhood trauma, and relationship challenges. 

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I also support individuals struggling with anxiety, life transitions, boundary setting, stress and burnout, men's Issues, communication, and perfectionism. ​​

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While I tailor my approach to meet each client's unique needs, I primarily enjoy Person-Centred, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative, and Strengths-Based modalities. I also incorporate Dialogic/Collaborative, Solution-Focused, Emotion-Focused, and Mindfulness techniques. 

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​I am a Registered Psychotherapist licensed with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. I hold an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology with Distinction. I have taken trainings in Internal Family Systems (IFS - *my favourite*), Individual Emotion Focused Therapy (EFIT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Resiliency Strengths-Based modalities. 

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I'm just a girl who loves fitness, good food, live music, nature, and hanging out with my favourite people. I'm all about working on myself, but I also really enjoy those chill days where I can just kick back and relax. I believe that balance is key, and that is something I carry with me in everything I do.