Maryam Akhavan, MA
Maryam holds a Master of Counselling from City University and has a background in Early Childhood Education and Psychology. Over the past 13 years, she has worked in a variety of settings supporting children, youth, and immigrant adults through a wide range of life challenges and transitions.
Maryam views emotions, particularly anger, not as something to eliminate, but as a messenger carrying a story about unmet needs, values, boundaries, relationships, and life experiences. She believes that lasting change comes not from suppressing emotions but from listening to them with curiosity and understanding what lies beneath. She is particularly interested in exploring how early-life experiences, family dynamics, experiences of injustice, and feeling unheard shape our emotional responses. Her work focuses on helping individuals gradually develop greater self-awareness, navigate difficult emotions with intention, and communicate their needs with both assertiveness and respect, creating space for more authentic and connected relationships.
Having immigrated to Canada during her teenage years, Maryam developed a particular interest in life transitions and in how experiences such as immigration can shape individuals’ sense of self and belonging, as well as the ways they relate to others. Maryam takes an integrative approach to counselling, adapting her work to each individual’s unique needs and goals. At the core of her practice is a person-centred approach grounded in empathy, curiosity, and the belief that a strong therapeutic relationship supports healing and growth. Her work is also informed by existential, relational, and attachment-based perspectives, and she continues to explore somatic approaches. She is also interested in the connection between the mind and body and in how stress and emotional distress can be experienced physically. She enjoys supporting individuals in becoming more aware of these signals and exploring healthy, creative ways to process emotions and restore a sense of balance.
Maryam believes in the healing power of nature and intentionally makes time for nature walks and beach visits, particularly in summer, to slow down, reflect, and reconnect.
Maryam is fluent in both English and Farsi and welcomes clients who prefer to express themselves in Farsi.
