About

Ali Joy Richardson

  • Registered Counselling Therapist (Candidate, RCT-C)
    Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists
    Licence #RCT-C23-040

  • Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Professional Member #11243554

  • M.A., Counselling Psychology (Yorkville University)

  • Hon. B.A. (University of Toronto & Sheridan College)

I believe people have an innate ability to heal and grow – but sometimes we get stuck. Our brains and bodies develop defence mechanisms to protect us during duress. Sometimes, these stick around as unhelpful patterns after the threat has passed. Over time, this can lead to anxiety, depression, and other challenges. I can help you identify, understand, and shift these patterns. We can work together to gain a clearer picture of what you value in life and how to move towards it. I mix therapeutic conversations with action-oriented strategies. Above all, I believe that when a therapist earns a client’s trust, the client-therapist relationship can be a life-changing experience of respect, safety, and freedom.

My Story

My clinical mental health work is informed by over a decade working as a professional theatre artist across Canada. I have written and directed plays (from musicals, to dramas, to experimental performance art in an old record store) and taught students in university performing arts programs. I worked for several years in the Community Arts sector, mentoring and collaborating with youth from non-dominant populations in Toronto. I continue to write and direct alongside my therapy work.

If connecting with your creativity is important to you, I’m glad to incorporate this in our work.

My Approach

My approach is client-centered. This means I’ll ask what has (and hasn’t!) worked for you in the past, and together we’ll tailor your unique therapy. My foundation is Narrative Therapy. With curiosity and compassion, this approach helps us examine the stories we tell ourselves about our lives. Which stories are serving us? Which are limiting us? Where do these stories come from? What parts of ourselves have we lost touch with?

Additional Training

  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Level 1

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Attachment­ Based Interventions for Couples in Crisis

  • (Upcoming, will complete September 22, 2023) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an EMDRIA Approved EMDR Training Course

I integrate aspects of mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). 

Culturally Responsive & Socially-Just Therapy

I am a white, queer, cisgender woman (she/her) and I’m dedicated to providing culturally responsive care to all clients. I understand the toll systemic injustices take on individual well-being and our sessions will take these realities into account. I have experience writing advocacy letters for clients to bring to other healthcare providers or lawyers. I’ve also written a statement for an Impact of Race and Culture Assessment in court.