About Ashna
Seeking support can be an important step toward understanding yourself and moving through life’s challenges with greater clarity. My name is Ashna, and I’m here to support you in rediscovering your strengths, gaining insight into your experiences, and moving forward in ways that feel meaningful to you. My priority is to provide a compassionate, safe, culturally-informed, and non-judgmental space where you feel heard and respected. As a Pakistani Muslim woman, I understand that navigating different cultural expectations, family values, and societal pressures can sometimes feel complex. Balancing personal goals, identity, and relationships while honoring cultural or faith-based values can be a delicate process, and it can feel even more challenging when you are also experiencing stress, burnout, relational conflict, or uncertainty about the future. I recognize that opening up about these experiences can feel vulnerable, which is why I approach therapy with curiosity, warmth, and openness. I strive to ask thoughtful questions and create space for you to explore your experiences in ways that feel meaningful and authentic to you. Through my work in research and community settings, I have had the opportunity to support individuals and families from diverse backgrounds, which has reinforced my belief that people are resilient and capable of navigating difficult life experiences when they feel supported. My practice is grounded in empathy and collaboration, with a focus on recognizing your strengths and fostering a genuine sense of connection. I have a background in psychology from the University of Toronto and am currently completing my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. My experience includes working in research and community settings, including roles at Baycrest and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), where I supported neuropsychological research. I have also worked with Kerry’s Place Autism Services, supporting individuals on the autism spectrum in community-based environments. These experiences have deepened my understanding of the importance of empathy, patience, and creating spaces where people feel safe, respected, and supported in their unique experiences. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, exploring new cafés and restaurants around the city, and making space for reflection and connection in everyday life. If you’re considering taking the next step, I’d love to connect. Book a free 15-minute consultation to explore whether therapy feels like the right fit for you!
How We Might Work Together
I can help with:
✓Navigating identity, life transitions, and finding your place in the world. ✓Working through anxiety, self-doubt, and complex emotions. ✓Understanding the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. ✓Exploring personal values, cultural and family expectations, and societal pressures. ✓Recognizing your strengths and making space for your unique story and lived experiences.
Patterns & Topics That Frequently Come Up in Session
Starting therapy can feel unfamiliar, and there is no right or wrong way to begin. Together, we will explore what feels meaningful and helpful to you.
Our conversations may touch on self-doubt, self-criticism, and the gap between what you know logically and what you feel emotionally. We will work toward understanding these patterns with greater compassion while exploring your values, strengths, and the experiences that have shaped who you are and who you want to become.
What Inspires My Work as a Therapist
What inspires me most are the small shifts that happen in therapy: moments of clarity, self-compassion, renewed hope, and recognizing one's own strengths.
I have learned that healing is not linear and looks different for everyone. I strive to meet each client with patience, curiosity, and openness, recognizing that growth does not always come through major breakthroughs. Sometimes, it begins with a small realization, a new perspective, or a step toward reconnecting with who you are and what matters most to you.
What I Wish More People Knew About Mental Health & Healing
You do not have to feel calm or positive all the time to be making progress. Emotions like anger, frustration, and disappointment are a normal part of being human and do not make you a bad person.
Healing is not about eliminating difficult feelings, but learning to understand them and respond with greater self-compassion. Therapy is not about never struggling; it is about building the awareness and tools to navigate life's challenges with more understanding and care.
Modalities
Specialties
What's My Story
As a Pakistani Muslim woman from an immigrant background, I have often felt like a third-culture kid, navigating different cultures, expectations, and identities. These experiences have shaped my understanding of how our backgrounds, relationships, and lived experiences influence the way we see ourselves and the world.
Working within my community has deepened my appreciation for how culture, faith, family expectations, and systemic barriers can shape mental health. My work with neurodivergent individuals and my background in research have also taught me the importance of flexibility, individualized care, and recognizing that there is no single way to experience the world.
My own experiences with therapy and the healthcare system have shown me how meaningful it can be to feel genuinely heard and understood. They have shaped the therapist I hope to become: someone who listens without judgment, approaches each person with curiosity and humility, and recognizes that clients are the experts on their own lives.
Ultimately, I hope to create a space where you feel safe to show up as you are, without needing to explain or defend who you are. If our work together helps you feel a little more understood, a little less alone, and more connected to yourself, then I believe we are moving in a meaningful direction.
Education
Languages
What Misconceptions About Therapy Do You Often Challenge?
Therapy is not about being “fixed,” receiving all the answers, or being told what to think. It is a collaborative process of understanding yourself, exploring your experiences, and working toward meaningful change.
There is also no single “right” way to heal. Wellness will look different for everyone, depending on their needs, values, and circumstances. Growth is often gradual, built through small moments of awareness and reflection.
And if you feel nervous about starting therapy, that is completely okay. You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin—you simply need to show up.
What's It Like To Work With Me
My approach is a balance of being easygoing, direct, and reflective. Clients often appreciate feeling seen as individuals, being gently challenged when needed, and the humour and lightness I bring into sessions. I believe therapy can hold space for both difficult conversations and moments of connection.
Something that may surprise clients is that my style is fairly laid-back. As a younger therapist, my communication style is often relatable and conversational while still being intentional and professional. Ultimately, I hope clients experience me as someone who is approachable, authentic, and genuinely invested in their growth.