Solution Focused Brief (SFBT) Therapists in Ajax, ON

Annie Szalkai
Annie Szalkai

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

I work with adults from diverse backgrounds, supporting those navigating anxiety, stress, and self-esteem challenges. My approach is client-centred and integrative, drawing from CBT, ACT, EFIT, Solution-Focused Therapy, and more to meet each person’s unique needs.

Shannon Deeley
Shannon Deeley

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

My approach is integrative and conversational with a focus on intersectionality and the therapeutic relationship. I have specialized training in ACT for ADHD, CBT-I (for Insomnia) and have worked with young parents and women who have survived or are fleeing violence.

Carla Barbosa
Carla Barbosa

Registered Social Worker

Virtual

I’m a bilingual psychotherapist (English | Portuguese) offering LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent-affirming therapy for adults navigating autism, ADHD, burnout, and identity exploration. I integrate compassion, cultural awareness, and evidence-based care to help clients feel seen and empowered across life’s transitions.

Mackenzie Howard
Mackenzie Howard

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Virtual

I provide psychotherapy to adults across Ontario who are navigating concerns such as anxiety, stress, burnout, perfectionism, relationship concerns, self-esteem, and life transitions. My approach is collaborative and individualized, with sessions focused on understanding your experiences and working toward goals that are meaningful to you.

Delia Bagi
Delia Bagi

EMDR Therapist

Virtual

Délia Bagi, RP(Q) is a warm, intuitive EMDR therapist who specializes in helping self-aware people finally feel the change they've long understood. With expertise in anxiety, trauma, and relationships, she blends EMDR, CBT, and mindfulness into a thoughtful, unhurried approach - creating real, lasting shifts between sessions, not just during them.

Ivana Stanic
Ivana Stanic

Registered Social Worker

Virtual

I'm Ivana Stanic, MSW, RSW, offering individual and couples therapy for anxiety, trauma, ADHD, and relationship patterns including communication, trust, emotional connection, and life transitions. My approach draws on Gottman Method, EFT, CBT, and EMDR, built on six years of experience in the mental health field. I see clients virtually across Ontario and in person in Hamilton.

Christina Hong
Christina Hong

Registered Provisional Psychologist

Virtual

Hello there! I am Christina, I have a genuine love and care for connecting with people. I’m here to support you if anxiety has been making life feel heavy or overwhelming. I believe that, counselling at its core is the genuine collaborative connection of individuals coming together to navigate this wonderfully bizarrely life of ours. In my role, my mission is to create a warm, supportive, and j…

Tina Pirvali
Tina Pirvali

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Virtual

Accepting new clients. I provide virtual therapy across Canada for adults and couples navigating trauma, relationship challenges, communication difficulties, infidelity, codependency, attachment patterns, and life transitions. Using a warm, trauma-informed approach, I help clients strengthen their relationships, reconnect with themselves, and create lasting, meaningful change.

Katherine McNichol
Katherine McNichol

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

Katherine is a Registered Psychotherapist with 8 years of experience supporting adults, couples, and teens through anxiety, trauma, depression, burnout and relationship issues. Trained in EFT, CBT, and EMDR, she takes a direct and compassionate approach to help clients move from surviving to thriving. She offers virtual psychotherapy across Canada and is current accepting clients.

Bethany Richer
Bethany Richer

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Virtual

I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) who works with individuals navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, anger, self-esteem, ADHD, emotional regulation, school stress, sleep difficulties, relationship concerns and more. I aim to create a space where clients feel safe, respected, and understood, and where therapy moves at a pace that feels right for them.

Shereen Ishag
Shereen Ishag

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Virtual

Virtual and In-person Psychotherapy in Burlington for teens (12+), adults, couples, and families. I work with clients experiencing relationship difficulties, emotional disconnection, anxiety, grief, and trauma-related concerns. I draw from emotion-focused and attachment-based perspectives, including EFCT-informed work, as well as other integrative approaches.

Emma Laughlan
Emma Laughlan

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Virtual

I work with children (10+), teens, and adults who feel anxious, overwhelmed, or exhausted by the pressure to get everything “right.” You may be stuck in overthinking, people‑pleasing, panic symptoms, health anxiety, or relationship patterns that leave you doubting yourself. On the outside, you might appear high‑achieving and capable. Inside, you feel tense, self‑critical, or never quite enough.

Ashley Toogood
Ashley Toogood

Registered Psychotherapist, RP, MA, BA (she, her)

Virtual Waitlist for new clients

I enjoy holding space for my clients and engaging in individual therapy sessions with people aged 14+ of all genders and sexualities. I offer a place for individuals to discuss their emotions and grow from surviving to thriving. I take pride in walking with you down whatever path you are on. I have particular experience in working with stress, anxiety, and burnout, offering a listening ear.

Nikki Ward
Nikki Ward

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

Therapist & Clinic Owner at Electric City Wellness Accepting new clients both In-Person in Peterborough & Virtually throughout Ontario! Offering FREE 20-minute consultations!

Amanda Rout
Amanda Rout

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

Have you been struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, or self-esteem? Have you been feeling tired, overwhelmed, or stuck? You are not alone. I offer a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental space for you to show up as your authentic self and feel heard and understood. Working from a client-centred and collaborative approach, I strive to meet you where you are and support you in navigating th…

Denise Smith
Denise Smith

Registered Social Worker, BSW, MSW, RSW

Virtual

Are you feeling overwhelmed and anxious with balancing work, relationships and/or parenting? Maybe you’re feeling unmotivated, disconnected from yourself and your loved ones and find your mood up and down. You might be struggling with a big life decision or change. It can be difficult to know how to move forward. I’ve been there and I understand how stressful it can be.

Janalyn Dodds MSW, BSW, RSW
Janalyn Dodds MSW, BSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker/ Psychotherapist

Virtual

I am a Registered Social Worker and psychotherapist with The Support Station, a Canadian-based, woman-owned organization that believes cost shouldn't be a barrier to accessing quality mental health and wellness support. Each client's session fees are adjusted according to not only their monthly income, but also any bills and debts paid out regularly get considered as well.

Allison Clayton
Allison Clayton

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

Are you tired of the 'sunshine, butterflies and rainbows' idea of therapy? You aren't here for surface-level advice, trying to “just think positive,” or having to worry about judgment. I am here to provide you with tools that work individually for you and conversations that matter - on both a human level and from an evidence-based approach.

Caitlin Kemmett
Caitlin Kemmett

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Virtual

I’m Caitlin, a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) offering individual and couples therapy in Ottawa and virtually across Ontario. I support adults facing anxiety, burnout, ADHD, relationship challenges, and life transitions. My warm, collaborative approach blends CBT, ACT, and the Gottman Method to help you feel grounded, connected, and confident moving forward.

Cristal Hines
Cristal Hines

Clinical Social Worker & Therapist

Virtual

I am a Registered Social Worker, and trauma therapist specializing in complex trauma, PTSD, family therapy, and racial trauma. I provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed care using CPT, CBT, DBT, and Narrative Therapy to help adolescents, adults, and families heal, build resilience, and create meaningful, lasting change.

Ajax Therapists at a Glance

Number of therapists listed

69

Average years in practice

7 Years

Currently accepting new clients

99 %

Therapists in Ajax who prioritize treating:

81% Anxiety
58% Relationship Issues
49% Depression
42% Trauma and PTSD
33% Self Esteem
33% Stress
26% ADHD
23% Emotional Dysregulation

How therapists see their clients

1% In Person & Online
99% Online Only

Top therapy approaches used in Ajax:

100% Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
93% Cognitive Behavioural (CBT)
68% Strength-Based
64% Trauma Focused
62% Person-Centered
59% Dialectical Behaviour (DBT)
58% Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
58% Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)

Frequently Asked Questions About Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)

What is solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT)?

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a goal-directed, future-focused approach that centres on what clients want to achieve — their preferred future — rather than exploring the causes or history of their problems. Developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, SFBT operates on the premise that clients already possess the strengths and resources needed for change, and that therapy's role is to help them identify and amplify those resources. It is deliberately brief and collaborative, with the client as the expert on their own life.

How is SFBT different from problem-focused therapies?

Where most therapies start by exploring the problem in detail — its history, causes, patterns, and impact — SFBT spends relatively little time on problems and much more time on exceptions (times when the problem is less present or absent), goals (what the client wants instead of the problem), and strengths (what the client is already doing that works). This shift in focus often produces movement quickly and can feel more empowering than an extended focus on what is not working.

What techniques are used in SFBT sessions?

SFBT uses a distinctive set of questions. The miracle question — "If a miracle happened tonight and your problem was solved, what would be different tomorrow?" — helps clients articulate their preferred future in concrete terms. Scaling questions ask clients to rate their current situation on a scale of 0–10 and identify what a small step forward would look like. Exception-finding questions surface times when the problem was less severe and explore what was different. Compliments and affirming clients' existing strengths are central to every session.

What is SFBT most suitable for?

SFBT is well-suited for people who have a specific, well-defined goal they want to work toward, who are motivated for change, and whose difficulties do not involve deep trauma or complex psychological conditions requiring longer-term processing. It is used effectively for depression, relationship difficulties, school and workplace challenges, parenting concerns, and general life dissatisfaction. It is less appropriate as a primary approach for trauma processing, personality disorders, or grief that requires exploration of the past.

How many sessions does SFBT typically involve?

As the name suggests, SFBT is designed to be brief — often 4–8 sessions. Research supports its effectiveness even at very short treatment durations. Many clients begin to notice meaningful change within the first two to three sessions as they start identifying exceptions and small steps forward. Some therapists use SFBT as a starting point and transition to other approaches if deeper work emerges as needed; others integrate SFBT techniques within a longer-term treatment approach.