Motivational Interviewing Therapists in Thunder Bay, ON
Natalie Demian
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
I’m dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and discover inner strength. With an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Niagara University, I support those facing anxiety, grief and loss, life transitions, and relationship difficulties. I offer compassionate, collaborative in-person and virtual therapy across Ontario in a safe, supportive space for growth.
Tracey Ropp
Registered Psychotherapist
Hello! I get that reaching out for support can be difficult, particularly when you’re already feeling busy with work, family, school, or just the overall demands of life in general. I can help to figure out what’s creating stress or unease for you, and then together we’ll develop practical, realistic strategies that fit for you in your current circumstances.
Shayesteh Zarieh
Registered Psychotherapist
Let’s be honest—starting therapy isn’t always a bold, empowered choice. Sometimes it’s a quiet, messy, or reluctant one. Maybe you’re simply tired of pretending everything’s fine. This space is for the parts of you that don’t have to be impressive, productive, or put-together. The parts that are unsure, grieving, angry, numb, or just curious about what else is possible.
Delia Bagi
EMDR Therapist
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.
Sadaf Khan
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
At Horizon Healing Psychotherapy, we believe that every journey toward growth and healing begins with a safe space and a compassionate guide. Under the thoughtful care of Sadaf, our clinic offers a sanctuary where your story matters, your voice is heard, your experience and your path to well-being are honoured. Welcome to Horizon Healing Psychotherapy, a new horizon of hope and healing awaits you.
Haley Moore
Registered Social Worker (RSW)
Welcome to Therapy Uninterrupted, where your mental well-being is our top priority. We understand that life can be challenging, and sometimes we all need a little extra support. As a team of dedicated clinicians, we are here to help you navigate through your journey and find the strength within yourself to heal and grow.
Grace Gao
Registered Social Worker
Grace is passionate about creating accessible and culturally responsive mental health support, particularly for individuals who may feel hesitant to seek formal counseling services. As a bilingual professional fluent in English and Mandarin, she values creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where clients feel heard and respected.
Mahum Ahmed
Registered Social Worker
Struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or PTSD? You may feel overwhelmed or stuck and want deeper understanding—not just symptom relief. I offer compassionate, tailored therapy using evidence-based approaches like CBT. Together, we’ll build emotional regulation, stronger relationships, and a more fulfilling, empowered future.
Carla Barbosa
Registered Social Worker
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.
Katharine De Santos
Registered Psychotherapist
Healthy Minds Psychotherapy was founded in 2018 with the mission of providing psychotherapeutic care to individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering resilience in each person and our community as a whole.
Mara Behan
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
I help couples and individuals find growth, healing, and stronger connections. Using evidence-based and individualized approaches, I support those struggling with women's health concerns (e.g., pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, menopause), relationship concerns (e.g., resentment, infidelity), and life transitions (e.g., separation/divorce, parenting). I offer a free 15-minute consultation!
Siobhan McCarthy, MSW, RSW
Registered Individual and Family Therapist , Clinical Consultant
If you feel that you are not living your best life, your relationships are not what you hoped they would be, or the conflict in your life is not going away, perhaps it is time to talk to someone about it. Starting counselling is a brave first step and I will be there to support you through this process. Additionally, I provide supervision to Social Workers in Private Practice.
Horace Spence
RSSW, Psychotherapist
Coach Spence Wellness & Therapy Services provides trusted, culturally grounded therapy and holistic coaching for individuals, couples, and families. We support healing from stress, anxiety, and conflict while strengthening communication, resilience, and self-care. Through counseling, workshops, and wellness tools, we help clients build balance across mind, body, and spirit.
Khysandra Lee
Registered Psychotherapist
Tanja Ivic
Registered Social Worker
*Accepting new virtual clients across Ontario, supporting teens and adults navigating anxiety, trauma, addiction patterns, identity and life transitions.
Stacy Recalla
Nurse Practitioner
Now offering trauma-informed and neuro-affirming ADHD Assessments, medication management, and general psychiatric appointments and support.
Nikki Ward
Registered Psychotherapist
Therapist & Clinic Owner at Electric City Wellness Accepting new clients both In-Person in Peterborough & Virtually throughout Ontario! Offering FREE 20-minute consultations!
Stephanie Campoli
MSW, RSW
Stephanie Campoli Psychotherapy is a trauma-focused practice in Oshawa, Ontario, offering in-person therapy and virtual psychotherapy across Ontario and Nova Scotia. The practice specializes in comprehensive Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), trauma therapy, and addictions treatment, with particular expertise in supporting people living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and trauma.
Jessica DeMille
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MACP, B.Sc (Hons)
I work with individuals, couples, families, and children (10+), providing a safe, supportive space for exploration and growth. Using an integrative, client-centered approach, I help clients navigate anxiety, depression, relationships, and life transitions, fostering resilience, self-awareness, and meaningful change. Together, we explore tools and strategies to support emotional well-being.
Amanda Rout
Registered Psychotherapist
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…
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Frequently Asked Questions About Motivational Interviewing
What is motivational interviewing?
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, goal-oriented communication style developed by William Miller and Stephen Rollnick to strengthen a person's own motivation and commitment to change. MI is based on the premise that ambivalence about change is normal — people simultaneously want to change and want to stay the same — and that the therapist's role is to help the person explore and resolve this ambivalence in the direction of their own values and goals, rather than imposing change or providing advice. It is person-centred, evidence-based, and widely used in addiction treatment, health behaviour change, and mental health.
What are the core skills of motivational interviewing?
The core MI skills (OARS) are Open-ended questions (inviting exploration), Affirmations (recognizing strengths and efforts), Reflections (reflecting back what the person has said to deepen understanding), and Summaries (pulling together what has been discussed). The spirit of MI is as important as the skills: a collaborative, evocative, honouring approach that respects the person's autonomy. MI involves selectively attending to and amplifying "change talk" (the person's own arguments for change) while avoiding the righting reflex (the urge to argue for change or give advice).
What does motivational interviewing treat or help with?
MI has strong evidence for substance use disorders (alcohol, opioids, cannabis), smoking cessation, medication adherence, diet and exercise change, weight management, and engaging people who are ambivalent about treatment. It is used as a standalone treatment and as a pre-treatment "engagement" phase before other evidence-based therapies (CBT, community reinforcement approach). MI is also widely used in healthcare settings for health behaviour change.
What is the difference between motivational interviewing and advice-giving?
MI deliberately avoids advice-giving, confrontation, and persuasion — approaches that tend to increase resistance in ambivalent people. When a practitioner argues for change or lists the reasons someone should stop drinking (for example), the person often responds by articulating the reasons they shouldn't — and convincing themselves to stay the same. MI flips this: it evokes the person's own reasons for change and their own arguments, which are far more persuasive to them than arguments from an external authority.
How many sessions of motivational interviewing are needed?
MI has demonstrated efficacy in as few as 1–4 sessions. In many studies, brief MI interventions (even a single 45-minute session) produce significant effects on substance use and behaviour change. MI is often used as an engagement or pre-treatment phase before longer therapy rather than as a prolonged standalone treatment. The brevity makes it particularly valuable in primary care, emergency departments, and settings where extended contact is limited.