Motivational Interviewing Therapists in Vaughan, ON
Tanja Ivic
Registered Social Worker
*Accepting new virtual clients across Ontario, supporting teens and adults navigating anxiety, trauma, addiction patterns, identity and life transitions.
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.
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.
Mandeep Lalli
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Are you feeling anxious, overwhelmed or stuck? Something feels wrong? I help people navigate anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and relationship struggles, with culturally sensitive care that honours your full background, including pressures others may miss. As a South Asian therapist who spent 15 years in the corporate world, I bring lived experience and real-world context to therapy.
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.
Bethany Richer
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
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.
Katelyn Matias
Registered Psychotherapist
Hi, I’m Katelyn Matias, a Registered Psychotherapist and the Founder of Anchor & Bloom Psychotherapy. My approach to therapy is trauma-informed, relational, and grounded in attachment theory. I believe that our experiences, relationships, and nervous system responses shape how we understand ourselves, navigate emotions, and connect with others.
Feel Your Way Therapy
Registered Psychotherapist
Feel Your Way Therapy is a Toronto-based psychotherapy clinic offering individual, couples, child, and family therapy. Our diverse team of therapists provides support for anxiety, trauma, ADHD, depression, stress, and relationship issues, using evidence-based approaches in a compassionate and client-centered way.
Khysandra Lee
Registered Psychotherapist
Mala Dorai
Therapist Intern
I offer a collaborative, trauma-informed therapy space for adults, couples, and families navigating anxiety, burnout, trauma, neurodivergence (including ADHD/autism), grief, and life transitions. Grounded in neuroscience and cultural humility, my work integrates mind, body, and environment, with gentle structure, practical tools, and care for meaningful growth.
Caitlin Kemmett
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
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.
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.
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.
Stacy Recalla
Nurse Practitioner
Now offering trauma-informed and neuro-affirming ADHD Assessments, medication management, and general psychiatric appointments and support.
Connie Coda
Registered Nurse Psychotherapist, Certified Nurse Psychotherapist
Connie is a Registered Nurse Psychotherapist and Certified Nurse Psychotherapist offering virtual therapy to individuals aged 16 and up across Ontario. She supports clients coping with chronic illness, anxiety, grief (including pet loss), stress, and life transitions, using a compassionate and collaborative approach.
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!
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.
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.
Arianne Nicole Palmares
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Hi, I’m Arianne. I’m glad you’re here. I believe everyone deserves therapy access, regardless of background or identity. As a first-generation immigrant, I combine lived experience with clinical training to create a safe and brave space where you can be seen, heard, and take meaningful steps toward the life you want.
Melanie Lee
Registered Psychotherapist
Trauma-focused psychotherapist and EMDR specialist helping adults, young adults, and couples across Ontario. I integrate EMDR, somatic and parts work, polyvagal theory, DBT, and CBT to help clients harmonize their nervous system, heal from past experiences, and transform into their most authentic selves. Virtual sessions available.
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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.