Mizan Graham

Hi, I'm Mizan. I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) completing my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University.

Sometimes you know something needs to change, but you're not quite sure where to start. Maybe you're constantly second guessing yourself, putting pressure on yourself to get everything right, feeling anxious about the future, or finding that the same thoughts keep running through your mind. You may be navigating school, work, relationships, family expectations, or simply trying to figure out who you are and what you want your life to look like.

I work with teens (12+), young adults, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, perfectionism, negative thinking patterns, self-confidence concerns, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. I have a particular interest in working with young adults who are navigating the pressures that can come with school, careers, relationships, independence, and finding their place in the world.

Although I am beginning my career as a psychotherapist, I am not new to supporting people through challenging and uncertain periods of their lives. Before entering the counselling field, I built a career spanning education, post-secondary student support, and financial services. For many years, my work has involved sitting with people while they navigate stressful decisions, personal challenges, changing circumstances, and uncertainty about what comes next. These experiences have taught me the importance of listening carefully, understanding the whole person rather than just the problem in front of them, and recognizing that sometimes people need practical support while other times they simply need somewhere they can be completely honest.

My own life experiences have shaped the way I approach therapy as well. I have experienced therapy both personally and as a parent supporting my children through their own therapeutic journeys. I know that sitting on the other side of the room can feel vulnerable, and that finding someone you genuinely connect with matters. I bring that perspective, along with warmth, curiosity, and a down-to-earth approach, into my work with clients.

I am particularly interested in the ways anxiety, perfectionism, and self-doubt can quietly shape everyday life. Maybe you replay conversations after they happen, assume you've done something wrong, compare yourself to other people, or feel as though whatever you accomplish is never quite enough. Sometimes these patterns have been around for so long that they simply feel like part of who you are. Therapy can give us an opportunity to slow things down, become curious about where these patterns came from, and begin finding different ways of relating to yourself.

I also enjoy working with couples who feel stuck in patterns they don't quite know how to change. You may care deeply about one another but find yourselves having the same argument over and over, struggling to communicate what you actually need, or reacting to each other in ways that leave both of you feeling misunderstood. Together, we can look beyond the argument itself to understand the experiences, values, expectations, and earlier relationship patterns each of you may be bringing into the relationship. The goal isn't to decide who is right. It's to help you understand one another differently and develop healthier ways of communicating and responding to each other.

My approach to therapy is humanistic, collaborative, and integrative. I don't believe one type of therapy works for everyone. Depending on what you need, I may draw from Person-Centred Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion-Focused Therapy, and strengths-based approaches. Rather than fitting you into a particular model, we'll work together to understand what's happening, identify what matters to you, and find an approach that feels useful and authentic.

Above all, I believe you are the expert on your own life. My role isn't to tell you how you should live it. I'm here to offer another perspective, ask thoughtful questions, help you recognize strengths you may have lost sight of, and support you as you work toward greater confidence, understanding, and meaningful change.

You don't need to have everything figured out before coming to therapy. We can start with what's happening right now and work from there.