Counselling

The situations that life presents us with can sometimes be daunting.  Life transitions such as a loss of a job, the breakdown of a relationship, or moving to a new country can present a whole list of challenges ....or opportunities. It all depends on how we think about the situations we find ourselves in. 

We can empathize with situations; the unfortunate series of events that might have led you to seek counselling. Situations are tangible events and they are attention grabbing BUT it is our thoughts about those situations that contribute to our present reality.  The same situation can be experienced by two different people who have completely different perspectives on the matter. 

It is not always situations that determine the outcome; rather our feelings and thoughts contribute significantly to it. Through our counselling sessions, we emphasize on the relationship between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. We work collectively to identify thoughts that contribute to the challenges we experience and work on creating distance between negative thoughts and our relations to the while also replacing them with positive thoughts that lead to healthy feelings and behaviour!  

I am here to offer my support by taking on a holistic approach where counselling sessions are designed to assist individuals navigate the daily stresses of life while incorporating tools to build resiliency skills and coping strategies. I have experience working with youth and adults from various ethnic backgrounds who might be struggling with:

• Anger Management
• Symptoms of Anxiety
• Symptoms of Depression
• Life Transitions
• Intercultural Conflicts
• Inter-generational Conflicts

I am fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu and Bengali.  

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)

While every counselling session is unique, my approach to counselling emphasizes on collaboratively:

• Establishing Trust
• Understanding the Issue
• Developing an Action Plan
• Developing Coping Strategies
• Acceptance and Empowerment

The Counselling Framework focuses on observing and exploring how thoughts, feelings and behaviour interact with each other and with external stressors. Along the way, counselling sessions will focus on the importance of accepting our thoughts and feelings, committing to living our life in accordance to our values, and taking action to achieve our desired results. 

If this approach is something you can  see working for yourself, feel free to reach out and schedule a phone consultation by contacting nabeel.rahman@positivethought.ca 

I want to be as accessible as possible and offer flexible pricing options for everyone. 

 Low cost: $50/per session

• For clients living in low income household
  • Receiving Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
  • A recent Refugee to Canada (within one year of arrival)

Sliding Scale: $75 -$100/ per session

• For clients who cannot afford the regular fee due to experiencing  financial barrier

Regular Fee: $120/ per session

Counselling is covered through most extended health benefit plan. Please consult with your insurance provider.  If the cost of the counselling session is a barrier, please contact nabeel.rahman@positivethought.ca to discuss pricing options.  

Registered with OCSWSSW: 831092

I am a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) with a Master's in Immigration and Settlement focusing on development of community resources for undeserved and racialized communities. 

Over 13 years of experience as a Counsellor, Anger Management Facilitator, Youth Worker, and Community Development Specialist equips me with a non-judgmental and empathy driven focus to develop effective therapy goals. Working with racialized communities in Toronto, Mississauga, Scarborough, and Oakville endows me with a unique skill set to design culturally sensitive sessions for individuals.

Like many, I  have experienced overwhelming emotions of grief, loss, heartbreak, and anxiety. But I have also experienced joy, happiness, contentment, and peace. 

My lived experience as a racialized person living with modest means for most of my life has made me understand the systemic marginalization people of colour experience and its impact on our day to day lives. Factors well beyond our control often contribute to our ability to find material success. Such experiences can create challenges that make life feel overwhelming and create situations where we experience more barriers than pathways.

If anything, what I have learned is not to shy away from the realities of life and recognize that material success does not always bring about happiness. Contentment can come about through focusing on our thoughts, feelings and behaviours and advocating for change through aligning our actions and behaviours with our values. 

To get a better idea of my personal  journey, check out my Tedx Talk on a sense of belonging for people of colour.