Counselling and Relationship Therapists in Vancouver & Montreal

“ I have done therapy on and off over the years, but what Resilience Psychotherapy offers is refreshingly different and so highly effective. Having a therapist and also being able to participate in the groups helps you be able to gain valuable insight about yourself, and then use that insight to develop the tools that are most necessary for your personal growth. I am so grateful to the team and Resilience Psychotherapy!”

NM, 32

I was lucky enough to be able to take the Mindful Self-Compassion course through Resilience Psychotherapy this past autumn. I can honestly say that this course changed my life. Dr. Nijjar and her skilled team hold a uniquely balanced, safe and open space for people to dig in and be introspective with their challenges — while also providing a range of accessible, easy to use tools that really work on cultivating deep self-compassion. I use the techniques on the daily and my life is better for it. Highly recommended to anyone, at any point on their healing journey.

• MG, 40

My partner and I have been seeing our therapist at Resilience Psychotherapy for more than a year now. She has improved our relationship significantly, helped us to better understand each other’s needs, communicate more effectively, and grow as individuals. Shockingly so, I would say.

When starting out, I had assumed a therapist’s goal was to bring two people closer together. I thought Stefanie might act as an arbitrator during conflict and say who is being unreasonable and who has the higher ground. That’s not how it works.

Her real talent has been in helping us understand each other’s context and communication style by asking the right questions. She never tried to change our messages to each other; she helped to ensure our messages were transmitted effectively and received in the way intended, whatever we felt or wished to say.

Stefanie (our therapist) helped us to see each other and the relationship more objectively. I never got the sense that she was trying to direct our relationship to a particular outcome; instead, she created a safe space to express ourselves and helped us interact constructively to feel understood … and that ultimately led to a better relationship. G.W., 34

“Taking the MSC course with Rami was a grounding and nourishing experience. As someone who is quite focused on self-development, I realized my practice was missing the ease and warmth of these self-compassionate practices. Rami is an well-equipped and soothing guide through the course. Because of her approach and willingness to answer questions, I felt safe and curious throughout the work, rather than insecure or judged. I highly recommend this course to everyone, as I still incorporate the MSC practices quite naturally and effortlessly.” - S.T., 26

“Each participant brings their own culture, thoughts and experiences with them and so what I get from this isn’t the same as the next person. That said, we each find common agreement and understanding of self compassion. Discovering that compassion and empathy are neither blessings nor curses: they are just part of what makes us people. Learning to embrace self compassion, keep it safe and share it makes it possible to identify what’s important, and what we can change so as not to get overcome by what isn’t important or things we can’t change.” -Simon L.

“As I stick with MSC, I'm peeling back more and more layers of shame that used to be so connected to me that I thought they were a part of me. It's been a mixture of liberating, terrifying, frustrating sometimes, with moments of peace mixed in.” -K

“If I could describe this course in 3 words I would say: relieving, effective, revolutionary. It seems everywhere I go I am bombarded with messages that I should be more or different that I am, and that I should have perfect self-worth despite all these messages. We are constantly told to love ourselves, while being fed messages that say we are unworthy. The MSC course unravelled this mess for me, and taught me how to truly care for myself amidst an imperfect world.

Until this group, mindfulness never really worked for me. I would still feel stuck in my head and overwhelmed with what came up when I sat still and turned inward. But I now see how Self-Compassion was the missing piece. I can tell you that self-compassion training actually works: it helps you turn within and feel safe doing so. It also feels less like 'work' and more like a long deep sigh.

This group revolutionized my approach to myself, my struggles and my growth: rather than picking myself apart, I can discover what I actually need. I would recommend this group to anyone who is hard on themselves, or struggles with anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship issues -- in short, anyone who is a human being living in today's world!” -S

"The once a week meeting for two hours brought me stability for the rest of the week. Listening to others with similar or even different experiences helped me realize many other ways I was lacking mindful self-compassion. Even though we didn't have one on one conversations with each other in the group, I felt like we all bonded and became like a family." -D.Y.