Leyla Didari, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker
She/Her

 

Currently Accepting New Clients

Life can feel overwhelming at times, especially when you are coping with anxiety, grief, stress, or major changes. You may feel stuck, emotionally exhausted, or disconnected from yourself and the things that matter most to you. Reaching out for support can be an important first step toward healing and change. My goal is to provide a safe, compassionate, and supportive space where you feel heard, respected, and understood.

 

Areas of Focus

I support adults (18+) who are experiencing challenges related to:

  • Anxiety, panic, and depression
  • Grief, loss, and caregiver burnout
  • Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about next steps
  • Living with mental health concerns or supporting a loved one who is struggling
  • Life transitions such as immigration, illness, retirement, stress leave, relationship changes, and later-life adjustments

Counselling Philosophy

I believe therapy is a collaborative process built on trust, respect, and compassion. Rather than focusing on “fixing” people, I aim to help clients reconnect with their strengths, values, and inner resilience. Together, we work to better understand the thoughts, emotions, and experiences that may be creating barriers to growth and well-being.

 

I strive to create a therapeutic environment that is:

  • Trauma-informed and client-centered
  • Compassionate, respectful, and non-judgmental
  • Grounded in equity, inclusion, and social justice
  • Aware of the personal, cultural, and systemic factors that shape our experiences

Therapeutic Approach

My counselling style combines practical coping strategies with evidence-based therapeutic approaches. I draw from modalities including:

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Mindfulness-Based Practices
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Together, we explore how emotions, thoughts, physical sensations, and life experiences interact and influence emotional well-being
 
Professional Experience
I am a Registered Social Worker with more than 30 years of experience in mental health counselling in my home country, Iran and in Canada. My professional background includes work in community settings, hospitals, and private practice. My approach is informed not only by clinical experience, but also by my personal lived experiences.
 
As the first generation immigrant, I understand the emotional complexity of building a life in a new country while witnessing ongoing hardship, uncertainty, and distress affecting loved ones and communities back home. Navigating these realities has deepened my understanding of grief, displacement, resilience, identity, and the emotional experience often described as survivor guilt, the tension of creating stability and moving forward while carrying concern and sorrow for those still facing difficult circumstances.
 
My lived experiences, including immigration, family hardship, empty-nesting, and supporting loved ones through mental health and various challenges, continue to shape my work with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and compassion.
 
About Me
Outside of my professional work, I enjoy singing, painting, reading, listening to podcasts, spending time in nature with my beloved dog, and sharing tea and conversation with friends.
 
Availability & Fees
  • In-Person Sessions: Weekends (daytime) at The Healing Collective
  • Virtual Sessions: Evenings from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Grounded in equity, inclusion, and social justice
  • Sliding Scale: Available based on need and availability
Let’s Connect
Choosing the right therapist is an important step. I offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation so we can explore whether we may be a good fit to work together.
 
Contact: leyladidari@yahoo.ca
I look forward to connecting with you.

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Quick Profile

Name: Leyla Didari

Email:  leyladidari@yahoo.ca

Specialty: Mental Health, Anxiety & Depression, Grief & Loss, Later-Life Transitions, Adults

Degree:Masters of Social Work