CHOOSE HAPPY THERAPY
compassionate therapy services to help you find your happiness
STEPHANIE MAZA
Founder and Lead Psychotherapist
When you experience a good day, it can be easy to look past the challenges and believe you don’t need support because you think it will all pass. And, on the hard and trying days, you may find you are longing for support, connection and the strength to carry on. Those days, you may feel relationships crumbling at your fingertips, and feel so tired and low that you don’t know how you’ll get through. Your deepest and darkest secrets feel too heavy. You feel alone.
I too, have found myself in the ups, downs and uncertainty, wondering if tomorrow will be better. I come from a long list of life experiences that have led me and will always lead me back to therapy because I never want to feel that tomorrow can’t be better. I recognize that as a mom, I can very easily make a million excuses as to what else I can do with my time instead of therapy. Laundry? Great (well, maybe not). Lunch? Let’s go. Shopping? Sign me up. How about that mom guilt too?!
What I have learnt and am learning very quickly is how much it is true that I can’t pour from an empty cup; and, how valuable it is for my daughter to see her mama taking care of herself.
I have always worked with women, and since having my daughter, my passion and understanding of prenatal and postpartum challenges has only grown. So much so, that I have designed an exclusive Mom + Baby mental health group.
I work primarily with teens, young adults who are experiencing anxiety disorders, disordered eating, and body image challenges, as well as, women who are struggling with infertility, pregnancy or postpartum challenges,
If you’re ready to believe that your tomorrow’s can be better, let’s connect. You may not be ready to tell me all your deepest darkest secrets just yet, but let’s start small, grab a cup of coffee and get to know each other.
⁃ Stephanie
HAADIYA SALEEM
Junior Associate Therapist
Haadiya Saleem is a graduate of the University of Toronto. Having double-majored in psychology and human biology, Haadiya understands the critical link between mental and physical health. She completed her undergraduate journey with courses based around developmental and clinical psychology with a passion for working with youth patients.
Haadiya is compassionate towards all backgrounds and walks of life, having experienced a wide variety of cultures firsthand with her residences in seven countries. This allows her to create an empathetic relationship with her clients to initiate an insightful conversation and fully understand client concerns. Her experience with youth patients in the past has allowed her to relate better to their emotions and provide a warm environment to ensure their comfort. She is presently researching the role culturally adapted therapy can play in assisting with depression, anxiety, and addiction for those of South-Asian origin.
She works under supervision as a student therapist. Her goal is to work alongside her clients to ensure a safe and comfortable environment and equip them with the right mechanisms to manage, address, and overcome their challenges. The ultimate goal is to initiate the path toward healing.
Outside of work, Haadiya values the time she is able to spend with her family and friends as well as painting.
Haadiya is a member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP)
TAYLOR MORGAN
Junior Therapist
Recently, a friend of mine called me the Queen of Empowerment. When I heard that, my automatic reaction was to chuckle in disbelief. That reaction came from a younger version of me who was anxious, lonely, negative, and sad (she still likes to make an appearance every now and then).
It's difficult to imagine what life can be like beyond the hardships; difficult to see a light in the darkness. When I think back on those times, think about the people who tried to help me, there are a few words that stand out... "Just get over it." "It can't be that bad." "Things will get better." But, none of those words helped. I felt even more alone, like nobody could see me.
I can tell you, with certainty, that none of those words will ever leave my mouth. I can tell you that I am here to sit with you. I am here to cry with you. I am here to see you. I am here to listen to you. I am here to empower you to grow into yourself. But, I'm also here to laugh, smile, and celebrate with you. Because even though the darkness might feel insurmountable, there are always glimmers and I want to help you find them. It's a pretty scary place to be alone in your mind, but I'm here to help make that place a little less lonely.
I listen because I know what it's like to be unheard. I lead with compassion and empathy because I know what it's like to be met with indifference. I watch because I know what it's like to be unseen. I care because I know what it's like to be forgotten. And I empower because, frankly, I love your smile.
I work primarily with teens and adults who need support with anxiety, trauma, coping skills, communication, life changes, and challenges with day to day life experiences. As an ally, I'm also passionate about working alongside those within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. If you think we'd be a good fit, I would love to connect and hear your story.
AMY VORSTADT
Junior Therapist
Hi there, I’m Amy. Typically, this is the part where I tell you my qualifications for practicing psychotherapy. Although I do have some letters behind my name, and a few more coming in the future, that’s not what makes me qualified to do what I do. My life experiences are the reasons why I am here today.
My passion for psychotherapy began before I could understand what therapy even was. As a child who experienced a great deal of trauma and who constantly felt misunderstood, I progressed into my teenage years and my adulthood only to find myself struggling more. Anxiety, low self-esteem, perfectionism, displaced anger, insecurity…all of it.
One day, I made a choice. I decided I didn’t want to live in a constant state of fight or flight. I made the decision to begin therapy, which helped me change my life. I started by building a strong connection with my therapist, who provided me with a safe space to express myself, feel understood, and make changes that could be applied to all aspects of my life. It’s with grit and self-grace that I changed my life. Perseverance to change my mindset while realizing that self-compassion is equally important.
I typically work with individuals 12 years and older who struggle with childhood trauma, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, insecurity, mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive thoughts, and depression using various modalities of psychotherapy tailored to each of my clients’ individual needs.
Much like my life experiences have led me to where I am today, yours have led you here. If you think we’d be a good fit, I’d love the opportunity to support and empower you through your own journey.