ABOUT

Who we are.

Raluca A Morariu profile picture

Hi, I am Raluca!

I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and I work with individuals who struggle to connect with themselves and others, experience strong emotions that at times feel out of control and who would like to discover the self that they have been hiding under layers of protective masks.

Relationships and connections with others are an essential part of life. But what happens if our closest relationships cause us the most distress? What happens if we do not feel safe, emotionally nourished, and loved without condition in our relationships? What happens if in order to survive we cut the connection between our mind and body? The answer is feeling a complexity of emotions, some of which we may not be able to put into words. At times we feel numb, while at other times like our emotions are out of control. We may also experience anxiety and fear even when there is no true threat, and/or have such low mood that we think we will never feel joy again.

I look to connect with individuals where they are in that moment. I tend to be direct and realistic, helping build on one’s existing strengths to add more productive coping skills to regulate their mind and body, increase their emotional capacity and become more effective communicators.

I use mindfulness and behavioural techniques, look for ways to reconnect the person with their body, and teach distress tolerance and emotional regulation skills, as well as better ways to relate to others.

MA, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Therapeutic Approaches

  • Therapeutic approach that helps individuals understand and deal with their emotions by teaching:

    • acceptance;

    • mindfulness and how to stay present;

    • distress tolerance and emotion regulation;

    • interpersonal skills.

  • Therapeutic approach that helps individuals recognize:

    • thought patterns;

    • how their beliefs and attitudes influence their emotions and actions.

  • The person centered therapeutic philosophy preaches acceptance for the client’s feelings, no matter what, and offers unconditional positive regard.

    Attachment based therapeutic approaches work to strengthen and make secure the individual’s attachment style, by tackling that which the client either suppressed or overemphasized in early childhood relationships.

  • Influenced by the somatic experiencing modality, the client is encouraged to reconnect their body and mind through customized exercises.

    By focusing on the body first, one learns to modify the pathways that created problematic cycles as a response to stress.

  • This underlying philosophy views individuals as resourceful and resilient when faced with hardship.

    Clients are encouraged to rediscover and use their strengths to pull themselves out of adversity, as they have done in the past.

  • This approach is grounded in the understanding that trauma can impact an individual’s neurological, biological, psychological, and social development and functioning.

    At its core, an individual’s response to trauma is driven by survival, even if that response later becomes problematic. This approach seeks to empower individuals by acknowledging the impact of trauma.

Credentials and Training

  • Completed a Bachelor’s of Science degree in psychology from the University of Toronto

  • Completed a Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University

  • Registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) as a psychotherapist (qualifying)

Benefits of working with me:

  • Personal experience with mental health struggles, toxic relationships and being the client in the room.

  • Have worked for over 8 years in the mental health field.

  • Able to hold space for big emotions and approach them free of judgement.

  • Compassionate, caring and dedicated to helping in times of difficulty.

You have the strength.

Take that courageous step today towards a happier and more fulfilling life. You deserve the support and guidance to navigate life's challenges. Reach out to us for a FREE consultation, and together, let's embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing.

We are here for you every step of the way.