Akhila Appadurai
(she/her) RP (Qualifying), MEd
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Every aspect of you, even the parts that have been wounded, is embraced here. I believe the human spirit is resilient, no matter the trauma, hardships, or challenges faced. In our work together, I hope to create a connection with you that puts us on equal footing - prioritizing mutual trust, compassion, safety, and collaboration. You know yourself best, and I am committed to learning and understanding who you are in order to facilitate your journey of self-discovery. My role is to listen to your stories, share reflections, and explore the underlying meanings and emotions of what comes up.
My approach is relational and intersectional, rooted in culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive frameworks that center my clients’ unique experiences. I integrate aspects of Narrative Therapy and Internal Family Systems in our work together, while encouraging body-centered processing and reconnection. I work with adults dealing with a variety of difficulties such as anxiety, depression, stress, relationship concerns, family dynamics, life transitions, self-worth/self-love, acculturation and identity, among others.
It is an honor to witness the sense of freedom and new-found agency that occurs when a person is given the space to better understand themselves. I believe that within every person lies the answers - healing is realigning oneself back to ways of knowing and relating that already exist within us. My intention is to foster a holistic therapy experience that attends to the mind, body and spirit. Healing through therapy has been world-expanding for myself and my loved ones, and I hope to facilitate that process in a meaningful way for others.
Akhila holds a Master of Education in Psychotherapy and Counselling from University of Toronto, where she also holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. She is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, which regulates the controlled act of psychotherapy in the province. Akhila has extensive volunteer experience in suicide prevention support, as well in the non-profit sector in community-based initiatives rooted in equity and justice. Akhila’s personal and professional experiences informs the systemic lens she brings to therapy, recognizing and advocating for how lived experience, identity and social context are embedded in a holistic approach to mental health care.