Mariana Matos
(she/her), PhD, MA, BA, Internationally trained Psychologist
Clinical Counsellor (Unregulated), Mental Health Counsellor, Career Counsellor
Life is not a straight path – it’s more of an ever-changing adventure. Sometimes, life changes because we planned for it and worked hard to make it happen. Other times, unexpected events come along and turn everything upside down. These shifts often come during major life transitions: a career change or retirement, a geographic or cultural transition, transitions into or through parenthood, changes in relationships such as separation or divorce, aging, or navigating a significant loss. But they can also emerge more quietly, through moments of questioning, emotional overwhelm, or feeling stuck.
Whether chosen or not, every life change carries some form of loss — and with loss can come loneliness, anxiety, sadness, depressive symptoms, or a sense of disorientation. Sometimes, we need support to navigate these periods — not just to endure them, but to find clarity and meaning on the other side.
If you’ve been struggling to find your career path, whether you're a young person trying to make your first professional choice, or a seasoned professional navigating a new chapter; if you’ve relocated to a new country, city, or province and are starting from scratch — personally, culturally, and professionally — while missing the familiar people and places you left behind; if you’re wrestling with the complex emotions and questions that come with parenthood in all its forms, or facing the pain of loss — from death, separation, or other deeply felt changes; or navigating the challenges of aging; or even if you’re not quite sure what’s wrong, but know something doesn’t feel right: I want you to know that your feelings are valid, that you are not alone, and that I’m here to support you.
Counselling can help you give space to those feelings, understand them better, and begin to explore new ways forward. It’s not about having all the answers, but about creating a space where you can feel seen, heard, and supported. My approach is person-centered, and relational: I’m not here to point out the path, but to walk beside you as we find your path together. It’s a shared process, built on trust, presence, and connection. I offer a non-judgmental and inclusive space, where your story is seen in context — cultural, social, gendered, racial, and familial. I also welcome children who may be navigating big emotions or difficult transitions of their own. Grounded in a psychodynamic perspective, I also believe that understanding how past experiences shape the present can help you move forward with more clarity and self-compassion.
Mariana is an internationally trained Psychologist, holding a PhD and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from PUC-Rio (Brazil), with her Master’s focused on couple and family therapy, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the same university. She has extensive experience as a clinical psychologist, having worked for over a decade in the mental health field. Her background includes work in psychiatric institutions and outpatient settings. She has provided therapy for adults, adolescents, children, couples, families, and individuals living with severe mental health conditions, with a focus on life transitions, cultural adaptation, and identity-related challenges. Mariana also brings experience in academic and career counselling and has worked with diverse populations, including university students, healthcare professionals, adoptive families, and vulnerable youth.