Ms. Theodora (Thea) Varvis

Life can be a topsy-turvy ride. Sometimes, it takes all our strength just to hold on. Other times, we feel suddenly lost and unsure how to get back on track. When you find yourself struggling, it can be valuable to have the outside perspective, knowledge, non-judgmental support, and accountability of therapy. In my experience, even the biggest burdens and struggles can be lightened when we feel truly seen, heard, understood, and valued by a skilled listener.

My fundamental approach as a therapist is to join you with respect, compassion, humility, curiosity, and genuine openness. I aim to practice from a wholistic viewpoint that considers the history and context of your life, as well as the emotions, thoughts, behaviours, and body sensations you may be struggling with. My intent is to help you develop more balance and peace in your inner world, as well as more confidence and courage in your external challenges and relationships. 

I won’t ask you to fit a specific type or model of therapy. Instead, we will work together in a creative process to discover what best meets your goals, experiences, and needs. To co-create an ethical, intentional, and custom therapeutic approach, I draw on my study of several therapies including internal family systems, emotion-focused therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), interpersonal therapy, somatic therapies, and trauma-informed care. I am also trained in Level 1 and Level 2 Gottman Methods Couples Therapy.

I am deeply passionate about reproductive and perinatal mental health. I consider it a great honour to work with women struggling with reproductive challenges, infertility grief, medical trauma, pregnancy loss, birth trauma, and pregnancy or post-partum depression and anxiety. I have specialized training in perinatal mental health, including a certificate in advanced perinatal mental health psychotherapy, and continue to seek ongoing education.

Also, I have experience working with adults from diverse backgrounds on various concerns including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem/self-worth, body image, relationship problems, parenting issues, life transitions, perfectionism, shame, grief and loss, family dysfunction/trauma, and acculturation stress. Further, my experiences as a child of immigrant parents, as well as living in a foreign country as an adult, influence my work and interest in cultural impacts on mental health.