About Us
Welcome to Our Space
Isheaga Counseling Services currently offers in-person and virtual sessions. We are located in the South Etobicoke area.
A place for you to be with all parts of you, where support, comfort, and freedom to be as you are can occur.
My approach and philosophy of change
About Me
Welcome to my page. I am Donicka and I am a Registered Psychotherapist with a background in Child and Youth Care Practice. Aside from my 18+ years of experience in Mental Health, Education, and Child Welfare, I have deeply valued the opportunities to support individuals, parents, and families in their journey for wellness.
My Passion
Inspiring others to experience a fulfilled life
My Style
Relational, engaging, quirky and curious.
I will not judge you, nor will I tell you what to do, though I will ask that you be an active participant in this process. I will engage you in a process of embodied self-awareness that will support you in getting unstuck and out of your head!
Connection underpins the felt sense of safety that is integral to effective therapy.
My approach and philosophy of change
My approach
Holistic and integrated
My therapeutic approach is grounded in authenticity, compassion, and curiosity and embodies a deep reverence for an individual’s life experiences. My holistic and integrated approach is reflective of my commitment to providing you with a space in which understanding and healing can occur and consists of a combination of talk therapy, embodiment practices, and in between session exercises that fit for you to incoroprioate into your week between sessions. We will explore the internal and external factors that may be keeping you feeling stuck in life and the ways these experiences have affected you iin order to identify key points for intervention. Our time together will support you in experiencing new ways of knowing and being in the world
I draw from elements of Embodment practices, Somatic experiencing, IFS, DBT, ACT, Psychodynamic and Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, Trauma Informed and Attachement Practices and Spiritual Integrated Therapy and Life Coaching.
"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." - Aristotle
My Philosophy of change
Change involves learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable and begins with the innate wisdom of the body.
I believe that at the core of each individual lies the inner wisdom to navigate life's experiences and the capacity to achieve their fullest potential. Learning to shift from doing what we know to being intentional with ourselves is a dynamic process that involves a felt sense of self (embodied awareness), reflective inquiry, compassion, and curiosity, and a commitment to daily practices to support your being in the experience.
"There is more wisdom in your body than in your deepest philosophy."
- Friederich Nietzsche
My Professional Development Journey
Completed Education and Professional Development Training
- Masters of Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy
- Embodied Philosophy (Awakened Body Certificate)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy certificate
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Certificate
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Certificate
- Compassionate Inquiry Certificate
- Harnessing the Power of Meaning
- Mind Body Spirit Connections in Psychotherapy
- Trauma Assessment and Treatment Certificate
- Externship in EFT Couples Therapy
- Fundamentals of Teaching and Learning
- Compassion Fatigue
- Working with Children and Families Certificate
- Community Parent Education Program
- Bachelor of Arts: Child and Youth Care
- WLU Supervision Course
In Progress
Somatic Experiencing
IFS Online Circle
David Key's NLP coaching
"Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still."
—Chinese Proverb
About Mya
Mya, has claimed her role as my silent co therapist since I began my home practice in Etobicoke. She is innately curious, and intuitive and loves people.
Mya welcomes individuals who enter our space and will offer her affection when she senses others are open to this. She has the uncanny ability to sense when people may need some additional comfort or in need of grounding in the room and may plop herself beside you or on your lap. She may also keep her distance recognizing your boundaries and need for space.
Animals can have a positive effect on us as touch can have a calming effect on many people. The mere act of petting an animal has been shown to reduce biological stress responses in people ( Dr. Jessica Baron, 2022).
Mya is also able to keep her ego in check and takes no offense to being shooed away if cats don't fit for you.