Find a Therapist in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario.

I help clients by encouraging everyone to look at their lives in a holistic way. Helping them to understand their past and how it has contributed to the development of the problem. Helping people to let go of negative aspects of their pasts that may have been debilitating. And empowering positive change in the present. A desire and readiness to create change.

My general psychotherapy approach is collaborative, client-centered, and grounded in emotional awareness and practical change. I support clients in exploring thoughts, feelings, and behaviours while also developing tools they can use in daily life. Therapy is not only about insight but also about applying that insight in meaningful ways. Clients often experience increased self-understanding, improved coping skills, and greater alignment between their internal experiences and external choices, leading to more intentional and grounded living.

As a gestalt psychotherapist, who pairs gestalt training with somatic experiencing I can help support you in healing from your trauma. No one in the Niagara Region utilizes the combination of these therapies and applies them to working with couples in crisis. I am sorry to say but popular approaches to healing trauma like CBT will provide only temporary relief at best. If you want to get to the root of your trauma and heal somatic experiencing (SE) is what you need and when supported with the power of relational gestalt therapy you will shift your shit! SE focuses on regulating your nervous system. Gestalt focuses on awareness, contact and authenticity, it will help being relational.

Psychotherapy has been with humankind since our origins. However, about a century ago, psychologists tried to systematize and formalize psychotherapeutic interventions and, depending on their worldview and perspectives on human nature, they created various approaches that currently exceed 400, which can be confusing and misleading. A successful psychotherapy, regardless of the lenses and title, should acknowledge that every person has a unique mind and, as a result, a unique mental world. The therapist’s job is to help the client explore this world in a supportive environment. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit.

My approach involves drawing on various modalities (e.g., dialogic, narrative, solution-focused, emotion-focused) that fit the unique needs of clients. I hope to create an environment for clients where they feel a sense of safety to express their reflections, thoughts, and concerns. I take on a non-judgmental, non-expert stance and firmly believe that clients have everything that they need already within them- my role is to simply remind you of who you are or to help you discover who you would like to be through supportive, therapeutic conversations. If you are interested in learning more about my approach and to see if we would be a good fit, please contact me for a free consultation.

Are you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of how to move forward? I’m Simona Ilieva, a Registered Psychotherapist, and I’m here to help. Whether you're facing anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, or life transitions, I offer individualized therapy to help you navigate these challenges. Together, we’ll explore your concerns, identify strengths, and develop strategies to create meaningful change. You deserve a life that feels fulfilling and balanced. Therapy is a powerful tool for self-discovery and healing. Let’s take the first step toward a more empowered, peaceful future together. Book a free consultation today.