Compassionate Online Therapy | Ontario & British Columbia

Compassionate Online Therapy Across Ontario & British Columbia

Feel like
yourself again

Learn to trust your own voice, set boundaries without guilt, and build more balanced relationships.

People-pleasing • Anxiety • Low self-esteem

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Culturally Responsive Relational & Attachment-Focused LGBTQIA+ Affirming Trauma-Informed Therapy for Adults
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Do you feel like you’re giving everything you’ve got and have nothing left for yourself?

If you’re reading this, you’re probably the kind of person who has a lot on their plate. People who depend on you at work, family members who rely on you, or friends who turn to you for emotional support.

Despite how much you do, I’m guessing you’re still hard on yourself.

Maybe you don’t feel “good enough.”

Maybe it's hard to ask for help

Maybe it’s too scary to say “no”.

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many of the people I work with felt this way before we started working together.

These patterns don’t come out of nowhere. They are shaped by our histories, our our families, and the environments we grew up in. Our cultures and communities. Even though these parts of our lives can give us so much, they can also hurt or limit us.

Somewhere along the line, you may have learned that being helpful and agreeable kept the peace.

If that sounds like you, I’m so glad you’re here.

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What I Help With:

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When insight isn’t enough

If you describe yourself as a people-pleaser, you probably already understand a lot about why you do it.

You may have read the books. Connected the dots. Thought about where it all began — your family dynamics, relational trauma, or early experiences that shaped how you show up with others.

But understanding doesn’t always lead to change.

You might still quiet yourself to avoid conflict, even when part of you wants to speak up.

Maybe you still feel responsible for how others feel, even though you know logically it isn’t your job.

You might still say yes when everything in your body is saying no.

And you may still struggle with the feeling that you’re not quite good enough, even when the evidence says otherwise.

These patterns often formed as ways to stay safe in relationships.

And you can’t simply think your way out of something that lives in your nervous system.

How I Support Lasting Change

Because of this, in therapy, we don’t just talk about your problems. Instead, we identify core patterns that feel like they are limiting you. Together, we slow down and make space for you to practice showing up differently, starting in our sessions.

This might mean:

  • Learning to recognize, make space for, and express your true feelings, and working through the shame, guilt, or anxiety that may show up.
  • Tuning into what you need, and learning to meet those needs with care.
  • Exploring the parts of you that feel responsible for pleasing others, and gently uncovering the fears or beliefs that fuel this behaviour.

Over time, this work helps you build a sense of safety, even in vulnerability. It fosters deeper trust in your right to have needs, express true feelings, and set boundaries.

You don’t need to spend forever trying to understand why you got here. What you need is a space to practice showing up as yourself, and to learn how to tolerate the discomfort that can come with change.

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Hi, I’m Aïda Retta (she/her).

Registered Psychotherapist & Registered Clinical Counsellor

5.0 rating 34 verified reviews on Lumino Health
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Frequently Asked Questions

How does therapy work? +
Therapy is a collaborative process. We’ll slow things down enough to understand what’s happening beneath the surface such as patterns in relationships, nervous system responses, and the strategies you’ve had to rely on to get through. From there, we focus on creating new experiences that feel more grounding, self-trusting, and aligned with the way you want to live and relate.
How often should I come to therapy? +
Much like any meaningful change process, therapy benefits from regularity. You can think of it like learning a new instrument or language. If you practice once and then stop for a few weeks, it’s harder to build skill, confidence, and momentum. The same is true in therapy. Meeting weekly helps us build continuity, understand your patterns more clearly, and create the consistency needed for meaningful change to take hold. It also allows us to deepen the work rather than repeatedly “restarting” each time we meet. Over time, we can transition to biweekly sessions or occasional check-ins as things stabilize and your needs evolve.
How many sessions does it take to see change? +
It depends on what you’re coming in with and what “change” means for you. Some people notice relief or clarity within the first few sessions. Deeper patterns like anxiety loops, people-pleasing, shutdown, or self-criticism usually shift more gradually as safety and trust build. We’ll check in regularly so therapy stays practical and focused.
What does the consultation process look like? +
A consult is a short, low-pressure call where we get a feel for whether we’re a good fit. You can share what’s been going on, what you’ve tried so far, and what you’re hoping will be different. I’ll ask a few thoughtful questions, explain how I work, and you’ll leave with a clear sense of next steps, whether that’s booking a first session with me or getting pointed toward another option that fits better.
What are your fees? +
My fee is $160 per 60-minute session. If you have extended benefits, you may be able to submit receipts for reimbursement (coverage varies by plan).
Are therapy sessions covered by insurance or extended benefits plans? +
Psychotherapy/counselling is often covered by extended benefits, but every plan is different. The simplest step is to contact your provider (or check your benefits portal) and ask what’s covered for psychotherapy or counselling, whether a Registered Psychotherapist or Registered Clinical Counsellor is eligible, and what your yearly limit is. If you’re unsure what to ask, I’m happy to help you figure out the right questions.

Ready to get started?
It’s a straightforward process:

  1. You can schedule a free, no-obligation consultation here.

  2. We get to know each other during the consultation. You share what’s been going on for you, and I’ll share more about me and my approach. We’ll take the time to make sure I’m the right fit before we move forward.

  3. Start the therapy process by completing an intake form and talking through your goals.

Book your free consultation