Fahad Riaz
Hi, I'm Fahad!
Pronouns: (He/Him)
Services Offered: Individual Therapy
(Ages 18+), In Person + Virtual Appointments
Insurance Designation: Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
With a background in clinical and community psychology, my approach to therapy is grounded in warmth, authenticity, and respect for your lived experience. I believe healing begins with being heard, seen, and supported without judgment.
My work is shaped by both my academic training and years of listening to people from diverse walks of life from young adults navigating anxiety or burnout, to individuals rebuilding their sense of purpose after loss or trauma. I see therapy as a collaborative process: we’ll explore your story together, uncover patterns that may be holding you back, and build tools for greater emotional balance and self-acceptance.
In sessions, I aim to create a calm and collaborative space where you can explore what’s weighing on you, make sense of difficult emotions, and reconnect with what gives your life meaning. My therapeutic style is integrative i.e., I draw from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based methods, and relational, culturally responsive approaches. Rather than following a single model, I tailor my work to meet your individual goals, values, and lived experiences.
I have a PhD in Psychology from Monash University (Australia) and advanced training in clinical and community-based approaches to mental health. In addition to psychotherapy, I taught and conducted research on mental health and resilience, belonging, and well-being in different cultural contexts including Canada, hence I have those learnings/experiences that continue to inform my inclusive and trauma-informed practice today. My background as a researcher and educator in mental health, resilience, and belonging continues to shape my therapeutic work.
Outside of therapy, I’m drawn to nature, photography, music and reflective writing — the same mindful curiosity I bring to those moments, I bring to my work with clients: a genuine interest in understanding what makes each person’s story meaningful.
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Postdoctoral Fellowship Sunnybrook Health Sciences Toronto
Postdoctoral Fellow – Lakehead University, Thunder Bay
PhD in Psychology – Monash University, Australia
MS in Clinical Psychology - Centre for Clinical Psychology, University of the Punjab
MSc Psychology – Preston University, Pakistan
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Anxiety
Burnout
Trauma
Depression
Cultural Adjustment
Life Transitions
Self-Esteem
Relationship Issues
Grief and Loss
Identity Development
Phobias
Immigration related stress
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Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Narrative Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Humanistic and Strengths-Based Approaches
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy
