About Inward Counselling Services, Online Counselling Across Ontario

Welcome TO INWARD COUNSELLING …

Where I believe the greatest connection we can build in life is with ourselves.  

Hi there, I’m Nahid.

I’m the owner and director of Inward Counselling and Psychotherapy Services and hold a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. I’m a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and a Canadian Certified Counsellor (C.C.C.) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).

I moved to Canada from Iran with my husband in 2002 and started our family in our new home. Before immigrating to Canada, I was an English teacher and a facilitator for an NGO teaching inmates, immigrants, and students about family planning and sexual health. After immigrating to Canada, I was a student at ACAD (Alberta College of Art & Design) and became a mother to three beautiful children (including a set of twins!).

I’ve always been passionate about understanding the human psyche and interpersonal relationships. About a decade ago, I decided to pursue my Masters degree and become a therapist so that I could follow this passion professionally.

Through my education and training, I came to understand that our relationship with ourself is the foundation for developing healthy relationships with others. Uncomfortable and painful emotions like anger and sadness, or challenging experiences like anxiety, self-criticism and loneliness can get in the way of relating to ourselves and others in a healthy way. Learning to understand, accept and appreciate every single part of us, both the good and the bad, including our inner darkness, is an essential step.

Through therapy, we learn that every emotion is a messenger designed to draw our attention to a past hurt and an unattended need. My job is to help you feel safe enough and strong enough to open up your heart and listen. Listening to these inner messages is the key to healing our pain and suffering and experiencing fulfillment in our relationships.

My professional experience along with being a mother of three girls and a wife of 20 years, has taught me that we can only accept and love people as much as we accept and love ourselves. This understanding has helped me with my own journey to heal my uncomfortable emotions and painful experiences. To this day, I continue to do my own personal work so that I can serve you in the best way I know how.

I’m eager to join you in your journey and to help you explore your inner world.

I want to walk alongside you as you gain strength and confidence, heal your inner pain and discomfort, become more loving and accepting of yourself and others.

My approach to therapy is a holistic approach working with both mind and body to heal trauma and past wounds that create psychological and relational problems in our current life. I primarily use mindfulness approaches and Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) approach to work with individuals. In working with couples I apply Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO) approach. As a Polyvagal Theory Informed Therapist, I also work with my clients through a neurophysiological framework to explore why they feel and act the way they do.

When we meet, my goal is to build a trusting relationship and create an environment free of judgment. I endeavour to make you feel safe and welcome. Your stories, beliefs, motivations, and experiences are unique and worthy of respect and healing. 

I acknowledge and appreciate your courage in seeking help during a time of adversity and uncertainty. It is an honour to be trusted by clients like you, to connect with you and witness your growth.

I look forward to meeting you!

Nahid Refaee, MA, RP, C.C.C.

Let’s work together

All your emotions are welcome here your anger, your sadness, your shame, your fear, your guilt, and your joy …

Individual Therapy

Life can be challenging and stressful. Sometimes it can be easy to lose our sense of self through this journey. You may have been coping with stress, anxiety, or feelings of depression that you just can’t figure out how to deal with. You may have tried to work through them on your own but you’re overwhelmed with negative self-talk, lack of trust and anger and, now your relationships are starting to suffer …

Couples Therapy

You and your partner have been struggling to rekindle the feelings you had at the beginning of your relationship. You feel tired and overwhelmed, and you’ve re-hashed the same fight more times than you can count. There are a few hot-button issues, like finances, time management, sex, the children, running the household, or betrayal that keep tripping the two of you up. There may also be past hurts …