Education & Training
Mahsima earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Toronto. She completed CBT, EFFT, and ASIST training while at the Child Development Institute where she delivered individual, family and group therapy to children, youth and their families who present with emotion regulation challenges related to factors such as learning challenges, familial conflict and transitions, and anxiety and social concerns. She also is involved in indirect work, such as delivering workshops regarding mental health and neurodiversity, and is involved in qualitative research in harm reduction. Mahsima additionally spent her time as a Walk-In Therapist at WoodGreen Community Services, and previously worked with individuals living with HIV/AIDS at Toronto General Hospital. She also supervised MSW students completing their Masters at the University of Toronto in their practicum placements.
Theoretical Approach
Clients are experts in their own lives. Through client-centred collaboration, Mahsima strives to provide an open, non-judgmental space for clients to explore and work through their treatment goals while ensuring safety. As a social worker, Mahsima is specifically interested in how an individual (i.e. one’s intersectionality) exists within its microsystems (e.g. family dynamics, peer relationships, work), macrosystem (e.g. sociocultural, economic, political factors), and everything in between.
Mahsima works from an anti-oppressive and intersectional lens. She provides treatment routed in an integrative approach, drawing from a multitude of theoretical orientations, including:
- Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
- Mindfulness
- Dialectical-Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Narrative Therapy
- Neuroscience-informed psychoeducation
Mahsima works with children and youth ages 6-18, adults, and parents (including those who do the work of parenting). Mahsima has experience working with clients with various presenting concerns, including:
- Emotion Dysregulation and dealing with hard-to-feel emotions such as anger, shame and sadness
- Interpersonal concerns and/or conflict
- Parenting
- Stress Management
- Self-Esteem/Self-Worth
- Symptoms of Depression
- Symptoms of Anxiety
- Concerns related to ADHD and Executive Functioning
Personal Background
Mahsima is a first-generation Iranian-Canadian. Navigating her upbringing in Toronto allowed Mahsima to both witness and experience how one’s identity(ies), whether defined through culture, race, gender, neurodiversity, socioeconomic status, etc., shapes their stories, influences their experiences in various spaces, and impacts their worldview and emotional expression. This informs her therapeutic practice. Mahsima believes having the platform to be witness to a client’s story, and all the intricacies involved in being a human living within multiple systems is a privilege. She endeavours to support clients by collaborating with them and amplifying their voice as they undergo personal growth. Mahsima recognizes her responsibility to offer a safe, open, non-judgmental and supportive space for clients to explore their treatment goals, and feel more equipped to work through hard-to-feel emotions.
Memberships
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
Ontario Association of Social Workers