My name is Carla Barbosa, I am a Registered Social Worker, and I provide psychotherapy to clients in Ontario. I have a Master of Science in Health Studies from the University of Regina (Saskatchewan) and a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto (Ontario).
As a psychotherapist, I help people develop tools to better understand themselves, manage their emotions, change behavior patterns and create healthier relationships with others and themselves.
I am a warm, friendly and empathetic person with a passion for creating safe spaces for those feeling overwhelmed. Having experienced mental health challenges myself, I connect with my clients from a place of empathy and authenticity. I have deep respect for my clients' resourcefulness and am consistently amazed by their strengths.
Like everyone else, I am a unique patchwork of my identities. I am a queer, cisgender woman who uses she/her pronouns. Born in Brazil, I grew up speaking Portuguese as my first language, in a middle-class family of divorced parents. I identify as a white-passing South American immigrant who since 2009 resides on the land colonially known as Canada.
I show up in my sessions as someone who has technical knowledge about mental health and human psychology. But I never lose sight of the fact that you are the one with the knowledge that really matters: the intricacies of your own mind. I'm here to hear your story and hold space for your struggles, pain, and progress. I will share with you what I learn from books, but my real work is to be a compassionate witness to your growth. Work that I never take for granted and that brings me great joy.
If you feel ready to embark on this journey of self-discovery and growth, I am here to help. Just pull up a chair and let's talk!