Registered Clinical Counsellor
Parsa Mousavi
RCC, BA, MC
Anxiety, trauma, anger and relationships. Integrative, trauma-informed counselling in English and Farsi.
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Complex trauma and PTSD, anxiety and depression, grief, relationships and perinatal mental health. Humanistic, existential and attachment-based.
I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). I hold a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology from Adler University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in Kinesiology, from Simon Fraser University. With over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector, I have had the privilege of working alongside individuals, couples, teenagers, and children as they navigate some of life’s most challenging experiences.
I have always been drawn to the complexity of the human experience: how we become who we are, how our relationships shape us, and how the experiences we carry influence the way we move through the world. I believe that, in many ways, we are all trying to find a sense of belonging, connection, and meaning. Yet, the very experiences and relationships that shape us can sometimes leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves and others.
My work focuses on supporting people as they begin to make sense of these experiences. I have extensive experience working with individuals who have experienced trauma, including those living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD. My clinical areas of focus also include depression, anxiety, grief and loss, complex relationships, perinatal and postpartum mental health, intimate partner violence, and substance use and its impact on individuals, relationships, and families.
I don’t believe therapy is about fixing you or making difficult feelings disappear. I believe it is about understanding yourself more deeply, making sense of your experiences, and finding new ways of relating to yourself and the people in your life.
In our work together, I aim to create a space where you can show up as you are, without fear of judgment or the pressure to have everything figured out. I value building a therapeutic relationship grounded in trust, curiosity, and compassion. I will meet you with understanding while also inviting you to look more closely at the patterns, beliefs, and experiences that may be keeping you stuck.
Sometimes, this means exploring the parts of your story that have been difficult to understand or make peace with. Other times, it means examining familiar relationship patterns, questioning long-held assumptions, or sitting with feelings you may have spent years trying to avoid. My approach is compassionate but not passive; I believe meaningful change often comes from feeling supported enough to look at ourselves honestly, even when doing so feels uncomfortable.
I recognize that our experiences do not happen in isolation. Our families, relationships, communities, and broader social environments all influence how we understand ourselves and the world around us. My work is informed by a social justice perspective that acknowledges the ways trauma, systemic barriers, power, and inequality can shape our experiences and access to support. I believe it is important to understand people within the context of their lives rather than viewing their struggles in isolation.
My therapeutic approach draws on humanistic, existential, and attachment-based psychotherapy. I bring this perspective into my work with individuals, couples, teenagers, and children, meeting each person with respect for their unique experiences, strengths, and needs.
I understand that reaching out for counselling can feel vulnerable, particularly when you have been carrying something difficult for a long time. You don’t need to have the right words, know where to begin, or have a clear idea of what needs to change. We can start wherever you are.
My hope is that our work together helps you develop a deeper understanding of yourself, build more meaningful connections, and find new possibilities for how you want to live your life.
Areas of focus
Exploring the lasting effects of traumatic experiences, including how trauma can influence self-worth, emotional regulation, relationships, and our sense of safety in the world. Supporting individuals in understanding the patterns that have developed in response to difficult experiences and finding new ways to navigate them.
Understanding the thoughts, feelings, experiences, and circumstances that contribute to emotional distress. Creating space to explore underlying concerns, develop greater self-awareness, and find new ways of navigating life’s challenges.
Making space for the complexities of grief, including the loss of loved ones, relationships, identity, pregnancy, and the futures we imagined for ourselves. Recognizing that grief is not always linear and that each person’s experience of loss is unique.
Exploring relationship patterns, attachment experiences, communication, and the ways our histories influence how we connect with others. Supporting individuals and couples in navigating conflict, relational difficulties, and recurring patterns while developing a deeper understanding of themselves and one another.
Supporting individuals and families through the emotional complexities of fertility challenges, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, the postpartum period, and the transition into parenthood. Making space for the many emotions that can accompany these experiences, including grief, anxiety, uncertainty, and changes in identity and relationships.
Supporting individuals navigating the effects of intimate partner violence, unhealthy relationship dynamics, and experiences of power and control. Offering a compassionate, non-judgmental space to explore the impact of these experiences, reconnect with personal strengths, and consider pathways toward safety, healing, and autonomy.
Supporting individuals navigating substance use, as well as partners, family members, and loved ones affected by another person’s substance use. Exploring the relational impact of addiction, including trust, boundaries, grief, and the emotional toll of caring for someone experiencing difficulties with substance use.
Exploring the challenges of parenting, family dynamics, and intergenerational patterns. Supporting parents and families in understanding how their own experiences influence their relationships and developing more intentional ways of connecting with their children and one another.
Providing developmentally appropriate support for children and teenagers navigating emotional difficulties, anxiety, family and relationship challenges, trauma, and experiences that affect their well-being and sense of self. Working collaboratively to understand each young person’s experiences within the context of their relationships, family, and environment.
Recognizing how social, cultural, and systemic factors can influence mental health, relationships, identity, and access to support. Approaching counselling with an awareness of power, inequality, and the broader contexts in which people live, while respecting each person’s individual experiences, values, and strengths.
Also at OpenTalk
Registered Clinical Counsellor
RCC, BA, MC
Anxiety, trauma, anger and relationships. Integrative, trauma-informed counselling in English and Farsi.
A free 15-minute call is just a conversation. No cost, no commitment. If we are not the right fit, we will help you find someone who is.