BASED IN TORONTO | SERVING CLIENTS IN-PERSON IN TORONTO AND VIRTUALLY ACROSS ONTARIO
Therapy for the ones
who hold it all together
Expressive arts and depth-oriented relational therapy for those navigating burnout, disconnection and cultural identity tension
You might be here because something feels heavy...
Even if you can’t fully name it.
- You’re the one people call when things fall apart. The one who always shows up and figures it out.
- Somewhere along the way, the things that used to feel good stopped feeling enjoyable.
- Some days it’s hard to remember what it means to feel like yourself.
- You don’t feel quite at home here, and when you go back, you don’t fully belong there either.
- You feel exhausted and the exhaustion is showing up for your relationships and work.
- You might be telling yourself this isn’t bad enough to need help, that you have no real reason to be struggling.
What I know is that “fine” doesn’t have to be where this stays, and you don’t have to carry this alone.
There’s room to feel like yourself again, even if you’re not sure what that looks like yet.
Photo by Melanie Gordon
Hi, I'm Rieko!
Here, you can go ahead and take a deep exhale.
I want you to know that I am so glad you are here, and whatever you’re feeling is real. This is a place where you can feel seen and supported without judgement.
I believe in providing a culturally safe space with curiosity and compassion for you to be authentically you, as you work through life’s challenges. I see myself as a companion alongside you, walking every step of the journey together toward deeper understanding and meaningful changes to take place. When life makes it hard to see your own strengths, I will hold the vision until you can see it too.
I’ll honor your whole story; no matter what it looks like. Trust me.
I specialize in -
Burnout
Find your way back to yourself when exhaustion has taken over.
Disconnection
Reconnect with who you are underneath everything you carry.
Cultural tension
Explore cultural identity and create a sense of belonging that honors your full story.
It was a big step just getting here.
Let's make the next part simple.
Step One: Free 20-min consultation
This is a chance for us to connect and see if it feels like a good fit. You’re welcome to ask questions, share about what’s bringing you in and your hopes, and get a sense of how I work. There’s no pressure to decide anything right away. This is simply a space to explore together.
Step Two: Receive ongoing support and experience personal growth and change
If it feels like a good fit, we’ll schedule a first session together. From there, we begin to build a relationship at your pace. I see you as the expert of your own experience, and I’m here as a companion, offering presence, curiosity, and care.
There’s no one right way to show up. All of you is welcome here. We’ll co-create a space that feels safe, supportive, and meaningful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Counselling is a supportive, collaborative process where you don’t have to carry things alone. It’s a space to explore what feels challenging, stuck, or unclear. It is where all of your parts, questions, and stories are welcomed. Through curiosities, psychoeducation, creative arts, and embodied awareness, you can discover insight, strength, and new ways of relating to yourself and the world around you. Together, we move at a pace that feels right for you, exploring challenges while also noticing the strengths and resources you already carry.
Expressive Arts Therapy is a creative and experiential approach to therapy that uses art, movement, music, storytelling, and other forms of expression to help you explore and process your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
We believe that when people feel stuck in a situation, imagination allows them to step outside and see new possibilities. Our sessions aim to cultivate and enhance your imagination, helping you engage with your emotions, insights, and potential in a safe and supportive way.
Expressive Arts Therapy offers a creative, nonverbal way to explore feelings, release tension, and discover new perspectives, making it valuable for adults, youth, and children. It’s especially helpful when words alone aren’t enough to express what’s going on inside.
Learn more about the benefits here: Psychology Today, Good Therapy, CTR Institute
Not at all! Expressive Arts Therapy is about the process, not the product. You or your child don’t need any artistic experience or skill. The goal is to explore feelings, thoughts, and experiences in a creative, safe, and supportive way.
While Art Therapy focuses mainly on the visual arts, Expressive Arts Therapy invites you to use all forms of creative expression. This can include movement, sound, drama, writing, play, and visual art, often blending them together in an accessible way for everyone.
Expressive Arts Therapy is grounded in the belief that creativity and imagination can help people move beyond what feels stuck or limited. Through engaging the body, senses, and imagination, it supports awareness, flexibility, and new possibilities for healing and growth. Playfulness and curiosity are key, as the process itself becomes a way of exploring and expanding what feels possible in everyday life.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a body-centered approach that helps individuals process trauma and emotional challenges by connecting mind and body. Rather than focusing only on words, it uses awareness of bodily sensations, posture, and movement to explore and release stored tension or emotions. This therapy blends mindfulness, somatic awareness, and experiential techniques.
Benefits may include:
Becoming more aware of how your body holds stress or trauma
Learning ways to regulate emotions and feel safer in your body
Processing experiences that are difficult to express verbally
Integrating thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations for holistic healing
It’s especially helpful for those who have experienced trauma, supporting emotional regulation, coping skills, and a sense of safety and empowerment.
Learn more: Healthline, Good Therapy
Starting therapy is an important step, and it’s normal to have many questions or feel a bit uncertain. My free 20-minute consultation call is a space where we can get to know each other better, discuss what brought you to counselling right now, and explore goals and hopes for our time together. This is also a time where we can review logistics such as fees, availability, and session format.
My hope is that this conversation helps you get a sense of whether working together feels like a good fit, and we can decide on next steps from there.
Online individual counselling sessions are available for anyone who is over 6 years of age. It is conducted via a secure video conferencing platform called Jane. The Jane App is in strict accordance with PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act) and PHIPA ( Personal Health Information Protection Act) legislation. After you book an appointment, you will receive a secure link, and have confidential sessions from the comfort of your own space.
Many clients find that online sessions are just as impactful as in-person sessions. Through video, conversations, somatic awareness, and art makings, we can create a meaningful and connected space regardless of distance.
Since I am in a process of receiving my license as a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), my services are not yet covered by insurance plans until I receive the license. Once I become a Registered Psychotherapist (RP), many extended health insurance plans may offer reimbursement for psychotherapy services.
My sliding scale spots are currently full, however, if you would like to be added to the waitlist, please let me know.
Your appointment time is reserved just for you. A late cancellation or missed session leaves a space that could otherwise support another client.
A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required for any cancellations or changes to your appointment. Missed or cancelled sessions without at least 24 hours’ notice will be billed at 100% of the session fee.
Cancellation fees may be waived on compassionate grounds, such as a medical emergency, death in the family, severe weather, accident, natural disaster, or technical difficulties.
As part of my profession, I work under the clinical supervision of Paula Ruiz, RP, at Paula Ruiz Psychotherapy & Counselling, and Norma Araiza, RP, EXAT.
Being under supervision means that while I conduct sessions independently, I regularly meet with my supervisors to reflect on my work, receive feedback, and ensure I’m providing ethical, effective, and client-centered care. This collaborative process supports my growth as a therapist and ensures that you receive thoughtful, high-quality support throughout your therapeutic journey.