Identity and Self-Exploration Therapy

Understanding yourself more deeply can open doors to greater fulfillment and authenticity. Connect with a therapist who can support your journey of self-discovery.

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Questions about identity touch the core of who we are—our values, beliefs, relationships, and sense of purpose. Whether you're navigating a major life transition, questioning long-held assumptions, or simply feeling disconnected from yourself, therapy offers a supportive space to explore these experiences. Many people find that working with a therapist helps them gain clarity, build self-acceptance, and move forward with greater confidence in who they are becoming.

First Session makes it easy to find a therapist in Canada who specializes in identity and self-exploration. All therapists on our platform have their credentials verified during onboarding, and you can watch intro videos to get a sense of their style before booking. When you're ready to begin, online booking lets you schedule a session that fits your life.

Lisa Schwartz

Registered Social Worker
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Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in NS and ON.
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Lisa Schwartz

Lisa Schwartz

Registered Social Worker
she/her
$180/session
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Children/Teens, Familial and social relationships, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Dating challenges, Childhood trauma, Family Conflict, Highly Sensitive Person, Navigating challenging relationships, Parental divorce, Parenting, Meaning and purpose, Life transitions, Low mood, People pleasing, Self-esteem, Workplace stress, School challenges, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Children/Teens, Familial and social relationships, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Dating challenges, Childhood trauma, Family Conflict, Highly Sensitive Person, Navigating challenging relationships, Parental divorce, Parenting, Meaning and purpose, Life transitions, Low mood, People pleasing, Self-esteem, Workplace stress, School challenges, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
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Alaleh Shakourianfard

Registered Psychotherapist
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Offers In-Person (Burlington, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
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Alaleh Shakourianfard

Alaleh Shakourianfard

Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
$160/session
Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Childhood trauma, Burnout, Cultural Challenges, Depression coping skills, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Life transitions, Low mood, Workplace stress, Trauma processing, Maternal mental health, PTSD, Intergenerational trauma, School challenges, Thought Restructuring, Supervising qualifying therapists, Trauma, BIPOC, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Childhood trauma, Burnout, Cultural Challenges, Depression coping skills, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Life transitions, Low mood, Workplace stress, Trauma processing, Maternal mental health, PTSD, Intergenerational trauma, School challenges, Thought Restructuring, Supervising qualifying therapists, Trauma, BIPOC, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
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Emily Duggan

Registered Psychotherapist
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Offers In-Person (Alliston, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
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Emily Duggan

Emily Duggan

Registered Psychotherapist
She/her
$165/session
LGBTQ2IA+, Neurodiversity, Eating disorders, ADHD, Attention and Impulsivity, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment, Borderline Personality Disorder, Coming out and identity, Childhood trauma, Children/Teens, Fears and phobia, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Depression, OCD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), PTSD, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Stress, Body Dysmorphia, Chronic and acute illness, Highly Sensitive Person, Identity and Self-Exploration
LGBTQ2IA+, Neurodiversity, Eating disorders, ADHD, Attention and Impulsivity, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment, Borderline Personality Disorder, Coming out and identity, Childhood trauma, Children/Teens, Fears and phobia, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Depression, OCD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), PTSD, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Stress, Body Dysmorphia, Chronic and acute illness, Highly Sensitive Person, Identity and Self-Exploration
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Lauren Gaudet

Registered Social Worker
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Offers In-Person (Calgary, AB)
Virtual Sessions in AB and BC.
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Lauren Gaudet

Lauren Gaudet

Registered Social Worker
(They/She)
$150/session
Trauma processing, Anxiety, Burnout, Deep Brain Reorienting, Emotional regulation, LGBTQ2IA+, Nervous system regulation, Mind-body connection, Depression, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Chronic Illness, Self-Regulation, Workplace stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Transitioning into Adulthood, Stress, Overwhelm, Brain injury, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Trauma processing, Anxiety, Burnout, Deep Brain Reorienting, Emotional regulation, LGBTQ2IA+, Nervous system regulation, Mind-body connection, Depression, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Chronic Illness, Self-Regulation, Workplace stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Transitioning into Adulthood, Stress, Overwhelm, Brain injury, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
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Nicholas Balaisis

Registered Psychotherapist
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Offers In-Person (Kitchener, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON, AB, BC, and QC.
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Nicholas Balaisis

Nicholas Balaisis

Registered Psychotherapist
$155/session
Anxiety, Attachment, Attachment wounds, Building Meaningful Connections, Burnout, Career guidance, Couples Therapy, Depression, Emotional regulation, Existential questions, Familial and social relationships, Masculinity, Insomnia, Infidelity, Intimacy concerns, Meaning and purpose, Men's issues, Performance anxiety, Parenting, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Transformative dream work, Sexuality, Relationships, Spirituality, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety, Attachment, Attachment wounds, Building Meaningful Connections, Burnout, Career guidance, Couples Therapy, Depression, Emotional regulation, Existential questions, Familial and social relationships, Masculinity, Insomnia, Infidelity, Intimacy concerns, Meaning and purpose, Men's issues, Performance anxiety, Parenting, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Transformative dream work, Sexuality, Relationships, Spirituality, Identity and Self-Exploration
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Andrew Goldstein

Registered Social Worker
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Offers In-Person (North York, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
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Andrew Goldstein

Andrew Goldstein

Registered Social Worker
He/Him
$170/session
Depression, Anxiety, Separation and divorce, Boundaries and boundary setting, Chronic and acute illness, Aging, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Creativity, Family Conflict, Break-up recovery, Familial and social relationships, Vulnerability, Trauma processing, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Depression, Anxiety, Separation and divorce, Boundaries and boundary setting, Chronic and acute illness, Aging, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Creativity, Family Conflict, Break-up recovery, Familial and social relationships, Vulnerability, Trauma processing, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
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Halyna Polityka

Registered Psychotherapist
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Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, AB, SK, MB, NL, YT, NT, and NU.
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Halyna Polityka

Halyna Polityka

Registered Psychotherapist
$190/session
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Anger, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Attachment, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Couples, Decision making, Early childhood, Familial and social relationships, Family Conflict, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mind-body connection, Mindfulness, Negative thinking and ruminating, Nervous system regulation, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Supervising qualifying therapists, Stress, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration, Break-up recovery, Childhood trauma, Family issues, Relationships, Goal Setting, Emotional regulation, Career Performance, Work-Life Balance, Substance Use, Somatic Therapy, Sleeping difficulties
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Anger, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Attachment, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Couples, Decision making, Early childhood, Familial and social relationships, Family Conflict, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mind-body connection, Mindfulness, Negative thinking and ruminating, Nervous system regulation, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Supervising qualifying therapists, Stress, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration, Break-up recovery, Childhood trauma, Family issues, Relationships, Goal Setting, Emotional regulation, Career Performance, Work-Life Balance, Substance Use, Somatic Therapy, Sleeping difficulties
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Shannon Freud

Registered Social Worker
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Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
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Shannon Freud

Shannon Freud

Registered Social Worker
She/Her
$170/session
Addiction, ADHD, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anger, Anxiety, Attachment, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Borderline Personality Disorder, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Caregivers, Parenting, Caregiver burnout, Coming out and identity, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Eating disorders, Couples Therapy, Depression, LGBTQ2IA+, Racism, Attention and Impulsivity, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Addiction, ADHD, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anger, Anxiety, Attachment, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Borderline Personality Disorder, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Caregivers, Parenting, Caregiver burnout, Coming out and identity, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Eating disorders, Couples Therapy, Depression, LGBTQ2IA+, Racism, Attention and Impulsivity, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
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Paula Fernández

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
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Paula Fernández

Paula Fernández

Registered Social Worker
She/Her
$175/session
Wellness Counselling, Dating challenges, Identity and Self-Exploration, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Depression, Family issues, Mindfulness Practices, Life transitions, People pleasing, Self-esteem, Relationships, Transformative dream work, Spirituality, Trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Workplace stress, Women's Health, Grief and Loss
Wellness Counselling, Dating challenges, Identity and Self-Exploration, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Depression, Family issues, Mindfulness Practices, Life transitions, People pleasing, Self-esteem, Relationships, Transformative dream work, Spirituality, Trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Workplace stress, Women's Health, Grief and Loss
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Daisie Auty

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
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Daisie Auty

Daisie Auty

Registered Social Worker
she/her
$165/session
ADHD, Relationships, LGBTQ2IA+, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Attachment, Break-up recovery, Burnout, Coming out and identity, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Emotional regulation, Dating challenges, Familial and social relationships, Family issues, Neurodiversity, Intergenerational trauma, Parenting, Relationship anxiety, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Sexuality and gender issues, Self-Criticism, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Workplace stress, Identity and Self-Exploration
ADHD, Relationships, LGBTQ2IA+, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Attachment, Break-up recovery, Burnout, Coming out and identity, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Emotional regulation, Dating challenges, Familial and social relationships, Family issues, Neurodiversity, Intergenerational trauma, Parenting, Relationship anxiety, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Sexuality and gender issues, Self-Criticism, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Workplace stress, Identity and Self-Exploration
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Christy McLeod

Registered Clinical Counsellor
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Chilliwack, BC)
Virtual Sessions in MB, ON, BC, SK, AB, NL, YT, NT, and NU.
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Christy McLeod

Christy McLeod

Registered Clinical Counsellor
$155/session
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Anger Management, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Behaviour, Building Self-Care Routines, Christian counselling, Decision making, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Empowerment, Depression coping skills, Goal Setting, Life transitions, Managing ADHD symptoms, Emotional regulation, Panic attacks, Mindfulness, Men's issues, Meaning and purpose, Overwhelm, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Anger Management, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Behaviour, Building Self-Care Routines, Christian counselling, Decision making, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Empowerment, Depression coping skills, Goal Setting, Life transitions, Managing ADHD symptoms, Emotional regulation, Panic attacks, Mindfulness, Men's issues, Meaning and purpose, Overwhelm, Identity and Self-Exploration
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Amanda Webster-Singh

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
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Offers In-Person (Kitchener, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
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Amanda Webster-Singh

Amanda Webster-Singh

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
$165/session
ADHD, Anxiety, Neurodiversity, Anger, Negative thinking and ruminating, Imposter syndrome, Perfectionism, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Stress, Confidence, People pleasing, Burnout, Cultural Challenges, Identity and Self-Exploration, Depression
ADHD, Anxiety, Neurodiversity, Anger, Negative thinking and ruminating, Imposter syndrome, Perfectionism, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Stress, Confidence, People pleasing, Burnout, Cultural Challenges, Identity and Self-Exploration, Depression
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Therapy is hard work.

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About First Session
What is identity and self-exploration in therapy?

Identity and self-exploration in therapy refers to the process of examining who you are at a deeper level—your values, beliefs, sense of self, and how you relate to the world around you. This may include exploring questions about gender identity, cultural background, career purpose, relationships, or personal values. A therapist provides a non-judgmental space to reflect on these questions and discover what feels most authentic to you.

How can therapy help with identity exploration?

Therapy offers a confidential, supportive environment where you can freely explore thoughts and feelings about yourself without fear of judgment. A skilled therapist can help you identify patterns, challenge limiting beliefs, and gain new perspectives on your experiences. Many people find that this process leads to greater self-understanding, increased confidence, and a stronger sense of direction in life.

What can I expect in therapy sessions focused on identity?

Sessions typically involve open conversation about your experiences, questions, and feelings related to identity. Your therapist may ask thoughtful questions to help you reflect more deeply, and you'll work together at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Some therapists incorporate specific approaches like narrative therapy or mindfulness, while others take a more conversational style. You can discuss preferences with your therapist to find what works best.

How do I find a therapist for identity exploration?

First Session helps you browse therapists across Canada who specialize in identity and self-exploration. You can filter by location, approach, and availability to find someone who fits your needs. Each therapist profile includes an intro video so you can get a sense of their personality and style before reaching out. All credentials are verified during onboarding, giving you confidence in your choice.

Is identity exploration therapy right for me?

If you're questioning aspects of who you are, feeling uncertain about your direction in life, or wanting to understand yourself more deeply, identity exploration therapy may be a good fit. It's also helpful during major life transitions like career changes, relationship shifts, or personal milestones. There's no single "right" reason to seek this support—curiosity about yourself is reason enough to begin.

How do I get started with identity exploration therapy?

Getting started is simple. Browse therapist profiles on First Session, watch intro videos to find someone whose approach resonates with you, and book a session online when you're ready. Many therapists offer initial consultations to help you determine if it's a good fit. You can begin your journey of self-discovery whenever feels right for you.