Self-Development Therapists
Self-development in therapy goes beyond problem-solving to help you grow, understand yourself better, and reach your potential. Connect with therapists who support personal growth on First Session.
Therapy isn't only for times of crisis—many people work with therapists as part of their ongoing self-development journey. Whether you want to understand yourself better, break through limitations, improve relationships, or simply continue growing as a person, therapy can provide valuable insight and support for your personal development.
On First Session, you can browse therapists who focus on self-development and personal growth. Watch their intro videos to understand their approach and see if they align with your goals. All therapists have their credentials verified during onboarding. Book your first session online when you're ready to invest in your growth.
Tanya Deutsch
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in BC.
Waitlist
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Tanya Deutsch
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Trauma, Stress, Social anxiety, Career guidance, ADHD, Burnout, Caregivers, Chronic Illness, Depression, Anxiety, Familial and social relationships, Highly Sensitive Person, Grief and Loss, Shadow Work, Confidence, Self-esteem, Self-Development, Attachment wounds, Family issues, Imposter syndrome, Interpersonal dynamics, Life transitions, People pleasing, Perfectionism
Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Trauma, Stress, Social anxiety, Career guidance, ADHD, Burnout, Caregivers, Chronic Illness, Depression, Anxiety, Familial and social relationships, Highly Sensitive Person, Grief and Loss, Shadow Work, Confidence, Self-esteem, Self-Development, Attachment wounds, Family issues, Imposter syndrome, Interpersonal dynamics, Life transitions, People pleasing, Perfectionism
Mariya Garnet
Pre-Licensed Professional
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, AB, SK, MB, NL, YT, NT, and NU.
Waitlist
Mariya Garnet
Pre-Licensed Professional
She/Her
Existential questions, Spirituality, Somatic Therapy, Addiction, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Trauma, Shadow Work, Self-esteem, Self-Development, Assertiveness, Attachment wounds, Break-up recovery, Childhood trauma, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Connecting with your Inherent Power, Depression, Identity and Self-Exploration, Rewilding & Reclaiming the Wild Feminine, Psychedelic therapy, Nature-Based Spirituality, People pleasing, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Intergenerational trauma, Relationships, Emotional Numbness
Existential questions, Spirituality, Somatic Therapy, Addiction, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Trauma, Shadow Work, Self-esteem, Self-Development, Assertiveness, Attachment wounds, Break-up recovery, Childhood trauma, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Connecting with your Inherent Power, Depression, Identity and Self-Exploration, Rewilding & Reclaiming the Wild Feminine, Psychedelic therapy, Nature-Based Spirituality, People pleasing, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Intergenerational trauma, Relationships, Emotional Numbness
Nicole Lobo
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, SK, MB, NL, and YT.
Waitlist
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Nicole Lobo
Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
Parenting, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Attachment, Assertiveness, Borderline Personality Disorder, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Break-up recovery, Confidence, Couples Therapy, Dating challenges, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Family issues, Family Conflict, Women's Health, Workplace stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Supervising qualifying therapists, Stress, Social anxiety, Self-Development, Relationships, Pregnancy, Postnatal Care
Parenting, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Attachment, Assertiveness, Borderline Personality Disorder, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Break-up recovery, Confidence, Couples Therapy, Dating challenges, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Family issues, Family Conflict, Women's Health, Workplace stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Supervising qualifying therapists, Stress, Social anxiety, Self-Development, Relationships, Pregnancy, Postnatal Care
Divya Gulati
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, MB, SK, NL, YT, and NU.
Waitlist
Divya Gulati
Registered Psychotherapist
She/her
Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Relationships, Childhood trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Emotional regulation, Life transitions, Attachment, Familial and social relationships, Trauma, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, People pleasing, Meaning and purpose, Empowerment, Self-Development, Dating challenges, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Intergenerational trauma, Self-esteem
Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Relationships, Childhood trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Emotional regulation, Life transitions, Attachment, Familial and social relationships, Trauma, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, People pleasing, Meaning and purpose, Empowerment, Self-Development, Dating challenges, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Intergenerational trauma, Self-esteem
Sharissa Woon Sam
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Sharissa Woon Sam
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
Anxiety, Burnout, Depression, ADHD, Spirituality, Self-esteem, Building Self-Care Routines, Confidence, Childhood trauma, Nervous system regulation, Self-Criticism, Self-Development
Anxiety, Burnout, Depression, ADHD, Spirituality, Self-esteem, Building Self-Care Routines, Confidence, Childhood trauma, Nervous system regulation, Self-Criticism, Self-Development
Shannon Bradley
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Shannon Bradley
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
Anger, Emotional regulation, Confidence, Familial and social relationships, Family Conflict, Goal Setting, Maternal mental health, Mindfulness, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parental divorce, Parenting, Performance anxiety, School challenges, Self-Development, Separation anxiety, Thought Restructuring, Social anxiety, Attachment, Trauma, Sexuality and gender issues, Grief and Loss
Anger, Emotional regulation, Confidence, Familial and social relationships, Family Conflict, Goal Setting, Maternal mental health, Mindfulness, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parental divorce, Parenting, Performance anxiety, School challenges, Self-Development, Separation anxiety, Thought Restructuring, Social anxiety, Attachment, Trauma, Sexuality and gender issues, Grief and Loss
Candice Frederick
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, AB, MB, NT, NB, YT, NU, PE, NL, and SK.
Waitlist
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Candice Frederick
Canadian Certified Counsellor
she/her
Trauma, Money Trauma, Somatic Therapy, Burnout, Stress, Relationships, Workplace stress, Wellness Counselling, Sexuality, Self-Development, Racism, Women's Health, Life transitions, LGBTQ2IA+, Intergenerational trauma, BIPOC, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Caregivers, Cultural Challenges, Perfectionism, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Navigating challenging relationships, Diabetes mental health support, Perimenopause mental health support, Grief and Loss, Career guidance, Pro-choice
Trauma, Money Trauma, Somatic Therapy, Burnout, Stress, Relationships, Workplace stress, Wellness Counselling, Sexuality, Self-Development, Racism, Women's Health, Life transitions, LGBTQ2IA+, Intergenerational trauma, BIPOC, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Caregivers, Cultural Challenges, Perfectionism, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Navigating challenging relationships, Diabetes mental health support, Perimenopause mental health support, Grief and Loss, Career guidance, Pro-choice
Melissa Milligan
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in MB, AB, BC, and SK.
Waitlist
Melissa Milligan
Canadian Certified Counsellor
She/Her
Anger, Attachment, Building Meaningful Connections, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Behaviour, Burnout, Deep connections, Childhood trauma, Chronic Illness, Dating challenges, Boundaries and boundary setting, Depression, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Sexuality, Self-Development, Mindfulness
Anger, Attachment, Building Meaningful Connections, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Behaviour, Burnout, Deep connections, Childhood trauma, Chronic Illness, Dating challenges, Boundaries and boundary setting, Depression, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Sexuality, Self-Development, Mindfulness
Atheesan Mahendrarajah
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, AB, SK, MB, NS, NT, YT, and NU.
Waitlist
Atheesan Mahendrarajah
Registered Psychotherapist
He/Him
Addiction, Cultural Challenges, Productivity, ADHD, Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Empowerment, Family Conflict, Masculinity, Pain management, Relationships, School challenges, Self-Development, Self-Regulation, Stress, Workplace stress, BIPOC
Addiction, Cultural Challenges, Productivity, ADHD, Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Empowerment, Family Conflict, Masculinity, Pain management, Relationships, School challenges, Self-Development, Self-Regulation, Stress, Workplace stress, BIPOC
Glory Mulera
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
Glory Mulera
Registered Clinical Counsellor
She/Her/Hers
Self-Development, BIPOC, Family Conflict, Relationships, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Depression coping skills, People pleasing, PTSD, Grief and Loss
Self-Development, BIPOC, Family Conflict, Relationships, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Depression coping skills, People pleasing, PTSD, Grief and Loss
Michael Appiah
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON and BC.
Waitlist
Michael Appiah
Registered Social Worker
Relationships, Men's issues, Effective communication, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Workplace stress, Assertiveness, Attachment, Career guidance, Christian counselling, College or University Coaching, Dating challenges, BIPOC, Cultural Challenges, Decision making, Conflict resolution, Couples, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Self-Development, School challenges, Imposter syndrome, Anger Management
Relationships, Men's issues, Effective communication, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Workplace stress, Assertiveness, Attachment, Career guidance, Christian counselling, College or University Coaching, Dating challenges, BIPOC, Cultural Challenges, Decision making, Conflict resolution, Couples, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Self-Development, School challenges, Imposter syndrome, Anger Management
Dale Bricker
Psychologist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Dale Bricker
Psychologist
He/Him/His
Self-Development, Stress, Relationships, Depression, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Career guidance, Conflict resolution, Effective communication, Family issues, Imposter syndrome, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Workplace stress
Self-Development, Stress, Relationships, Depression, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Career guidance, Conflict resolution, Effective communication, Family issues, Imposter syndrome, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Workplace stress
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What is self-development therapy?
Self-development therapy focuses on personal growth, self-understanding, and reaching your potential. Rather than addressing a specific problem, it's about exploring who you are, understanding patterns in your life, and making intentional changes. This type of therapy can help you develop greater self-awareness, improve relationships, and live more aligned with your values.
Who might benefit from self-development therapy?
Anyone interested in personal growth can benefit from self-development therapy. You don't need to have a specific issue to work on—therapy can support general exploration, life transitions, relationship patterns, career development, or simply becoming more self-aware. It's valuable for people who want to invest in their ongoing growth and well-being.
What's it like to work on self-development in therapy?
Sessions typically involve exploring your thoughts, feelings, patterns, and goals. Your therapist may help you gain insight into yourself, identify areas for growth, and develop strategies for change. The process is collaborative and guided by what matters most to you. It can be both reflective and action-oriented.
How long does self-development therapy typically take?
The duration varies based on your goals and how you like to work. Some people engage in shorter-term focused work, while others find value in ongoing therapy as part of their life. Your therapist can help you determine what approach makes sense and adjust as your needs evolve.
How do I know if a therapist is right for me?
Finding a therapist whose approach aligns with your growth goals matters. On First Session, you can watch intro videos to understand each therapist's style and philosophy. This helps you find someone who feels like a good fit for supporting your personal development journey.
How do I book a session?
Browse therapists on First Session who focus on self-development and personal growth. Watch their intro videos to find someone whose approach resonates with you. When you're ready, book your first session directly online and choose between virtual or in-person appointments.