Find a Self-Compassion Therapist

Browse therapists who specialize in self-compassion approaches. Watch their intro videos to find the right fit before booking.

Self-compassion therapy helps you develop a kinder, more understanding relationship with yourself. Rather than harsh self-criticism, this approach teaches you to respond to your struggles with the same warmth and care you would offer a good friend. Self-compassion involves mindfulness, recognizing our common humanity, and practicing self-kindness.

On First Session, you can browse therapists who incorporate self-compassion into their work and watch their intro videos to get a sense of their approach. All therapists have their credentials verified during onboarding. Whether you prefer online or in-person sessions, you can book directly or request a free consultation to find the right match.

Sabrina De Araujo

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Sabrina De Araujo

Sabrina De Araujo

Registered Social Worker
$160/session
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, ADHD, Assertiveness, Attachment trauma, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Burnout, Couples, Dating challenges, Effective communication, Depression coping skills, Identity and Self-Exploration, Interpersonal dynamics, General Mental Health, Maternal mental health, Nervous system regulation, Grief and Loss, Familial and social relationships, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Self-esteem, Self-Criticism, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Mind-body connection, Depression
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, ADHD, Assertiveness, Attachment trauma, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Burnout, Couples, Dating challenges, Effective communication, Depression coping skills, Identity and Self-Exploration, Interpersonal dynamics, General Mental Health, Maternal mental health, Nervous system regulation, Grief and Loss, Familial and social relationships, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Self-esteem, Self-Criticism, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Mind-body connection, Depression

Christine Scovell

Registered Psychotherapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Caledon, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
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Christine Scovell

Christine Scovell

Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
$160/session
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Burnout, Caregiver burnout, Confidence, Conflict resolution, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Depression, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, Relationships, Stress, Trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Wellness Counselling
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Burnout, Caregiver burnout, Confidence, Conflict resolution, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Depression, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, Relationships, Stress, Trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Wellness Counselling

Divya Gulati

Registered Psychotherapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, MB, SK, NL, YT, and NU.
Waitlist
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Divya Gulati

Divya Gulati

Registered Psychotherapist
She/her
$195/session
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

Shannon Bradley

Registered Psychotherapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Burk's Falls, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Shannon Bradley

Shannon Bradley

Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
$140/session
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

Lindsay Kudlow

Registered Psychotherapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Lindsay Kudlow

Lindsay Kudlow

Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
$185/session
ADHD, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Childhood trauma, Confidence, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Conflict resolution, Effective communication, LGBTQ2IA+, People pleasing, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Empowerment, Familial and social relationships, Relationship anxiety, Dating challenges, Navigating challenging relationships, Relationships, Trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Anxiety, Self-esteem
ADHD, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Childhood trauma, Confidence, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Conflict resolution, Effective communication, LGBTQ2IA+, People pleasing, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Empowerment, Familial and social relationships, Relationship anxiety, Dating challenges, Navigating challenging relationships, Relationships, Trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Anxiety, Self-esteem

Maria Chaplick

Registered Psychotherapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON and BC.
Waitlist
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Maria Chaplick

Maria Chaplick

Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
$180/session
Anger, Anxiety, Negative thinking and ruminating, Anger Management, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behavioural Issues, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Break-up recovery, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Empowerment, Family Conflict, Fears and phobia, Habits, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Mindfulness, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Grief and Loss
Anger, Anxiety, Negative thinking and ruminating, Anger Management, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behavioural Issues, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Break-up recovery, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Empowerment, Family Conflict, Fears and phobia, Habits, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Mindfulness, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Grief and Loss

Michael Chu

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Markham, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Michael Chu

Michael Chu

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
He/Him/His
$160/session
Aging, Anxiety, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Competitive anxiety, Conflict resolution, Cultural Challenges, Dating challenges, Decision making, Deep connections, Depression, Dreams, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Empowerment, Existential questions, Ethics, Familial and social relationships, Grief Processing, Imposter syndrome, Interpersonal dynamics, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Motivation, Negative thinking and ruminating, Social anxiety, Stress, Thought Restructuring, Transformative dream work, Transitioning into Adulthood, Trauma processing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Vulnerability, Wellness Counselling, Workplace stress, Trauma, BIPOC, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Aging, Anxiety, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Competitive anxiety, Conflict resolution, Cultural Challenges, Dating challenges, Decision making, Deep connections, Depression, Dreams, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Empowerment, Existential questions, Ethics, Familial and social relationships, Grief Processing, Imposter syndrome, Interpersonal dynamics, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Motivation, Negative thinking and ruminating, Social anxiety, Stress, Thought Restructuring, Transformative dream work, Transitioning into Adulthood, Trauma processing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Vulnerability, Wellness Counselling, Workplace stress, Trauma, BIPOC, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration

Lydia Azaribe

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Edmonton, AB)
Virtual Sessions in MB, NT, AB, NU, YT, NL, BC, SK, and ON.
Waitlist
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Lydia Azaribe

Lydia Azaribe

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/her
$120/session
Anxiety, Burnout, Depression, ADHD, Attention and Impulsivity, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anger, Aging, Attachment, Behaviour, Behavioural Issues, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Career guidance, Caregivers, Cultural Challenges, Christian counselling, Conflict resolution, Effective communication, Depression coping skills, Goal Setting, Emotional regulation, BIPOC
Anxiety, Burnout, Depression, ADHD, Attention and Impulsivity, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anger, Aging, Attachment, Behaviour, Behavioural Issues, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Career guidance, Caregivers, Cultural Challenges, Christian counselling, Conflict resolution, Effective communication, Depression coping skills, Goal Setting, Emotional regulation, BIPOC

Michèle Dawn

Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Edmonton, AB)
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
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Michèle Dawn

Michèle Dawn

Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
She/Her
$150/session
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Nervous system regulation, Emotional regulation, ADHD, Anxiety, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Burnout, Building Self-Care Routines, Career guidance, Creativity, Dating challenges, Decision making, Goal Setting, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Imposter syndrome, Overwhelm, Stress, Wellness Counselling, Negative thinking and ruminating, Habits
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Nervous system regulation, Emotional regulation, ADHD, Anxiety, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Burnout, Building Self-Care Routines, Career guidance, Creativity, Dating challenges, Decision making, Goal Setting, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Imposter syndrome, Overwhelm, Stress, Wellness Counselling, Negative thinking and ruminating, Habits

Crystal Soares

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Woodbridge, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Crystal Soares

Crystal Soares

Registered Social Worker
She/Her
$160/session
Attachment wounds, Intergenerational trauma, Boundaries and boundary setting, Relationships, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Trauma, People pleasing, Self-esteem, LGBTQ2IA+, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Perfectionism, Overwhelm, Childhood trauma, Familial and social relationships, Anger, Anxiety, Attachment trauma, Dating challenges, Assertiveness, Break-up recovery, Depression, Attachment, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Social anxiety, Sexuality
Attachment wounds, Intergenerational trauma, Boundaries and boundary setting, Relationships, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Trauma, People pleasing, Self-esteem, LGBTQ2IA+, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Perfectionism, Overwhelm, Childhood trauma, Familial and social relationships, Anger, Anxiety, Attachment trauma, Dating challenges, Assertiveness, Break-up recovery, Depression, Attachment, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Social anxiety, Sexuality

Karla Rivera

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Waterloo, ON)
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
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Karla Rivera

Karla Rivera

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her/Hers
$145/session
Nervous system regulation, Parenting, Spirituality, Self-esteem, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Intergenerational trauma, Mind-body connection, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Wellness Counselling, Mindfulness
Nervous system regulation, Parenting, Spirituality, Self-esteem, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Intergenerational trauma, Mind-body connection, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Wellness Counselling, Mindfulness
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Therapy is hard work.

Finding the right therapist shouldn’t be. Over 10,000 Canadians found their new therapist with First Session.
What is self-compassion therapy?

Self-compassion therapy incorporates practices that help you treat yourself with kindness, especially during difficult times. Based on research by Dr. Kristin Neff, it involves three core components: self-kindness instead of self-judgment, common humanity instead of isolation, and mindfulness instead of over-identification with thoughts. Many therapists integrate these principles into their work.

How can self-compassion therapy help?

Many people find self-compassion approaches helpful for reducing self-criticism, managing anxiety and depression, building resilience, and improving overall well-being. It can support you in developing a healthier inner voice, bouncing back from setbacks, and treating yourself with the same care you show others. Self-compassion is particularly useful for those who tend to be hard on themselves.

What happens in a self-compassion session?

In self-compassion sessions, your therapist may guide you through exercises to develop a kinder inner dialogue. You might explore patterns of self-criticism, practice responding to yourself with warmth, and learn specific self-compassion techniques. Sessions often include mindfulness practices and reflection on how you relate to yourself during challenging moments.

How do I find a self-compassion therapist?

On First Session, you can filter by specialty to find therapists who incorporate self-compassion into their practice. Each therapist has a profile with an intro video so you can get a sense of their warmth. You can book a session directly online or request a free consultation first. All therapists on the platform have their credentials verified during onboarding.

Is self-compassion therapy right for me?

Self-compassion therapy may be a good fit if you tend to be hard on yourself, struggle with perfectionism, or want to develop a kinder inner voice. It's helpful for those who notice harsh self-talk or difficulty accepting their own imperfections. Consider booking a consultation with a therapist to discuss whether this approach resonates with you.

How do I get started?

Getting started is simple. Browse self-compassion therapists on First Session and watch their intro videos to find someone whose warmth resonates with you. Once you've found a match, you can book your first session directly online. Many therapists offer a free 15-minute consultation if you'd like to connect first. Learn more about how to find a therapist in Canada.