Irina Carayannis
Irina Carayannis is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) who supports adults who may appear to be functioning well while feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck or disconnected inside. Drawing on her experience of immigrating to Canada, she also works with Russian-speaking clients and understands life across languages and cultures. Her warm, curious and collaborative approach is trauma-informed and attentive to how past experiences shape the nervous system, relationships and emotional patterns. She may incorporate mindfulness, body awareness and practical tools while moving at each client’s pace. Irina believes therapy should feel respectful and free of judgement, and encourages clients to find a therapist with whom they feel safe, understood and comfortable.
- Appearing capable and dependable while privately feeling overwhelmed, disconnected or unsure of yourself.
- The pressure to keep achieving and how difficult it can be to rest when you feel you must earn it.
- Caring for others while struggling to recognize your own needs or express them without guilt.
- Wanting change while feeling pulled toward familiar patterns—even when those patterns no longer serve you.
- Navigating questions of identity, culture and belonging while deciding which expectations you want to carry forward.
- Reconsidering a life that looks right from the outside but no longer feels right to you.
- Developing a kinder relationship with yourself while making meaningful, practical changes.
- Reflected in my ability to offer therapy in English and Russian, with sensitivity to how language, culture, and family expectations shape our sense of self.
- Something I welcome you to explore through conversations about belonging, cultural identity, honouring your roots, and choosing your own path.
- Warm
- Non-judgmental
- Attentive
- Compassionate
- Insightful
- Easy to open up to
- Honest without being harsh
- Gently challenging
- Respectful of my pace
Expertise
Areas of Focus
- Adults with ADHD who struggle with overwhelm, routines and following through.
- Adults experiencing depression, low motivation or disconnection from themselves and others.
- Immigrants navigating cultural differences, identity shifts, and the challenge of finding belonging while staying connected to their roots.
- People caught between high expectations, perfectionism, procrastination and self-criticism.
- People who put others first and struggle to express their needs or set boundaries without guilt.
- Adults navigating changes in their careers, relationships or sense of purpose.
- You understand many of your struggles, but knowing why hasn’t been enough to change them.
- You’re tired of pushing yourself harder, feeling stuck and then blaming yourself.
- You want to understand your emotions and reactions, alongside practical ways to make everyday life more manageable.
- You find it easier to care for others than to recognize your own needs or set boundaries.
- You want a warm, nonjudgmental therapist who will listen closely and gently challenge patterns that are keeping you stuck.
- You’re new to therapy, unsure where to begin or want to explore difficult experiences at your own pace.
Therapeutic Frameworks & Approach
- Heard and understood, without having to find the perfect words or hold everything together.
- Accepted in your uncertainty, difficult feelings and contradictions.
- Comfortable enough to be honest, disagree with me or say when something isn’t helping.
- Supported and gently challenged, with respect for your pace and choices.
- Less alone in what you’re carrying, with more room to understand yourself and what you need.
Populations Served
Practice Details
Service Offerings & Rates
- What brings you to therapy and what you hope might change. You can share as much or as little as feels comfortable.
- What matters to you in a therapist, including anything that has or hasn’t helped in past therapy.
- How I work and what sessions could look like, including my role as a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) practicing under supervision.
- Practical details such as fees, availability and how virtual sessions work.
- Your questions and whether we feel like a good fit. There’s no pressure to book or decide during the call.
- Listen closely and help you make sense of patterns in your emotions, relationships and everyday choices.
- Explore what keeps you stuck with curiosity, while gently questioning beliefs that leave you feeling inadequate or powerless.
- Help you recognize your needs, express boundaries and respond to difficult feelings with greater understanding.
- Connect insight with practical steps, whether that means managing overwhelm, building realistic routines or approaching a difficult conversation.
- Work toward goals that reflect what matters to you, with room for setbacks and changing priorities.
- Ask for your feedback and adjust our work so you have a meaningful voice in the process.
Insurance & Benefits Coverage
Schedule
In Person Sessions
Virtual Sessions
More Info
Education
Yorkville University
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology
2026
Certifications
Languages
Booking FAQ
First Session charges each session directly to your credit card. Once each session occurs, and your card is charged, you will receive a PDF receipt to your email with all of the details you will need to get reimbursed (therapist name, license/designation, license number, address, etc). You can then submit the receipt to your insurance company for reimbursement if you have coverage.
We always recommend you check with your insurance provider to confirm what coverage you have.
You are the expert when it comes to knowing who is the right fit. Ensure you’ve watched the therapist video at the top of their profile and see if you get a good feeling from the message and the energy they are putting out. If you feel drawn to speak with them, listen to your gut! Booking a free consultation is a great first step to asses fit.