Jola Mecani
Jola Mecani is a Registered Social Worker who offers a warm, human-centered approach, creating space for clients to explore their emotions at their own pace. She believes therapy is a collaborative process that unfolds organically when both therapist and client show up authentically. As a first-generation immigrant from Albania, Jola understands the impact of cultural stigma and the pressure to hide emotional struggles. Clients can expect a deeply validating experience where their story is heard, honoured, and never rushed. She has a special interest in helping clients reconnect with their narrative and heal from internalized shame and emotional disconnection. Jola invites you to bring all parts of yourself—and begin rewriting your story with compassion.
- Navigating cultural identity, family expectations, and the feeling of belonging to two (or more).
- The nuances of how faith, tradition, and mental well-being intertwine.
- The struggle of constantly striving to be “good enough” and learning to cultivate self-compassion.
- Supporting children’s emotional growth while breaking generational cycles of trauma.
- Navigating interracial and intercultural relationships while balancing different cultural backgrounds and family expectations.
- Albanian - With firsthand experience of the cultural values, expectations, and challenges within Albanian communities.
- Muslim - Understanding the intersection of faith, identity, and mental health, as well as the unique struggles faced by Muslims in navigating religious, cultural, and societal expectations.
- First-generation immigrant - Familiar with the complexities of balancing two cultures, intergenerational differences, and the pressures of success and belonging.
- Non-judgmental
- Compassionate
- Attuned
- Insightful
- Validating
- Humorous
Expertise
Areas of Focus
- Children, teens, and adults navigating anxiety, trauma, and emotional regulation.
- Individuals healing from childhood trauma, developmental trauma, and attachment wounds who are seeking to understand their past and create healthier patterns.
- First-generation immigrants balancing cultural expectations, family pressures, and identity struggles.
- Muslims and individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds seeking a therapist who understands faith, tradition, and mental health intersections.
- Professionals and high-achievers struggling with perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and burnout.
- Individuals from interracial or intercultural relationships working through family dynamics, belonging, and identity.
- Those with difficult childhood experiences, including emotional neglect, family dysfunction, and complex parent-child relationships.
- Parents and caregivers looking for guidance in supporting their children’s emotional well-being.
- You want to deepen your mind-body connection and understand how emotions show up physically.
- You’re ready to build emotional awareness and learn to name, sit with, and process your feelings instead of pushing them away.
- You’re curious about the different parts of yourself, such as the inner critic, the protector, and the vulnerable self, and want to explore them with compassion rather than judgment.
- You struggle with anxiety, self-doubt, or past wounds and want to feel more grounded and secure in who you are.
- You want to break free from old patterns and create healthier ways of relating to yourself and others.
Therapeutic Frameworks & Approach
- Safe enough to be real: No need to filter your words or say what you think a therapist wants to hear. You can show up exactly as you are.
- Curious rather than critical: We’ll approach your thoughts, feelings, and different parts of yourself with compassion instead of self-blame.
- Empowered to make sense of your patterns: Understanding why you react the way you do and how to shift toward healthier responses.
- Supported but also gently challenged: Therapy isn’t just about comfort; it’s about growth, and I’ll help you stretch in ways that feel safe and meaningful.
Ages Served
Practice Details
Service Offerings & Rates
- What brings you to therapy: You don’t need to have all the answers; we’ll explore what’s been on your mind and what you hope to gain from therapy.
- How we connect: Therapy is more than just techniques; it’s about feeling safe and understood. After our consultation, take a moment to reflect on your emotional experience. Did you feel heard? Comfortable? Open to sharing?
- The right fit for you: Finding the right therapist isn’t just about picking the “best” approach. It’s about discovering a connection that feels natural and supportive.
- Any questions or concerns you have: This is your space to ask about my approach, therapy in general, or anything else that’s on your mind.
- Create a space where it’s safe to feel and express your emotions openly
- Help you transform difficult feelings into opportunities for growth and healing
- Gently challenge you when it’s helpful for your progress
- Approach every session with warmth and empathy
- Support you in building emotional clarity and a stronger sense of self
Insurance & Benefits Coverage
Schedule
In Person Sessions
Virtual Sessions
More Info
Education
Wilfrid Laurier University
Masters of Social Work
2025
University of Toronto
Masters of Public Policy
2015
University of Toronto
Bachelor of Arts
2013
Certifications
The Felt Sense Polyvagal Model: New Directions in Trauma and Addiction Treatment Certificate
OASW Learning Centre, 2025
Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals (EFIT)- Level 1 Certificate
PESI, 2025
Emotionally Focused Therapy for Traumatized Individuals: Shaping a New Sense of Self Certificate
PESI, 2025
Childhood Brain Development Training Course Certificate
Institute of Child Psychology, 2025
Feelings Activities: Emotional Identification & Regulation in Play Therapy Training Course Certificate
Institute of Child Psychology, 2025
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Practice Certificate
Evergreen, 2024
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Training for Children and Adolescents: Rescuing the Dysregulated Child Certificate
Evergreen, 2024
2-Day Intensive Training: Mindfulness Course
PESI, 2024
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Certificate
Medical University of South Carolina, 2024
Treating Stressed Out Couples: 22 Clinical Interventions to Help Partners Set Healthy Boundaries, Overcome Resentment, and Thrive Amid Day-to-Day Tensions Course
PESI, 2024
Narrative Therapy Certificate
Dulwich Centre, 2021
Concurrent Disorders Certificate Program
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) & The University of Toronto, 2019
Motivational Interviewing Training
Canadian Training Institute, 2018
Psychological First Aid Certificate
John Hopkins University, 2017