Areej Jaffrani
Areej Jaffrani
Therapist
REGISTERED PYSCHOTHERAPIST (QUALIFYING)
I am a South Asian woman with lived experience as an economic immigrant, having navigated life across three culturally distinct countries and five cities. This journey has given me a unique perspective on the challenges and benefits of such transitions and a deep appreciation of the ways that race, culture, and religion intersect and influence our lives and contribute to the struggles we face. Growing up in a place with limited mental health awareness and resources, I have developed a profound commitment to making well-being central to every community. Coming from a large family and being surrounded by children of all ages has naturally fostered my ability to connect with kids at various developmental stages.
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Approach to therapy ​
With seven years of experience, I specialize in working with children, teens, young adults, parents, and families; helping them find the light within them. I strive to collaboratively and compassionately help my clients explore, discover, and embrace insight, resilience, and strengths they already possess to overcome life’s challenges, while healing and growing. I believe clients are the experts in themselves and take a non-expert, and non-judgmental stance to understand my clients’ lived experiences. I bring my individuality to my therapeutic work, and often use humor, silliness, fun and the power of ‘presence’ in the therapy room, allowing clients to feel safe and welcome to embrace their own true selves. I firmly believe that no one approach suits all clients and continuously work toward evolving techniques and tools to meet clients ‘where they are at’. I use a combination of Play Therapy, Sandplay Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Person-Centered Therapy. My work is informed by a neuroscience, attachment, and trauma lens and I believe a safe therapeutic relationship is the most important part of any healing journey. I am committed to providing culturally sensitive care and decolonizing mental health.
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Education and qualifications​
I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the CRPO. My qualifications include a BA in Psychology from McGill University Canada, and an MSc in Developmental Psychology and Clinical Practice from University College London (UCL) and Anna Freud National Centre, UK. I have also received training in Play Therapy from the Canadian Association of Play Therapy and Sandplay Therapy from the Association of Sandplay Therapy, USA. My expertise includes depression and anxiety in children and teens, childhood trauma, emotional dysregulation, self-esteem issues, school issues, and positive parenting. As a bilingual therapist, I offer services in English and Urdu.