Maria Yammine
Maria Yammine, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist
Specialties: Couples, relationships, anxiety, depression, complex trauma, grief and loss, emotional dysregulation, addictions, family therapy, child therapy, LGBTQI+/queer affirming therapy, inter-racial couples/families, racial identity exploration.
Clients like: They never feel judged. I’m a clear and open communicator. My clients feel like we’re on the same team and they always know my intentions when I ask certain questions. They feel seen, heard, safe, and understood, while also feeling in control and guided at the same time.
Modalities: Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), attachment based trauma informed.
Availability: In person, virtual.
Schedule: Days and evenings.
Languages spoken: English, French
More About Me
Hello! My name is Maria. I’m genuinely interested and fascinated by relationship dynamics. I get excited and invigorated by this work. It’s beautiful to see how people can progress, and it's a privilege to connect with people and help resolve accumulated stress or trauma. I’m passionate about advocacy and allyship for communities that are placed on the margins of society.
I provide couple therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, and child therapy. Clients come to me expressing difficulty with communication, anxiety, depressive symptoms, difficulty with their emotions, or a history of trauma. Individuals also almost always also have relationship concerns - romantic, parental, friendship, or family dynamics. I’m skilled at helping people who feel they’ve lost their identity as a partner, a parent, or just as an individual. I’m very skilled at helping people of all ages explore their emotions in a way that’s gentle but transformative at the same time.
I like letting people know what I’m doing and why I’m doing it, so you’ll always have a clear idea about what the expectations are. You’re doing the work and I’m there as a coach, educator, and investigator. My goal isn’t for you to be in therapy forever. I will help you understand the hidden dynamics in your relationship, the roles you’re each playing to contribute, and provide alternative and more enjoyable ways to interact with each other. I’ll share what I’m seeing and give you the skills to do it differently. I’ve received positive feedback from clients about my gentle yet energetic nature. I am a clear communicator and always open to feedback. I have a strong theoretical backing to my therapeutic interventions, which my clients have greatly appreciated.
My therapeutic approach is always relationship based. I mostly draw from interpersonal psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, trauma therapy, and family systems therapy. I work with people of all ages, including children (ages 3-years and older) where I provide modified, age-appropriate counselling and play-based activities to connect with your little one.
Much of who I am professionally comes from who I am as a person. I am originally from New Brunswick and am a proud queer, Arab-Canadian. My identity has influenced my work by discovering the resiliency found within empathic connections. I am always be guided by anti-racism, queer theory, as well as feminist theory. I am committed to being a critical social worker and believe that many societal stigmas contribute to/exasperate many mental health concerns, interpersonal issues, as well as familial conflicts. This means I already know there is nothing wrong with you.
Outside of working, I can be found at local coffee shops or restaurants, chatting with friends or thrifting at consignment stores. Genuinely, you will most likely always find me talking to someone. I adore my personal relationships with my family, partner, friends, colleagues, and strangers I have yet to meet!
As your therapist, I promise to always be mindful of the relationship we’re building together, the past experiences that have shaped you, and how your environment may be contributing to your experiences today. I am here to walk confidently with you on your journey of emotional healing, from within yourself, your relationship, or your family.
Education & Certifications
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Master of Social Work, York University, 2020
Bachelor of Social Work, St Thomas University, 2018
Bachelor of Science (Psychology), Mount Allison University, 2016
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Applied Suicide Intervention Skills
Sexual Assault Response
Crisis Prevention Intervention
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Dr. Christine Padesky- Anxiety Traps! CBT Solutions (2017)
Dr. Lori Haskell- A Trauma Informed Justice System: Understanding The Neurobiology of Trauma (2017)
Motivational Interviewing (2018)
Crossing New Thresholds: Emerging Doors to Care (HIV Care) (2020)
