Taking the first step toward therapy is a powerful act of courage and self-care, and I want to acknowledge the strength it takes to reach out for support. Life can sometimes feel overwhelming, and you may be unsure how to navigate the challenges you face. You do not have to face these difficulties alone, and you deserve the right care and support. With 8 years of experience, I am here to help you explore the roots of your struggles and develop healthier ways to cope, so you can find relief and restore a sense of balance. Together, we can create a safe and supportive space for self-exploration, healing, and growth.

In individual therapy, I work with adult clients experiencing depression, anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and unresolved relationship difficulties. I also work with those healing from traumatic or overwhelming life experiences, including emotional, physical, or sexual abuse and neglect. My experience includes helping clients navigate grief and loss, workplace stress and burnout, serious or terminal illness, and existential concerns around meaning and purpose. In couple and sex therapy, I help partners address a wide range of relationship challenges, from enhancing emotional, physical, and sexual intimacy to rebuilding trust after infidelity or betrayal. I also support couples in managing conflicts around finances, parenting, or extended family, and in coping with life changes such as chronic or terminal illness. I welcome individuals from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds and identities.

My educational and clinical training includes completing my Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical and Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto in 2025, following the completion of my Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical and Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto in 2019. I have previously provided psychological assessment and treatment services within university settings (OISE clinic), hospitals (Sunnybrook Inpatient Residential Treatment Program; anxiety center), and private practice (Oshawa Psychological & Counselling Services, Triloka Psychology, and Church Wellesley Counselling and Psychotherapy). I began working at the Centre for Interpersonal Relationships in September of 2023, where I completed my final year of training through clinical residency. I am currently completing my final year of supervised clinical training in Ontario, which is required before practicing independently. I am working as a therapist under the supervision of two clinical psychologists: Dr. Lila Hakim, C. Psych., working with adult individual and couples therapy clients and assessment clients, and Dr. Jean Kim, C. Psych., working with adult individual psychotherapy. Meanwhile, I am in the process of registering as a Clinical Psychologist (Supervised Practice) with the College of Psychologists and Behavioural Analysts of Ontario.

During our initial session, I will explore the challenges you are currently facing and work with you to establish the goals you wish to achieve throughout our therapeutic journey. To gain a comprehensive understanding of how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors have been impacting your well-being and relationships, I may ask you to complete questionnaires and share information about your personal background and life experiences. For couples, following this initial session, I will also conduct individual sessions with each participant to integrate these findings and deepen our understanding of each person’s self-experience in the relationship. We will then reconvene for joint sessions to address the most significant issues identified in your journey together.

As an integrative psychotherapist, my approach combines elements from different therapeutic modalities such as Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), client-centered therapy, attachment-based psychotherapy, and psychodynamic therapy. By utilizing these diverse evidence-based approaches, I aim to assist you in reaching your desired goals through delving into your emotions, addressing any challenging behaviors and thoughts you may be experiencing, and develop coping skills in a safe and welcoming environment. Together, we will navigate through these techniques to support your growth and progress. I offer services in English and Persian to accommodate individuals who prefer either language.

A few of my publications include the following:

PUBLICATIONS

Kamalou, S., Shaughnessy, K., Moscovitch, D. A. (June 2021), Looking for a safe haven online: Development and Psychometrics of the Seeking Online Safety Questionnaire, Poster presented at the Canadian Psychological Association’s 2021 Virtual Convention.

Kamalou, S., Watson, J. C. (June 2021), The Role of Attachment Style in Resolution of Self-criticism Process, Poster presented at the Canadian Psychological Association’s 2021 Virtual Convention.

Kamalou, S. (2020). The role of attachment style in resolution of self-criticism process. University of Toronto (Canada).

Kamalou, S., Shaughnessy, K., & Moscovitch, D.A. (2019). Social Anxiety in the Digital Age: The Measurement and Sequelae of Online Safety-Seeking. Computers in Human Behavior, 90, 10-17.

Shaughnessy, K., Rocheleau, J. N., Kamalou, S., Moscovitch, D. A. (2017, April), The Effects of Social Anxiety and Online Privacy Concern on Individual Differences in Internet-Based Interaction Anxiety and Communication Preferences, Cyberpsychology. behavior and social networking, 20(4), p. 212-217

Kamalou, S., Shaughnessy, K., & Moscovitch, D.A. (2016). Does level of safety matter? Online vs. offline safety behaviours in social anxiety. Personality and Individual Differences, 101(1), page 487.

Rocheleau, J. N., Shaughnessy, K., Kamalou, S., Moscovitch, D. A. (May 2016), Exploring the Relationship Between Social Anxiety Online and Online Privacy Concern, Poster presented the 28th Association for Psychological Science Annual Convention, Chicago, IL, USA.

Kamalou, S., Shaughnessy, K., Moscovitch, D. A. (July 2015), Does level of safety matter? Online vs. offline safety behaviours in social anxiety, Poster presented at the International Society for the Study of Individual Differences (ISSID) Conference, London, ON.