
Maria Abbas, M.A., R.P. (Qualifying)
Life can be challenging and overwhelming, and we can find ourselves stuck with difficult thoughts and emotional reactions. To seek help during difficult times requires vulnerability and a lot of courage. This courage has allowed you to take the first step towards your healing journey, and for that, I applaud you.
I provide evidence-based psychotherapy and mental health treatment services to adults experiencing a variety of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression and mood disorders, grief and loss, emotional regulation, self-esteem, relationship difficulties, trauma, and struggles with cultural identity, spirituality, as well as other mental health concerns.
I draw primarily from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to explore and address the difficult thoughts and emotional experiences that clients face, to assist clients work through challenging moments in their lives. I also bring in a number of approaches to tailor treatment interventions to address the specific struggles that clients face. In collaboration with my clients, and depending on their specific concerns, I help clients with self-acceptance, mindfulness, and somatic experiencing, and support my clients by using techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), in their journey towards healing and growth. Psychodynamic approaches can also be integrated, to better deepen an understanding of unhelpful thinking patterns, emotions, and subconscious patterns of behaviour.
Self-compassion, trust, and understanding are all fundamental values within my therapeutic approach. I provide a non-judgemental, accepting, and supportive environment, and support the highest potential for client growth, placing our therapeutic alliance as a priority within each session. I am comfortable working diverse clientele (e.g., gender, cultural background, socioeconomic status, age, and religious beliefs).
I hold a Bachelor of Cognitive Science in Psychology (Honours) from Carleton University (2018), and have completed my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and Spirituality at Saint-Paul University & the University of Ottawa (2022). I have provided psychotherapy services at St. Paul University’s Counselling & Psychotherapy Centre, Senta Counselling Services, and at Hoffman Psychology.
Over the years I have also been involved with initiatives at the Royal Mental Health Centre, in the geriatric unit with an elderly population, and have facilitated workshops within elementary schools, and the government sector on various topics including psychoeducation on mental health, burn out, work-life balance and effective coping strategies.
Additionally, I am a published author within scientific journals. I had co-authored a Meta-Analysis on Cognitive Remediation Therapy in Major Depressive Disorder.
At the Centre for Interpersonal Relationships (CFIR), I provide clinical services to adults under the supervision of Dr. Marc Bedard, C. Psych.
Treatments
- Anger & Emotion Regulation
- Anxiety & Stress
- Career & Workplace
- Depression, Mood & Grief
- Eating, Weight & Body Image
- Health Psychology
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Multicultural
- Neuropsychology
- Personality
- Rehabilitation Psychology
- Self-Growth & Self-Esteem
- Substance Use
- Trauma Psychology & PTSD
Assessment
- Disability, Injury & Accident
- Immigration & Refugee
- Personality & Interpersonal
- Trauma & Dissociation
Therapies
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Attachment-Based/Mentalization Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Emotion(ally)-Focused Therapy (EFT, EFFT)
- Existential-Humanistic Therapy
- Integrative Therapy
- Mindfulness-Based Therapies (E.G., MBSR, MBCT)
- Psychodynamic/Analytic