Maria Nemis

Hello!

My name is Maria Nemis (they/she), and I am a Registered Counselling Therapist Candidate with NSCCT.

I know from experience that starting therapy can be intimidating. My practice is client-centered and relational because I believe that therapy should be, first and foremost, a truly safe and accepting space for all of the messy and myriad experiences that come with being a human. My years of work as a peer supporter have taught me that everyone is an expert on their own experience, and that a collaborative and non-judgmental approach supports people to access and build upon the skills to heal and grow.

As a queer and neurodivergent person, I’m passionate about facilitating access to support for members of marginalized communities, and I’m continuously learning about ways to make my practice inclusive, anti-oppressive, and equitable. I work from trauma-informed, neurodivergence-informed, sex-positive, and intersectional feminist frameworks, because I think complexity and diversity should be celebrated. I am dedicated to disability justice, which includes a COVID-conscious practice and flexibility around accessibility needs.

My areas of focus include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, neurodiversity, gender & sexuality, trauma, attachment, and relationship struggles. My primary modality is Person-Centered Therapy, but my approach is integrative, and my priority is to tailor the therapeutic process to meet your needs. I currently work with teens and adults ages 12+, but am excited to expand my capacity throughout my counselling career.

My academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Dalhousie University and a Master’s in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. I’m passionate about research, and have enjoyed my involvement in research initiatives exploring gender diversity and eating disorders, transition-age youth, and peer support. I’ve worked in social services for my entire adult life, moving from direct care for disabled adults to mental health peer support for youth before finding my niche in the world of counselling therapy. I aim to combine evidence-based practice with the knowledge and wisdom of lived experience and first-voice perspectives in my work.

In my personal life, I’m a Cape Breton-raised Haligonian living with my partner, children, and pets. I love spending time in nature, making art, and losing myself in the ever-moving target of my special interests.

Above all else, I am fundamentally interested in people and their stories, experiences, and perspectives. I feel enormously privileged to do this work, and I aim to bring a spirit of curiosity and empathy into all of my interactions. I believe wholeheartedly in the idea that “we are all just walking each other home.” If you’re feeling ready to embark upon the counselling journey (and even if you’re not quite sure yet), I can’t wait to meet you!