Ali Joy Richardson

Hi, I’m Ali. I’m glad you’re here.

I am a licensed Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT-C) with the regulatory body Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. I hold a Masters in Counselling Psychology (Yorkville University). I work with adults, teens, and couples. I specialize in trauma recovery (especially interpersonal trauma, including abuse) and I have a passion for working with neurodivergent clients and 2SLGBTQIA+ clients. I see therapy as highly collaborative: you bring expertise about you and your life, and I bring knowledge of how healing and change happens.

I believe people have an innate ability to heal and grow – but sometimes we get stuck. Our brains and bodies develop defense mechanisms to protect us during duress. Sometimes these stick around as unhelpful patterns after the threat has passed. Over time, this can lead to anxiety, depression, and other challenges. I can help you identify, understand, and shift these patterns. We can work together to gain a clearer picture of what you value in life and how to move towards it. I mix insight-oriented approaches (therapeutic conversations to promote self-discovery) with action-oriented strategies. Above all, I believe that when a therapist earns a client’s trust, the client-therapist relationship can be a life-changing experience of respect, safety, and freedom.

My approach is client-centered. This means I’ll ask what has (and hasn’t!) worked for you in the past, and together we’ll tailor your unique therapy. My foundation is Narrative Therapy. With curiosity and compassion, this approach helps us examine the stories we tell ourselves about our lives. Which stories are serving us? Which are limiting us? Where do these stories come from? What parts of ourselves have we lost touch with? I am trained in the Gottman Method and Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) and I integrate aspects of mindfulness, Somatic Therapy (body-focused), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

I am a white, queer, cisgender woman (she/her) and I’m dedicated to providing culturally responsive counselling to all clients. I understand the toll systemic injustices take on individual well-being and our sessions will take these realities into account. I have experience writing advocacy letters for clients to bring to other healthcare providers or lawyers. I’ve also written a statement for an Impact of Race and Culture Assessment in court.

My clinical mental health work is also informed by over a decade working as a professional theatre artist across Canada. I have written and directed plays (from musicals, to comedies, to experimental performance art in an old record store) and trained performing artists at the university level. If investing in or reconnecting with your creativity is important to you, I’m glad to incorporate this in our work.

It takes courage to seek support. If you feel ready to connect, I’d be honoured to hear your story.