Faren encourages her clients to wake up and examine the world around them. After the first session, a collaborative treatment plan will be developed, incorporating your preferences for psychotherapy, counseling, or both. This approach empowers individuals to actively participate in shaping their treatment and intended outcomes.

With individual psychotherapy, you can expect to go deep—deep into the trenches of your childhood, early attachments, dreams, feelings, thoughts, and ideas about life. As we process traumas, evolving narratives, and the “why’s” behind the “what’s,” we cultivate a path of healing. Psychotherapy often takes place within a longer-term relationship and involves a deeper phase of exploration, aiming to address more severe mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or personality disorders. That said, not everyone who engages in psychotherapy is experiencing mental health issues. For many, it’s a journey of curiosity, self-discovery, and ultimately, a willingness to come face to face with their own lives.

In counseling, clients can expect to gain clarity and perspective on their current life challenges through shifting conversations and exploratory questions focused more on the here and now. While still connecting the dots between past, present, and future, the emphasis is on addressing current issues in daily life and functioning. These may include relationship challenges, career or work stress, emotional regulation, and grief management.

As in psychotherapy, various approaches may be utilized—whether specific or integrative—with the ultimate goal of providing relief and/or resolution to the presenting concerns. Counseling can be brief or long-term, ranging from a single session to seasons of sessions.

This is always your choice! Brief counseling can range from 1–3 sessions; short-term may range from 3 to 12 sessions, while medium-term counseling can be seasonal (e.g., every winter, summer, spring, or fall).

Sessions may be booked twice weekly, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or at a minimum of once every three months for individuals, and once every six months for couples. Your file may also be kept open upon special request (e.g., due to travel, busy seasons, or vacations).

Then counseling or consulting/mentorship may be just what you’re looking for. There are many forms of counseling that rely primarily on conversation, such as “talk therapy.” Think of it as a safe space where you can connect with another human about nearly anything. You’ll have the chance to clearly express your needs as you fill out your intake form.

If you prefer the consulting option, expect the focus of your sessions to be on strategizing solutions for specific life situations of your choice. You can also follow up with the mentorship option on an ad hoc basis.

Faren understands how important it is to feel confident that your therapist is equipped to support you. With a blend of extensive personal experience and professional qualifications in counseling psychotherapy, Faren is able to approach even complex and severe issues with both compassion and competence.

During the initial consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your concerns and goals in detail. If it ever seems that a different specialist or approach might better meet your needs, Faren will be honest and do her best to help you find the right support. Your well-being is Faren’s top priority, and together, you’ll navigate this journey at a pace that works for you.

All are welcome to seek out Faren’s services. While Faren actively works with people from all faith and non-faith backgrounds, she is best fitted to those who can hold a mutual respect for each other’s spiritual or non-spiritual beliefs. As a Christian therapist, most of Faren’s references, allegories, and examples relate to Biblical wisdom, Spirit lead guidance, and Christian morals and values. If this doesn’t seem like something that would work well for you, Faren would be happy to refer you to someone with whom you may have a better fit.

Faren is a non-denominational Christian whose beliefs and values closely align with Focus on the Family Canada. Doctrinally, she is most at home within Pentecostal and Charismatic traditions.

She is equipped to work with individuals from all Christian denominations and has had the privilege of working with people from various Abrahamic faiths—including Jewish, Muslim, Seventh-day Adventist, Latter-day Saint (Mormon), etc.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a scientifically backed therapy that helps individuals process and heal from trauma, anxiety, and distressing and recurring memories, thoughts, and imaginations. Using guided eye movements or bilateral stimulation, EMDR activates the brain’s natural ability to reprocess painful experiences, reducing their emotional intensity. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR works directly with the nervous system to promote deep healing, helping clients move forward with greater clarity and resilience.

It is the client’s responsibility to determine if they will be reimbursed for the services provided by Faren Zayda. This can be done by contacting your insurance provider and confirming that they accept the designation of either Canadian Certified Counsellor (C.C.C.) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) or registered psychotherapist (qualifying) (RP-Q) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She holds an MA-counselling psychology and practices under the clinical supervision of Upstream Counselling and Brad Wilton, RP.