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  • Identity

  • Life Transitions

  • Navigating Various Forms of Oppression

  • Racism 

  • Self-Esteem

  • Workplace and Educational Settings Stressors

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Trauma

  • Gender Journey (identity and relational experiences)

  • Grief and Loss (including abortion and pregnancy loss)

Primary Areas of Focus:

Joelle standing and smiling from the side. She is wearing a floral pattern blue and green dress.

Joelle’s Story

Welcome! As a registered social worker and psychotherapist in Ontario, Canada, I have spent many years providing mental health care to racialized communities in various settings, including a community health center and private practice.


As a Black woman, I’ve had the privilege of learning so much about collective care, humor, intergenerational wisdom, and survival. My practice and approach integrate an Afrocentric framework that allows us to go beyond the individual and to understand how our community (e.g. “our village”) shapes our view of self. Not overexplaining, sharing a laugh, communicating through body language, and having compassion for the unspoken are just a few of the gems that come from my experiences working with racialized communities. This has shown me that therapeutic care goes beyond manuals and textbooks – my hope is to facilitate therapeutic spaces where you can nurture your authentic self from a place of emotional safety, joy, and empowerment.

I look forward to collaborating with you throughout your therapeutic journey!

  • Queer Relationships (including ethical non-monogamy, polyamory)

  • Racism and Discrimination

  • Substance Use Management and Harm Reduction (crystal meth, cocaine, alcohol, marijuana)

  • Trauma-Informed Care

Languages Spoken:

Michael can provide services in English and Tagalog.

Primary Areas of Focus:

  • Anxiety 

  • Depression

  • Gender Journey (dysphoria, coming out, etc)

  • General Stress (workplace, cross-cultural, acculturation)

  • Grief/Loss

  • Life Transitions

Michael in a white pullover leaning against the stairs.

Michael’s Story

Hello, Kumusta (how are you)? As a psychotherapist and registered social worker in Toronto, Ontario, I have worked with many diverse communities, including those who have been marginalized because of their race, income, gender identity, and immigration & HIV status. Throughout my practice, I have learned that regardless of how difficult life is, caring for ourselves and each other is crucial to supporting our mental health. Even with the many struggles that affect us, mental health or otherwise, we still have the capacity to face difficult challenges with hope and humor in our hearts, one day at a time.

My personal experiences with both difficulty and care closely inform my psychotherapy practice. I draw inspiration from community members who have embraced and supported me as a newcomer in Toronto.  My hope is to return the generosity and care I have experienced, holding space for your stories with the same care, kindness, and compassion that I experienced in the most challenging of times. Being heard and being seen matters. So I look forward to seeing and hearing you, and to sharing space with you when needed. Salamat (thank you) and talk soon!

Hope Leads is proud to introduce our expanded team of therapists. Read their stories and book an introductory meeting with them today.

Meet the Team

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Al Kaibzhanov, MSW, RSW (he/him)

al@hopeleads.ca
 

I’m a Registered Social Worker and a Psychotherapist (RSW) in Ontario with a master’s degree from Columbia University and over 15 years of experience supporting adults and seniors through life’s challenges. My approach is compassionate, person-centered, and rooted in evidence-based care. I integrate a variety of therapeutic modalities, including EMDR, Somatic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Polyvagal Theory, and Life Coaching.

 

What sets my practice apart is my holistic, trauma-informed framework that acknowledges the interconnectedness of mind and body. I also incorporate techniques from my training in yoga, qigong, meditation, and breathwork to support emotional, physical, and mental well-being. Together, we will co-create a safe, non-judgmental space, empowering you to deepen self-awareness, process past traumas, and achieve meaningful change in your life.

 

Ready to embark on your healing journey? Let’s connect and take the first step toward your transformation.

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Elizabeth Carolina Ibarra, MSW, RSW (she/her)

elizabeth@hopeleads.ca

“Boozhoo” (Hello), 'Uy' Skweyul (Good day), and “Mucho Gusto” (Nice to meet you) my relation! As a psychotherapist and registered social worker in Ontario, Canada (originally from Tkaronto), who is now residing on the unceded territories of the Quw’ustun people of Vancouver Island, I have always been passionate about providing healthcare that honours people’s unique stories of survival and resiliency within a cross-cultural Indigenous worldview through trauma-informed and anti-oppressive counselling.


Myself riding the line between Native/Settler identities as an Ecuadorian-Canadian Mestiza, with a professional background in both urban and rural community-based practice, I’m most experienced working with Indigenous and racialized young people, 2SLBGTQ+ folks, families navigating violence and addictions, grieving persons, and survivors of trauma. I specialize in holding space for clients to define what healing looks like in their lives and supporting them in discovering their power to lead positive change.

 

I’m looking forward to walking with you on your journey!

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Imogen Tam, MSW, RSW (She/They)

imogen@hopeleads.ca

Welcome! As a registered social worker in Ontario, I have worked with individuals exploring various intersections of identity such as race, gender and sexuality.

 

As an East Asian and white mixed-race, queer person, I understand the unique challenges of navigating identity and feelings of non/belonging. It can be hard learning to open up to someone, especially if we haven’t had a place where we felt safe enough to do so. In my practice, I aim to create a space where we can cultivate a strong working relationship built on trust and mutual respect. Having a non-judgemental space to talk to someone is so important in working toward understanding and addressing your needs. 

 

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health. My hope is to accompany you through moments of tension and heavy feelings and to witness your growth and strength as you work towards building the life you want. I look forward to cultivating this space of growth together! 

Hani.heic

Hani Osman, RP (Qualifying) (she/her)

hani@hopeleads.ca

Warmest Welcome! I recognize that this is a courageous step towards your healing and for that, what a beautiful act to do for yourself! Growing up as a new Canadian/immigrant I quickly learned that topics around mental health and wellness were often pushed to the side or rarely explored inside or outside of the home. Navigating these issues may feel lonely, especially when you feel unsupported or misunderstood. As a Qualifying Registered Psychotherapist, I intend to create a safe space for reflection, healing, unlearning, and relearning in therapy.

 

My experiences as an educator and work with Indigenous and East African communities have informed my therapeutic practice. This has helped me integrate cultural nuances in therapy (if need be). I utilize an anti-oppressive, client-centered, and empathetic approach. The therapeutic modalities I employ when helping my clients are Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Trauma-Focused Therapy.

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Johanna George MSW, RSW (she/her)

johanna@hopeleads.ca
 

Hello! As a registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist in Toronto, I have provided mental health care for diverse communities for over 15 years. I’ve practiced on Family Health Teams, in community organizations, as well as in private practice. Having had the opportunity to work in different settings, I draw from a variety of modalities in order to create a unique space for healing, humour and hope. 
 

My approach is one of meaningful connection. How do you relate to others, and to yourself? Our identities and past experiences can influence how we currently move in the world. Working together in the here-and-now, we can create a playful and compassionate space for you to step more fully into your authentic self. 

One of my areas of focus includes providing support to those who have, or are looking to make changes to substance or alcohol use. Whether you are looking to reduce use or stop, it is never a one-size-fits-all approach. We are all so beautifully different! Slowing down and cultivating moments of awareness can help you to pause. It is in this pause that you can have more freedom to make different choices, moving more in alignment with the type of life that you want. 

 

So, whether you are experiencing difficulty or pain, or simply looking to work on personal growth, I look forward to supporting you from a place of care and kindness, celebrating the entirety of who you are.

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