Nalini Iype

I have extensive experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families from a wide variety of backgrounds, including different ethnicities, nationalities, gender identities, and sexual orientations. Some areas that I treat with all ages include mood disorders (e.g., depression and anxiety); challenging emotions and behaviors (e.g., impulsivity, anger, shame, guilt, suicidality and self-harm); and issues of self-esteem and self-growth. I also have a passion for working with family conflict, such as differing parenting styles, challenges with communication, and generational differences in immigration experiences. I am well versed in treating trauma with both children and adults, as well as grief and loss related to death and divorce. I also have a particular interest in supporting youth on the cusp of adulthood as they explore and discover their self-identities. In addition to therapy, I conduct psychological evaluations of intelligence, learning differences, giftedness, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, behaviour, personality, socio-emotional abilities, and developmental disorders. I have great interest and experience with assessing trauma for children and youth in foster care and for those in the process of being adopted. From the beginning of our work together, I will strive to provide a welcoming and open space so that we can explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors together as a team. We will work together to achieve your goals by building on your strengths and finding new ways to remove the obstacles in your path to a more fulfilled life. My work is grounded in integrative theory, meaning we could use practical skills to get you or your child “unstuck”, talk about patterns in your life experiences, or explore how your family of origin impacts you now. I have specialized training in art therapy and am comfortable with helping clients think creatively when traditional talk therapy is not the right fit. That means that I have a unique way to guide children and adults alike who may want to seek help but who may be hesitant as they are unsure of how to express what they feel. Over the last two decades, I have worked in many clinical settings including community mental health and private practice, both in Canada and the US. I have taught psychology and art therapy courses at George Brown College and the Toronto Art Therapy Institute and I have presented on several topics such as art therapy and grief with children to community partners. My research experience includes being involved with an international research project focused on healthy child development in several countries and having published as a first author in a peer-reviewed journal. My doctoral research on ethnic identity development and parenting style was presented at an international conference and I continue to review research articles and attend trainings to remain current in my field. I have a B.A (Hons) in Psychology from the University of New Brunswick, an MC:AT (Masters of Counselling: Art Therapy) from Athabasca University and the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute, and a PsyD from Pacific University in Portland, OR.