Ilana Brown

ABOUT ILANA

Hi, I'm Ilana

MFT
REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST (ONTARIO)
RELATIONSHIP and DATING COACH

I work with individuals and couples to grow their self-awareness, trust and compassion in their relationship within themselves and between each other.

I hold a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy and have taken trainings in many diverse evidence-based modalities and use the map of attachment science to guide my sessions. I never stop learning and growing to help my clients live an authentic and meaningful life and experience the satisfaction of true intimacy.

How I got into this field

For 12 years, I worked as a matchmaker and was able to help many people through the process of dating, relationship building and their final goal of a long term happy marriage. But what kept bothering me and pulling at my heartstrings, was the fact that so many people were staying single, even though they were also dreaming and putting in effort to find their special person. This led me to go back to school and to learn more about the process of understanding our own humanness.

This journey took me into my own humanness. Learning to understand myself, my intense and fast paced triggered responses, and how my life experiences led me to find ways to survive and function. It helped me become more compassionate, less judgemental and increase my overall life satisfaction and the quality of my relationships.

I realize that each person’s history and healing journey is unique and different. In our work together, you will be the expert on your life and I will be honored if you allow me to come alongside this courageous and often challenging journey.

Our sessions will be a respectful, safe and validating space to slow down, explore and share your inner world and fundamental beliefs. There will be no judgment and only curiosity to help you trust, grow and reclaim your true self.

Credentials

MFT, Marriage and Family Therapist
Registered Psychotherapist (RP) Ontario, Canada
EFT Therapist
IFS Therapist
Member of College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario (CRPO)
Member of Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP)

When I work with clients, I use tools from the following list of diverse evidence-based modalities

Emotional-Focused Therapy (EFT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Mindful Self Compassion (MSC)
Somatic Intervention (SI)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Workshop Trainings

Building a Lasting Connection Workshop
PAIRS Essentials S.H.A.L.O.M. Marriage Workshop

I can help explore these issues with you

Being more authentic and comfortable in your own skin
Living with clarity and fulfillment
Building inner happiness and gratitude
Understanding and learning from intense emotions and experiences
Make sense of history’s impact on the present
Ending relationships when necessary
Struggles with trusting and committing to others
Communicating effectively (especially in challenging relationships)
Dating with purpose and direction but less intensity
Deepening connection with others
Creating meaningful and fulfilling relationships
Increasing intimacy and vulnerability in relationships

At the same time, I can also help explore these issues which can coexist:

Processing anxiety and depression in a healthy way
Increasing low self-esteem
Negative self-talk
Unpredictable emotions and behaviors
Anger management
Low energy/lack of motivation
Hidden shame
Family Stressors
Triggers and emotional regulation
Healing attachment Issues
Childhood emotional neglect
Intimacy and sexuality
Dating and Relationship Coaching

Learn more about my services

Some fun and more personal facts about me:

I am a proud mom and virtual grandmother.
My husband and I married young and dumb, with no map. With a healthy mix of fights, tears, loving and laughter, we continue to invest hard work and authenticity into our ever growing relationship.
My passion for anything I believe in or do is my strength and sometimes my weakness
I used to love creative writing and still dream of writing a novel one day.