Please be in touch to book online and in person services

BOOK A CALL

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.