Trauma Processing Intensive & Self-Esteem Intensive available September 2025
Meet Kristin Kurian MA, MHSc., Registered Psychotherapist, Certified Trauma Professional.
she/her/hers
Ready to lead your life with clarity and confidence, even if you’re just starting to believe you can?
You’re exhausted from trying to keep it all together.
Always overthinking, always analyzing, always wondering if you said the wrong thing, or if you cared too much, or not enough. You keep showing up for others while quietly shrinking yourself. You’re emotionally tired, burnt out from trying so hard to feel better, be better, or figure out who you are underneath it all.
Maybe you're stuck in patterns you can see but can't seem to change.
Or you're carrying pain that no one else sees because you’ve learned how to hide it well. And deep down, there’s a part of you that knows it doesn’t have to be this way.
You are allowed to want more ease, more clarity, and more grounded relationships, with others and yourself.
This is a space where you don’t have to pretend, push through, or go it alone.
You’re allowed to take up space here.
Let’s begin.
My Approach to Therapy
Therapy with me is a honest, human, and collaborative space, with room for big feelings, brave moments, and just enough lightness to help you breathe through the hard stuff.
I know how vulnerable it can feel to open up, and I never take that for granted. My role is to hold space that’s steady, curious, and compassionate, where you can be real, messy, uncertain, or even totally shut down, and still feel like you belong.
I won’t push you to share more than you’re ready. We’ll go at a pace that feels safe and doable. Together, we’ll figure out what matters most to you and gently begin exploring the patterns, beliefs, and parts that are showing up in your life.
You don’t have to arrive with a perfectly clear agenda or know exactly what you need. Some days we might unpack something that’s been sitting heavy for a long time. Other days, we might just take a breath and make space for whatever’s present.
I’ll ask questions, offer reflections, and support you in deepening your insight, not just for the sake of insight, but so that you can move toward the kind of life, relationships, and self-understanding you want.
Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all.
So our work together won’t be either.
How Is Therapy with Me Different?
So many of the young adults, teens, and parents I meet come to therapy feeling like they’ve already done some of the work. They’ve read the books, listened to the podcasts, maybe even tried therapy before, but still feel stuck.
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They have insight, but it hasn’t led to change.
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They’ve collected skills, but still feel dysregulated.
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They’re trying really hard, but nothing seems to stick.
That’s where I come in.
Therapy with me is different because I don’t just focus on symptoms or behaviour. I work with the whole of who you are, your parts, your history, your relationships, and your nervous system. We explore how your current struggles make sense based on where you’ve been, and then we build the clarity, self-trust, and emotional safety needed to shift long-standing patterns.
Whether you’re a teen navigating big emotions, a young adult in the messy middle of transition, or a parent trying to support your child without losing yourself, I take a deeply collaborative approach.
You set the pace, and we tailor each step to what feels most helpful for you. We’ll look at what’s not working, explore how it came to be, and then gently begin doing something different - together.
We move toward real change, at your pace, in ways that feel meaningful to you.
Together, we’ll strengthen your capacity to handle distressing emotions, unlearn survival strategies that no longer serve you, and create more space for connection, confidence, and ease in your everyday life.
Am I the right therapist for you?
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How does intensive psychotherapy work?Intensive psychotherapy is a deeper, more focused way of working. These sessions typically last between 1.5 to 3 hours and are designed around you - your goals, your emotional capacity, and what’s coming up in your life right now. Unlike traditional weekly therapy, where time often runs out just as something meaningful begins to surface, an intensive allows us to stay with what’s emerging - without rushing. This gives your system the space it needs to regulate, reflect, and begin real integration. What a Session Might Look Like: Grounding: We begin by settling your nervous system and clarifying your intention for the session. Deep Work: We may move into Internal Family Systems (IFS) parts work, somatic tracking, or other trauma-informed modalities depending on what you’re carrying and what your system can handle that day. Integration: We always close with time to reflect, reorient, and gently integrate the work - so you leave grounded and supported. Beyond the Session: You’ll receive optional pre- and post-session materials to help you prepare and reflect, along with personalized takeaways or practices if you’d like them. This isn’t about pushing you into intensity - it’s about giving you time and space to move through what’s ready, with care.
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Why do a Trauma Processing Intensive?There are moments in life when we need more than a weekly check-in. Maybe you’re feeling stuck, looping through the same issues in therapy without real movement. Or you’ve recently gone through something painful or destabilizing that’s still sitting with you, unprocessed. A trauma processing intensive offers the space, time, and support to gently go deeper — not just to talk about the past, but to actually work with it in the present. An Intensive Might Be Right for You If… You’ve been doing weekly therapy, but you’re stuck or circling the same patterns. You’re not in therapy yet, but you know you’re ready to dive into something deeper. You want to experience meaningful healing that doesn’t have to take months. You’ve had a painful or overwhelming experience that still lingers in your body or nervous system. You have time off work or school and want to use it for your emotional well-being — like a “mental health reset.” You’ve done modalities like EMDR, Brainspotting, or somatic therapy before and want a fresh, integrative approach. You’re preparing for a major life shift (a move, job change, parenthood, wedding, or graduation) and want to feel emotionally steady. You’re on the edge of a breakthrough in therapy and want focused support to help you move through it. Trauma doesn’t move on a schedule — and your healing doesn’t have to either. Intensives create the space for things to unfold naturally, with enough time to process, pause, and integrate, without rushing the parts of you that need care the most.
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How do I get startedWe’ll begin with a free 20-minute consultation to talk about what’s bringing you here and whether an intensive feels like the right fit. I’ll answer any questions you have, explain how intensives work, and get a sense of your goals. If it seems like a good match, we’ll move forward with scheduling your intake session. If not, I’m happy to recommend other options and offer a referral.
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Who is a Trauma Intensive not for?While trauma intensives can be deeply supportive, this format may not be the right fit if you are: In active crisis or currently without a plan to stay safe Needing significant daily support or case management Experiencing symptoms of psychosis or severe dissociation that make grounding difficult Wanting long-term, weekly therapy to unpack trauma slowly over time You don’t need to be in ongoing therapy to benefit from an intensive. Follow-up or check-in sessions are always available if needed. If you’re unsure, we can discuss your goals and readiness during a free consult. For Parents Considering This for Their Teen: An intensive might not be the best option right now if your teen is: In acute crisis or requiring immediate psychiatric care Unable to engage in therapy safely or has difficulty staying present during sessions Resistant to the idea of therapy and not ready to participate In a home environment that feels unsafe or unpredictable during or after the session If you're unsure whether your teen is ready for this kind of work, I’m happy to speak with you first to explore options and ensure the approach is supportive and developmentally appropriate.
I get how hard therapy can be, especially when you’re figuring out who you are.
It can feel vulnerable, confusing, or even frustrating at times. I won’t ask you to go anywhere I haven’t gone myself.
I’ve done the work too, and I know it’s worth it.
Real change takes time, and with support, it’s absolutely possible.
Specialities
Clinical Experience
I’m committed to ongoing education and trainings to provide the best support I can to you.
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How does intensive psychotherapy work?Intensive psychotherapy is a deeper, more focused way of working. These sessions typically last between 1.5 to 3 hours and are designed around you - your goals, your emotional capacity, and what’s coming up in your life right now. Unlike traditional weekly therapy, where time often runs out just as something meaningful begins to surface, an intensive allows us to stay with what’s emerging - without rushing. This gives your system the space it needs to regulate, reflect, and begin real integration. What a Session Might Look Like: Grounding: We begin by settling your nervous system and clarifying your intention for the session. Deep Work: We may move into Internal Family Systems (IFS) parts work, somatic tracking, or other trauma-informed modalities depending on what you’re carrying and what your system can handle that day. Integration: We always close with time to reflect, reorient, and gently integrate the work - so you leave grounded and supported. Beyond the Session: You’ll receive optional pre- and post-session materials to help you prepare and reflect, along with personalized takeaways or practices if you’d like them. This isn’t about pushing you into intensity - it’s about giving you time and space to move through what’s ready, with care.
-
Why do a Trauma Processing Intensive?There are moments in life when we need more than a weekly check-in. Maybe you’re feeling stuck, looping through the same issues in therapy without real movement. Or you’ve recently gone through something painful or destabilizing that’s still sitting with you, unprocessed. A trauma processing intensive offers the space, time, and support to gently go deeper — not just to talk about the past, but to actually work with it in the present. An Intensive Might Be Right for You If… You’ve been doing weekly therapy, but you’re stuck or circling the same patterns. You’re not in therapy yet, but you know you’re ready to dive into something deeper. You want to experience meaningful healing that doesn’t have to take months. You’ve had a painful or overwhelming experience that still lingers in your body or nervous system. You have time off work or school and want to use it for your emotional well-being — like a “mental health reset.” You’ve done modalities like EMDR, Brainspotting, or somatic therapy before and want a fresh, integrative approach. You’re preparing for a major life shift (a move, job change, parenthood, wedding, or graduation) and want to feel emotionally steady. You’re on the edge of a breakthrough in therapy and want focused support to help you move through it. Trauma doesn’t move on a schedule — and your healing doesn’t have to either. Intensives create the space for things to unfold naturally, with enough time to process, pause, and integrate, without rushing the parts of you that need care the most.
-
How do I get startedWe’ll begin with a free 20-minute consultation to talk about what’s bringing you here and whether an intensive feels like the right fit. I’ll answer any questions you have, explain how intensives work, and get a sense of your goals. If it seems like a good match, we’ll move forward with scheduling your intake session. If not, I’m happy to recommend other options and offer a referral.
-
Who is a Trauma Intensive not for?While trauma intensives can be deeply supportive, this format may not be the right fit if you are: In active crisis or currently without a plan to stay safe Needing significant daily support or case management Experiencing symptoms of psychosis or severe dissociation that make grounding difficult Wanting long-term, weekly therapy to unpack trauma slowly over time You don’t need to be in ongoing therapy to benefit from an intensive. Follow-up or check-in sessions are always available if needed. If you’re unsure, we can discuss your goals and readiness during a free consult. For Parents Considering This for Their Teen: An intensive might not be the best option right now if your teen is: In acute crisis or requiring immediate psychiatric care Unable to engage in therapy safely or has difficulty staying present during sessions Resistant to the idea of therapy and not ready to participate In a home environment that feels unsafe or unpredictable during or after the session If you're unsure whether your teen is ready for this kind of work, I’m happy to speak with you first to explore options and ensure the approach is supportive and developmentally appropriate.
My guiding principles
Compassionate Curiosity
I meet you with warmth and curiosity, not judgment. We explore your inner world with patience and care, making space for the parts that feel messy, shut down, or unsure.
You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin.
Lifelong Learning
I stay grounded in ongoing education, reflective supervision, and my own therapeutic work. This keeps me connected to what’s emerging in the field, and it helps me keep showing up for you with presence, clarity, and humility.
Collaborative Care
Therapy with me is a partnership. I trust your insights, respect your pace, and bring my expertise to support, not override, your lived experience. We co-create a path that feels aligned with your needs, values, and goals.
Authenticity
I’m not a blank slate, and I don’t expect you to be. I bring my full, authentic self into the therapy space, calm, clear, sometimes playful, and welcome your full humanity, too. When the work is real, the healing can be too.
Are we a good fit?
We’re likely a good fit if...
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You’re ready to dig deep and do the inner work
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You want a therapist who’s warm, real, and not afraid to challenge you
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You value honesty, emotional depth, and a space where laughter is just as welcome as tears
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You’re looking for more than surface-level coping, you want insight, change, and healing
We might not be the right match if...
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You’re not quite ready to explore what’s underneath the surface
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You’re mostly looking for quick fixes or someone to listen without offering feedback
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You prefer a very staunch, formal, clinical relationship with your therapist
Methods
In-Person Therapy in Toronto, Ontario and Virtual Across Canada
I am a trauma therapist specializing in working with teens, young adults, and parents navigating the impact of painful experiences. Whether you're feeling stuck, disconnected, or unsure how to move forward, I help you process what’s weighing you down, strengthen your relationship with yourself, and build the emotional clarity and connection you’ve been craving.