Ha·ven (noun) : a place of safety or refuge.
A comforting and safe space to return to, whatever life may throw your way. Let’s figure it out together.
Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here.
Hi, I’m Slavica (Sla-vee-tza) (she/her). As a Registered Psychotherapist based in Toronto and serving clients all over Ontario, I seek to help you heal old wounds in order to show up in your life and your relationships as your true Self. I practice integrative therapy, grounded in a holistic, compassionate, empowering, and trauma-informed approach.
I spent 10 years working as a corporate lawyer before (officially) becoming a therapist. During that time, I experienced firsthand how external pressures and our own limiting beliefs can drown out our inner guidance and needs, invariably leading to feelings of “stuckness”, dissatisfaction, and resentment. I also believe that the our modern world over-emphasizes and rewards productivity and achievement to the detriment of our own nourishment and well-being, leaving most of us in a chronic state of anxiety and stress that is not sustainable.
Sometimes the cause of our distress is external - our job becomes increasingly demanding to the point of burnout or we find ourselves in relationships that don’t support us in the way we wish they would. Other times, the distress is created or made worse by our own internal critical or negative thoughts. Whatever the cause, it can start to seem like life is scary and overwhelming, when it should be satisfying and rewarding (fun, even!).
I created Haven Mental Wellness to provide a safe space to turn to, where you can count on being heard, supported, and empowered to navigate whatever challenges life throws your way. The fullest, most vibrant, and authentic version of you is waiting to be uncovered. I believe in the techniques and strategies I use in my therapeutic practice because I’ve used them myself in my personal journey. I am here to walk alongside you as much as I am here to guide you in your own unique journey to self-discovery and healing.
You don’t have to do it alone.
Here are some ways I like to work with clients
to shift whatever is no longer serving them.
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Soothing our Nervous System
Prolonged stress can lead to feelings of burnout and “stuckness”. We want to get you to a place where you feel well-resourced, safe, empowered, and clear headed. That’s when your next best decisions can come through.
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Honouring Feelings as they Arise
All feelings are messengers of important information about our values, boundaries, and past wounds. We want to welcome them and let them pass through rather than resist or deny them (because then they’re bound to sneak up on us in unhelpful ways).
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Changing our Relational Patterns
The relationship between client and therapist is special and unique. We can create a safe container for experimenting with new ways of communicating, expanding capacity for vulnerability, showing up more authentically, and more.
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Reconnecting with our Inner Child
As children, we may have received explicit or implicit messages about how to behave and what to be like in order to earn love, attention, and praise. We want to reconnect with the pure, loving, curious, authentic “Little One” that existed before we took on those messages as objective truth.
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Increasing our Tolerance for Uncertainty
The beauty and mystery of life can also be the frustration and agony of it. We don’t get to know, do, and have everything we want right now. We want to work on loosen our grip on those things we can’t control and learn to feel safe in trusting our own ability to handle the unexpected and believe in good outcomes.
Individual Psychotherapy
I see individual clients virtually for 50 minute sessions. I draw from a number of modalities including Attachment Theory, Emotion Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Relational Therapy, and Somatic Experiencing. The specific approach used when working together will be co-created such that it is tailored to, and evolves with, your individual needs.
The investment for individual sessions is $170 (no HST).
Therapy for Adult Family Pairs
Family dynamics are complex and it can be difficult to shed roles and patterns that are formed over many years, starting in childhood. It is a beautiful (and daunting) thing to be able to re-negotiate the type of relationship you want to have with family members in adulthood. I work with adult parent-child pairs or sibling pairs to help navigate this transition.
The investment for a 50 minute virtual session is $185 (no HST).
Educational Presentations
When mental health is better understood and attended to, the benefits reach far beyond the individual. Emotionally regulated individuals can access more of their creative energy, communicate more effectively, and lead more successful teams. If your team or organization is interested in educating its members on topics related to mental health at work, managing stress and burnout, leadership and/or compassionate communication, we can create a presentation or series of presentations to suit your needs.
F.A.Q.
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Early contributors to Attachment Theory identified a number of pillars to establish secure attachment between child and caregiver, one of which was creating a “safe haven” for the child to return to for comfort and safety in the face of fear, threat, or distress. While you are not a child and I am not your parent, therapists often serve as attachment figures for clients and it can be very healing to receive in adulthood some of the care and soothing that we may not have had access to in childhood. I hope Haven Mental Wellness becomes a space that you can come back to whenever you need comfort and support, and act as a reminder that though life can be scary at times for all of us, you’ve got this!
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While not an exhaustive list, my clients most commonly seek therapy to address issues related to anxiety, depression, burnout, self esteem, perfectionism, relationships, intergenerational trauma, coping skills, and/or feeling “stuck” in one or more areas of life. Therapy can help with acute crises and life transitions, and can also be used during less stressful times for personal growth, exploration, and self care.
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How often and how long we work together will depend on your individual needs and circumstances. Generally, I like to see clients on a consistent (weekly or bi-weekly) basis for the first 6-8 sessions in order to establish a good foundation for change. I have personally noticed some of the biggest insights and shifts appear for individual clients after about 6 months of consistent work together. Over time, we naturally go deeper into feelings and experiences from the past that have the greatest impact on your present life circumstances.
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I am currently licensed as a Registered Psychotherapist by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Our sessions should be covered by any insurance plans that include psychotherapy services. If you are unsure, it is best to confirm your coverage with your insurance provider directly.
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The client-therapist relationship is a very special one. In fact, research shows that the therapeutic bond between therapist and client is the best indicator of positive therapy outcomes. In other words, finding someone you can trust and work well with is generally more important than what specific theories or techniques they use. Since it can be hard to describe what exactly makes a good “fit”, I encourage you to reach out to a few practitioners to set up introductory calls so that you can assess for yourself who you feel most comfortable with.
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Yes, I have experience working with clients who identify as queer and BIPOC, and from various cultural and religious backgrounds. I make great efforts to approach each client’s unique experience from a place of humility, openness, and non-judgment. I would be happy to discuss any identities that are meaningful to you and commit to creating an inclusive and welcoming space for all.
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I reserve a limited number of sliding scale spots for those clients who do not have access to insurance coverage.
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I accept payment by credit card through the Jane App. Please note that I do not currently offer direct billing through insurance providers.
Other questions?
Get in Touch
I offer complimentary 15 minute consult calls by phone or video for any new clients looking to connect before booking a session. Please feel free to get in touch using the contact form below. I’d love to learn more about you!