Hanna Shapiro Counselling
Hanna Shapiro, MA, RCC
Hanna Shapiro, MA, RCC
You've gained insight. Now you're looking for deeper change.
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I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with over a decade of experience working in mental health.
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I help people who feel stuck in familiar patterns and emotions move into deeper, lasting transformation through depth-oriented therapy and EMDR.
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​I hold a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in California, where I focused on depth psychology, trauma and attachment.
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And then the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
Anaïs Nin
MY APPROACH
Some of my clients are new to therapy, but many of the people I work with are insightful, self-aware and have often already done the work. They may understand where their patterns come from. And yet - those patterns continue to show up in relationships, emotions and ways of coping.
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My approach is grounded in the belief that understanding alone isn't enough to create lasting change. Real transformation happens when we begin to work with the deeper emotional and relational patterns that operate outside of our conscious awareness.
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Together, we explore how your early experiences, attachment patterns and past relationships continue to shape how you relate - to yourself, to others, and to the world. Rather than focusing only on managing symptoms, we work at the level where those patterns are formed.
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This often means slowing down and paying attention to what is happening beneath the surface - your emotional responses, relational dynamics, and internal experiences - as they unfold in real time.
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For many clients, I integrate EMDR to directly support the processing of trauma and unresolved experiences. This allows the nervous system to reprocess and integrate memories so that they no longer carry the same emotional charge or impact daily life.
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If you struggle with addictive behaviours, anxiety, or relational patterns, we will look beyond the behaviour itself to understand what it is trying to regulate or protect. These patterns are not random- they developed for a reason, and they can change.
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My work is depth-oriented, relational, and collaborative. I offer a space that is thoughtful, non-judgmental, and attuned - where meaningful, lasting change can unfold over time.
WHAT I HELP WITH
Many of my clients describe:
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- Feeling stuck in the same relational patterns
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- Anxiety that persists despite understanding where it comes from
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- Difficulty with closeness, vulnerability or trust in relationships
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- A strong inner critic or chronic self-doubt
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- Emotional overwhelm, shutdown, or difficulty regulating feelings
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- Repeating cycles in dating or partnerships
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- Using coping strategies that no longer feel aligned
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- A sense that something deeper is driving your reactions, but you can't quite shift it
I also work with:
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​- Trauma and unresolved past experiences
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- Attachment related concerns
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- Anxiety and mood related difficulties
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- Life transitions and identity shifts
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- Boundaries and assertiveness
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- PTSD, C-PTSD, BPD, Bipolar disorder and Addiction
ABOUT ME
While my training in depth psychology, attachment, and trauma informs my work, what matters just as much is how I show up in the room. I aim to be both professional and genuine - someone you can think with, but also someone you don't have to perform for. I take pride in bringing my full self into the work, with curiosity, honesty, warmth and humour.
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While this work can be serious, I don't believe it needs to feel heavy all the time. There is often space for perspective, lightness, and moments of real connection alongside the more difficult parts of the process.
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My own personal journey of healing and recovery has led me to this work and my approach is shaped by my own experience of transformation. I believe it is imperative to work with someone who not only has the training, but who has engaged in this process themselves. ​
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Outside of my work, I am drawn to art, design, and gardening - all of which reflect my appreciation for processes that unfold gradually, with care and attention.
COUPLES WORK
Close relationships often reflect parts of ourselves that are otherwise difficult to see - bringing forward our histories, attachment patterns, and our emotional responses. Many couples find themselves caught in cycles that repeat despite good intentions: the same arguments, distance that grows over time, or feeling misunderstood even when trying to communicate clearly.
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My approach to couples work is thoughtful, structured, and collaborative. I aim to create a space where both people feel heard and understood, while also gently challenging the patterns that keep you stuck. In our work together, we slow things down and look more closely at what is happening under the surface. Rather than focusing only on strategies, we work to understand the patterns between you - how they formed and how they can begin to shift.
SERVICES & FEES
I currently accept cash, cheque, and e-transfer. Many extended benefits providers cover services for Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC's). Contact your provider for details.