Hi, I'm Mercedes. Like you, I know what it’s like to feel alone and anxious about the future...
Between wars, the climate crisis, and rent prices that need their own villain origin story, it’s a lot. Some days you’re just keeping your head above water; other days, you’re sinking into a sea of existential dread. In my own therapy, I learned how important it is to have someone dive into the water with you instead of yelling, “Have you tried self-care?” from the shore.
As a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), I work with individuals and couples navigating existential dread, relationships, life transitions, and depression, especially adults who are gifted, neurodivergent or twice exceptional (2e), and those who feel mainstream therapy isn’t for them.
Most importantly, I help others explore the big “what” and “why” questions of life with authenticity, kindness, and a bit of humour, because healing shouldn’t feel cold or clinical, and no one was meant to tread water alone!
my story
Before becoming a psychotherapist, I experienced what could only be called the “gifted-kid-turned-burnout-rigamaroll.” After attending several post-secondary institutions and a gap year abroad, I eventually landed at the University of Toronto, where I studied linguistics and the history of art. Thinking that research was the way to go (like all former UofTears students), I dabbled in speech-language pathology research at the Oral Dynamics Lab/The Speech Research Centre, both known for world-class publications on evidence-based practice. I continued in this field by training as a communicative disorders assistant (CDA) at Georgian College. Eventually, I combined my research and clinical skills to train CDA students and clinicians from Durham College and Georgian College as a practicum supervisor and clinical coach.
While my path to becoming a psychotherapist was neither linear nor traditional, together with my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, I bring nearly a decade of research and clinical experience, along with over three decades of experience as a human on this very complex earth. Both of which let me engage with clients not just clinically but relationally, as someone who has now been on either side of the therapy couch.
Want to learn more?
Click here to learn about the type of therapy I offer or read my FAQ.