Rachael Fernandes

Hi there! I’m Rachael, a Registered Psychotherapist offering in-person and virtual sessions during afternoons and evenings. I provide a reflective, holistic, and collaborative space that makes room for the layers of your story, from everyday to unexpected challenges, and aim to help you rediscover home within yourself.

You may find you overthink, feel restricted by high expectations or prioritize others’ needs. Perhaps you’re anxious, burned out, drained, have ADHD-related challenges or have trouble setting boundaries. You might be exploring family expectations, attachment patterns, cultural identity and belonging, or feeling torn between your past and future selves. Whatever brings you to therapy, I hope to build a thoughtful space where you feel understood, supported, and at ease being yourself.

As a writer with a love for creativity and travel, I see the world as a place of connection, learning, imagination, and possibility. Working in mental health deepened that curiosity and showed me how meaningful it can be to create space for another person’s inner world. I am continuously in awe of the reflection or reinvention that can take place when being met with curiosity and kindness.

Growing up in Etobicoke as a 1.5-generation immigrant sparked my curiosity about how people connect and inspire one another, and how culture, spirituality, family expectations and intergenerational patterns shape our identities and relationships. I’ve carried this curiosity and creativity into clinics, crisis lines and public service programs. These experiences deepened my commitment to understanding how social and systemic forces influence our emotional, mental and physical well-being and the paths we take.

My approach draws on Narrative, Cognitive behavioural, and Parts/Internal Family Systems modalities, complemented by existential, mindfulness, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive perspectives. Together, we can shed light on how your beliefs, emotions, attachment patterns, and protective parts shape your experiences. We can build self-compassion and emotional awareness while working towards healthier boundaries, greater self-trust and meaningful change. Through tears and laughter, we can adjust to your pace. You don’t need all the answers to start. If this feels like the kind of support you’re looking for, please feel free to reach out!