Supporting the Wellbeing & Growth of Women, Queer, Neurodivergent, Adult Children of Immigrants

Hi there,

I’m Forouz Salari (she/her)

 

I'm a Registered Social Worker (RSW) in Ontario, Nova Scotia and Alberta. 

I have a special interest in supporting Adult Children of Immigrants – anyone who immigrated to Canada as a child or teenager, or who was born in Canada into an immigrant family (including mixed-race / inter-ethnic / inter-faith families).

My mission is to support marginalized and minoritized people to experience a sense of belonging and acceptance in a world and system that wasn't built for them and doesn't capture the intersections of their identities and lived experiences.

My passion is to work with people who are committed to self-exploration and healing, as part of their ongoing personal and professional growth.

I'm so glad that you're here and I'm excited to support you on your journey of healing, self-discovery and growth, by helping you clarify and work towards your personal and professional goals in a realistic and sustainable way.

Providing online counselling, consulting & coaching in:

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Welcome to my Virtual Office!

You lead a busy life and our work together shouldn’t feel like another chore to check-off your to-do list.

With 24/7 online scheduling, a secure online client portal, and the ability to do video sessions (through my secure online platforms), you’ll get the most out of the investment you make in yourself, your relationships or your career.

Getting the support you need is easy, convenient and fits your life!

Why work with me?

CONVENIENT

With my secure client portal, you can schedule your sessions online, message me directly when you need to, attend video sessions, and keep track of billing & receipts - quickly, easily and on your schedule. I also provide services in Farsi.

HOLISTIC

My approach is intuitive, diverse and focused on all aspects of your unique identity and lived experiences. I integrate different trainings and perspectives to make our work together fit who you are, so that you can learn, grow and transform in a way that feels right for you.

PRAGMATIC

Learn about new resources, perspectives and techniques. Leave each session with something tangible to reflect on and apply to your daily life, work and relationships. We’ll meet every 2 to 6 weeks, so you have time to practice what we discuss and notice incremental changes towards your goals.

CONNECTED

You can count on me to be fully engaged in our work together. I’ll be honest and compassionate with you. I’ll challenge and encourage you to learn and grow. And, I’ll bring humour and balance into our time together. You’re not alone - I’ll be with you, every step of the way.

 

Here’s How I Can Help

  • Compassionate, Accepting & Consistent Presence

    Clients describe feeling deeply seen, safe and validated by me in all parts of their identities, and find my presence calming, grounding and supportive.

  • Clarity, Insight & Meaning-Making

    I help clients make sense of complex emotions and experiences, offering clarifying reflections and systemic context that feels profoundly validating for them.

  • Practical & Tangible Strategies & Resources

    Clients appreciate the concrete, neurodivergent-friendly and personalized strategies I provide, which they apply in daily life for real and lasting results.

  • Empowerment & Identity Affirmation

    Through our work, clients feel empowered to set boundaries, embrace their evolving identities, and move from shame to confidence and pride.

  • Burnout Recovery & Sustainable Growth

    Clients credit me with helping them recognize and recover from burnout, while encouraging rest, balance and sustainable personal growth.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • I’m a Registered Social Worker (RSW) in Ontario, Nova Scotia and Alberta.

  • I work with women, queer, BIPOC, immigrants and neurodivergent folks between the ages of 18–55 who live in Ontario, Nova Scotia or Alberta, as well as professionals and organizations that serve these communities.

    I specialize in supporting marginalized and minoritized people whose experiences and identities are often overlooked by dominant systems.

  • COUNSELLING:

    • 1:1 Counselling = $180 / hr

      • This fee allows me to continuously offer $100 discounted spots to make mental health counselling accessible for students and unemployed / precariously employed folks.

    CONSULTING:

    • 1:1 Clinical Consultation = $180 / hr + HST

    • Group-based / Team-based Clinical Consultation = $250 / hr + HST

    • 1:1 Leadership Coaching = $200 / hr + HST

    • Virtual Workshop Facilitation = $500 / hr + HST

    • Listening Circle Facilitation = $375 to $500 + HST

    • Consultation on Organizational / Team Needs = $180 / hr + HST

    • Organizational Document Review & Analysis = $150 / hr + HST

    • Organizational Document Preparation / Creation / Customization = $150 / hr + HST

    I provide short-term (minimum 6 sessions) and long-term services.

    Services are provided through a secure video portal or by phone.

    The full session fee is billed if sessions are missed or cancelled with less than 48-hours notice.

  • For individuals accessing 1:1 services (e.g., Counselling, Individual Clinical Consultation or Leadership Coaching), payment options include:

    • direct deposit (from a bank account)

    • credit card (processed online through Stripe - compatible with American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa)

    For Organizations, Professional Teams & Companies, payment options include (and must be completed within 10 business days of receiving their monthly invoice):

    • Credit Card (processed online through Stripe - compatible with American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa)

    • Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

    • Wire Transfer

    • mailed Cheque

    I DON’T bill insurance companies directly. You can use your digital receipts to seek reimbursement from your insurance company. 

  • Virtual sessions are available (listed in Eastern Time) on:

    • Mondays at  12:30pm,  2pm,  4:30pm,  6pm  EST

    • Tuesdays at  12:30pm,  4:30pm,  6pm  EST

    • Wednesdays at  12:30pm,  2pm,  4:30pm,  6pm  EST

    • Fridays at  12:30pm,  2pm,  4:30pm,  6pm  EST

    Initial FREE 15-min Phone Consults are available (listed in Eastern Time) on:

    • Mondays at  7:15pm  EST

    • Tuesdays at 1:45pm, 2:15pm and 2:45pm EST

    • Wednesdays at 7:15pm EST

    It’s easy to book, cancel or reschedule your sessions online:  click on the Book ONLINE button in the header or footer of this website.

    If your organization or professional team is looking for consultation services, please email me to book a FREE 30-45 minute Video Consult to discuss your specific needs and budget.

    You can also complete the brief online form available at the bottom of one of the Consulting service pages.

  • I recommend meeting virtually every 2-6 weeks, depending on your availability, budget, goals and needs.

    Our work together can be short-term, time-limited / goal-specific, or long-term, depending on your personal or professional goals and needs.

  • I identify as a white-passing, Middle-Eastern / Southwest Asian (SWANA), neurodivergent, bisexual, cisgender woman, and a first-generation immigrant and settler (who came to Canada as a refugee during childhood). I also speak Farsi fluently.

    I’ve worked with diverse populations in Toronto’s non-profit sector since 2012 and in my private practice since 2017, including with BIPOC folks (particularly newcomers and refugees), 2SLGBTQIA+ community members, people living with ADHD, Autism and Learning Disabilities, as well as people living with a variety of chronic illnesses.

  • My work is:

    • Trauma-Informed

    • Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive (ARAO)

    • Intersectionally Feminist

    • Neurodivergent Affirming

    • Queer Affirming

    • Sex Positive

    • Harm-Reduction-Based

    • Strengths-Based

    I use a holistic, eclectic and integrative approach – drawing on multiple modalities to meet the unique needs of each client, professional, team or organization.

  • My background includes:

    • Undergraduate &/or Graduate Degrees in Psychology, Cultural Anthropology and Social Work

    • Clinical Training in:

      • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

      • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

      • Mindfulness

      • Narrative Therapy

      • Sex Therapy

      • Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

      • Somatic Attachment Therapy (SAT)

    • Leadership Training in:

      • Anima Leadership’s DEI framework for navigating race, identity and power in leadership positions and the workplace

      • Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead™ leadership program

      • Julie Diamond’s Diamond Power Index (DPI™) - 360 leadership assessment and power intelligence framework

    • I have worked in a variety of roles and organizations in Toronto’s nonprofit sector (2012–2021) and in my clinical private practice since 2017.

 

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