Hi there!
I’m Forouz Salari, MA, MSW, RSW (she/her)…
I am a white-passing, Middle-Eastern, bisexual, cis-gender, neurotypical woman and a first-generation immigrant and settler (who came to Canada as a refugee, during childhood). I’ve also lived through experiences of trauma, displacement, mental illness, divorce, chronic illness and chronic pain. So, I know what it’s like to feel lost and confused, doubtful and overwhelmed, frustrated and misunderstood, lonely, exhausted, and just not good enough! I know the effort and energy it takes to step into and embrace a journey of self-discovery, healing and growth, not knowing where it might lead.
I also know how incredibly transformative it can be!
If I could speak to my younger self, I’d say:
“It takes a little courage, a little hope, a little patience and flexibility, and some gentleness (mainly with yourself). There will be hard times, some set-backs and some detours that you didn’t expect. But, you’ll be amazed by what you discover about how strong, proud, loved and content you will feel, as you step further into living life as your full authentic self.”
My passion is to support people who are committed to self-exploration and healing, as part of their ongoing personal and professional growth.
This involves integrating what’s happened in your past with your present moment, finding balance, feeling grounded and content in yourself, creating connections that nourish you, and leading a fulfilling life that captures every aspect of your identity.
I specialize in working with women (ages 18-55), gender-diverse, queer and trans folks (2SLGBTQIA+), particularly first & second generation immigrants, people of colour (BIPOC), students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and people living with ADHD.
I support people through their experiences of life transitions (e.g., divorce or breakups, immigration, parenthood, and career change), chronic stress, performance anxiety and perfectionism, exploration and acceptance of their intersectional identities, creation of and connections with communities of belonging, as well as communication, conflict resolution, emotional and/or sexual intimacy in their relationships.
I also offer guidance and mentorship for professionals (particularly in the fields of social work, mental health, social services, community services, and advocacy), supporting them in fine-tuning, strengthening and expanding their practice and approach to working with their clients, communities and teams, by engaging in deep self-reflection, establishing work-life balance, improving confidence in their professional competence, engaging in professional growth opportunities, reflecting on team dynamics and organizational changes, and strengthening their leadership skills.
The process of healing is like peeling back the layers of an onion, one-by-one…
It can be gross and make you tear up, but it sure cleans things out!
Often when we’ve experienced and overcome tough times, it can feel discouraging and disillusioning when something hurtful from the past pops up again. Believe it or not, this is a part of the process of healing and transformation!
Our minds and bodies don’t give us more than we can handle, at any given point in our lives. It’s also important to pace ourselves, especially if we’ve lived through traumatic experiences. Even though it can feel frustrating and confusing, when the past “comes knocking”, it’s a sign that we’re ready to work through a new layer of the onion!
The good news is… You’re not alone! I’ll be by your side, every step of the way!
I’ll guide you when you feel lost, confused and overwhelmed. I’ll support you when you’re feeling frustrated and hopeless, and when you need to pick yourself back up after a set-back. I’ll offer alternative perspectives on your situation. I’ll share helpful information, resources and tips with you. I’ll cheer you on as you practice new skills and techniques, go after new opportunities or take leaps of faith, even when you’re losing steam. I’ll work with you to tweak your goals, so that you’re pacing yourself and creating a doable plan that fits your life. And, I’ll challenge you to keep reflecting and growing.
In our work together, you can count on me to bring humour, pragmatism, deep honesty, compassion, and a commitment to your goals, because I believe in everyone’s capacity to heal, grow, connect deeply with others, and discover who they are and how to lead a fulfilling life.
Book a time to speak with me
Let’s start together and get you closer to your goals…
My Training & Experiences
I’m a registered social worker, psychotherapist and clinical consultant in Ontario.
Training:
I spent a long time in school, looking for ways to better understand the different parts of my identity and heal myself. Along the way, I learned a lot about human beings, life and relationships. Through these degrees, I gained a unique perspective into the mind-body connection, cultures, societies, spirituality, race, gender and sexuality, especially intersectional and fluid identities:
Master of Social Work
Master of Arts in Social Anthropology
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Anthropology
I still love to learn and always look for opportunities to fill gaps in my knowledge and skills. I’m fascinated by human sexuality, human attachment and how we form connections and communities, the different parts of our psyche and identities, neurodivergence and the different ways that we learn, the impact of trauma on our mind, body and relationships, the practice of mindfulness and spirituality, and how we make meaning in our lives.
Some of the therapeutic modalities and approaches that I draw from, in my work with people, include:
Mindfulness
Somatic Attachment Therapy (SAT)
Sex Therapy
Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)
Narrative Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Trauma-Informed approach
Harm-Reduction approach
Anti-Oppressive approach (AOP)
Intersectional Feminist approach
Strengths-Based approach
Experiences:
I’ve worked in Toronto’s non-profit sector since 2012, in community centres, mental health and social service agencies. I’ve learned and grown through my experiences with diverse populations, including women in crisis, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, refugees and newcomers, children and youth with learning, intellectual or physical disabilities, parents, and seniors.
Through my different roles, I’ve had the opportunity to practice and sharpen my skills in clinically supervising and managing frontline staff and students, developing and running educational workshops and support groups, providing case management support to clients, and offering tele-counselling / online counselling, short-term individual counselling, and couples counselling.
I’ve also been running my own private practice since 2017, providing short-term and long-term psychotherapy to individuals and partners, particularly folks who identify as part of BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, and/or polyamorous communities.
Other:
I speak, understand and read Farsi fluently, with English as the primary language that I use in my work.
Check out my LinkedIn profile to learn more about my professional experiences and training.
Providing online counselling and consulting in:
