Hi there!
I’m Forouz Salari, MA, MSW, RSW (she/her)…
I am a white-passing, Middle Eastern / Southwest Asian (SWANA), neurodivergent, bisexual, cis-gender woman (in a heterosexual-passing partnership) and a first-generation immigrant and settler (who came to Canada as a refugee from Iran, during childhood).
I have also lived through trauma, displacement, mental illness, divorce, chronic illness, chronic pain, and fatness.
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.”
MISSION
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.
PASSION
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.
SPECIALIZATION
Providing counselling, leadership coaching and clinical consultation to women, queer, neurodivergent and BIPOC folks, and adult children of immigrants (i.e., people who immigrated to Canada as a child or teenager, or were born into 1st or 2nd generation immigrant-settler families, including mixed-race / inter-ethnic / inter-faith families), as well as professionals and organizations that support these communities.
Book a time to speak with me
Let’s talk and get started on finding a sustainable way for you to truly thrive and feel fulfilled in your life, relationships, studies and work.
Providing online counselling, coaching and consulting in:
My Professional Approach
I provide counselling, leadership coaching, clinical consultation, and workshops from a holistic, eclectic and integrative approach.
This means that I draw from multiple schools of thought, modalities and frameworks, adapting each session to meet your unique needs, experiences and goals.
Core Values in My Work
Trauma-informed
Sex Positive
Strengths-based
Harm-Reduction based
Anti-Racist & Anti-Oppressive (ARAO)
Neurodivergent-affirming
Intersectionally Feminist
Queer-affirming
This means that:
I acknowledge how trauma, discrimination and oppression — past or ongoing — shape wellbeing, identity, choices and relationships.
I centre your strengths and the ways you can use them to navigate challenges.
I support change in ways that are realistic, pragmatic and sustainable in the long-term.
The process of healing & growth 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.
Areas of Professional Fascination
I’m deeply interested in:
Human sexuality
Attachment and connection
Identity and the different parts of the self
Neurodivergence and diverse ways of learning
The impact of trauma on mind, body, and relationships
Mindfulness, spirituality and meaning-making
Modalities Integrated into my Practice
Psychology, Cultural Anthropology & Social Work
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) / “Parts” work
Mindfulness approaches
Narrative Therapy
Sex Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Somatic Attachment Therapy (SAT)
Anima Leadership’s DEI approach to navigating race, identity & power in the workplace
Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead™ leadership program
Julie Diamond’s Diamond Power Index™ - a 360 Leadership Assessment & Power Intelligence framework
Working Together
Session Frequency: I offer flexible scheduling, typically every 2–6 weeks, with the option for short-term weekly sessions during times of crisis, transition or burnout.
Client Autonomy: You decide what we focus on each session and at what pace — nothing is forced before you’re ready.
Consistency: Maintaining some regularity in sessions helps you track your needs, stay connected to your goals, and notice your progress.
What You Can Expect
You can count on me to:
Be fully engaged, honest and compassionate
Challenge and encourage your growth
Offer new perspectives, tools and techniques
Share relevant resources (books, podcasts, articles, videos)
Bring humour, balance and humanity into our sessions
You won’t be walking this path alone — I’ll be alongside you every step of the way.
My Education, Training & Professional Experiences
My work draws on an extensive academic background, advanced professional training, and over a decade of experience in mental health, leadership, social services and community care.
EDUCATION
Master of Social Work
Master of Socio-Cultural Anthropology
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Anthropology
Professional Training & Certifications
Therapeutic Modalities:
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) / “Parts” work
Mindfulness approaches
Narrative Therapy
Sex Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Somatic Attachment Therapy (SAT)
Leadership Training:
Anima Leadership’s DEI approach to navigating race, identity & power in the workplace
Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead™ leadership program
Julie Diamond’s Diamond Power Index™ - a 360 Leadership Assessment & Power Intelligence framework
Professional Experiences
I worked in Toronto’s nonprofit sector between 2012 and 2021, in community centres, mental health organizations, and social service agencies.
I launched my private practice in 2017 and began focusing on it full-time in January 2021.
Throughout my career, I have specialized in supporting:
Women
Queer & Trans folks (2SLGBTQIA+ community)
Immigrants, Refugees & Newcomers
People impacted by Trauma, Discrimination & Oppression
People living with Neurodivergence, Chronic Illness, Chronic Pain & Disabilities
Skills & Roles
My professional roles have included:
Providing single-session, short-term and long-term counselling & psychotherapy to individuals and couples (in-person & virtual)
Offering case management support
Advocating for clients facing systemic barriers & oppression
Developing & facilitating workshops & support groups (in-person & online)
Clinically supervising, mentoring and managing frontline staff & students
Languages
I speak, understand and read Farsi fluently, with English as the primary language I use in my work.
Consultation, Coaching & Workshops
I have had the pleasure of offering individual and group-based clinical consultation, leadership coaching, and educational workshops to:
Let’s Connect
If you’d like to learn more about my professional experiences, feel free to explore:
If you’re ready to begin and are looking for Counselling, Individual Clinical Consultation, or 1:1 Leadership Coaching for yourself:
If you’re considering Individual Clinical Consultation, Group Clinical Consultation, Leadership Coaching or Workshops for your organization or professional team, please email me OR complete this form to arrange a FREE 30–45 minute video consult to discuss your needs and budget: