Anger
Understand what sits underneath anger, notice triggers earlier, and build ways to respond that you can stand behind afterwards.
Joshua Ayala-AriasRegistered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), CRPO #21759
Find Steady Ground
Practical, trauma informed psychotherapy for individuals and couples. In person at 68 Milvan Drive in North York, and virtually across Ontario.
ServingVirtually across Ontario & in-person in North York
About Joshua
For men, women & couples who want change that lasts
Life rarely goes according to plan, & many times the confidence we show is just a performance.
I work with men & women 15 & up, as well as couples, to understand why old patterns keep repeating & learn to live & relate in a way that feels true to who you are. This is not about quick fixes. It is about small, steady steps that add up, so that your life starts to fit you, not the other way around.
I believe no one should have to carry pain alone & that healing often comes from having someone truly listen. I will walk with you & help you build a life that is meaningful & full of hope.
I also offer Christian counselling for clients who want to integrate faith into the work, & I work in both English & Spanish.
I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, registration number 21759, practising under the clinical supervision of Hugh Watkins, RP, in accordance with CRPO requirements.
Areas of focus
What we can work on
You might recognize yourself in one area, or in the way several overlap. We start with what feels most important to you.
Trauma
Work through the lasting effects of difficult experiences at a pace that respects your safety, your history, and your choices.
Emotional regulation
Learn concrete skills for riding out intense emotions, settling your body, and making decisions from a steadier place.
Values clarification
Get clear on what matters most to you, so your choices have a direction that is truly yours.
Living by your values
Build your daily life around what you care about, not just around avoiding pain.
My approach
Practical tools, deeper understanding
Therapy can make space for what hurts while helping you move toward what comes next.
A compassionate, practical approach
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Concrete ways to manage intense emotions, move through distress, communicate effectively, and make choices that support the life you want.
Existential Therapy
Sometimes the hardest questions are the big ones: what gives my life meaning, what am I choosing, and how do I live with the parts I cannot control. We face those questions honestly, including meaning, responsibility, and uncertainty, so they become easier to carry instead of easier to avoid.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Difficult thoughts and feelings are part of being human. Instead of fighting them or letting them make every decision, we make room for them while you take steady action toward the life you actually want.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Thoughts, feelings, and actions all feed into each other. We notice the loops that keep you stuck and practice new patterns, so hard moments start to go differently.
Values Clarification
A lot of this work is about getting clear on what matters most to you, your values, and building a life that moves toward them instead of away from pain. When you know what you are living for, the hard work of change has a direction.
Trauma Informed Care
We move at a pace that respects your safety, your history, and your ability to choose what feels right for you.
A Collaborative Relationship
You bring the knowledge of your life. I bring clinical training, curiosity, and a practical focus. We shape the work together.
Services, fees, and hours
A clear first step
Begin with a complimentary 15 minute consultation call. It is a chance to briefly share what brings you to therapy, ask questions, and see if working together feels like a good fit.
Individual session$135
Couples session$175
Hours
- Monday
- 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Tuesday
- 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
- Wednesday
- 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Thursday
- 11:00 am to 7:30 pm
- Friday
- 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Virtual sessionsAcross Ontario
Secure video sessions from wherever you are in the province.
In-person sessions68 Milvan Drive, North York, ON
Booking
Book your session
Choose a service and pick a time. Your booking is confirmed right away, and the deposit is collected securely through Square.
Prefer the full page? Open booking in a new tab
Before your first session
Client Intake Questionnaire
Please complete this before your first session. It covers background, goals, and consent, so we can spend our session time on what matters most. Your answers go directly to me by email.
Common questions
Before you book
The consultation is a 15 minute call. You can share a little about what brings you to therapy, ask questions about how I work, and get a feel for whether we would work well together. There is no pressure to book a session afterwards.
All booking is done through Square Appointments. Pick the service, choose a time that suits you, and pay the booking deposit to confirm. Online booking closes 12 hours before the session start time, so plan a little ahead.
Yes. After each session you receive a detailed receipt with everything most extended health benefit plans ask for: my name and credentials, my CRPO registration number, the date and type of service, and the fee paid. If your plan needs anything extra on the receipt, just ask.
The first session is an intake, a chance for us to get to know each other. We will talk about your strengths, your struggles, and your history, so we both understand where you are starting from and where you want to go. We go at your pace, and you decide how much to share. It is also how we make sure we are a good fit for working together.
Both work well, and many clients mix the two. Virtual sessions run by secure video and are available anywhere in Ontario. In-person sessions take place at 68 Milvan Drive in North York. Choose whichever setting helps you show up most comfortably and consistently.
Yes. After booking, please complete the intake questionnaire before your first session. It covers background, goals, and consent, so we can spend our session time on what matters most.
A $50 deposit is required at the time of booking. If you cancel with 24 hours or more notice, the deposit is refunded. For late cancellations and no-shows, the deposit is kept.
Crisis resources
If you need help right now
This practice is not a crisis service, and email and booking requests are not monitored around the clock. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For support right now, these complimentary services are confidential:
Suicide Crisis Helpline
Call or text 988
Available across Canada, 24 hours a day.
Kids Help Phone
1-800-668-6868
For young people, and anyone who needs someone to talk to.
Toronto Distress Centre
416-408-4357
Emotional support for people in the Toronto area.
Ready when you are
You do not have to sort through everything alone.
The fastest way to start is the complimentary 15 minute consultation call. Book it below and you will get a confirmed time right away.
Book your complimentary consultationOr send an appointment request
Prefer to write first? Send a request and I will reply personally by email. A request is not a confirmed booking: your time is only held once it is booked through Square Appointments.