Arabic Therapist in Hamilton and Online

Meet Rami!

Rami Safi is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and a licensed Pharmacist, bringing more than 28 years of multidisciplinary healthcare experience across Canada, West Asia, North Africa, and Europe. His practice is rooted in the belief that every individual is unique, and he works closely with clients to explore their strengths, inner resources, and capacity for healing—always in a client-directed, holistic, and culturally sensitive way. 

Rami lived in several countries before making Canada his home 18 years ago and has travelled widely across West Asia, North Africa, and Europe. This broad exposure shaped his deep commitment to cultural humility, and to the understanding that human beings share similar emotional experiences, expressed differently through culture. Professionally, Rami is a pharmacist by training, holding a Bachelor of Pharmacy and a Master of Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. His blended healthcare background allows him to integrate medical, psychological, holistic, and cultural perspectives when supporting clients with complex emotional needs.His therapeutic work focuses on anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance use, ADHD-related challenges, behavioural addictions, and cross-cultural adjustment, using CBT-informed, DBT, and ACT-based interventions to support clients in meaningful, evidence-aligned ways. 

Rami provides therapy in English and various Arabic dialects, and is committed to creating a space grounded in empathy, curiosity, and respect—meeting clients exactly where they are and walking alongside them as they move toward healing, clarity, and growth.

Meet Maria!

Maria Ostapenko is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Brock University, a Master of Education from Griffith University in Australia, and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University.

Before becoming a therapist, Maria worked as a settlement language instructor supporting refugees and newcomers. Through this work, she witnessed firsthand how trauma, displacement, and major life transitions shape a person’s emotional world. She learned about the power of safety, validation, and being truly heard — insights that continue to guide her work today.

Maria supports individuals navigating life transitions, feeling stuck or lost, low mood, grief, stress, parenting and relationship challenges. She works from a trauma-informed, collaborative approach, meeting clients exactly where they are. Her focus is on helping you stabilize, feel safe, and explore what’s most present for you right now — without needing to recount your entire life story before you're ready to do so.

Maria believes well-being emerges from balance and a strong mind-body-nature connection. Her therapeutic style is compassionate, practical, and grounded. She integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Polyvagal theory, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Sessions may include exploring unhelpful thought patterns, uncovering the trauma themes influencing your present-day experiences. understanding and tolerating overwhelming emotions, reconnecting with the body, and clarifying values that bring direction and purpose. Many clients notice small but meaningful shifts early on, such as feeling more grounded, clear, or supported.

Maria offers counselling in person in Hamilton and St. Catharines, as well as virtual sessions across Ontario. She speaks English, Russian, and Spanish and practices through a culturally sensitive, client-centered lens. Having migrated from the Ukraine at age nine, Maria understands firsthand the importance of honouring the unique experiences, identities, and cultural histories that shape who you are.