Hi, I’m Ekam.
a little bit about me and my practice.
My practice began with the belief that queer people deserve to heal the inner child that once felt unsafe being fully seen and uncertain whether love could exist without conditions. Through this journey, I have learned that feelings of being unloved, conditionally loved, othered, demonized, or viewed as “not normal” are experiences shared across many marginalized communities, including racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, and neurodivergent folks.
My practice is the starting point for my goal of de-centering the heteronormative and colonial narratives we live within. As a gay, brown, and neurodivergent man, I am committed to supporting other marginalized folks in their self-discovery and self-growth, while helping them understand how society has contributed to, and continues to impact, our mental health as a community, and how we can navigate that both individually and within our relationships.
On a personal level, I value spending time outdoors, staying active, traveling, and cooking, self-care, and staying connected with friends and family.
Background
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My clinical approach is grounded in narrative therapy, a collaborative modality that helps clients separate themselves from the challenges they are facing and recognize that they are not the problem. Together, we explore how experiences, relationships, culture, and broader social systems have shaped the stories people hold about themselves, while identifying alternative narratives that reflect resilience, values, and possibility. For many queer and racialized clients, this includes exploring the impact of homophobia, racism, minority stress, and experiences of not feeling fully accepted or understood.
Much of my work also centres around inner child work. I support clients in reconnecting with younger parts of themselves to better understand the beliefs, patterns, and ways of relating that were shaped early in life. Together, we explore how these experiences continue to influence self-worth, belonging, and connection, particularly within caregiving and romantic relationships.
Across this work, I integrate parts work, recognizing that we all have different sides of ourselves that emerge in different situations. There may be a part of you that seeks closeness and another that pulls away when things begin to feel vulnerable. Some parts may carry self-doubt, while others strive for perfection or protection. By approaching these experiences with curiosity and compassion, clients can develop a deeper understanding of themselves and move toward more authentic and connected ways of being.
I also draw on Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) to help clients develop practical skills for navigating intense emotions, managing distress, and staying grounded during difficult moments. These strategies can be particularly helpful for individuals experiencing emotional overwhelm, anxiety, ADHD, or challenges with emotional regulation.
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I am a registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. My psychotherapy qualification comes from my Master of Social Work at the University of Toronto, where I gained extensive experience working with a range of mental health challenges that adults, children, and their families experience. My practicums strengthened my understanding of navigating mental health and social services as a racialized and queer individual, particularly within child welfare and community mental health settings, across both marginalized communities and contexts where homophobia is more normalized.
My educational background began at Wilfrid Laurier University, where I completed a BSc in Psychology and Neuroscience, with experience in research on intergroup behaviour and helping dynamics, as well as an honours thesis on narcissistic traits and contingent self-esteem linked to appearance, social approval, and academic achievement.
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My additional experience includes working with neurodivergent children, adults, and older adults, as well as individuals experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, autism, and more intense psychological disorders. I have also worked in crisis management with intersectional individuals navigating challenges related to queer identity, race, and complex mental health concerns. The areas of focus for my practice are 2SLGBTQIA+, BIPOC, neurodivergence, and the intersection of these identities as it relates to mental health.