Marla Pender
Registered Psychotherapist · Master's (Yorkville University, 2025)
Member of College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
Psychotherapy Provider (Registered Psychotherapist)
Credentials Verified by PM
Many of my clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, burned out, anxious, disconnected from themselves, or stuck in survival mode. Often, they have spent years pushing through stress, masking, caregiving, over-functioning, or trying to meet expectations while privately struggling to cope.
I work with individuals ages 14+ navigating anxiety, depression, burnout, chronic stress, grief and loss, relationship challenges, life transitions, disability, neurodivergence (ADHD, autism, AuDHD), chronic pain, nervous system overwhelm, and those seeking a diagnosis to feel better understood. I also support caregivers and people trying to navigate difficult workplaces, complicated family dynamics, or systems that have left them feeling dismissed, misunderstood, or unsupported. Many of my clients have spent much of their lives feeling “too much and not enough at the same time,” especially those who are high masking, highly self-critical, or used to carrying more than others realize. I work well with clients who have spent so much time coping, masking, caregiving, or pushing through that they’ve lost touch with who they are or what they need and who want support building a life that feels more sustainable, authentic, and connected.
Before becoming a psychotherapist, I spent more than 20 years working with youth/young adults and 15 years working in accessibility, accommodations, advocacy, and disability support. That experience continues to shape my work today.
My approach is warm, collaborative, practical, and non-judgmental. I draw from a variety of modalities and provide disability and neurodiversity-affirming care. I help clients better understand their emotional patterns, reduce overwhelm, reconnect with themselves, and build more sustainable ways of coping that do not rely entirely on constant pressure and survival mode.
I understand that seeking psychotherapy and/or psychiatric support can sometimes feel intimidating, discouraging, or emotionally vulnerable, particularly for people who have had difficult experiences with healthcare systems in the past. I strive to create a space where clients feel understood, respected, and supported while navigating both therapy and broader mental health care.
I work virtually with clients across Ontario by phone and secure video. This allows clients to receive the support they need from the privacy and comfort of their own home. I offer free discovery phone conversations to prospective clients. I would be honoured to speak with you to find out if we are a good match.
Primary Practice Location
Kitchener, Ontario N2H 3T2
Phone: (548) 761-2199
Extended office hours: evenings
Website: https://hollybluepsychotherapygroup.ca/marla-pender (opens in new tab)
Years of Experience
2
Certifications
Non-Certified Professional Member, Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy for Beginners – Russ Harris
Trauma-Informed Acceptance & Commitment Therapy – Russ Harris
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) – Canadian Mental Health Association
Changing the ADHD Brain: Moving Beyond Medication – David Nowell
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Training – Katelyn Baxter-Musser
Indigenous Canada course – University of Alberta
Anti-Racism training – Diversity and Resiliency Institute of El Paso
