Alaina Johnston

Psychotherapist & Clinical Social Worker · Master's (Ryerson University, MSW)

Psychotherapy Provider (Social worker (clinical)) and Complementary/Alternative Service (Meditation instructor)
Credentials Verified by PM

Accepting new clients

Member of Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)

I am a registered Social Worker and practicing psychotherapist who has been in the field since 2006. In addition to running my own private practice, I am completing my PhD and my doctorate in Integrative Medicine with a focus on mental health an addiction.

Since 2017 I have been working in primary care providing counseling to family physicians’ patients who are experiencing difficulties due to mental health, family stressors, grief and loss, and/or addiction issues. I am also a faculty member at the Center for Mindfulness Studies in Toronto where I run clinical Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) groups for stress reduction and anxiety/depression management.

I am extremely passionate about helping people from a holistic perspective and treating the whole person-mind body and spirit. We are all unique and complex beings with our own life story. In turn, I believe that one specific modality of therapy is not for everyone.

I am trained in numerous therapeutic modalities including but not limited to: Crisis Intervention, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Risk Assessment, Family Systems, Energy Healing, Conflict Resolution, Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) and Mindfulness Based Interventions. I work from an anti-oppressive, non-judgmental and compassionate lens, and am very conscious of how factors such as race, age, gender, immigration, socio-economic status, and culture can impact one’s life and their reality.

Because I have done my own healing work and am dedicated to constantly growing myself, I know firsthand the power that having a supportive and trained therapist can have on one’s quality of life. I feel extremely grateful to do the work that I do and to be able to sit with people during their most difficult times. Life is not easy and has so many ups and downs!

Please connect with me if my bio resonates with you. I look forward to being a part of your healing journey and helping you through whatever difficulty you are facing.

Primary Practice Location

The Alaina Group
7398 Yonge St 6D
Toronto, Ontario L4J8J2

Phone: (647) 669-2151

Extended office hours: evenings, weekends

Years of Experience

15

Certifications

Brainspotting, trauma therapy
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
DBT
CBT
Narrative therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Neuro-linguistic Programming
Anti-Oppressive Practice
Crisis Intervention

Publications

Seperated Children in the Canadian context: A Systemic Dilemma
2014