Who I am

Growing up adopted, especially coming from Bangladesh to Canada at the age of three months, imbued my life with a unique set of challenges. This seismic shift not only uprooted me geographically but also instilled a profound sense of dislocation in my personal and cultural identity. The trauma of feeling disconnected from my biological roots while simultaneously trying to graft onto a new cultural tapestry was bewildering.

I often found myself caught in the tangle of questioning who I was meant to be, feeling like an outsider peering into two worlds, yet not fully belonging to either. This internal struggle was a constant companion, shaping my journey towards understanding and accepting the multifaceted nature of my identity.

Now, as I navigate the season of midlife, I draw upon my personal journey and professional expertise to guide others through their own paths of self-discovery and positive transformation.

Area of Focus

Specializing in empowering BIPOC women over 40 to overcome people-pleasing and isolation by setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care and building meaningful relationships for a more connected, fulfilling life. My Professional Journey Navigating the complexities of work, family, and caregiving has deeply ingrained in me the significance of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care. Through my own struggles and those I’ve witnessed in my work, I’ve come to understand how crucial boundaries are in maintaining our mental health and preventing caregiver burnout.

In my role as a therapist, I emphasize to my clients that establishing boundaries isn’t about distancing ourselves from others but about safeguarding our well-being. It’s a delicate balance, ensuring we don’t lose our sense of self amid the competing demands placed upon us. I work with my clients to recognize the importance of setting boundaries, not as a rejection of others but as an affirmation of their own needs and limitations. This shift in perspective is often a pivotal moment in therapy, empowering individuals to engage more fully in their lives and relationships, with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose.



Having walked, and continuing to walk, the path of personal exploration and growth myself, I’m deeply committed to creating a compassionate and safe space for my clients to delve into their own histories, celebrate their individuality, and pave their way to a more fulfilling future. Life’s journey, with its solo battles and intricate interpersonal intricacies, can be daunting. Yet, in my work, I strive to offer not just deep empathy but also thoughtful guidance, empowering my clients to move through life’s mazes with both strength and elegance. Whether it’s untangling the knots of the past or co-creating strategies for a brighter tomorrow, my aim is to stand beside each client, supporting their journey toward healing and personal growth.

My Interests

• visiting quaint towns on the weekend with family,
• reading on a dock by water
• expanding my record collection with music from a wide variety of genres.

Who I am Growing up adopted, especially coming from Bangladesh to Canada at the age of three mon... Read More

Hi, I’m Aaron Halliday. Like many of the clients I support, my journey hasn’t been easy or marked by a clear path. Growing up in a turbulent home in a rural community, experiencing economic insecurity, family conflict and relational trauma firsthand, I learned early on what it meant to feel anxious. Growing up queer and lacking a formal diagnosis of ADHD, I frequently felt misunderstood, and out of sync with the world around me. But what I took for the complicated mess in my life sparked a lifelong quest to understand myself and to transform adversity into resilience and growth.

A great deal of the work that I’ve engaged in within my community and in the research that I’ve performed has stemmed from this challenging period of my upbringing. I’ve written theses and dissertations on the long-term impact of chronic relational trauma, and the means by which various perspectives, traits, skills, and daily practices can shape traumatic experience and facilitate resilience and even post-traumatic growth. I’ve worked as a management consultant within the DEIB space, and counseling both survivors and perpetrators of abuse. I support various underserved, under resourced, and under acknowledged causes in this space. Bearing witness to journeys, beginning in struggle and ending in remarkable growth has been an incredibly rewarding part of my work. My work has provided me with a deep sense of meaning and purpose in my life and has, in that regard, been a healing force. This reinforced my commitment to helping others navigate the complexities of trauma, anxiety, and life transitions, drawing from both professional expertise and genuine empathy.

My Professional Journey

After a brief flirtation with management consulting (it turns out suits and corporate jargon aren’t my thing), I made a sharp turn back to my life’s purpose: helping people heal and grow. I went back to grad school, enrolling in the Master’s in Counselling Psychology (MACP) program at Yorkville University, and I’m currently wrapping up my practicum under Robert Simms at Embodied Resilience.

Now, as a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), my work focuses on trauma, anxiety, relationships, and couples counselling. My therapy style is integrative—think Person-Centered meets Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, blended with mindfulness, CBT, solution-focused therapy, and a healthy dose of Gottman Method Couples Therapy (in which I’m Level 2 certified). I keep my approach tailored, authentic, and down-to-earth because let’s face it, a cookie-cutter approach doesn’t always work when you’re untangling life’s messes.

Nervous about therapy? So was I…

I genuinely understand the vulnerability involved in starting therapy because I’ve been there myself. I’ve navigated loss, complex trauma, anxiety, and major life transitions. Those experiences aren’t just part of my past, they shape the compassionate, insightful, and non-judgmental space I create for my clients today.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or ready for change, I’m here to help. Together, we’ll work to untangle those knots and make room to grow.

Hi, I’m Aaron Halliday. Like many of the clients I support, my journey hasn’t been easy or marked... Read More

Hello, nice to meet you! The mountains of British Columbia is where you will find me hiking and cross country skiing with my dog, my husband of 23 years, and when lucky, our two adult sons.

Growing up the 4th youngest of 5 kids I enjoyed constant busyness around me, I’ve always had a sense of adventure, and at the same time, I also have always felt a little different than my peers. I noticed everything! I found my super senses to be both a gift and a challenge. I was smart, but I learned differently. Back then that showed up as what people call “lazy”, so I learned to fit in and meet society’s definition of success, never really knowing the reason why things were always more of a struggle for me.

Area of Focus:

Adults and young adults with ADHD

ADHD in the workplace and its impact on relationships and productivity

Adults and young adults navigating university/college

Romantic relationships: adhd, autism, and neurotypical partners

Women with a late ADHD diagnosis

Parenting a neurodiverse child

My Professional Journey

“It doesn’t have to be so hard.”

One line, one friend, one ADHD diagnosis later and years of dedicated work, I now understand and fully accept myself.

My journey to coaching began when I was a classroom teacher, noticing the unique skills and strengths of my students. This was followed by years of volunteer work on a crisis line that led me to the belief that people help themselves.

When we autonomously make the choice to reach towards support, amazing things can happen. Through becoming an internationally certified coach I have witnessed transformations as people learn to trust in themselves and take goal directed action towards what they want.

My specialized training in collaborative conflict resolution has taught me the impact communication, listening, and self awareness has on relationships.

It is an understatement when I say that it brings me great joy to work in partnership with my clients to harness their strengths and get them where they want to go as they strive to make their day to day living easier and improve their relationships.

What is Coaching?

So, what is coaching? Glad you asked. I will keep this brief, because I too have ADHD.

Coaching is a conversation about what is important to you, the change you want, and how to make it happen. It is goal directed. I partner with you to address the “what”, the “when” and the “how” so that you can make your wants a reality in a way that works best for you and your way of learning.

How is coaching different than therapy? Therapists have specialized training to uncover the “why”, the patterns or history that may inhibit change, whereas coaches remain present and future focussed.

Hello, nice to meet you! The mountains of British Columbia is where you will find me hiking and c... Read More

Hello, I’m Robert Simms. For the past 14 years, I’ve shared my life with my spouse, embracing each opportunity for growth and self-discovery. One of the most meaningful parts of this journey has been exploring and celebrating my identity as a non-Status Métis. My connection to this identity deepened while pursuing my Bachelor of Social Work and continued as I engaged with Indigenous communities across Turtle Island.

Another pivotal chapter in my life began with my daughter’s ADHD diagnosis. It was a moment that reshaped everything I thought I knew—not just about her but also about myself. My own ADHD assessment and diagnosis soon followed, bringing with it a wave of insight and clarity. At first, I thought ADHD explained everything about my struggles, but as I delved deeper into neurodivergence—particularly Autism—I realized that ADHD accounted for only about 70-80% of my experiences. The missing pieces began falling into place, leading me to recognize that I was most likely AuDHD (both ADHD and Autistic). I took multiple Autism assessments, all of which indicated a strong likelihood of Autism.

Even though I firmly believe that self-diagnosis is valid, I still wrestled with my own imposter syndrome. Could I truly claim this identity? It took time, research, and a lot of self-reflection, but I’ve now reached a place where I feel confident in embracing the AuDHD label. Understanding my neurodivergence has been a journey of unlearning, adapting, and ultimately striving for authenticity—not just for myself, but for those I support.

My Professional Journey

My personal experiences, combined with my professional background, have given me a deep understanding of what it means to be diagnosed with ADHD—or AuDHD—later in life. I know firsthand the confusion, the overwhelm, and the frustration that can come with trying to make sense of your past through this new lens. I’ve struggled with managing everyday tasks, battled feelings of inadequacy, and had to confront years of internalized ableism.

These experiences are not just things I’ve lived through; they are the foundation of my work. My practice is centered on helping people who, like me, have felt out of sync with the world around them. I don’t just offer strategies to manage ADHD or Autism—I offer a space where you can explore what neurodivergence means to you, on your terms, and without judgment. My goal is to help you see your neurodivergence not as a limitation, but as an integral and valuable part of who you are.

Like many neurodivergent individuals, I reached a point where conventional work environments no longer fit my needs. Instead of forcing myself to conform, I built something different—a practice that reflects both my lived experience and my professional expertise. It’s a space where I can empower others to redefine success on their own terms and build lives that work for them.

I See You, I Get You, Because I’ve Been You…

I know what it’s like to receive a diagnosis in adulthood and think, This explains everything!—only to later realize it doesn’t explain everything. I know the frustration of trying to navigate daily life while battling internal doubts. I also know the relief that comes with finally understanding yourself and embracing your identity.

My journey through these same struggles, paired with my professional expertise, allows me to guide you with both empathy and real-world strategies. Together, we can explore what works best for you—helping you not just manage symptoms, but truly embrace your neurodivergence as part of who you are.

Hello, I’m Robert Simms. For the past 14 years, I’ve shared my life with my spouse, embracing eac... Read More