Anna Barabanova
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) & Advanced Level Certified Schema Therapist (ISST)
Sometimes we feel stuck, overwhelmed, or even hopeless without fully understanding why. We may struggle with emotions that feel too intense, be highly critical of ourselves, feel unhappy in our relationships, or simply have a sense that something isn’t right. Sometimes we even recognize the patterns, telling ourselves “I’ll never do this again,” “next time will be different,” or “I won’t end up in the same situation again”, only to find ourselves back in the same place. Over time, it can be difficult to believe that things can actually change.
In therapy, we will explore these patterns together, looking more deeply at why they developed, what keeps them going, what needs may be underneath them, and how those needs can be met differently. I integrate Schema Therapy, EMDR, CBT, and other trauma-focused approaches depending on each client’s needs and goals. My approach balances deeper emotional work with practical strategies clients can use outside of therapy.
I have over 10 years of experience and have worked across private practice, addiction treatment, crisis intervention, and community mental health settings. I specialize in working with Complex trauma/PTSD, borderline personality disorder (BPD), complicated grief, attachment and relationship patterns, and personality-related difficulties.
Populations:
Teen Therapy (16+)
Adult Therapy
Couples Therapy
Areas of Focus:
Anxiety
Grief and Loss
Depression
Trauma, Complex Trauma & PTSD
Relationship Difficulties
Addictions
Appointment Times:
Weekday Evenings
Weekends
Therapy Formats:
In-Person
Online
Phone
Languages:
English
Russian
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Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
Schema Therapy (Advanced Level Certified Schema Therapist)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
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Anxiety
Depression
Developmental and relational trauma
Complex PTSD
Traumatic loss
Attachment injuries
Grief
Longstanding patterns in relationships
Emotion regulation difficulties
Substance use
Self-perception
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Master’s Degree in Psychology from the Lomonosov Moscow State University in Russia
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Advanced Level Certified Schema Therapist — International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST)
EMDR Training
Schema Therapy for Individuals
Group Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy for Children and Adolescents
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Complicated Grief Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Substance Use Disorder Training
Gottman Method Couples Therapy — Level 1
CBT for Suicide Prevention
Trauma and Recovery — Judith Herman
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My style is warm, collaborative, and active. I don’t believe therapy needs to be a place where you simply talk about the same problems week after week without understanding why they keep happening or what can be done differently.
I’m genuinely curious about my clients and work with them to make sense of their experiences. We may explore how earlier experiences shaped current patterns, work directly with difficult emotions and memories, notice what happens within the therapeutic relationship, or develop practical skills for everyday life.
I particularly enjoy working with people who have been told they are “too much,” “too sensitive,” “difficult,” or “complicated.” I believe behaviours and coping strategies make sense when we understand what a person has lived through and what those strategies were originally trying to protect them from.
Therapy with me can involve humour, curiosity, challenging conversations, and moments of vulnerability. My goal is to create a relationship where you can feel accepted as you are while also being supported and challenged to make meaningful changes.
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I’ve immigrated twice, I grew up in Asia, spent many years living in Europe, and eventually ended up in North America. Living across different countries and cultures has shaped the way I see the world and strengthened my curiosity about people, cultures, and different ways of living. I love learning and expanding my knowledge about the world, and there is usually something new I’m reading, exploring, or trying to understand.