About me

    I am Hira Imam (that’s pronounced hi-ra like the cave not hee-raa like the diamond - although who wouldn’t want to be mistaken for a diamond).

    I am a South Asian, Canadian, Muslim woman - I was born to immigrant parents and grew up in the suburbs of Toronto. It was confusing navigating these different layers of myself while growing up. And I realize, that it’s not just me!

    My personal experiences shape my work as a therapist, they strongly inform the way I see us - ethnic/BIPOC/cultural bodies - navigating a Eurocentric, colonial, individualistic world that doesn’t understand or hold space for our different ways of knowing and being. We deserve space and understanding of our selves, our relationships and our mental well-being.


    How I work

    You are the expert on you.

    I heavily rely on that expertise in the work that I do. I support you in the gaining insight into yourself and further understanding your own needs and goals life. You may already have goals or know what you want and we take that a step further.

    I want to learn about you, your concerns and your goals. I give value to who you are, not just as an individual but as someone who is part of relationships (the good and bad), someone who is part of different cultures, and giving space to Race, Gender, Class, amongst other layers of being complex humans.

    Approach in Counselling

    Relational Cultural Therapy

    Decolonizing

    Anti-Racist

    Qualifications

    Below some details about my educational and professional background.

    MEd

    I have a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from Simon Fraser University (SFU).
    Simon Fraser University
    RCC

    I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).
    BCACC
    CCC

    Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
    CCPA