Michaela DeSimone
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Hey, I’m Michaela, welcome to my little corner of the internet 🤍
If you’re here, there’s a good chance you’re the one who looks like you have it all together… but inside you’re overthinking everything, feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or stuck in patterns you don’t fully understand yet. Maybe you’re the friend everyone leans on. The people-pleaser. The one who keeps pushing through even when you’re running on empty. You might be navigating anxiety, burnout, relationship stress, family stuff, grief, low self-worth, or the lingering impact of childhood experiences. You’ve probably tried the journals, the podcasts, the self-help books, the TikTok therapy content, the late-night Google spirals… and while some of it helped, you’re craving something deeper, more personal, and more supportive.
Therapy with me is real, warm, conversational, and human. I’ll show up fully as myself, which means I’ll laugh with you, sit with the hard stuff, gently challenge you when it’s helpful, and support you in making sense of your story in a way that actually feels like you. No blank-slate energy here. Just connection, honesty, and meaningful work.
My goal is to help you feel more connected to yourself, more confident in your choices, and less overwhelmed by life.
We can connect virtually or in person
Whether you’re close by or further away, we can make therapy work for your life. Sessions are available in-person in our calming, welcoming office space in Dundas, Ontario, as well as online or by phone for flexibility.Therapy should feel accessible, not like another thing on your to-do list. If you’re ready to start, you can book a free consultation below.
What Can I Help you with?
I have experience working with teens, young adults, and adults. Many of the clients I work with resonate with some of the following:
Anxiety
Burnout & chronic stress
People-pleasing & boundary struggles
Low self-esteem & self-worth
Perfectionism & harsh inner critic
Life transitions
Relationship challenges
Family dynamics
Emotional overwhelm or emotional shutdown
Disordered eating patterns
Body image concerns
Grief & loss
Childhood or relational trauma
Identity & self-understanding
Women’s issues
Don’t see your exact struggle listed?
That’s okay. Book a free consultation and we’ll explore whether I’m the right fit and if not, I’ll help connect you with someone on the Rebound team who is.
Working with Michaela DeSimone
Therapy with me feels more like real conversation than a formal appointment. You don’t need to show up with the “right” words. You don’t need to have your thoughts perfectly organized. Some sessions are deep and emotional. Some are lighter and full of laughter. Many are both. We’ll go at your pace, and I’ll meet you exactly where you’re at. Clients often tell me they feel comfortable quickly like they don’t have to filter themselves or “perform” in session. You can vent, overthink out loud, cry, laugh, change your mind halfway through a thought, or show up completely unsure of what you even need that day. That’s all welcome here. The goal isn’t to “fix” you. It’s to help you understand yourself better, feel more grounded, and start showing up in your life in a way that actually feels good to you.
Worth mentioning
Choosing a therapist is personal, here are a few extra things to know about working with me:
Clients often tell me I feel more like a real person than a “therapist in a chair.” You don’t have to impress me, filter yourself, or show up polished. You can be honest, unsure, emotional, sarcastic, quiet, talkative — all of it is welcome. My goal is to help you feel comfortable being you from the very beginning.
Life is busy, unpredictable, and sometimes overwhelming, therapy should fit into your life, not add more stress to it. I offer flexible scheduling options so sessions feel accessible and realistic, whether you’re balancing work, school, relationships, or just trying to keep your head above water.
Some sessions are about talking things out. Some are about slowing down and making sense of what’s really going on underneath the surface. And some include concrete tools you can take into your week. We blend insight with action so you’re not just understanding yourself more, you’re also learning how to show up differently in your real life.
We go deep…into patterns, emotions, relationships, and the stories you carry but without the cold, clinical vibe. Sessions feel human, warm, and grounded. You won’t be analyzed or talked at. You’ll be met with curiosity, care, and honesty in a way that feels safe, natural, and real.
What does a session with Michaela DeSimone look like?
No two sessions look exactly the same, because no two people are the same.
Sessions usually start with a relaxed check-in: how your week’s been, what’s been sitting heavy, what feels important to talk about. From there, we shape the session together.
Some days look like deep exploration and meaningful conversation.
Some days look like more guidance, questions, or specific tools.
Some days look like venting, processing, or just taking space to breathe.
If you’re quiet, I’ll help guide the space.
If you need to talk the entire time, that’s welcome too.
You’ll always be met with warmth, curiosity, honesty, and zero judgment. I’m fully on your team!
Q&A just for fun
Q: Dogs or Cats?
A: Absolutely dogs! I have one and she’s my favourite being on the planet.
Q: Guilty Pleasure?
A: Pillsbury cookies – especially the fun seasonal ones! OR anything reality tv and im hooked…
Q: Favourite Season?
A: Summer forever ☀️ Sunshine = instant mood boost.
Q: Favourite Saying?
A: “Just because it’s taking time doesn’t mean it’s not happening.”
Q: Biggest Pet Peeve
A: Traffic… no further explanation needed
Q: Ideal Vacation?
A: Beach, ocean, sunshine and great food!! Italy is definitely high on my travel bucket list.
Q: Hobbies?
A: I love being active, whether that’s going to the gym, walking or pilates. I love a good book (so open to book recs!), shopping, and of course spending quality time with friends and family 🙂
Q: Big Dreams?
A: Pursuing further education and becoming a university professor! Hopefully one day teaching while continuing to engage in meaningful clinical work.
My Approach
Let’s keep this simple: therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither is my approach.Some clients want structure.
Some want space to talk.
Some want tools and takeaways.
Most want a mix.
So that’s what we build together.
I take a very integrative approach, deeply working towards understanding what meets your unique needs and experiences. Meaning, I utilize various therapeutic methods, working towards finding the best fit. I use approaches such as ACT, EFT, inner child work, compassion-focused therapy, strengths-based work, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care — but you don’t need to know what any of those mean. What matters is that sessions feel helpful, supportive, and tailored to you.
We’ll explore your patterns, your emotions, your relationships, your stress, and your story without judgment and without pressure to “do therapy perfectly.” You bring yourself. To sessions I’ll bring warmth, curiosity, honesty, authenticity and the occasional gentle nudge when it’s helpful.
Therapy shouldn’t feel intimidating. It should feel like a space where you can breathe, be real, and slowly start making sense of things. My goal as a therapist is to be a steady, supportive presence in sessions, helping you feel seen, understood, and more at ease with yourself.
Attachment-Focused Work
We explore your relationship patterns and early experiences to understand how they show up today, in friendships, relationships and life in general. Meaningfully understanding the roots of our attachment helps to build more secure and healthy connections with yourself and others.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
This approach helps you notice your thoughts and feelings without judgment, using your values as an anchor in life’s decision making. Through the use of ACT, you can begin to take steps toward a life that feels meaningful, a life that feels aligned with what you want and what you believe in, even when things feel hard.
Narrative Therapy
We look at the stories you tell about yourself and your life, helping you see that you are so much more than the problems you are facing. Like a story, we are finding the parts where the problems took over or began, working towards rewriting the narrative and finding alternative perspectives. Ultimately creating space for a new, empowering story that reflects who you truly are.
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
We focus on identifying, understanding, and expressing your emotions in a safe space, helping you process feelings fully, strengthen self-awareness, and improve your relationships with yourself and others.
Credentials
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University (in progress)
Honours Bachelors of Applied Science (Psychology Neuroscience and Behaviour- Human Behaviour)–McMaster University
CRPO Registration #19666
Fees & Session Costs
Individual 50-Minute Session $150
Couples 50-Minute Session $190
Training Highlights
Violence, Evidence, Guidance, Action (VEGA) Family Violence Education Resources- 2022
Suicide Intervention Skills Promoting Life – CTRI (2025)
Trauma-Informed Care- Building a Culture of Strength– CTRI (2025)
"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” — Maya Angelou
Interested in working with me?
You don’t need to have everything figured out to start therapy, you just need a starting point. As your therapist, I’ll be that starting point with you.
I offer a comfortable and supportive, judgment-free space for real conversation, reflection, and healing, no matter your age, background, or experience with therapy. If you’re curious about starting, I encourage you to book a free consultation so we can see if we’re the right fit!