Yusef Karimi, PhD

Starting therapy can feel vulnerable. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, trauma, stress, perfectionism, burnout, low mood, or feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, therapy can offer a space to better understand yourself and create meaningful change. I am a Registered Psychotherapist and hold a PhD in Counselling Psychology. With over 10 years of experience providing psychotherapy, I work with adults from diverse backgrounds, including immigrants, multicultural communities, and individuals navigating identity, cultural adjustment, life transitions, and the challenges of balancing multiple roles and expectations. My therapeutic style is warm, collaborative, structured, and evidence-based. I believe therapy should be both supportive and practical. Together, we work to understand the patterns behind your struggles, clarify your goals, and build skills that can help you move toward a more balanced, meaningful, and fulfilling life. My primary approach is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and I also integrate Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), mindfulness-based strategies, and trauma-informed care to tailor treatment to each client’s unique needs and experiences. I support clients experiencing a range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, panic, trauma/PTSD, OCD, social anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, insomnia, stress, self-esteem difficulties, grief and loss, health anxiety, emotional regulation challenges, procrastination, performance anxiety, and adjustment issues. I also work with individuals facing academic, professional, and personal pressures, helping them better manage overthinking, self-criticism, and high expectations. Alongside my clinical work, I have a strong background in research and teaching. My academic interests include psychotherapy, social psychology, and political psychology, and I value staying connected to current evidence and developments in mental health care. This ongoing engagement with research informs my clinical practice while keeping therapy grounded, flexible, and responsive to each client’s lived experience. I provide therapy in English, Kurdish, and Persian (Farsi) and offer both virtual and in-person sessions in Downtown Toronto. Outside of my professional work, I enjoy reading, writing about psychology and social issues, exploring topics related to human behaviour and society, fitness, hiking, and lifelong learning. Seeking support takes courage. My goal is to offer a respectful, culturally sensitive, and non-judgmental space where clients feel understood, empowered, and supported in creating lasting change. Clinician competencies: • Adjustment Issues • Anger • Anxiety/Generalized Anxiety Disorder • Bipolar Disorder • Body Image/ Body Dysmorphia • Burnout • Depression/Major Depressive Disorder/Dysthymia • Emotion Regulation • Gender Dysphoria • Grief/Loss • Health Anxiety • Insomnia/Sleep Problems • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder • Panic Disorder • Parental Coaching/Support • Perfectionism • Performance Anxiety • Phobias • Procrastination • Self-Esteem • Social Anxiety • Stress • Test Anxiety • Trauma/PTSD • Anxiety/mood med withdrawal Populations served: • Adults • Adults with Cognitive Impairments • Family Health Teams • Healthcare Professionals • LGBTQIAS2+ community • Newcomers/Immigrants Treatment modalities: • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy • Cognitive Processing Therapy • Exposure and Response Prevention • Mindfulness Therapy • Trauma Informed Treatment Please note that our associates work with many presenting issues, some of which are not listed in this biography. Please speak with our intake team at 416-363-4228 for more information.