Hello I'm Bhakti Shah Founder at Ekya Counselling & Psychotherapy
Welcome to Ekya! I’m so glad you have found your way here. My name is Bhakti Shah, and I am the founder of Ekya Counselling & Psychotherapy. I specialize in supporting parents, children, and families through life’s challenges. I particularly focus on the deep, transformative effects of intergenerational trauma on parenting.
My passion is to help parents go through a reflective process of self-discovery to create lasting, positive connections with their children and with each other.
My Journey and Approach
I have over 16 years of experience working with families, in areas such aschild welfare, maternal health, and early childhood education. I hold a Bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies, a Master’s in Social Work, and certifications in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (Level 1) and Attachment Parenting Education.
As someone with a South Asian background, I know firsthand the challenges and nuances of balancing cultural values with the demands of modern life, and I bring this perspective to every session. I strive to help parents create a balance between the two. Besides English, my services are available in Hindi and Gujarati.
My work is deeply rooted in an attachment-based approach, and I focus on building strong emotional connections between parents and children. I also adopt an eclectic and trauma-informed approach, using different therapeutic modalities like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), solution-focused brief therapy, narrative therapy, and more. I believe in taking a systems-based approach when I work with both children and parents.
At Ekya Counselling, I take a firm stance on decolonizing my practice, this means not positioning myself as the expert on your life, but rather guiding you with my professional experience and lived wisdom to help you discover your own solutions, without being dependent on me or anyone else. It also means together, we review not just your personal circumstances and challenges but also understand how they are placed in the larger socio-cultural context of things.
What Sets Me Apart
- South Asian experience & perspective
- Inclusive and Anti-Oppressive approach
- Attachment-Focused & Family-Centered support
- Services in English, Hindi, and Gujarati Languages
- Hybrid services with both in-person and virtual options
- Flexible scheduling with evening and weekend appointments
My Background
I was born and raised in India and moved to Canada in 2012, where I faced my own set of challenges as a new immigrant. Like many of you, I’ve experienced the ups and downs of settling into a new life.
I have managed cultural shifts and balanced family life while building a professional career. Over time, I recognized the limitations within the systems that I was working in and knew I could make a more significant impact by supporting families more directly, through one-on-one counseling and therapy.
Being a cis-gender, first-generation Indian-Canadian woman and a mother has shaped both my personal and professional life.
My lived experiences are as integral to my practice as my formal education. I bring empathy, understanding, and cultural sensitivity to every interaction.
My Philosophy
I believe in the power of intuitive parenting, quieting the external pressures, and trusting your inner voice when it comes to raising your children.
It’s okay to feel uncertain sometimes. Through my sessions, I guide parents to reflect on their upbringing, explore their emotional patterns, and understand how their own experiences or past family dynamics are impacting their parenting today.
I’m here to support you in your parenting journey and empower you to be the confident and compassionate parent you have always wanted to be and are!
The Personal Side of Me
When I’m not working with families, you can find me spending time with my own children, enjoying nature, or engaging in activities that help me maintain my own mental and emotional well-being.
I’m a firm believer in learning, unlearning, and relearning, whether that’s through professional development or personal reflection.
In the journey of parenting, I’m here to walk beside you.
Let’s Work Together
If you’re ready to create a deeper, more connected relationship with your children, or if you’re facing the challenges of parenting and family life, I’m here to help. I offer a free 15-minute consultation to see if we’re the right fit. Reach out today, and let’s begin this transformative journey together.