Dilraj Bhandal

(he/Him)

Intern

Areas of Focus

  • Anxiety and stress

  • Self-esteem and self-criticism

  • Perfectionism and people-pleasing

  • Identity, belonging, and self-discovery

  • LGBTQIA2S+ experiences

  • Cultural and multicultural identity

  • Immigrant and first-/second-generation experiences

  • Family expectations and relationship concerns

  • Life transitions and navigating change

  • Academic pressures

  • Grief and loss

  • Burnout and feeling overwhelmed

  • Understanding and managing emotions

  • Personal growth and self-exploration

Approach

  • Person-centred and collaborative

  • Relational

  • Culturally responsive

  • Strengths-based

  • Trauma-informed

  • Identity-affirming

Modalities

My practice is integrative and responsive to each client's unique needs, experiences, and goals. Approaches I may draw from include:

  • Person-Centred Therapy

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed approaches

  • Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

  • Narrative Therapy

  • Mindfulness and grounding-based approaches

  • Strengths-based and trauma-informed practice

 

 

There can be a lot of pressure to have life figured out, to know who you are, where you are going, and how to manage everything you are carrying.

Counselling can be a place where you do not have to arrive with the right words, all the answers, or everything figured out. I want our sessions to feel like somewhere you can slow down, take a breath, and simply show up as you are, knowing that you will be met with warmth, curiosity, and without judgment.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and person-centred. I believe you know your life and experiences in a way that no one else can, and I see my role as walking alongside you rather than telling you what you should do. Together, we can explore where you have been, where you are now, and where you would like to go, while making sense of the experiences, relationships, identities, and patterns that have shaped you along the way.

I also recognize that who we are cannot be separated from the cultures, families, communities, identities, and experiences that have shaped us. I approach these parts of your story with cultural humility, openness, and genuine curiosity, while honouring the strengths and knowledge you already carry.

At the heart of my practice is the relationship we build together. I strive to create an affirming and compassionate environment where you can explore difficult experiences at your own pace, deepen your understanding of yourself, and move toward growth and change in ways that feel meaningful to you.