Hi, I’m Alyssa Durigon, Registered Psychotherapist #16053 - and I’m a proud member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. My approach to therapy is grounded in warmth, curiosity, and collaboration. I believe in creating a non-judgmental, affirming space where you can feel safe to explore your experiences, reconnect with your identity, and move toward healing
on your own terms.
I take a humanistic and anti-oppressive approach, always considering the unique context of each person I work with. Therapy with me - it’s about meeting you where you are, helping you build practical coping tools, and gently encouraging self-compassion, gratitude, and growth. I often integrate expressive arts, mindfulness, and body awareness into our work together, and I love supporting clients in finding creative, meaningful ways to process their experiences.
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As a certified yoga and meditation instructor, I’m passionate about integrating the mind, body, and spirit in therapy. I often use movement, breathwork, and somatic awareness to help clients locate and understand their emotions. These practices can open up space for self-understanding and healing in a really powerful way.
Spirituality and community are also central to my work. Whether you're exploring an alternative spiritual path or looking to feel more connected to something greater, I offer a grounded space to explore those parts of yourself without judgment. My Master's in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy from Wilfrid Laurier helped shape my holistic approach, and I’m currently continuing my studies in a PhD program focused on Expressive Arts Therapy.
I’ve worked with adults and young adults navigating a wide range of challenges—like anxiety, depression, anger, neurodivergence (ADHD, ASD and everything in-between), identity loss, relationship difficulties, chronic pain, and queer-related concerns. My goal is always to help clients regain confidence, reconnect with their inner strengths, and feel empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives.
I also have lived and professional experience supporting people with chronic pain and disability. I understand how complex and isolating these challenges can be—physically, emotionally, and socially—and I work to create a space where clients can reclaim their voice, rebuild their identity, and feel understood.
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As a member of the queer community, I’m especially passionate about supporting LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. I’ve studied queer theory and take an intersectional feminist approach to therapy. I know how important it is to be seen and affirmed in your identity, and I aim to create a space where you feel fully accepted, supported, and empowered to live authentically.
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I also work with couples and have completed Level 1 training in both Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and the Gottman Method. These approaches are grounded in research, however, I understand that no two relationships are alike. I bring flexibility and creativity into couples work, especially with open relationships, polyamory, and queer partnerships. Together, we can focus on rebuilding trust, improving communication, and deepening emotional connection.
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Outside the therapy room, I’m someone who finds joy in creative projects and artistic expression. I regularly practice and teach yoga and meditation, I find peace in nature, cooking, and spending time with the people I love. I'm always learning—through my studies, my clients, and my own life—and I'm grateful to do this work that allows for such deep connection and growth.
Specalizations & Models
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ADHD & ASD (and anything in-between!)
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Anxiety
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Spiritual support and exploration; this often includes de-constructing religious experiences and managing shame. When you're ready, we can move towards finding community and connection in a space that feels safe.
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Identity exploration; this can be related to a variety of experiences and often begins with story-telling, evaluating your values and understanding the felt experience.
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Chronic pain & disability support; a variety of elements impact this work, including identity changes, autonomy changes, learning how to medically advocate and access services for financial support.
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Relationship challenges & couples counselling; my training in couples therapy is valuable to both individuals struggling in relationship and couples looking for conjoined support.
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Loss of identity and life transitions
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Finding a sense of presence, passion and connection to life; often leans into coaching, self exploration and creative problem solving. Using mindfulness, art and narrative therapies.
Specializations
Therapeutic Models
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Somatic Lens
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Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT – Level 1)
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Gottman Method (Level 1)
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Humanistic and person-centered therapy
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Narrative Therapy
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Expressive Arts Therapy
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Mindfulness-based practices (yoga & meditation instructor)
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Harm-reduction and anti-oppressive frameworks
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Queer theory & intersectional feminist therapy
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Creative problem solving & coping skill development
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DBT Informed
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Trauma Informed
What is Expressive Art Therapy?
Expressive Art Therapy is a body-centered, mindfulness-based approach that supports healing through creative expression. I guide clients in using art—visuals, movement, sound, or writing—as a way to explore emotions, access inner wisdom, and deepen self-awareness. No artistic skill is needed; the process is about expression, not the final product.
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Sessions begin with grounding and somatic awareness to help you connect with the present moment. From there, we use creative materials to explore whatever arises—emotions, sensations, memories. As you engage in the art-making process, we pay close attention to your body’s cues and responses, allowing insights to emerge naturally.
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This approach offers a safe, non-verbal pathway to connect with parts of yourself that may be difficult to access through talk alone. It supports emotional regulation, nervous system healing, and a greater sense of connection—to self, body, and the present moment.
