about US
Our Whole-Person Healing Approach
Find out how the Centre for Mind Body Psychotherapy’s values, principles and practices drive our commitment to whole-person healing of trauma and a range of other mental health issues.
Values & principles
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Mind-Body Approach
Mind Body approaches focus on the inter-connectedness of mental, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual well-being, offering a holistic path to balance and health.
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Integrative Approach
An integrative approach draws from various evidence-based therapies to create customized treatment plans that respond to the specific healing and wellness needs of individuals and couples.
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Non-Judgmental Space
We provide a non-judgmental space, where clients feel safe and supported. With empathy and respect, our therapists build trust and create the foundation for impactful and effective therapy.
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Self-Determination
We respect clients’ starting points, pace, preferences, and choices, empowering them to actively collaborate in therapy. This fosters trust, personal agency, and motivation in the healing process.
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Trauma-Informed Practice
We understand the profound and lasting effects of trauma. We offer a safe space for trauma recovery, where healing happens with respect, choice, and collaboration.
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Inclusivity
We are committed to inclusivity, offering culturally sensitive, LGBTQ+ affirming, and anti-oppressive care. Our goal is to create a safe and welcoming place where every client feels valued.
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Strength-Based Approach
With this approach we shift the focus from challenges to possibilities, helping you identify and harness your strengths and resources, build confidence, and create lasting change.
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Mental Health Excellence
Mental health excellence is foundational to our practice. We prioritize continuous education to offer personalized, evidence-based therapies that build trust.
meet our team
Lalia Palacio
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist, BA (Hons), MSW, RSW
I have had my own share of trials and tribulations. I know suffering, but I also know that it has led me to profound personal growth. I wouldn’t be who I am without it and more importantly, I wouldn’t want to be anyone else. While trauma and adversity can be painful and cause us to feel hopeless, overwhelmed, and stuck, it can also come with profound positive outcomes (e.g., it can give us a greater sense of personal strength, new priorities, closer relationships, an increased appreciation of life, and heightened spirituality). It would be my pleasure to accompany you on your unique journey towards true transformation.
I’m a Registered Social Worker based out of Vaughan, Ontario with over 16 years of experience providing treatment in private practice and hospitals (i.e., Women's College Hospital & the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health). While I am a trauma-trained therapist, my expertise extends to helping clients with anxiety, depression, personality disorders, addiction, relationship issues, grief and loss, chronic pain, and more.
I am Certified in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and trained in Eye Movement Densenitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), IFS-Informed EMDR, Level 1 Gottman Method Couples Therapy, CBT, DBT, Somatic Practices, Dissocation, Emotion-Focused Individual Therapy Attachment-Based Interventions. This allows me to draw from a wide range of appraoches to create a tailored and effective healing process for each client.
I have a BA (Hons.) degree and a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Toronto, specializing in Adult Mental Health and Addiction Studies. I am an accredited member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and The Alberta College of Social Workers, and the Association of Ontario Social Workers (OASW).
Natashia
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MA, B.Ed., B.A. (Hons).
My decision to become a psychotherapist is deeply rooted in personal experience. As a teenager, I witnessed my parents struggle in their marriage, often leaving their emotional needs unmet. Seeing this up close shaped how I saw myself and relationships, instilling a fear of rejection and fostering patterns of anxious attachment. It left me feeling unseen, disconnected, and searching for validation in relationships that couldn’t meet my emotional needs. This reinforced cycles of insecurity and self-doubt that took some time to untangle.
My healing journey has involved cultivating awareness of my my inner experience (my thoughts, feelings, and needs), self-compassion, breaking unhealthy relational patterns, and building secure and supportive connections. These lessons fuel my passion for helping others navigate the effects of childhood adversity, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. I believe growth and healing are rooted in connection—with ourselves and others—and I strive to offer a space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to create meaningful change.
I hold a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, a BA (Hons) from York University, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto. As a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT), I bring a rich, diverse background to my practice.
Before becoming a therapist, I spent over a decade as a teacher specializing in special education and supporting neurodivergent students. This experience deepened my appreciation for empathy, patience, and recognizing each individual’s unique strengths—values that continue to guide my therapeutic work. I have extensive experience working with children, youth, and families to address emotional regulation, self-esteem, and relationship challenges.
Using a blend of curiosity, compassion, and evidence-based approaches—including Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, CBT, DBT, and Emotion-Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT)—I work with clients to reconnect with their self-worth, improve relationships, and approach life’s challenges with clarity, confidence, and tools.
Let’s connect for a free 15-minute consultation to talk about your goals for therapy!
Discover Holistic Healing
Holistic Healing helps you achieve wellness by integrating therapies that nurture the mind, body, and relationships, fostering lasting transformation.
Schedule a Consultation Now.