Lalia Palacio

I specialize in helping adults heal from complex trauma, anxiety, and depression, and couples break free from the painful cycles that show up in relationships. Trauma can leave you feeling disconnected from yourself and from the people you love. It may show up as shame, chronic pain, or repeating patterns that feel impossible to escape. In relationships, unresolved wounds often play out as recurring arguments, emotional distance, or a breakdown of trust and intimacy. These struggles can feel overwhelming—for you and your partner—and they can also spill into other areas of your life, like parenting and work.

In my work with individuals, I see how trauma can shape how you see yourself and the world. It often leaves you feeling stuck between reactivity and shutdown—wanting closeness but fearing it at the same time. You may find yourself pushing others away, feeling unworthy of love, or carrying a constant sense of hypervigilance. These experiences are painful, but they are also understandable: they are the body and mind’s way of protecting you. Healing begins when you can approach these patterns with compassion, curiosity, and care.

For couples, the weight of unresolved hurt or ongoing conflict can create a cycle that feels impossible to break. Arguments may escalate into silence, trust may be eroded, and both partners may feel lonely or hopeless about the future. I know how painful this can be because I have been there myself. I know the heartbreak of wondering whether a relationship can survive, and I also know the relief of learning new ways to communicate, reconnect, and rebuild trust. My own experience in couples therapy taught me that repairing the bond between partners can be one of the most powerful steps toward building a more loving, secure, and healthy relationship.

With over 17 years of clinical experience, I have worked in both hospital and private practice settings, including Women’s College Hospital and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). These experiences strengthened my ability to meet clients with compassion, competence, and respect for diversity—so you can feel supported and understood.

The most important part of my work—whether with individuals or couples—is creating a safe and supportive space. Healing requires trust. For individuals, this means having a place where you can explore your experiences without judgment and begin to feel safe in your own mind and body. For couples, this means having a structured, compassionate process, where both partners feel heard, understood, and guided toward healthier patterns of communication and connection.

I draw from a wide range of evidence-based integrative therapies, including EMDR, IFS, Gottman Therapy, CBT, DBT, Somatics, Mindfulness, and Emotion-Focused Attachment Therapy. For individuals, this might mean processing traumatic memories so they no longer hold power over you, regulating emotions, understanding and caring for internal parts within yourself (for example, a harsh inner critic, an addictive part), developing healthier habits and coping skills, and moving toward the life you desire and deserve. For couples, this might mean improving communication, learning new ways to navigate conflict, practicing emotional attunement, or building a foundation of trust that can carry you forward.

I understand how difficult it can be to find the right therapist. It takes courage to reach out and begin this process. Whether you’re carrying the weight of past trauma, feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or depression, or struggling to reconnect in your relationship, I want you to know that healing is possible. Therapy can give you not only relief, but also hope, strength, and a renewed sense of connection to yourself and others.

At the Centre for Mind-Body Psychotherapy, I support adults and couples, who are ready to heal from complex trauma and other mental health issues, break free from cycles of disconnection, and move toward lives that feel meaningful and whole. If you are ready to take the first step, I invite you to reach out for a 20-minute consultation. Together, we can begin the journey toward lasting change.