Runa Reta
Hello! I am a licensed social worker, psychotherapist and Couple & Family Therapist, looking to offer a culturally-attuned curiosity and compassion in the work I do. I offer online psychotherapy to individuals and couples looking to grow, learn and regain a sense of balance in their lives and relationships.
About Me
I am a second-generation immigrant of East African and Pakistani descent. I grew up in Ottawa and now live and practice in Montreal.
My life has taken me in many directions, including having lived and worked on five different continents. Over time, I have developed a particular interest in understanding the challenges, nuances and dynamics of well-being within collectivist cultures, and how this plays out for racialized individuals, couples, families and their communities in this Western society.
I hold Masters degrees in Social Work (2019) and Couple & Family Therapy (2020) from McGill University. My work experience spans both community and public mental health care settings with various populations including adolescents, young adults and older adults. I have worked at the Cummings Centre in the Mental Health department and at CLSC Parc-Extension (Adult Mental Health). I currently work at the Jewish General Hospital (Youth Service, Outpatient Psychiatry) and offer psychotherapy to clients through Kahnawà:ke Shakotiia’takéhnhas Community Services (KSCS). I am also a course lecturer at McGill University in the Department of Social Work.
My values lie in offering compassionate support to those who live in the margins, and specifically those who identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC). I am interested in holding and reflecting back your particular lived experiences, as well as helping you navigate the challenges of balancing different cultural expectations. I am also committed to offering affordable services, so feel free to get in touch and ask about my sliding scale.
Individual Psychotherapy
I am a trauma-informed practitioner who can help support you on your path towards greater balance, acceptance and well-being. I have training in DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Brief Solution-Focused Therapy and ACT for Grief. I also draw from concepts of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Polyvagal Theory.
Couple's Therapy
An important element in relationships is being able to hold space for nuance and multiple perspectives. I help clear space for calmer, more open conversations between partners so that they might find other ways of addressing any blockages. I have training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Developmental Couple Therapy for Complex Trauma (DCTCT). I also draw from Systemic Family Therapy concepts and Socio-culturally attuned practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about my services
How much do you charge?
Individual psychotherapy is $110 and Couple's therapy is $125. Sessions are 50 minutes.
Do you offer sliding scale rates?
Yes! I am committed to offering affordable services, so please ask me about my sliding scale.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes! I can write receipts for psychotherapy as well as social work services. I am also a registered provider for the Non-insured Health Benefits (NIHB).
Who do you serve?
I work with individuals 18+ and couples that identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC). If you are a couple and one or both of you identifies as such, great! Additional marginalized identities (eg. LGBTQ+) are welcome.
How do I find out how you practice?
Please get in touch through my contact form to see if I have availability. If I do, I offer a free 20-minute video consultation for us to get a feel for one another and to answer any questions you might have.
Do you offer in-person therapy?
Unfortunately, I only work online at this time.
What does a therapy session feel like with you?
A therapy session should feel like being in conversation together... after all, this is what human connection is all about ! I will not sit there in silence, taking notes and withholding my observations. I am deeply compassionate and will take the time to understand you before offering any kind, caring feedback. And you might be surprised at how much we end up laughing and holding space for joy along the way :)
Contact Me
Get in touch with me to see if I have availability at this time.