hey, I'm Maria!

EVERYONE HAS A STORY, AND MINE JUST HAPPENED TO LEAD ME TO PSYCHOTHERAPY…

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I’m Maria Legault, a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and the owner of Spring Bloom Psychotherapy.

I’m so glad you are here!

I found my way to psychotherapy the way most people do, through the bumpy road called life! I can tell you that I am in this line of work because I have experienced firsthand that healing is possible.

Am I saying that my life is perfect? Nope. Do I think I am now perfect? Absolutely not! I am beginning to accept myself though, flaws and all.

My mission is now to help my clients heal from past wounds, ditch shame, reclaim their worth, and navigate life’s messy transitions (yes, even menopause!) All that with depth and authenticity.

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hand drawn branch of leaves

For me it was the constant sense of not being good enough which drove endless cycles of perfectionistic self-improvement. For years, my decisions were guided by trauma, shame, self-doubt and a harsh inner critic rather than authenticity. Until one day I got tired of playing small.

Here is the silver lining: therapy became my second chance. It’s not exactly a magical life hack, but it gave me tools to process old wounds, recognize unhelpful patterns, gain insights, and, most importantly, reclaim some agency. I have also, thankfully, become a little bit nicer to myself.

I guess you could call me a wounded healer. After experiencing how transformative psychotherapy can be, I have made it my calling to offer others the kind of space I was once given.

To help with this mission, I spent five years studying psychodynamic psychotherapy at the Ontario Psychotherapy and Counseling Program. Through this intense training, I learned how to walk alongside others on their healing journeys.

My Approach to Therapy

Now, as a therapist, I offer the kind of space I once needed: empathetic, grounded, and attuned.

My holistic and integrative approach draws mainly from psychodynamic psychotherapy and sprinkles in some humanistic, trauma-informed, IFS-Informed parts work and mindful modalities.

Our work is collaborative and paced to your readiness.

I believe therapy is less about fixing and more about reconnecting with your truth, your body, and your capacity to feel and live more fully.

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drawing of leaf

Who I Work With

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I have a soft spot for clients experiencing :

   •   Shame and low self-esteem

   •   Life transitions (menopause, career changes, relationships, endings and beginnings)

   •   Anxiety, burnout, work stress and emotional overwhelm

   •   The lingering effects of trauma, both dramatic and subtle

If you’ve ever felt like you had to hold it all together on the outside while quietly falling apart inside, you are not alone, and you don’t have to keep doing it alone.

Credentials & Training

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I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with a five-year master’s-equivalent diploma in psychodynamic psychotherapy. I also hold a PhD in the Study and Practice of Art and took several trainings in expressive arts, mindfulness, self-compassion, yoga for mental health, trauma, shame and IFS informed parts work.

Associations

  • Member of College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario

  • Member of Canadian Association for Psychodynamic Therapy

  • Verified by Psychology Today

Psychotherapist Maria Legault is smiling at the beach, wearing a large straw hat with black stripes, sand on her nose, sandy beach and cliffs with trees in the background, clear blue sky.
A woman sitting on a sofa with a soft white blanket, reading a book titled "The" while holding a pink mug. There is a plant nearby and a second book titled "Impe" on a surface.

Outside the Therapy Room…

I bring curiosity, creativity, and empathy to my work and life.

I am a plant mom, yogi and reading geek who enjoys nature, movement and travel. My first love was the arts. During my arts-based PhD, I explored how creativity can help us understand the intricacies of the human condition. That passion is still very much alive and I continue to champion creative expression in different ways. Every so often, you might find me with a paintbrush in hand, to reconnect with that early spark! I am also a life-long learner who is still in supervision and consultation because I believe therapists should be doing their own work too.

Je suis une fière francophone !

drawing of leaves
Paintbrushes with dried white paint in a jar, with an abstract colorful painting in the background.
The moon shining in a clear sky with some pink hues, surrounded by green trees and leaves.

Ready to Begin Therapy?

If something in this speaks to you, I would love to connect. I invite you to reach out for a free consultation so we can talk about what you are looking for.