HEAL. GROW. BLOOM.
Holistic psychotherapy to help you navigate life’s challenges.
Online, trauma-informed therapy for women in Waterdown, the Halton Region, and across Ontario. Supporting those ready to untangle shame, rebuild self-worth, and navigate life transitions with authenticity and compassion.
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom.”
– Anaïs Nin
EVERYONE HAS A STORY, AND MINE JUST HAPPENED TO LEAD ME TO PSYCHOTHERAPY…
I’m Maria Legault, a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), and 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 am in this line of work because I have experienced firsthand that healing is possible. Not to sound too dramatic, but therapy offered me a second chance.
Am I saying 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 women heal from past wounds, ditch shame, reclaim their worth, and navigate life’s messy transitions (yes, even menopause!) All that with depth and authenticity. No quick fixes. No more playing small!
Maybe you landed here because you feel stuck in patterns that keep repeating no matter what you do.
Perhaps that inner critic won’t stop making you believe you’re not good enough.
It could be that the weight of anxiety, depression, shame, or past trauma is burdening you.
Possibly you could be navigating big life shifts.
Or, relationship issues and work stress could be giving you the blues.
Whatever you are struggling with, you don’t have to face it alone. We all need someone in our corner.
"We don’t have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to." Brené Brown
Through virtual psychotherapy sessions, we’ll tap into mind, body, and emotions to get to the root of what’s really going on. We will work towards processing that pesky old baggage and uncover patterns holding you back. Let’s get bold here and say that we will also work towards creating a life that feels aligned, fulfilling, and unapologetically yours.
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Everyone has a story, and mine just happened to lead me to psychotherapy to heal myself. In my case, it was constantly feeling like I wasn’t good enough, the relentless grip of perfectionism (yes, that’s a thing), and the heavy weight of shame and trauma.
It might sound cute, like, “oh- she was a high achiever who was constantly pushing herself.” I can assure you that it wasn’t. I am talking about trauma that derailed my life. The kind that brought me to make decisions rooted in believing that I didn’t deserve anything.
I’m straight-up talking about the type of perfectionism that kept me hidden in the house if I didn’t like something about my appearance. Not to mention the inner critic that made me play small because I was scared to fail. My inner dialogue was harsher than anything my worst critics could have said.
When all of this was served with a side of culture shock and perimenopause symptoms (because why not), I decided I deserved to find someone who could help me.
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’ve also become a little bit nicer to myself.
I guess you could call me a wounded healer. After experiencing how transformative psychotherapy can be, I spent five years diving deep into psychodynamic psychotherapy at the Ontario Psychotherapy and Counselling Program. This helped me learn how I could use psychotherapy to help others.
Translation: I read a ton of books, took a bunch of courses, and soaked up as much knowledge as I could so that I could learn how to help people just like you!
My approach
If you are here, maybe you spent years playing by other people’s rules- pleasing, proving, and pushing through.
What if real freedom comes from unbecoming everything they told you to be? What if it comes from meeting yourself like you would a friend?
With depth, authenticity, and a little irreverence, our online psychotherapy sessions will focus on what truly matters to you. I will meet you where you are, and we will explore this messy thing called life together.
OUR CUSTOM-TAILORED SESSIONS MIGHT INVOLVE:
Grounding your nervous system
Processing old wounds
Exploring your patterns and emotions
Untangling beliefs holding you back
Reconnecting with your authentic self
Integrating those shadow parts, most of us try to ignore
Crafting a life that feels aligned, fulfilling, and uniquely yours.
Helping you to bloom– sorry, I had to go there with the pun!
A glimpse into how I work
EMPATHY
Therapy can feel intimidating, and opening up takes courage. I get it! That’s why I focus on creating a warm and non-judgmental space where you can eventually feel safe enough to share what’s really going on. Think of it as your weekly cocoon- a retreat from the noise of the world where you can focus entirely on yourself and your healing.
DEEP WORK
Let’s be real, quick fixes rarely lead to lasting change. If they did, you probably wouldn’t need a therapist! Together we will slowly dive beneath the surface to explore the roots of your patterns. By becoming aware of what’s driving your experiences, you’ll gain the tools to make choices that serve you. This isn’t just about “fixing” problems; it’s about understanding yourself on a deeper level and moving toward a more authentic and meaningful life.
INTEGRATIVE
Humans are beautifully complex, which is why I take a holistic approach that considers your mind, body, emotions, and even your spiritual side. While we will focus primarily on talk therapy, I might also bring in meditations, visualizations, movement, or even some art exercises. Only if you’re into it!
CREATIVITY
Before I became a psychotherapist, I completed a PhD in the Study and Practice of Art, including courses in art education and art therapy. This means that if creative expression is your thing, we can weave in some art-based practices to enhance your healing journey.
Services
Psychotherapy can offer a safe space to process these challenges, uncover their roots, and rewrite the stories that are holding you back. Together, we can work toward clarity, healing, and reconnecting with your true self.
Psychotherapy isn’t just self-care- it’s a power move. It’s a pathway toward finding your ground, unpacking the messy stuff, and rewriting the stories that have been running the show for too long. Together, we’ll cut through the noise, look at what’s holding you back, and move towards the most unapologetic, authentic version of YOU.
J’OFFRE MES SERVICES EN ANGLAIS OU EN FRANÇAIS!
Fees are discussed during our free initial consultation.
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50 minutes of virtual psychotherapy from the comfort of your own home.
Sessions that are tailored to your needs and designed to meet you wherever you are.
Deep, no-stone-left-unturned work that honours every layer of your being.
Someone in your corner to hold space for whatever is going on.
No judgment from me. At all. For anything.
Areas of Specialty
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Do you feel stuck, like you're running on a hamster wheel of the same old frustrations no matter what you try? Maybe relationship struggles or work stress are feeling overwhelming. You could be stressed by never-ending relationship drama or a job that’s draining your soul. Maybe anxiety and self-doubt just won’t quit. Or life could have thrown you a curveball, and you're standing there thinking, what now?
Whatever it is, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Psychotherapy isn’t just talk; it’s an investment in you. It’s a chance to dig deep and uncover how the past might be shaping your present. Together, we’ll work through the tough stuff, look at attachment patterns, identify your strengths, untangle outdated beliefs, and put you back in the driver’s seat. This is your time to focus on your own healing because, just getting by? Yeah, I don’t think that’s your vibe.
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Are you crushing it in life but still feeling like it’s never enough; like you are not enough? Is that relentless inner critic nitpicking every so-called “flaw” and making you view so many things as “failures”?
Shame-informed psychotherapy can help you understand these patterns, unravel the emotions tangled up in them, and rewrite those tired old stories you’ve been telling yourself. Together, we can work towards turning down the volume onself-doubt, learning to set boundaries and sprinkling in some serious self-compassion. All of this can help you rediscover your unshakable worth that’s been there all along.
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Do you feel like the pain of your past is still shaping your present? Are you tired of being stuck in fight, flight, or freeze patterns that seem tied to something that you can’t quite name?
Big ‘T’ or little ‘t’ traumas may have shaped the way you think, feel, and connect. Maybe they keep you zoned out in front of the TV for hours. Or they could lead you to react in ways that you later regret. Trauma-informed psychotherapy can provide a space to regulate your nervous system and process what’s been buried for too long.
Your traumatic experiences are real- and sadly, we can’t magically snap our fingers and make them disappear. What we can do is work towards getting you to a place where they don’t constantly run the show.
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Are the emotional ups and downs of perimenopause/menopause leaving you feeling overwhelmed? Do you want to speak about all of this with someone who`s been there and truly gets it?
Psychotherapy can help you navigate midlife with more ease. It can offer tools to work through the emotional rollercoaster, stress, and shifting values. Not to mention that it can offer strategies to cope with the mental toll of those (oh-so-fun) physical changes.
You can work towards meeting yourself where you are today. Because, let’s be real, you aren’t the same person you were 20 years ago(and thank goodness for that- in my case, anyway). This is your time to step into your wisdom, own the strength that comes from your experience, and embrace the strong and wise woman you’ve become. Midlife doesn’t need to be a crisis.
Contact Me
You don’t need to navigate this journey alone. If you’re feeling stuck, I’d love to help!
WANT TO REACH OUT? EASY! HERE’S HOW
Email: maria@springbloom.ca
Call me: 416-823-1648 and leave a message on my confidential voicemail. I will do my best to respond to you within 48 hours.
Please fill out the form to help me understand your needs and how I can best support you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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It’s easy to get started—just reach out through my contact form, send me an email, or give me a call. I’ll get back to you within 48 hours to set up a free 15-minute initial consultation. It’s a chance to chat about your goals, explore what you’re looking for, and see if we’re the right fit to work together.
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Do you ever feel stuck, like no matter how hard you try, things just aren’t clicking? Maybe it’s struggles in your relationships, work stress, low confidence, or that constant worry you can’t seem to shake. Perhaps boundaries feel impossible to set, or past experiences still weigh heavy on your heart. Whether you’re carrying the pain of a hard childhood, longing for deeper connections, or simply craving personal growth, psychotherapy is an investment in yourself- a chance to explore what’s really going on, heal old wounds, and uncover new paths forward. Because you deserve to feel aligned, empowered, and free.
If this resonates, I’d love to connect. Please reach out for a complimentary consultation to see if therapy feels like the right fit for you.
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I offer virtual holistic psychotherapy grounded in five years of psychodynamic training—which is really just a fancy way of saying that I help you uncover those sneaky unconscious patterns that might be holding you back. Together, we will work on boosting your self-awareness, navigating emotions, and understanding how your attachment history and early life experiences have shaped you. It’s all about helping you create deeper connections, both with yourself and with others, while moving toward the kind of life and relationships that you truly want.
I also weave in mindfulness, self-compassion, Parts Work, nervous system awareness, creative and somatic approaches to help untangle the knots of trauma, shame, and that nagging feeling of never being good enough. Every method I use is backed by research, but more importantly, it’s designed to meet you where you are at.
If any of this speaks to you, I would love to invite you to a complimentary introductory session. It is a chance to connect, explore what is possible, and see if we are a good fit for your journey.
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Although each client is unique and no outcomes are guaranteed, therapy can offer a safe space to dive deeper into the patterns, emotions, and experiences that shape your life- so you can break free from what’s holding you back. It’s not just about managing symptoms; it’s about uncovering the root causes of struggles like anxiety, depression, or relationship challenges. Through this process, you can gain a clearer understanding of yourself, heal emotional wounds, and learn to navigate life with more confidence, connection, and authenticity. It’s about creating lasting change and stepping into the most empowered version of yourself.
And sometimes, it’s just nice to have someone in your corner- to remind you that you don’t have to do it all on your own.
If any of this resonates, I would love to connect. Reach out for a complimentary consultation- it’s a no-pressure way to see how therapy could support you on your journey.
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Each session lasts 50 minutes and is held online.
This makes it easy to connect from the comfort of your own space, anywhere in Ontario, while ensuring a safe and confidential environment for our work together.
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The frequency of our sessions is all about what works best for you. Many people find that weekly or bi-weekly appointments help to build momentum. You are welcome to continue therapy for as long as it feels helpful.
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Fees are discussed during our free initial consultation.
Payments are made by e-transfer.
Currently, all of my sliding scale spots are filled.
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I am a Registered Psychotherapist (qualifying), which means that many insurance plans may offer partial or full coverage for sessions. Please check your plan to ensure Registered Psychotherapists (qualifying) are included. It’s also helpful to know how much coverage you have per year, any per-session limits, and when your plan renews.
While I do not currently bill insurance directly, I can provide receipts for you to submit to your insurance if you have out-of-network benefits.
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I understand that life can be unpredictable. If you need to reschedule or cancel, please provide at least 48 hours’ notice. Without such notice, you will be charged for the full session fee.
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My practice isn’t equipped to provide emergency services.
If you’re experiencing a crisis or life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department immediately.
You can also reach out to Crisis Services Canada at 1.833.456.4566, or connect with the Distress Centre Helpline at 1.416.408.HELP (4357) or 905.688.3711. If you prefer texting, send a message to 741741.
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Degrees:
5-year Diploma in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Ontario Psychotherapy and Counselling College (graduation June 2025)
Doctorat en Études et pratique des arts, Université du Québec à Montréal
Master of Fine Arts, University of Guelph
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Concordia University
Memberships:
College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario: 19041
Canadian Association Association for Psychodynamic Therapy
Trainings:
Working with Trauma and the Body 2 day training: the Fundamentals of Somatic Therapy, Wilfrid Laurier University
Moving from Self Criticism to Self-Acceptance with Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy 2-day training: Wilfrid Laurier University
The “Not Good Enough” Treatment Plan: A Certified Shame-Informed Treatment Specialist 2-day Training: PESI
Working with Core Beliefs of “Never Good Enough: National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine
How to work with Shame: National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine
How to Work with Clients who Struggle with an Inner Critic: National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine
The Neurobiology of Attachment: National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine
The Healing Trauma Program: Soundstrue
Meditation and Psychotherapy course: Soundstrue
200 hrs Yoga Teacher Training, Yoga Space
300 hrs Yoga Psyche Soul, Ashley Turner
Trauma Informed Yoga, Hala Khouri
Workshops:
Workshops in Parts Work, Somatic Interventions, Intimate Partner Violence, Diversity and Anti-oppression, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Diversity, Psychopharmacology, Ethics and Sexual Abuse recovery: Ontario Psychotherapy and Counselling College
Courses:
Trauma Recovery course: Soundstrue
Mindful Self Compassion course: Toronto Centre for Mindfulness Studies
Introduction to Art Therapy course and Art Education courses, Concordia University
Yoga for Mental Health, Ashley Turner
If you have any other questions that aren’t covered here, feel free to get in touch. I’m here to help you navigate this journey and look forward to supporting you along the way!