HOLLY NARAINE [she/her] RP(QUALIFYING)

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Have you ever struggled with feelings of not being queer enough? Are you experiencing

internal conflict between your racial and queer identities? Are you questioning your identity and unsure of what comes next? Have you survived identity-based trauma/discrimination? Do you want to come out, but just don’t know how? Does the idea of reclaiming your life entice you? If you are searching for a therapist with similar lived and identity related experience, look no further. 

Hey! I’m Holly, a proud Black-Biracial queer femme with Caribbean ancestry, and I am

here to accompany you on your journey- wherever you are at!

I know it sounds cliche, but it really is okay to not be okay, and our sessions are where you can feel safe and embrace your vulnerabilities. I’m in YOUR corner! I am also a student therapist who is continually learning and integrating new skills as I develop my practice. What does this mean for you? I bring fresh perspectives and a high degree of flexibility as I obtain new knowledge through coursework and supervision. I believe in therapy that thrives on authenticity, mutual respect, and honesty. To that end, I tend to shy away from a traditional clinical nature and enjoy incorporating experiential and grounding components to my sessions. I am not here to interrogate you. I am here to support you, in whatever ways suit you best.

Historically, therapy forgot about us queer and BIPOC folks, and I’m here to make sure that this space remains welcoming and safer for us. I believe in therapy that thrives on authenticity, mutual respect, and honesty. That’s why it's so important for me to disclose my racial and queer identities. My approach to therapy blends person centred tenets with an anti-oppressive, trauma informed, and intersectional feminist standpoint. All of which are frameworks that I value dearly. I tend to shy away from a traditional clinical nature and enjoy incorporating experiential and grounding components to my sessions.

As queer folks, many of our struggles can be connected to our lived experiences as marginalised people, and these experiences can often pose negative threats to our mental health and wellbeing. I come to sessions as a therapist with lived experience of minority stress that allows me to better connect and empathise with your struggles; reminding you that you are not alone. Together we can explore all corners of your identity, in addition to working through various social, emotional, and mental health concerns. Therapy is not only about challenging behaviours and mindsets or healing from the past. It has room for self-exploration as you continue to grow into your best self!

I am interested in supporting teens and young adults who are in the early stages of developing and exploring their queer identities. Specifically folks who are coming to terms with being a part of the LGBTQ+ for the first time, and those who are in the process of amalgamating a queer and racialized identity. Growing up alongside youth in the child welfare system, I have life-long experience supporting queer youth who are living in the care of children’s aid societies; including supporting my siblings in accessing gender affirming health care. In my aim to increase accessibility of therapy to the queer community, I offer sessions at a sliding scale/PWYC rate starting at $75 per session. If my profile speaks to you, please reach out to schedule a free 20-minute consultation with me. I look forward to building our therapeutic relationship!

Holly offers individual sessions - $75/session.