Maria Farella

Maria Farella is a psychotherapist in training dedicated to creating a safe, compassionate, and judgment-free space where clients feel seen, heard, and understood. She believes every person carries a unique life story shaped by their experiences, relationships, challenges, and strengths. Together with her client, Maria takes the time to explore that story with curiosity, compassion, self-awareness and growth.

With over a decade of research experience in mental health, Maria holds both a Master’s degree and a PhD in Psychiatry from McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Her doctoral research examined how individuals made meaning from their experiences, and how the stories they developed about themselves shaped their identity, relationships, and personal growth.

Maria integrates evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and Positive Psychology, to support clients in identifying their strengths, challenging limiting beliefs, and reshaping the stories they hold about themselves. Through cognitive reframing and narrative exploration, she helps clients transform self-defeating thoughts and past experiences into more empowering, resilient, and meaningful narratives.

Committed to lifelong learning and evidence-based practice, Maria has presented her research at the 2020 Canadian Psychological Association Conference and the 2024 World Congress of Psychiatry in Mexico City. She was awarded the prestigious Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Doctoral Fellowship in 2023 and received the McGill University Great Award in 2024 in recognition of her academic contributions.

Maria has also completed specialized training in Child Trauma (accredited by the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress) and has pursued certifications in Positive Psychology under the guidance of Dr. Ronald D. Siegel (Harvard Medical School), Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty & Stress with Dr. Marc Brackett (Yale School of Medicine), and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy through the Association for Psychological Therapies (APT).

As a clinician, Maria believes therapy is not about changing who you are—it is about rediscovering your strengths, making sense of your experiences, and creating space for growth. Her goal is to walk alongside each client as they gain a deeper understanding of themselves, let go of stories that no longer serve them, and begin creating a life that feels more authentic, hopeful, and meaningful.