I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and a Member in Good Standing with the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP), and follow their ethical guidelines. I am also a Certified Grief Counselling Specialist.

I’m a proud volunteer with Youth Assisting Youth as a Youth Mentor since 2011, and received the Ontario Volunteer Service Award in 2025 for my commitment to improving youth mental health.

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I’ve always been passionate about helping people. Since I was a child I was fascinated by learning about why people do the things they do. I got hooked on psychology in a high school course, learning about behaviour, motivation, and thought patterns. It was cool learning about anxiety and depression, but I needed to know about what we can do about it to feel better. That was the basis for starting my career. A lot of my research work has focused on anxiety, and one of my favourite areas is in perfectionism and high achievers.

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Why Grief though? When I lost one of the most important people in my life I felt like I had no one to talk to, and no one understood what I was going through. It led me into depression and it took a long time coming out of it. A grief counsellor was what I needed, and I didn’t even know they existed. Fast forward to a university course on Death, Dying, and Bereavement, and I felt more equipped to understand what was happening for me and it led me to helping others in my personal life and work.

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Why Chronic Illness? Unfortunately, I learned a lot about cancer growing up and saw the toll that chronic illness takes on families. There’s a lot of grief in that too. During my first Master’s degree I had an incredible opportunity to focus on cancer research, which led me on a path later working with Sick Kids Hospital and Ronald McDonald House. I loved helping others through the most difficult times in their lives.

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Aside from the education and work experience, I also have lived experience with chronic illnesses. I know what it’s like to have mysterious symptoms and navigating the medical system to get a diagnosis and treatment - and the health anxiety that develops with all of this. It’s a lot, and I want you to know that I really understand it.

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Education:

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Sociology minor (Ryerson University)

• Master of Arts in Kinesiology and Health Science (York University)

  • Thesis specialization: Sociocultural studies of chronic illness, and women’s experiences with cancer and therapeutic yoga.

  • Research areas: Depression, anxiety, and pain in cancer patients (Toronto General Hospital)

• Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology (Yorkville University)

• Research areas: anxiety-focused, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy

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• Post-graduate education in:

  • Anxiety, ADHD, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, Grief Therapy, Pet Loss, Trauma

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My unique background in mental and physical health provides a strong foundation for assessing challenges and building life balance with regular self-care. For over 15 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with youth, university students, young professionals, athletes, those with cancer and other chronic illnesses, new parents, families, and those with seriously ill children. Whatever your path has been, I look forward to working together to overcome stressful life experiences and transitions.

 

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My Approach:

We will use a goal-direct approach to identify your main concerns and clarify what you want out of therapy. I’m big on education and love to help my clients understand the foundation of concerns, and will teach you new strategies to cope. I will provide a safe and non-judgmental space to explore what you need, and process your thoughts and feelings about difficult situations in your life.

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I take an integrative approach and am drawn to acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness-based techniques, cognitive-behavioural, emotion-focused, solution-focused, and narrative therapies. Together, we will find the best fit for your needs.

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We will get you back on track and build the life you deserve. Some concerns I can help you with include anxiety, health anxiety, perfectionism, chronic illness, stress, grief and bereavement, depression, self-esteem, transition periods, relationships, pregnancy, and issues related to being a new parent.

 

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Sessions are offered through a secure online video platform and by telephone across Canada. If you’re ready for change, please email to set up a FREE 20-minute consultation: angela@angelacowling.ca

 

Let’s get started!

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   - Angela