The Practitioners
Audrey Barta
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MA, BScH
Audrey (she/her/hers) is a Registered Psychotherapist (qualifying) and co-founder of As You Are Psychotherapy and Wellness. Through years of working in community mental health and research specializing in trauma and addictions, her journey has brought her here to support others with a more one-on-one, long-term therapeutic relationship. Reflecting on her own experiences and the greater community, she has learned the importance of embodying who we are, where we come from and the strength we build from these aspects. Audrey will support you to deepen your understanding of yourself and experience changes that are meaningful and lasting.
Sessions with Audrey are unique to you. Going to therapy can be intimidating, especially for the first time or with a new therapist, so she aims to make this process as comfortable and approachable as possible. Sessions will feel like conversations where you uncover what you want to explore in therapy and what ways of working resonate with you. Audrey will often guide conversations with questions and curiosity to gain understanding and frequently uses collaborative techniques and activities during sessions. She emphasizes regularly checking in to chat about how the process is going for you.
Audrey’s approach is multi-faceted and informed by numerous theories, philosophies, and modalities. At its core is the therapeutic relationship and maintaining awareness of the quality of the connection as a therapist, and client. Audrey values that the therapy process honours you as your whole self, including your current circumstances, identities, values, and lived experiences. Her goal is to build a space collaboratively, compassionately, and with non-judgement so that you feel safe to take the steps towards growth and healing.
“Healing means knowing you are worthy, exactly as you are”
Modalities
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To understand how unconscious processes, early life experiences, and relationships shape present behaviour and emotional connections with others.
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To explore the quality and depth of our relationships and how this contributes to our personal growth and psychological well-being.
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To explore, understand, and balance the complex internal system of parts within us to promote emotional healing.
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To integrate the body and its physical experiences with emotional and psychological processing to promote healing and well-being.
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Prior to exploring past traumas, priority is placed on establishing a safe and stable environment within the therapeutic relationship and one’s life. This therapeutic process carefully considers one’s readiness to examine past experiences to ensure they feel a sense of safety and agency.
Areas of Interest
LGBTQ2IAS+, Trauma, and Relationship Issues
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Addiction, ADHD, Anxiety, Chronic Pain, Depression, Grief, Life Transitions, PTSD, Family Conflict, Mood Disorders, Self-esteem, Self Identity, Stress, Substance Use, Women's Issues
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Bachelor of Science (Honors), Major in Neuroscience, Minor in Psychology, University of Guelph
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association CCPA Member #11246823
College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario CRPO Member #14202
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The Fundamentals of Neuropsychodynamic & Analytic Psychotherapy, Parts 1 & 2, 2025
Integrating the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model Across Clinical Applications, PESI, 2025
Somatic Experiencing Beginner 1, SE International, Kelowna, BC, 2024
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, Field Trip Health, 2024
Registered Yoga Teacher, YTT 200, 2022, Pokhara Yoga School, Nepal
Somatic Psychotherapy for Trauma Treatment, PESI, 2023
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (CPI), 2020, Good Shepherd Center, Hamilton, ON
Safe-Talk and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Certified, 2019, 2020
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Awareness Training, 2019, University of Guelph
Anti-Oppression and Anti-Racism Awareness Training, 2019, University of Guelph
Availability
Audrey is currently taking on new clients.
Virtual and phone sessions: Monday through Thursday for morning, daytime and evening sessions
Danielle Benzaquen
Registered Psychotherapist, MA, BAH
Danielle is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and co-founder of As You Are Psychotherapy & Wellness. Danielle became interested in psychology in middle school, recognizing her desire to help early on. After completing her undergraduate degree, she spent several years working in different areas of health and wellness. After experiencing much growth through life experience and self-exploration, Danielle felt a call to return to the psychology field. Danielle is passionate about helping people feel seen, understood, and valued while they embark on their self-care journeys.
Danielle’s goal as a therapist is to create a warm and welcoming environment where you feel safe and supported showing up as your authentic self. With Danielle, you will laugh, cry, and connect as you navigate your challenges, together. Her aim is for you to leave your sessions feeling lighter and more grounded.
Your sessions together will always be tailored to you in a warm and supportive atmosphere, free from pressure, expectations, or judgment. Your early sessions with Danielle will be about getting to know what brought you in, your goals, and the experiences that led you here. You will regularly review what’s working for you, and what isn’t, to make the most of your time together.
Danielle employs an integrative approach to create a strategy best suited to your comfort, experiences, and goals. That might mean task-oriented sessions to relieve acute symptoms, or more exploratory psychodynamic sessions to understand what experiences and relationships led you to the present. You’ll work collaboratively to meet your goals, whether they include active solutions or simply feeling seen and supported as you share your story.
”When we have the courage to walk into our story and own it, we get to write the ending”
– Brené Brown
Modalities
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To understand underlying emotional patterns and relationships.
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To help process and release trauma by accessing deeply stored emotional experiences.
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To explore and integrate different aspects of your identity.
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To address and reframe unhelpful thought patterns.
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To reframe and rewrite your personal story.
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To enhance your relationships and social connections.
Areas of Interest
Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Anxiety, Birth Trauma, Reproductive Trauma
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Anxiety, Body Positivity, Depression, Family Conflict, Grief, Life Coaching, Life Transitions, Mood Disorders, Parenting, Peer Relationships, Relationship Issues, School Issues, Self Esteem, Stress, Trauma and PTSD, Women's Issues
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Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Psychology, University of Guelph
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association CCPA Member #11245953
College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario CRPO Member #13810
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Perinatal Mental Health Training, CPMHT, 2022
Birth and Reproductive Trauma Training, CPMHT, 2022
Anxiety Certification Course: Integrate CBT and Exposure & Response Prevention for Treatment of GAD, Panic Disorder, OCD, Social Anxiety, & Phobia, PESI, 2023
Advanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, PESI, 2023
Motivational Interviewing (MI): Evidence-Based Skills to Motivate Clients Toward Change, PESI, 2023
The Fundamentals of Neuropsychodynamic & Analytic Psychotherapy, Parts 1 & 2, 2025
Brainspotting Phase 1, Cherie Lindberg, 2026
Availability
Danielle is currently taking on new clients.
Virtual and phone sessions: Wednesday daytime sessions, and Thursday evening sessions