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Sukoon Cares

Dr. Maria A Wallis
Registered Social Worker,
Psychotherapist

MSW

RSW

PhD

I am a Registered Social Worker with a deep commitment to social justice, healing, and each person’s freedom to live life more fully and authentically. My practice is grounded in compassion, cultural humility, and respect for the many personal, relational, and systemic experiences that shape who we are.

As a first-generation immigrant from Pakistan, I bring both professional experience and lived understanding to my work. For more than ten years, I have worked in the immigration and settlement sector in Canada, supporting individuals and families as they navigate education, employment, identity, belonging, and major life transitions. I understand that these transitions can often bring stress, anxiety, uncertainty, and emotional overwhelm, especially when they are shaped by cultural expectations, family responsibilities, and the experience of starting over in a new place.

My approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and strength-based. I strive to create a therapeutic space that is non-judgmental, respectful, and deeply attuned to your unique story. Together, we can explore the experiences, relationships, and patterns that may be influencing how you feel, while also honouring the cultural context, values, and lived realities that are important to you.

I am trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy and continue to engage in ongoing professional development as part of my commitment to learning and growth. My work is also informed by feminist and anti-racist perspectives, with an understanding of how marginalization, power, identity, and social systems can affect mental health and well-being.

I have experience supporting adolescents aged 13 and older and adults across the lifespan. My areas of focus include trauma, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, adoption, end-of-life and palliative care, stress, anxiety, and depression. I also understand cross-generational challenges and the ways family, culture, migration, and identity can shape emotional experiences.

It would be a privilege to support you in your healing journey — one rooted in self-discovery, deeper understanding, and a more compassionate relationship with yourself and those around you.

Registration Number :

Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW): # 825224

Therapy Approaches

Anti-racist lensFeminist lensIntersectional lensPsychodynamic PsychotherapyCognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)Mindfullness TherapyNarrative TherapyShort-TermSolution-Focused Therapy

Languages

English

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology (PhD) - York University - TorontoMaster of Social Work (MSW) - York University - Toronto

Area of Focus

AdoptionAnxietyDepressionDomestic AbuseDomestic ViolenceFamily ConflictIdentity and issues of confidence/self-esteemImmigration and settlementLife CoachingLife TransitionsParentingPeer RelationshipsRacial IdentityRelationship IssuesSchool IssuesSelf EsteemStressWomen's Issues