Alena Neykova, BA (Hon), MSW

Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist

*Serving Clients in Ontario*

We often come to therapy wanting to feel better, perhaps to make some changes to old patterns that don’t align with the vision we have for our lives.

Anxiety, depression, anger, PTSD, or personality disruption, difficulty in relationships and addiction are symptoms arising from deeper core (shame-based) wounds. These problematic symptoms surface as a way to cover up painful, enmeshed emotions that are unseen and unheard. I therefore aim to go to the source not the symptom: I specialize in emotion, in building self-compassion, and addressing toxic shame. 

We develop impulsivity, addiction, anxiety, depression, loneliness, relationship issues as a way to soothe and protect those painful unprocessed and unseen emotions and feelings — we do this in an attempt to coverup wounds with behaviour that ultimately only deepens our shame, leaving us stuck in the cycle we wish to escape. 

It is my job to guide you in the process of aligning with your true self — that part of you that has come here today and seeks healing, joy, and wellness. We work to tend to the mind, the core identity, and ultimately the soul.

A little about my beliefs and work. 

  • Values drive my work and life. We will get curious about yours early in therapy as these can be foundational for our work together. 

  • I do not pathologize or label behaviour, rather, we explore inner relationships within the self and its different parts, we seek to understand, witness, and accept to bring about change.

  • Meditation is immensely helpful and I use this and visualization to uncover blocks -- especially helpful when we've adapted by shutting feelings out (very common!)

  • My passion is working with relationships - to self and others -  I am presently in the process of completing Gottman certification, the gold standard in couples counselling. Safe, attuned relationships to self and others are fundamental to our wellbeing.

  • Self-acceptance is the foundation for happiness and love of others.

  • Shame is the most destructive identity we can take on. It is what lies at the core of much dysfunction in our psyche. Shame impedes our relationship to self and others. 

  • I am careful not to make assumptions or drive your beliefs. I do not assume causal links between life experiences and believe this can be more harmful than helpful.

  • Presently I’m diving deep into Internal Family Systems (IFS), Gottman Method Level 1, DBT, EFT and meditation as my primary therapeutic modalities. 

Thank you for reading and I hope to connect with you. Hit the Get Started Now button and ask for me (Alena) to begin our work together. 

Clinical Background and Interests

  • Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (qualified to practice psychotherapy).

  • Masters of Social Work from the University of Toronto

  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History and Sociology

  • I employ client-centred evidence-based treatments that are relevant for my clients and my clients needs, including:

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

    • Gottmand Method - for couples

    • Emotionally Focused Therapy  (EFT)

    • Narrative Therapy

    • EMDR

    • Meditation

  • My clinical interests include:

    • Trauma, PTSD

    • Emotional Regulation

    • Anxiety

    • Panic Attacks

    • Stress Management

    • Shame

    • Depression

    • Anger Management

    • Relationships (including couples and families)

    • Body Image and Self-Esteem 

    • Sleep Difficulties 

  • I work with individual adults (18+ years) and couples.

  • A little about me: Lover of the finer things in life — meaning family, food, adventure, nature, and art!

I invite you to hit the "Get Started Now" button and ask for me (Alena) so we can begin working together!