About Tori
Tori Mackie is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) who works with adolescents and adults aged 13 and up navigating neurodiversity experiences, anxiety, trauma, identity, and life transitions. She offers person-centred, trauma-informed counselling grounded in self-compassion, cultural humility, and neurodiversity-affirming care.
Tori believes that everyone has the capacity for growth and that each person already holds strengths that can support meaningful change. She views counselling as a space to feel heard, develop insight, and build foundational mental health practices that support overall wellbeing.
She holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University.
Therapeutic Approach
Tori takes a person-centred and trauma-informed approach while drawing primarily from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. She also integrates narrative, somatic, mindfulness-based, and person-centred approaches based on each client’s needs.
She considers the full context of a client’s life, including lived experiences, cultural background, support systems, and personal values. At the beginning of each session, Tori checks in to understand what feels most important to focus on for the client in that moment. While longer-term goals guide the counselling process, she recognizes that day-to-day experiences often shape what a client may need support with during each session.
Her work is grounded in unconditional acceptance and a strong belief in the importance of self-compassion.
Philosophy & Values
Tori believes that each client brings inherent strengths into the counselling space. She views her role as someone who walks alongside clients as they explore those strengths and apply them in ways that feel meaningful and aligned with their values.
She places strong importance on self-compassion and self-acceptance, recognizing that growth often begins with learning how to hold space for all parts of ourselves, including the uncomfortable ones. Tori is guided by cultural humility, inclusivity, and a commitment to creating a counselling environment where clients feel respected and safe.
Areas of focus
Anxiety, Stress & Emotional Regulation
Ongoing worry, chronic stress, emotional overwhelm, workplace stress and burnout, perfectionism, depression, and developing tools for emotional regulation.
Relationships, Boundaries & Neurodivergence
Relationship concerns, attachment patterns, family conflict, parenting concerns, neurodiversity (ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disability, Twice-exceptional), and communication challenges.
Trauma-Informed Counselling
Exploring the impact of difficult or distressing experiences, including childhood experiences and ongoing emotional responses, through a trauma-informed lens.
Self-Worth, Identity & Life Transitions
Identity exploration including cultural identity, gender and sexuality, self-esteem, inner criticism, grief and loss, and navigating personal or professional life transitions.
"Self-acceptance does not mean self-admiration or even self-liking at every moment of our lives, but tolerance for all our emotions, including those that make us feel uncomfortable."
What to expect
In the initial session, Tori focuses on getting to know the client and the unique context of their life. Together, they explore what the client hopes to gain from counselling and begin identifying strengths that may support their goals.
Tori’s style combines gentle support with goal-oriented structure. She aims to create a space where clients feel safe, respected, and accepted as they explore challenges and personal growth.
Beyond therapy
Outside of her work with clients, Tori enjoys spending time with her partner and their two cats. Listening to music, reading, and playing relaxing video games help her recharge.