Athena Zambelis (She/Her/Hers)

Introduction

Athena is a Master's-level therapist intern who has experience working with diverse patient populations in both hospital and community settings. She applies a humanistic and postmodern approach to therapy, with a focus on the therapeutic models of Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT). Athena is actively gaining competency in these modalities, to increase the proficiency and scope of her psychotherapeutic skills across patient contexts and presenting concerns.  

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Hi there! I’m Athena, a therapist intern at Your Story Counselling offering reduced therapy rates. I am currently in the process of obtaining my Master of Science (MSc) in Psychotherapy from McMaster University. I was born and raised in Mississauga, but am happy to now call Toronto home.

For the three years, I have worked as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the field of Mental Health and Addictions. During this time, I have focused my care on clients involved in the forensic and criminal justice system. I have had the pleasure of working with a diverse adult population who vary greatly in their contexts, strengths, challenges, and experiences. I have practiced in diverse settings, from hospital in-patient assessment and rehabilitation units, to outpatient clinic case management. 

In my work, I have helped individuals envision and build towards a life worth living based on their unique values, strengths, and goals. In addition to psychotherapy, I have used psychoeducation and medication management to help clients manage a range of psychiatric diagnoses, including mood, personality, psychotic, and substance-related disorders. In my roles, I have become familiar with the process for accessing and navigating system-based resources. 

I have an extensive and scientifically-based educational background. I have completed my Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biology and Psychology, with a second degree in Nursing (BScN). Between my BSc degrees, I also completed a Master’s-level research assistantship in the field of animal health and welfare. I presently hold up-to-date certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training. 

Outside my professional life, I enjoy travelling, spending time in nature, and keeping physically active. In line with my Greek-Canadian heritage, I am also a passionate foodie! I believe in the power of food as fuel, for nutritional healing, and as a means for social bonding. In these ways, I prioritize self-care to maintain my own well-being and work-life balance. 

 

Clinical Approach

I understand what it means to feel “stuck” in bad circumstance, to feel alone, hopeless, and without purpose. I can guide you in envisioning a personal narrative that empowers you to build social connections, develop personal agency, and begin on a rewarding path for the future. I would like to support you in using your strength and resiliency to overcome the challenges that feel insurmountable. I have experience working with adult clients on an individual basis who experience problems related to substance use, psychosis, depression, and life transitions. I provide a non-judgmental and collaborative space for you to gain the functional sense of self needed to push forward. 

Next Steps
 
If you are interested in working with me for psychotherapy services, I am currently accepting new clients. I am offering sliding scale and reduced fee options to help clients overcome barriers to care. You can schedule a free consultation with me to have any questions answered. I look forward to speaking with you!