Garden of Wellness Psychotherapy

Trauma-informed virtual therapy across Ontario

Carli Cristofari, MA, RP | Clinical Director

Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO #11353)

When life feels overwhelming, therapy can help you feel more grounded.

We support emerging adults and adults experiencing emotional overwhelm, anxiety, trauma-related stress, identity shifts, burnout, and relationship stress.

If things feel harder to manage than they used to be—you’re not alone.

We support emerging adults and adults across Ontario experiencing emotional overwhelm, anxiety, trauma-related stress, identity shifts, burnout, and relationship stress.

If things feel harder to manage than they used to be—you’re not alone.

Book a Free Consultation

Meet Our Therapists

Hello, we are Garden of Wellness Psychotherapy

Rooted in Connection.

Growing Through Healing.

A team of like-hearted therapists offering compassionate, identity-affirming care tailored to you and your unique story.

We take a relational and collaborative approach to therapy, where you can explore your experiences at a pace that feels safe and supportive.

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Connection

A grounded therapeutic relationship where you feel seen and understood.

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Compassion

Meeting your experience with care and curiosity, without judgement.



Growth

Supporting change, resilience, and self-understanding at your pace.

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Authenticity

A genuine space to explore your thoughts, emotions, and identity.

Who We Support

You might be here because things feel overwhelming, emotionally heavy, or harder to manage than they used to be.

Maybe you’re navigating stress, burnout, grief, identity questions, or relationship challenges that feel difficult to move through alone.

We support adults experiencing:

anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm
trauma-related experiences
depression and grief
identity exploration and life transitions
relationship and attachment challenges
burnout, shame, and self-criticism
difficulty with focus, motivation, or emotional regulation

Explore Our Services

What therapy with us can look like

Having space to speak freely without judgement or pressure
Exploring emotions, patterns, and experiences at a pace that feels safe
Making sense of how past and present experiences shape how you feel now
Working through challenges related to anxiety, trauma, identity, and life transitions
Building coping strategies that fit your life and capacity
Feeling supported as you reconnect with yourself and your relationships

Therapy is collaborative, flexible, and always centred around what matters most to you.

Meet Our Therapists

At Garden of Wellness Psychotherapy, we’re a team of like-hearted therapists who value connection, authenticity, and compassion. While each of us brings our own unique style, training, lived experience, and areas of focus, we share a commitment to offering trauma-informed, identity-affirming, and relational care.

We understand that reaching out for therapy can feel vulnerable, and that finding the right fit matters. We invite you to explore Our Therapists and notice who resonates with you. Healing begins in safe, supportive relationships.

Not sure who to choose? Reach out and we’ll help you find the right fit.

“When someone really hears you without passing judgment on you, without trying to take responsibility for you, without trying to mold you, it feels damn good,” Carl Rogers

Carli Cristofari

Founder & Clinical Director

RP supporting teens and adults through anxiety, trauma, shame, identity, and the tender, messy parts of being human.

Relational, integrative, and rooted in compassion – always tailored to you.

Queer therapist and parent offering affirming care for 2SLGBTQIA+ clients, with a focused interest in identity, pregnancy, postpartum, and transitions into parenthood.

Work with Carli

Tiffany Santos

Associate

RP (Qualifying) supporting teens (16+) and adults.

CBT, Mindfulness, SFBT, and Motivational Interviewing.

Warm, collaborative, strengths-based | 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming

Work with Tiffany

Carly Charman

Associate

RP (Qualifying) supporting adults navigating anxiety, grief, self-esteem, and identity.

Emotionally Focused, Person-Centred, and Compassion-Focused.

Calm, curious, grounded presence | 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming

Work with Carly

Deanna Dear

RSW Associate

RSW supporting adults through mental health, addiction, and life transition challenges.

Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Counselling, psychoeducation and harm reduction strategies.

Supportive, client-focused, and empowering – guidance to help you navigates life’s challenges | 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming

Work with Deanna

The Process

Starting therapy can be simple

Our supportive process helps you find the right fit.

1. Explore

Learn about our therapists and their approaches.

2. Connect

Book a free consultation to ask questions or meet a therapist.

3. Begin

Schedule your first session with a therapist who feels right for you.

Start Today

FAQ

How do I book?

You’re welcome to contact the clinical director, Carli, or reach out individually to whichever therapist you’d like to book with.

We also offer confidential online booking through the Jane App, although you can re-book at the end of your sessions or by email.

How much does psychotherapy cost?

It depends on the designation of the therapist (i.e., RP (Qualifying) vs. RP), their additional training, years of experience, and often where within the province that the therapist resides.

Carli, MA, RP charges $150 per session. Fees are due at the onset of each session and can be paid by credit or e-transfer.

Tiffany and Carly are currently working towards dropping their Qualifying designations. They charge $130 per session.

We understand how essential psychotherapy is and that it is not always accessible. For this reason, we have a limited number of sliding-scale slots for clients requiring more affordable options.

Is therapy confidential?

Absolutely! Your privacy is very important to us, and we will not share your information without your consent. There are some situations where we are legally required to share information to keep you or others safe:

Vulnerable Individuals: If there are reasonable grounds to suspect abuse or neglect involving children, older adults, or others at higher risk.
Risk of Serious Harm: If you or someone else may be seriously harmed.
Legal Requirements: If a court, tribunal, or authorized investigation requires disclosure.
Emergencies: If you are incapacitated and someone needs to be contacted for your safety.
Investigations: If disclosure is required for a lawful inspection or investigation.

We will always discuss these limits with you, and your therapist will make every attempt to involve you in the process.

I am new to online therapy. Is it safe? What should I expect?

Online therapy (or telemental health) is often more accessible for clients, especially those with scheduling constraints, children at home, mobility concerns, or lack of personal transportation. Online therapy allows clients to access their therapy during lunch breaks or in the comfort and safety of their own spaces.

We ask that you ensure your environment feels safe, private, and secure. Of course, we understand when clients need to do their session from their car or feel comfortable going for a walk or sitting in a park. Each person’s comfort level is different, and we trust you to establish that level of safety for yourself. We want to ask that you please minimize or silence all distractions during your session.

We use a telemental health platform that is PHIPA* and PIPEDA** compliant, password-protected devices, private and secure internet, and cybersecurity software on all devices within our internet network. Your therapist also has a private and secure home office.

As always, there are risks to virtual spaces, but we take every precaution to mitigate these risks and encourage you to also use password-protected devices, private and secure internet connections, and cybersecurity software on the devices you connect with.

Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)* of Ontario, Canada
The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)** of Canadian law

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is primarily talk therapy that aims to improve and maintain a client’s mental health and well-being. Psychotherapy occurs when a registered healthcare professional and a client enter a collaborative psychotherapeutic relationship. The aim of psychotherapy is to bring about positive changes in the client’s thinking, feelings, behaviour, and social functioning, which at the onset of psychotherapy, adversely affects their daily lives, relationships, and/or their ability to enjoy their life.

In Ontario law, psychotherapy is a controlled act that only authorized healthcare professionals can engage in.

Do I need a referral to start therapy?

No, you don’t. While you can self-refer, check with your insurance provider to see if you require a referral from your family doctor for insurance purposes. Although this is uncommon, some insurance providers require more than others.