A woman with long, wavy brown hair wearing a green top and a delicate necklace, smiling against a green background.

Irfa Samnani, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), BSN, M.Ed.

Practice Director and Founder

Hi, I’m Irfa—mother, former nurse, mental health advocate, South Asian therapist, and founder of Glow Mental Health. I hold a Master of Education in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), and completed my clinical training at Women’s College Hospital’s Reproductive Life Stages (RLS) Program. There, I supported women navigating the emotional complexities of pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting, and co-facilitated three therapy groups: a pregnancy skills group, a postpartum interpersonal group, and a mother-baby group for clients with trauma and adverse childhood experiences.

Before becoming a therapist, I spent over a decade as a nurse in oncology, hospice, palliative care, and perinatal health, walking alongside individuals and families through some of life’s most vulnerable and transformative moments. As a second-generation South Asian immigrant, I hold a nuanced awareness of cultural identity, intergenerational dynamics, and family expectations.

I offer therapy in English, Hindi, and Urdu, and am committed to providing culturally responsive care that honours your values and your voice. I strive to bring compassion, presence, and deep respect for your unique journey and lived experience.

Training & Credentials

  • BA Psychology (Honours) - University of Windsor

    Master of Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
    University of Toronto
    Counselling and Psychotherapy

  • Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
    College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
    License #19427

    • ICEEFT - International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy

    • Gottman Level 1 (In progress)

    • Perinatal Nursing (2009-2010) - Orlando Health (Orlando, FL)

    • Oncology Nursing (2010-2017) - MD Anderson Cancer Center; Emory Healthcare (Atlanta, GA); Stanford Hospital and Clinics (Palo Alto, CA)

    • Hospice, Palliative Care, Advance Illness Management - Sutter Health (Sacramento, CA)

    • Case Management (2014-2017) - United Healthcare (Atlanta, GA & Detroit, MI)

    • Home Health Case Management (2018-2019) - Trinity (Detroit, MI)

    • Wellness Content Developer Intern (2021-2023) - Community Living Windsor

    • Psychotherapy Intern (2024-2025) - Women’s College Hospital: Reproductive Life Stages Program

    • Practice Director and Registered Therapist (Qualifying) (2025-Current) - Glow Psychotherapy

My Approach

I take an integrative, trauma-informed approach to therapy, tailoring my work to each individual’s unique needs and goals. I draw from a range of evidence-based approaches. Click on each one below to learn more about what they offer:

  • ACT helps you build psychological flexibility by learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them. It supports you in clarifying what matters most to you, your values, and taking meaningful steps toward the life you want, even in the presence of pain.

  • CFT is designed to help you cultivate self-compassion, especially if you struggle with shame, self-criticism, or harsh inner dialogue. It draws on insights from neuroscience and evolutionary psychology to help you relate to yourself with warmth, care, and kindness.

  • CBT focuses on the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It helps you identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns, build coping strategies, and develop a more balanced perspective to reduce distress and improve daily functioning.

  • DBT combines acceptance and change strategies to support emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. It was originally developed for intense emotions and is especially helpful when navigating relationship challenges, impulsivity, or chronic self-criticism.

  • EFT helps you understand, express, and work through your emotions in a safe and supportive space. By tuning into your emotional experiences, you can gain clarity, heal past wounds, and foster deeper connections with yourself and others.

  • Mindfulness-based approaches teach you to be present with your thoughts, sensations, and feelings in a non-judgmental way. This gentle awareness supports stress reduction, emotional regulation, and a greater sense of inner calm and clarity.

  • Narrative therapy sees you as the author of your own story. It helps you explore how personal, cultural, and societal narratives shape your identity — and supports you in rewriting the stories that no longer serve you, making room for resilience, agency, and hope.

  • Psychodynamic therapy explores how your early relationships and unconscious patterns influence your present-day experiences. Through insight and reflection, it helps you understand the roots of your emotional struggles and fosters lasting growth and self-awareness.

Areas of Support

As a licensed psychotherapy professional, I can help with a wide range of concerns, including but not limited to:

General Areas

  • Depression, Anxiety, and Overwhelm

  • Trauma and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD)

  • Chronic Illness, Undiagnosed, and Invisible Illnesses

  • Medical Trauma

  • Grief, Loss, and Anticipatory Grief

  • Burnout and Caregiver Fatigue

  • Life Transitions and Identity Shifts

  • Self-Worth, Self-Trust, and Confidence

  • Cultural Identity, Intergenerational Trauma, and Family Dynamics

  • Support for Therapists, Nurses, and Helping Professionals

  • Family Conflict

  • Body Image, Weight Loss Related Challenges

Perinatal Mental Health

  • Prenatal and Postpartum Anxiety or Depression

  • Birth Trauma and Difficult Postpartum Recovery

  • Parenting Stress and Role Transitions

  • Fertility Challenges and Reproductive Grief

  • Attachment, Bonding, and Emotional Connection With Baby

  • Support for New Parents With a History of Trauma or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Couples Therapy

  • Relationship & Communication Skills

  • Emotional Closeness, Intimacy, and Mutual Support

  • Rebuilding Trust and Navigating Disconnection

  • Cultural & Interfaith decisions

  • Family & Parenting Transitions

    • Preparing for parenthood (prenatal support)

    • Postpartum relationship changes and stress

    • Coparenting skills and division of labor

    • Setting Boundaries

    • Navigating extended family dynamics

    • Connection & relational stress

  • Infertility & Reproductive Challenges

Workplace & Organizational Support

  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

  • Workshops and Training (Mental Health, Burnout, Work-Life Balance, Trauma-Informed Practices, etc.)

  • Stress Management Programs & Emotional Wellness support

  • Conflict Resolution & Communication Coaching

  • Performance Improvement and Professional Development

  • Organizational Culture and Team Wellness