Shaden is currently accepting new clients

Shaden Sowan (she/her)
BA, MACP (in progress)
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology Student
Therapist Intern

(905) 527 - 6337
shaden.sowan@everwellcounselling.ca

Shaden Sowan

Therapist Intern

I came to this work after years of feeling drawn to deeper questions about identity, healing, and what it means to live with clarity and connection. Before beginning my training as a therapist, I spent eight years working in the corporate world, where I learned just how many people are struggling beneath the surface, often feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to move forward.

In our work together, you can expect warmth, curiosity, and a space where nothing needs to be polished or explained away. My approach is grounded in client-centred, psychodynamic, and existential perspectives. I pay close attention to patterns, language, and emotion, not to pathologize, but to better understand how past experiences shape our present. I work collaboratively and gently, always honouring the pace that feels right for you.

Therapy has been part of my own journey, and I believe in its power to help us reconnect with parts of ourselves we’ve learned to hide or ignore. I strive to create a space that feels grounded, thoughtful, and open, one where your story can unfold in its own time.

Being Palestinian is central to who I am; it shapes how I see the world, relate to others, and perceive healing as something collective, not only personal. I speak English, Arabic, French, and Italian. I bring a strong cross-cultural lens to the work I do. Whether you’re seeking clarity, self-trust, or the courage to embrace change, I am here to walk alongside you.

Q & A with Shaden

What made you decide to choose your current profession?

I didn’t grow up imagining I’d become a therapist. But looking back, it makes perfect sense. I’ve always had a deep respect for the complexity of people’s inner lives; the contradictions, longings, and quiet strengths that don’t always have space to be seen. As a Palestinian and someone who has moved across different cultures, languages, and worlds, I’ve often felt like I didn’t quite fit into one box. That’s shaped how I relate to others, with openness, curiosity, and a genuine appreciation for the things that don’t fit easily into labels. I know what it’s like to feel disconnected from yourself, and I also know the relief that comes from being met with care and curiosity, without needing to explain everything away. What draws me to this work is the privilege of sitting with people in those moments when something clicks, when they see themselves differently, or soften toward a part of themselves that’s long been pushed aside. To me, therapy is a space where honesty, imagination, and transformation can unfold, and I’m honored to be part of that process.

What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about mental health?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that mental health is something individual and private, when in reality, so much of our distress is shaped by the environments, histories, and systems we live in. Another misconception is that healing means feeling good all the time. Sometimes it actually means facing difficult truths, grieving what we didn’t get, or unlearning ways we’ve coped in order to survive. It's not always linear, and it’s rarely tidy, but it can be deeply meaningful.

What do you want your clients to know about you and what it will be like working with you?

Alongside my professional training, I bring years of personal experience as a client myself. I know how vulnerable it can feel to open up and how hard it can be to find the right therapist. You won’t be met with judgment, only warmth, curiosity, and care. I’m genuinely interested in the complexity of your inner world, and I approach this work with presence and flexibility. Working with me often means slowing down, paying attention to what’s beneath the surface, and gently exploring what’s been hard to name. Integrity is one of my core values; if something ever feels outside my scope, I’ll be honest about it and do what I can to support you in finding what you need.

What is your personal mantra or favourite quote?

Areas of Practice

• Creative people who feel stuck

• Perfectionism

• Acculturation

• Life Transitions

• Spirituality

• Grief

• Anxiety

• Nightmares & Understanding dreams.

Education / Accomplishments

• Bachelor of Arts in Economics

• Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (in progress)

Memberships / Associations

• Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)- Student Member

Average Cost 

• $85.00 (per session) - sliding scale available

What personal qualities are important for the job that you do?

Integrity Service Connection Curiosity

Just for fun

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Suffering is pain multiplied by resistance; the more you tense against reality, the harder it feels. If you feel sad, then be sad. Don’t aim to be happy all the time. Instead, equip yourself to hold the full spectrum of human emotion. Remember that we contain multitudes, so embrace your contradictions. And most importantly, let yourself play, not to be good, but to be free.

What's your favourite thing to do on your off time?

Long walks, collecting rocks, tending to my garden, reflecting on my nocturnal dreams, and listening to others share theirs.