Find stability
Heal wounds
reclaim

Whole-Being

Mental Health & Trauma Counselling in Hamilton

Find stability Heal wounds reclaim

Whole-Being

Mental Health & Trauma Counselling in Hamilton

Welcome.

I get how important choosing the right therapist is.

Emotional pain around trauma, mental health, and addictions can be debilitating.

You might feel stuck, even paralyzed.

You might feel like there’s no way out.

You might feel like you’ve lost yourself.

Without treatment, we can stay stuck in these patterns, missing out on real change and the chance to reclaim our life.

Welcome.

I get how important choosing the right therapist is.

Emotional pain around trauma, mental health, and addictions can be debilitating.

You might feel stuck, even paralyzed.

You might feel like there’s no way out.

You might feel like you’ve lost yourself.

Without treatment, we can stay stuck in these patterns, missing out on real change and the chance to reclaim our life.

You deserve therapy that's

personalized, thorough, and intensive.

My name is Maor Bernshtein, I am a registered social worker (MSW) and a trauma-focused therapist. I offer virtual, phone, and in-person counselling in Hamilton, and I can direct bill to insurance. My therapy approach is aimed at helping you get “un-stuck“, so you can get back to living life the way you know you deserve.


The Pathway to Self:

Find stability

Regain a sense of control and calm in your daily life, so you can once again be you.

This might mean: 

  • Finding your new and old strengths, 
  • Reducing anxiety/stress, and
  • Finding your balance.

Heal wounds

Move beyond past pain to rediscover joy.

Create a positive relationship with all your emotions.

Learn to let go of what doesn’t serve you.

Overcome difficulties in your relationships with others, and with yourself.

Reclaim whole-being

Reclaim your inherent self-worth, and embrace every part of yourself, including the painful ones.

Understand that your trauma and mental health struggles don’t define you; instead, reclaim your life with the knowledge that you (all of you) deserve calm, joy, and fulfillment.

The Pathway to Self

Find stability

Regain a sense of control and calm in your daily life, so you can once again be you.

This might mean: 

  • Finding your new and old strengths, 
  • Reducing anxiety/stress, and
  • Finding your balance.

Heal wounds

Move beyond past pain to rediscover joy.

Create a positive relationship with all your emotions.

Learn to let go of what doesn’t serve you.

Overcome difficulties in your relationships with others, and with yourself.

Reclaim
whole-being

Reclaim your inherent self-worth, and embrace every part of yourself, including the painful ones.

Understand that your trauma and mental health struggles don’t define you; instead, reclaim your life with the knowledge that you (all of you) deserve calm, joy, and fulfillment.

Let's Chat

Book your free call

SERVICES

Free 20-Minute Consultation

I offer a free initial consultation to every new client, so you can meet with me and see if we’re a good fit before booking your first session.

Therapy for Adults and Teens 16+

I specialize in offering individual therapy for those aged 16 and older, focusing on personalized support tailored to each stage of life.

In-Person, Virtual, or Phone Appointments

You can choose to have your therapy sessions by phone, video, or in person—whatever feels most comfortable for you. For those who prefer the face-to-face option, I offer in-person counselling in Hamilton in an inviting, therapeutic space.

Covered by most insurance plans. Direct billing.

I can direct bill to insurance! Contact me to find out more. Initial consultation is free to all new clients. After that, insurance often fully or partially covers the cost of our sessions, depending on your provider.

Sliding scale available

As a social worker, I’m dedicated to making therapy accessible to everyone. I offer a sliding scale fee to help ease the financial burden and ensure you can get the support you need. I can direct bill to insurance, too, so you don't need to pay in advance!

SERVICES

Free 20-Minute Consultation

I offer a free initial consultation to every new client, so you can meet with me and see if we’re a good fit before booking your first session.

Therapy for Adults and Teens 16+

I specialize in offering individual therapy for those aged 16 and older, focusing on personalized support tailored to each stage of life.

In-Person, Virtual, or Phone Appointments

You can choose to have your therapy sessions by phone, video, or in person—whatever feels most comfortable for you. For those who prefer the face-to-face option, I offer in-person counselling in Hamilton in an inviting, therapeutic space.

Covered by most insurance plans. Direct billing.

I can direct bill to insurance! Contact me to find out more. Initial consultation is free to all new clients. After that, insurance often fully or partially covers the cost of our sessions, depending on your provider.

Sliding scale available

As a social worker, I’m dedicated to making therapy accessible to everyone. I offer a sliding scale fee to help ease the financial burden and ensure you can get the support you need. I can direct bill to insurance, too, so you don't need to pay in advance!

FAQs

Booking your appointment with me is easy! Please see our booking page here for more details and instructions.

While I work with a variety of client concerns, my primary areas of focus include: Trauma (PTSD, complex, and relational trauma), Borderline Personality (BPD), Addictions, Anxiety, and Depression.

That’s a great question! Finding out whether we are a good match is the most important part of therapy. Without it, we would not make good progress. Therefore, I see this as being both of our responsibility.

In short, I believe that it’s about your gut feeling. If it feels like you can trust, share, and express yourself safely in session, then it’s a good match. If it doesn’t feel right to you, that’s completely acceptable as an indication that we are not a good match. If you want to learn more, please feel free to read my article on this topic. I offer a free 20-minute phone consultation to help you make the decision, because of how much I value the right therapeutic fit. Click here to book your free consultation.

I see adults and teens (ages 16+) individually from a variety of backgrounds. In my practice, I warmly welcome individuals of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and identities, including LGBTQ2IA+ and beyond, ensuring a safe and inclusive space for everyone. I phone, video, and face-to-face counselling in Hamilton.

My services are not covered by OHIP, but they are often included under extended health insurance plans and are tax-deductible. Since each insurance provider’s coverage varies, please check your plan for details on coverage, claim procedures, necessary receipt information, and whether a referral letter from your physician is required. After each session, I will provide you with a receipt that includes my registration number, the session duration, and the total amount paid. You may be able to submit this receipt to your workplace insurance for reimbursement. Please note that Pathway to Self does not bill insurance companies directly.

That’s a very reasonable question! The length of therapy really depends on your specific concern(s), as well as other factors such as your comfort level, how often you’re able to come for sessions, and your fit with the therapist. In general, I find that anywhere between 8 and 20 sessions is common. That said, it is not uncommon for people to need less (even one session!) or more than that. Some people even prefer to stay with a therapist long term. What’s most important isn’t how long it takes, but how you feel during and after sessions, how you view your progress, and how well you connect with the therapist.

It’s completely understandable to feel hesitant if past counselling didn’t help. The truth is, therapy is a deeply personal experience, and it’s not uncommon for it to take more than one try to find the right fit. Different therapists bring different strengths to the table, and sometimes, it’s about finding the one you connect with on a deeper level. This connection can make all the difference in how you experience therapy. My approach might resonate with you in a way that’s different from your previous experiences, and together, we can explore what works best for you.

Therapy is meant to be a safe, confidential space where you can openly explore your challenges. Your conversations with me will remain private, and no one, including your employer or family, will know about what we discuss unless you choose to share that information. If you ever decide to involve someone else, we’d need your written consent through a signed release of information. There are a few legal limits to confidentiality that all mental health professionals in Ontario must follow, and we’ll go over these together in our first session so you feel fully informed and comfortable.

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