Welcome to First Step Men’s Therapy - available across Canada

Why choose us? Here are a few reasons we are one of Canada’s largest men’s mental health group practices:

✅ Dedicated mission to support men in their healing, learning, and growth

✅ Over 30 therapists to choose from

✅ In-Person options available in Ottawa, Toronto, Oshawa, and York Region

✅ Direct Billing available with certain providers/therapists

✅ Day, Evening, and Weekend Options

✅ Approved provider for Veterans Affairs Canada, Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB), and many First Responders

ONLINE ACROSS CANADA 🍁 (Secure platform) - Select Online Appointments on the main booking page

IN-PERSON OPTIONS ⬇️

📍 OTTAWA - 396 COOPER STREET - (BANK & COOPER - CENTRETOWN)

📍TORONTO - 1 DUNDAS STREET WEST (ABOVE EATON CENTRE)

📍OSHAWA - 111 SIMCOE STREET NORTH (SIMCOE ST ABOVE BOND ST)

📍YORK REGION - 125 COMMERCE VALLEY DRIVE WEST (BETWEEN HIGHWAY 7 & 407 ON MARKHAM/THORNHILL BORDER)

HAVE QUESTIONS? - NEED RECOMMENDATIONS from OUR TEAM? - WANT MORE INFO?

NOT SURE HOW TO BOOK?

✉️ 📞 💬 CONTACT US ⬅️ (Click for LINK TO OUR CLIENT CARE TEAM)

Free Consultation (available across Canada)- RP & RP Qualifying

Interested in therapy and want to find a good fit? We offer a 20-minute complimentary phone or video consultation to help answer any questions you may have and get to speak with a qualified therapist who may be a good fit. **You can book one consult or a few to find the best fit!**

Note: For RP/RP Qualifying, services are available to individuals across Canada.


Psychotherapy: Individual Therapy Sessions

One-on-one psychotherapy sessions providing a safe, warm, and non-judgmental space for you to learn, heal, and grow.

About Darryl

Online and In Person - York Region

Credentials and Qualifications:

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) - College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario # 15684

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology - Yorkville University (in progress)

Fundamentals of EFT (Emotion-Focused Therapy) Externship - International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

Specializations:

Specializations:

Anxiety

Stress

Emotional Disturbance

ADHD

Coping Skills

Depression

Family Conflict

Grief

Men’s Issues

Parenting

Peer Relationships

Relationship Issues

Self Esteem

Favourite Book: One of the books that I would recommend to help individuals struggling with communication in their relationship and developing a secure sense of connection with others is “Hold Me Tight” by Sue Johnson.

In a world that often expects men to mask their emotions and tough it out, the struggle with mental health can be a silent battle, impacting every aspect of life. As a therapist specializing in men’s mental health, I recognize the unique challenges men face, from relationship hurdles to self-esteem issues, anxiety, and beyond.

Many men grapple with relationship conflicts, family pressures, emotional regulation difficulties, anxiety, depression, grief, and the complexities of modern masculinity. These challenges can weigh heavily, affecting personal well-being and relationships.

My mission is to help men break free from these burdensome patterns, empowering them to build healthier connections, find inner peace, and rediscover a sense of purpose and confidence. Together, we’ll navigate through the layers of self-beliefs, communication barriers, and societal pressures, unlocking your true potential.

With over five years of frontline experience in mental health, I’ve guided men through anxiety, depression, self-esteem struggles, ADHD, and relationship issues. My approach integrates practical tools like self-regulation techniques, mindfulness practices, and effective communication strategies to facilitate lasting change.

Through our work, you’ll emerge stronger, more resilient, and equipped to navigate life’s challenges with clarity and authenticity. Experience the transformation of reconnecting with yourself, building fulfilling relationships, and stepping into a brighter future. Take the courageous step forward and reach out to learn more today! Learn more about Darryl

About Darryl Online and In Person - York Region Credentials and Qualifications: Registered Psy... Read More

About Pouria

In Person - York Region

Credentials and Qualifications:

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) - CRPO Reg #14737

Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University

Specializations:

Anxiety & Depression

Stress Management/Burnout

Addiction

Trauma

Imposter Syndrome/Self-Esteem

ADHD

Emotional Regulation/Anger

Relationship Issues/Communication

Life transitions/Cultural Adjustment

Types of therapy:

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Narrative Therapy

Emotion-Focused Therapy

My work

Our work together can help you — perhaps for the first time — notice and understand your emotions and make sense of why you engage in certain unhealthy behaviors. By exploring the “why” behind these experiences, you can begin to relate to yourself with more compassion and authenticity. This deeper awareness reveals your core values and strengths, paving the way toward creating your own solutions and living a life that feels meaningful to you.

I integrate different therapeutic interventions to meet your specific needs, story, and goals. We regularly check in on the direction and progress of our work together. I draw from Emotion-Focused Therapy and mindfulness practices to develop emotional awareness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy interventions to identify the limiting thoughts we often carry without question, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help you clarify how you want to take agency in your life, and Narrative Therapy to help you re-author your story in a way that feels fair and empowering. Along the way, we may use other approaches that support your growth. I’ll be an empathic co-explorer walking beside you on this journey.

My own journey to find answers led me to years of volunteer work with nonprofit organizations, supporting people through life’s challenges. Through these experiences, I found clarity about who I wanted to become — and transitioned from a career in environmental engineering to the path of psychotherapy.

A meaningful turning point in this journey was reading On Becoming a Person by Carl Rogers. It reflected back one of the most important life lessons I’ve learned: the answers are within us — and true help empowers us to see them.

About Pouria In Person - York Region Credentials and Qualifications: Registered Psychotherapis... Read More

Select a session from the list on the left
to view available appointment times

Pick a treatment to book