
Therapy for the woman balancing cultural expectations with her own dreams and identity.
You’ve spent your whole life trying to be the “good” daughter, sister, partner, or friend. You keep the peace, meet expectations, and put yourself last. But lately, it feels like no matter how much you do, it’s never enough. You’re exhausted from people-pleasing, feeling guilty for setting boundaries, and carrying the weight of unspoken family pressures and obligations.
Many South Asian women struggle with balancing cultural expectations and their own well-being. I know because I have been one of them.
Hi! I’m Risha Dave (she/her).
I’m a Registered Psychotherapist, founder, and clinical director of Risha Dave Psychotherapy.
Growing up in a culture that values family, community, and tradition can be both beautiful and overwhelming. I’ve seen how unspoken rules, high expectations, and the fear of ‘what will people say?’ can take a toll on mental health. I know how hard it can be to balance honouring your roots while also creating a life that feels authentic to you.
This is why I’m so passionate about helping South Asian women break cycles of guilt, people-pleasing, and emotional burnout without feeling like they have to choose between their family and their happiness.
At Risha Dave Psychotherapy, we create a space where you can process your experiences, break free from intergenerational patterns, and finally put yourself on your own priority list. Our approach is trauma-informed, culturally attuned, and designed to help you heal, grow, and reclaim your voice.
You deserve support that truly understands your experience. You deserve to let go of unrealistic expectations and find peace of mind. Let’s work together to create a life where you feel heard, valued, and in control.
Book a free consultation today and take the first step toward a more empowered, authentic you.
“Ignoring the pain actually deepens it. What is hidden from sight often increases in intensity.”
–Mark Wolynn
Areas of Focus
Our Services
-
Is Therapy Right for You? Let’s Find Out – For Free!
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, and finding the right therapist is an important step. That’s why I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation—so you can feel confident in your choice before committing.
Here’s how a quick call can help you:
✅ Get a sense of my therapy style and approach
✅ Share a bit about your challenges and goals
✅ Ask questions about the process, fees, and availability
✅ Reduce anxiety about starting therapy
✅ Decide if we’re the right fit—no pressure, no commitmentYour healing journey should feel safe and aligned with your needs. Let’s start with a conversation.
-
Individual therapy is a one-on-one therapeutic process where you work with a trained therapist to explore personal challenges, emotions, and goals in a confidential and supportive space. Sessions are tailored to your unique needs, helping you gain insight, build coping strategies, and foster personal growth.
Benefits of Individual Therapy:
💬 Personalized Support – Focuses entirely on your experiences, emotions, and goals.
🛠 Coping Strategies – Learn tools to manage stress, anxiety, depression, or life transitions.
💡 Self-Discovery – Gain deeper insight into patterns, relationships, and behaviors.
💙 Healing & Growth – Work through trauma, build self-esteem, and create healthier boundaries.
🤝 Judgment-Free Space – Express yourself openly in a safe and confidential environment.Whether you're navigating family dynamics, overcoming people-pleasing, or breaking intergenerational cycles, individual therapy offers the guidance and support you need.
-
Couple’s therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps partners navigate challenges, improve communication, and strengthen their relationship. A trained therapist facilitates conversations to address conflicts, enhance emotional connection, and develop healthy relationship dynamics.
Key Benefits of Couple’s Therapy:
💬 Improved Communication – Learn to express needs and listen effectively.
🤝 Conflict Resolution – Develop strategies to navigate disagreements constructively.
❤️ Emotional Intimacy – Strengthen trust and deepen emotional connection.
🔄 Breaking Negative Patterns – Identify and shift unhealthy relationship dynamics.
🎯 Shared Goals & Values – Align on important aspects of the relationship, like parenting or future planning.Couple’s therapy can benefit partners at any stage of their relationship—whether they’re dating, engaged, married, or co-parenting.
-
Family therapy for co-parenting is a structured, therapeutic approach that helps parents—whether separated, divorced, or co-parenting in any capacity—navigate their parenting relationship in a healthy, child-centered way. The goal is to improve communication, reduce conflict, and create a stable, supportive environment for the children involved.
Key Focus Areas:
👶 Child-Centered Decision-Making – Ensuring the child’s well-being remains the top priority.
🗣 Effective Communication – Learning respectful and productive ways to discuss parenting decisions.
🤝 Conflict Resolution – Addressing disagreements without hostility or emotional harm.
📅 Consistency & Boundaries – Creating stable routines and expectations across households.
💙 Emotional Regulation – Managing personal emotions to co-parent effectively.Family therapy can provide the tools needed to navigate co-parenting challenges with mutual respect, fostering a healthier family dynamic.
-
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy where a small group of individuals, guided by a trained therapist, come together to share experiences, gain insights, and support one another. It provides a safe, structured space to explore personal challenges while learning from others who may have similar struggles.
Benefits of Group Therapy:
🤝 Support & Connection – Reduces feelings of isolation by fostering a sense of community.
🗣 Shared Perspectives – Offers new insights and coping strategies through group discussions.
💡 Skill-Building – Helps develop emotional regulation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
🛠 Safe Environment – Encourages personal growth in a confidential, judgment-free space.
💰 Cost-Effective – More affordable than individual therapy while still providing valuable guidance.Group therapy can be especially beneficial for those dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, trauma, or life transitions.
-
Psychotherapy intensives are deep-dive therapy sessions designed to provide focused, in-depth support over a condensed period of time. Unlike traditional weekly therapy, intensives involve longer sessions.
Who Are They For?
Psychotherapy intensives are ideal for individuals or couples who:
✔️ Need deeper work on specific issues like trauma, burnout, or relationship challenges.
✔️ Prefer a focused, immersive approach instead of weekly sessions.
✔️ Are at a crossroads in life and want clarity and emotional breakthroughs.
✔️ Have limited availability for ongoing therapy and need flexible options.Benefits of Psychotherapy Intensives:
🔍 Faster Progress – Work through challenges more deeply in a shorter time.
💡 Personalized Attention – Tailored, uninterrupted time with your therapist.
🛠 Practical Strategies – Learn and practice skills for immediate application.
🌱 Healing at Your Pace – Process emotions in a structured, supportive environment.Psychotherapy intensives are especially helpful for those dealing with intergenerational trauma, boundary-setting, people-pleasing, and relationship healing.
-
Next workshop TBD! Join the waitlist by e-mailing info@rishadave.ca to be the first to know about our next event!
Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive Practices
At Risha Dave Psychotherapy, we are deeply committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment for all clients. We recognize that systemic racism and oppression significantly impact mental health and well-being. The field of psychology is rooted in a Eurocentric perspective. We are committed to implementing a decolonial lens to psychotherapy and social justice.
Our practice strives to challenge and dismantle these injustices through our therapeutic approaches, community engagement, and ongoing education. We believe that healing is rooted in understanding and addressing the complexities of identity, power, and privilege.
We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and are dedicated to providing culturally competent and sensitive care. Your experiences and perspectives are valued, and we encourage open dialogue as we navigate these important issues together.
Thank you for trusting us on your journey toward healing and self-discovery.