Aktan Sigirci
Counsellor
I specialise in:
About me
I am a compassionate and highly skilled mental health professional with over 15 years of experience in individual and group counselling, dedicated to supporting vulnerable and high-risk populations. My career began in Türkiye, where I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Psychological Counselling and Guidance. As a Psychological Counsellor at a primary school, I supported over 200 students annually, helping them navigate personal, academic, and social challenges through goal-oriented and solution-focused strategies. Since 2016, I have maintained a private virtual practice, providing one-on-one therapy to clients around the world, specializing in anxiety, depression, addiction, and relationship issues while maintaining a consistently high satisfaction rate.
Since relocating to Toronto, I have immersed myself in further training and community-based work to align my practice with Canadian mental health standards. I hold certifications in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (CPI), ASIST suicide prevention, SMART 4-point facilitation, and EMDR therapy, among others. I have also completed specialized training in dementia care, shelter standards, and palliative approaches through organizations such as the Alzheimer Society of Toronto and George Brown College. My recent volunteer roles reflect my commitment to culturally sensitive care—serving as a Mental Health Supporter and Interpreter for the Turkish-speaking community through JIAS, and providing hoarding support through VHA, where I engage directly with clients facing complex physical and mental health challenges.
I am registered with the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP) and bring a strong foundation in trauma-informed care, anti-oppressive practice, and LGBTQI2S+ affirming approaches. Fluent in English and Turkish, I am deeply committed to creating a collaborative, non-judgmental environment where individuals and families can build resilience, achieve their goals, and navigate life’s adversities with dignity and support.
I speak:
Location:
Approach
My therapeutic approach is rooted in collaboration, cultural sensitivity, and a deep commitment to meeting clients where they are. I draw from a range of evidence-based modalities—including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing (MI)—to tailor my work to each individual's unique needs and goals. Whether supporting someone through anxiety, depression, addiction, or relationship challenges, I prioritize creating a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to explore their own paths toward healing and growth.
I am guided by trauma-informed principles and an anti-oppressive, anti-racist lens, ensuring that my practice is affirming of all identities, including LGBTQI2S+ individuals and those from diverse cultural backgrounds. My experience working with high-risk populations—including adolescent parents, individuals facing housing instability, newcomers, and those with complex mental health needs—has taught me the importance of flexibility, patience, and genuine rapport. I view therapy as a partnership, working alongside clients to identify their strengths, build resilience, and develop practical strategies that fit their lived realities.
With over 15 years of experience across school, community, and private practice settings, I bring both depth of knowledge and a grounded, compassionate presence to every session. I believe in empowering clients to become active participants in their own well-being, offering support that is both goal-oriented and deeply human. Whether working virtually with clients around the world or in person within Toronto's diverse communities, my focus remains the same: to walk alongside individuals as they navigate life's challenges and move toward greater balance, connection, and meaning.
