Mental health in Canada is at a crossroads
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 1 in 5 Canadians personally experience a mental health problem or illness in any given year. Over a lifetime, about 1 in 2 Canadians will have experienced a mental illness. Yet despite how common these experiences are, the stigma around seeking help remains powerful, particularly in communities where silence has been mistaken for strength for generations.
In Ontario, the average wait time for counselling services reaches 67 days, according to the 2024 State of Mental Health in Canada Report. That is 67 days of carrying something alone that you do not have to carry alone. Rates of generalized anxiety disorder have doubled between 2012 and 2022. Major depressive episodes have climbed from 4.7 percent to 7.6 percent of the population.
These are not just statistics. They are your colleagues, your family members, and perhaps you. The gap between the number of people who need support and the number who receive it is one of the most urgent issues in Canadian healthcare today. Twish exists to help close that gap, one person at a time.
Canadians experience mental illness each year
Average days wait for counselling in Ontario
Canadian adults reported mental health issues in 2023
Anxiety disorder rates doubled between 2012 and 2022
Sources: CMHA, CMHA Peel Dufferin 2024, CIHI, Statistics Canada
A sanctuary built from lived understanding
"Too many people carry their pain alone. Quietly, invisibly, convinced that asking for help is weakness. That realization became my calling."
Shimul Rajput is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and dual BSc degrees from the University of Toronto. Over four years of clinical experience spanning private practice, hospital-based support, and culturally responsive therapy have shaped an approach that is both evidence-based and genuinely human.
Shimul brings a deeply personal commitment to creating therapy that truly fits the person in front of her. Her integrative approach honours cultural backgrounds, family systems, personal values, and the spiritual frameworks that shape who we are. Sessions are available in English, Hindi, and Punjabi, in-person in Mississauga and Markham, and virtually across Canada.
Therapy tailored to you
Individual therapy, couples therapy, and virtual sessions across Ontario. Evidence-based, culturally sensitive care for every background and every story. View all services.
Individual Therapy
A compassionate one-on-one space to explore anxiety, depression, trauma, burnout, identity, and emotional blocks. Shimul tailors each session to you specifically.
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Couples Therapy
Using Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), Shimul helps partners identify negative cycles, rebuild trust, and deepen emotional connection. All couples welcome.
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Free Initial Consult
A no-pressure 15-minute conversation to see if Shimul is the right fit. No commitment, no obligation. Just an open, honest first conversation.
Book NowIndividuals and couples of all backgrounds
Newcomers, immigrants and international students
Corporate professionals and executives
Healthcare workers and university students
Healing looks different for everyone
Therapy at Twish is not one size fits all. It is shaped around you, your story, and the life you want to build.
"I want every client to leave their first session feeling genuinely safe, seen, and respected. Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, especially when you have carried your emotions alone for years."
Shimul Rajput, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)Everything you need to get started
Availability
Wed 10am to 8pm. Thu 12pm to 9pm. Fri 10am to 6pm. Morning, afternoon, and evening slots to fit your schedule.
Fees
$150 per individual session. $250 per couples session. Sliding scale available for those facing financial barriers. EAP and extended health benefits eligible.
Secure Sessions
Virtual sessions via Kindred Practices, a HIPAA-compliant encrypted platform. In-person at 365 Prince of Wales Dr, Mississauga and 10 Villa Ada Drive, Markham.
Reach
In-person in Mississauga and Markham. Virtual clients across Canada including Toronto, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, Kingston, Ottawa, and more.
What makes this place different
There is no shortage of therapists in the GTA. Here is why people choose Twish specifically and why they stay.
Multilingual Care
Sessions in English, Hindi, and Punjabi. Healing in your mother tongue changes everything. Some emotions simply cannot be expressed the same way in a second language, and Shimul understands that completely.
Culturally Informed
Shimul understands the weight of cultural expectations, intergenerational dynamics, immigration stress, and the tension between identity and belonging. Your cultural context is never left at the door. It is part of the work.
Fully Regulated
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with CRPO Registration 18680 and an active CCPA member. Professional, ethically governed care backed by formal clinical training and ongoing regulatory accountability.
Two Locations
In-person in Mississauga at 365 Prince of Wales Dr and Markham at 10 Villa Ada Drive, plus virtual therapy anywhere in Canada. Accessible care across the GTA and beyond.
Things people often wonder
Here are answers to the questions Shimul hears most often from people considering therapy for the first time.
Does OHIP cover psychotherapy in Ontario?
OHIP does not cover private psychotherapy. However, many extended health benefit plans and Employee Assistance Programs cover Registered Psychotherapists. Check with your provider before your first session. Shimul provides properly formatted receipts for insurance submission.
How often should I attend therapy?
Most clients begin with weekly or bi-weekly sessions and adjust from there based on their needs and progress. Shimul works with you collaboratively to find a rhythm that genuinely supports your healing without feeling overwhelming.
Do you work with teenagers?
Shimul currently works with adults aged 18 and older. If you are looking for support for a younger person, she will do her best to point you toward an appropriate referral in the Mississauga or Markham area.
Is everything I share completely confidential?
Yes. Shimul is bound by CRPO ethical guidelines and Ontario privacy law. The only exceptions involve imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, or a court order. These are clearly explained in your intake documents before your first session.
What if I have never been to therapy before?
Many of Shimul's clients come to Twish having never spoken to a therapist before. The free 15-minute consultation exists precisely for this: to ease you in gently, answer your questions, and let you get a feel for the process with no pressure or commitment.
How do I know if Shimul is the right fit?
The therapeutic relationship matters enormously. Shimul encourages you to trust your instincts. If after your free consultation it does not feel like the right fit, she will help you find someone who is. The goal is always your wellbeing.
Inhale Calm, Exhale Chaos
Breathe in peace, let go with grace
Rooted in the Moment
Walk softly, live mindfully
Penning Peace, One Thought at a Time
Discover clarity through gentle reflection
Your first step costs nothing
Book your free 15-minute consultation. No commitment, no pressure. Just a gentle conversation to see if Shimul is the right fit for your journey.
365 Prince of Wales Dr, Mississauga • 10 Villa Ada Drive, Markham • Virtual across Canada • (647) 616-5744