Hi, I’m Marla.

I’m so glad you’re here. I created this space to feel warm, supportive, and real—somewhere you can show up just as you are. I have a deep appreciation for how hard it can be to navigate life’s challenges, and I feel honoured to walk alongside people as they make sense of their experiences and reconnect with themselves.

Credentials

  • Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University

  • Bachelor of Social Work, Carleton University

  • Social Service Worker Diploma, Algonquin College

  • Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) CRPO #20459

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A woman with long wavy hair working on a silver MacBook laptop, sitting on a beige, pleated round stool in a cozy space with plants and wooden furniture.
A woman with long wavy hair working on a silver MacBook laptop, sitting on a beige, pleated round stool in a cozy space with plants and wooden furniture.

The Meaning Behind Rooted Within
The name Rooted Within comes from the belief that the strength, insight, and capacity for growth you’re searching for already exist within you. Just like roots beneath the surface, your experiences, emotions, and inner world shape how you move through life. This practice is about reconnecting with that foundation—so you can feel more grounded, more self-aware, and more aligned in how you move forward.

A young woman with long wavy hair, wearing a yellow button-up shirt, is standing indoors, holding a beige mug with both hands. Behind her are potted plants and a wooden cabinet, with a plain wall and a radiator to her right.

My Approach

My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, and trauma-informed—focused on helping you reconnect with yourself in a way that feels safe, steady, and supportive. So often, we live in our heads, overthinking and trying to “figure things out,” while feeling disconnected from what we actually need. Together, we gently shift some of that focus back into the body.

I integrate somatic, body-based practices to help you slow down, tune into your nervous system, and build a deeper sense of awareness and regulation. This work is always paced with care, honouring your comfort level and capacity—especially when navigating trauma, stress, or overwhelm.

Alongside this, I draw from approaches like CBT, DBT, and person-centred therapy to explore patterns, build insight, and support meaningful, lasting change.

Therapy with me isn’t about fixing you—it’s about understanding yourself, feeling more connected, and creating a way of moving through life that feels grounded, aligned, and truly your own.

Before moving into psychotherapy, I spent over five years working with neurodivergent children in educational and community settings. This experience shaped my ability to meet people where they are, adapt to different needs, and create a space that feels supportive and understanding.

I also have a background in social work, where I supported individuals navigating complex life experiences, including recovery following motor vehicle accidents. This work strengthened my skills in emotional support, case understanding, and working collaboratively with individuals during challenging periods of their lives. Together, these experiences continue to inform how I show up in therapy—grounded, flexible, and responsive to each person’s unique needs.