Healing. Growth. Connection.
You don’t have to choose between your family and yourself. A place to stop shrinking, and finally say what you’ve never said out loud.
iThrive offers therapy for South Asian women in London and virtually across Ontario.
Therapy sessions offered in the language you're most comfortable in.
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Hindi
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Malayalam
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Urdu
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English
- Direct billing to 35+ insurers
- In person in London
- Virtual across Ontario
Start Your Path
Come As You Are. Let’s Begin From There.
Reaching out isn’t always easy. If you grew up hearing that family matters stay in the family, booking a session can feel like breaking a rule.
Talking about what’s hard at home isn’t talking badly about the people you love, and coming here isn’t a betrayal of anyone. You’re here, and that counts.
This is your safe space to talk about what’s on your mind without being judged. Maybe you feel stuck, tired of holding everything together, or caught between what your family expects and what you want. Nobody here will ask you to give up the people you love, nor ask you to be someone you’re not.
Together, we’ll look at what’s weighing on you, build on the strengths you already have, and find small steps that feel right for you. Your story is your own, so I’ll ask rather than assume. You set the pace, and what you share stays between you and your therapist.
How We’ll Work Together
Reach Out
Book a free 15-minute call in English, Malayalam, Hindi, or Urdu. Ask questions, share what brings you here, and see if we’re a good fit.
Before We Begin
Before our first session, you’ll fill out two short forms. They help you know how we’ll work together, and help me prepare for our session
The Work Itself
Together, we'll explore what's most important to you, building insight and practical strategies at a pace that feels right to you.
Steady Ground
Healing is rarely a straight line. We adjust your goals as you grow, working toward the day you feel steady on your own.
Small Shifts That Matter
YourTherapist
The Person Behind iThrive
Joshiya Aricatt, MSW, RSW, Psychotherapist
Hey there! I’m Joshiya.
I’m a therapist, the founder of iThrive Therapy and Wellness, and a proud first-generation Indian Canadian.
I help first-generation South Asian women go from quietly carrying everyone’s expectations to moving through life with more ease, clarity, and room for themselves.
Very into: trying holistic wellness activities, travelling solo, and really deep conversations (even with people I’ve only just met).
A little about me: My journey started in 2015, volunteering with a community nonprofit in India, and it led me to pursue a Master of Social Work. After that, I spent years working with women, children, and youth facing a range of struggles, from poverty to illness.
In 2021, I came to Canada alone. I started at eighteen dollars an hour with the YMCA after-school program, then as a support worker in a group home. Step by step, I found my way to psychotherapy, the career I’d been dreaming of since my MSW.
Since 2022, I’ve been offering psychotherapy to people who’ve experienced trauma, violence, and abuse; people living with disabilities; LGBTQ+ clients; and those navigating chronic illness, isolation, adjustment, relationships, grief, workplace stress, and more.
Why I do this work: As a newcomer, I saw very few therapists who looked like me, who understood the cultural nuances, or how our culture, faith, and community shape who we are. So in 2023, I opened iThrive to help bridge that gap.
What I believe: Family can be where some of our pain comes from, and also where we want to feel connected. Both can be true. So I won’t push you to cut anyone off or distance yourself if you don’t want to. What you choose is yours to decide.
What therapy with me feels like: Sessions might look like exploring where certain patterns come from, or working on practical tools, like calming big emotions or choosing different ways of responding, drawing on approaches like CBT, DBT, and ACT.
Therapy is offered in English, Malayalam, Hindi, or Urdu, whichever feels most like home. In person in London, virtually across Ontario.
It would be an honour to walk alongside you through your healing journey.
Joshiya Aricatt, MSW, RSW. Registered Social Worker, Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (Reg. #844834).
Who I Work With ?
All of you is welcome
Whether this is your first time or you’ve tried therapy before, this space welcomes you, without filters. You don’t have to hide parts of yourself to be accepted, or perform to be enough.
First Time in Therapy
Therapy isn’t only for serious problems. For many, it’s a way to prevent burnout, sleepless nights and stress from building up. I’ll explain how everything works, so nothing feels unfamiliar or rushed.
Tried Therapy Before
If therapy didn’t feel right last time, this can be different. I understand how culture and family can shape us. You won’t be pushed to cut people off, set boundaries, or open up to your family if you don’t want to.
Open Doors
Whatever your race, faith, ability, sexuality or gender identity, you’re welcome here. This is an inclusive space for everyone, including those who identify as LGBTQ+, Indigenous or neurodivergent. You’re not defined by where you come from.
FAQ
Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers!
If you're wondering about something, chances are someone else has too.
What makes iThrive different?
Cultural understanding is at the heart of my work. I see you as a whole person, shaped by your family, community, culture, faith, and the history and experiences that made you who you are. Much of therapy points toward independence: set a boundary, reduce contact, choose yourself. But in close-knit families, one relationship is rarely just one relationship, and saying no is never simple. Culture isn’t simply good or bad. It’s complex, just like people are. I won’t push you toward distance, or toward staying. What you decide about your family is yours to decide.
Who do you work with?
I work with South Asian women, 18 and older, across Ontario. Many are carrying layers of expectation from family, marriage, culture, faith and themselves, as daughters, daughters-in-law, wives, mothers, professionals, and more, often holding it all quietly. That weight can show up as anxiety, burnout, low mood, relationship struggles, identity questions, grief, or the stress of big life changes. Sessions are in English, Malayalam, Hindi, and Urdu.
What happens in the first therapy session?
The first session is 50 minutes. We’ll start by walking through consent, confidentiality, and the service agreement, so you know what to expect. Then you can share what’s been going on, in whatever words come naturally, even if it’s just “I keep overthinking.” You don’t have to tell everything at once, and there are no wrong answers. I’ll also ask what brought you here and what you’re hoping will be different, so the sessions fit your needs.
Is therapy worth the money?
It’s a fair question, especially if you grew up believing you should turn to family, friends, or simply handle things on your own. If therapy wasn’t something you saw growing up, paying someone to talk about your problems can feel hard to justify.
You can’t buy healing, and I won’t promise it. What you’re paying for is more than just someone to listen. It’s dedicated time with someone trained to help you understand what you’re experiencing, notice patterns you may be stuck in, see things from a different perspective, and develop tools you can actually use in your everyday life. Your partner, sibling, or best friend can still be part of your support. Therapy simply offers a different kind of support.
And it may be more accessible than you think. Depending on your benefits, psychotherapy with a Registered Social Worker may be covered by your insurance plan.
If you’re unsure, the free 15-minute consultation gives you a chance to ask questions and see whether therapy feels like a worthwhile investment for you.
Is therapy covered by insurance? How much does it cost?
Have benefits through work, school, a partner, or a parent? I direct-bill 35+ major insurers, including Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, and Desjardins, so you only pay any amount your plan doesn’t cover. Any amount you owe is securely charged to your card on file through Jane after each session. If direct billing isn’t available, you prefer to submit claims yourself, or you don’t have insurance, you’ll receive an official receipt. Sessions are $170 for 50 minutes. Extended sessions of up to 80 minutes are $255. No HST applies. If your extended health plan covers Registered Social Worker services, your sessions are likely covered, depending on your plan and limits. Please look into your insurance coverage before booking a session. If you have insurance benefits, I can walk you through how claims work before you book.
Is everything I share kept private?
Yes. What you bring here stays here. I’ll never confirm you’re a client to anyone, including family or friends, without your permission. The only exceptions are the ones the law sets: a serious risk of harm to you or someone else, a child at risk, or a court order. We’ll go through these in your first session, so you’re fully informed.
How does therapy work?
Talking to friends or family can help, but they’re part of your life, and that can make it hard to say everything. In therapy, you speak with someone trained, outside your circle, who won’t judge or take sides. Together, we look at what’s going on, why it keeps happening, and what you’d like to be different. Then we use proven methods to build practical skills for your everyday life, checking in along the way and adjusting your goals as you grow. You may receive personalized handouts, journaling prompts, symptom tracking, meditation playlists, or between-session practices to support the work beyond our sessions.
What approaches do you use in therapy?
I draw from proven approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to work with thoughts that keep worry going, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for tools when feelings get too big, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to move toward what matters to you. I also use mindfulness, narrative, solution-focused and trauma-informed approaches. Rather than one fixed method, therapy is shaped around your experiences, goals and what feels most helpful to you.
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
You don’t have to wait until you’re falling apart to deserve support. Therapy can help if you feel overwhelmed, stuck or disconnected, or notice patterns you’d like to change, even ones you’ve had for years. Sometimes it shows up in your body first: poor sleep, headaches, constant tiredness, or a mind that won’t switch off. If you’re still not sure, that’s okay. The free 15-minute call is a chance to talk it through and decide together.
Do you offer virtual therapy?
Yes. I offer secure virtual sessions anywhere in Ontario, so you can join from wherever you feel comfortable, without worrying about being overheard, whether that’s a private room or your parked car. In-person sessions are also available at my London office. You choose whichever suits your needs, comfort, and schedule best.
How long does therapy take?
There’s no quick fix, and it looks different for everyone. Many people find 8 to 12 sessions helpful, while others choose longer support. It depends on factors like what you bring in, whether it’s recent or long-standing, and how much you put into practising between sessions. Some people stop once things feel steadier, and others keep going with new goals. We’ll check in regularly, and you can share feedback anytime, so therapy keeps fitting your needs. You decide when you’re ready to step back, and we’ll plan it together.
Which insurers can you direct bill?
I can direct bill 35+ providers, including: AGA Financial Group Inc., Alberta Blue Cross, belairdirect (formerly Johnson Inc.), Beneva Inc., BPA Benefit Plan Administrators, Canada Life, Canada Life PSHCP, Canadian Construction Workers Union, Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance, CINUP, ClaimSecure, Coughlin & Associates Ltd., Cowan, Desjardins Insurance, Equitable, First Canadian, GMS Carrier 49, GMS Carrier 50, GPM Group Benefits, GroupHEALTH, GroupSource, Industrial Alliance, Johnston Group Inc., LiUNA Local 183, LiUNA Local 506, Manion, Manulife Financial, Maximum Benefit, MDM Insurance Services Inc., People Corporation, Quikcard, RWAM Insurance Administrators, Simply Benefits, Sun Life, TELUS AdjudiCare, Union Benefits, and UV Insurance. If your plan isn’t listed, you’ll receive an official receipt to submit for reimbursement.
What's your cancellation policy?
I ask for 48 business hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule. For example, for a Monday 10 a.m. session, please let me know by Thursday at 10 a.m. Late cancellations and missed sessions are charged the full fee to your card on file, since that time is held only for you and I prepare ahead. This helps keep my practice sustainable. If something unexpected comes up, please let me know as soon as you can.
How do I book an appointment?
You can book a free 15-minute consultation online through our Jane booking page, or reach me at (226) 270-7046 or joshiya@ithrivetherapy.ca. On the call, we’ll talk about what brings you in, answer your questions, and see if we’re the right fit.
What if therapy brings up difficult feelings?
It’s okay if some sessions feel heavy. Opening up about what you’ve been carrying can stir up emotions or memories, and it’s natural to feel a little low for a while. It doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong, or that therapy isn’t working. You decide what we talk about and when, and we never have to start with the hardest thing. You can pause or slow down anytime. We’ll also build gentle tools to help you feel steady between sessions. If you ever feel unsafe, you can call or text 988, any time.
Still Have Questions?
Please book a free consult if you have any questions. Alternatively, you’re welcome to email or text me, and I’ll get back to you within a few hours.
Let's Start
Ready to Take the First Step?
Whether you’re navigating anxiety, family expectations, or a life that changed when you moved here, you don’t have to hold it all on your own. If something doesn’t feel quite right, that’s enough reason to reach out. Start with a free 15-minute call. No pressure, just a conversation.
You've been carrying it long enough.
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