Appoline (Lydia) Nimbeshaho

She/Her
MDiv, BA
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Verified by Psychology Today
[email protected]

Hello, and welcome. I’m Lydia, and I’m honoured you’re here. As a bilingual (English and French) therapist, I offer a safe and compassionate space for individuals, couples, and families navigating life’s challenges. I specialize in working with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, anger, chronic stress, and life transitions, drawing from my own journey of resilience to empower my clients on their journeys.

My approach is trauma-informed, person-centred, integrative, and culturally sensitive, with a deep understanding of the unique experiences faced by BIPOC, Afro-Black communities, and individuals from all walks of life. I am dedicated to creating a welcoming space where everyone feels valued, seen, and supported on their journey to healing.

I incorporate a blend of evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and the Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM)®. My focus is on brain health, helping you understand how your thoughts, emotions, and nervous system responses shape your experience, making it easier to apply therapeutic tools and create lasting change.

As a therapist, I’m here to support you, whether you’re facing the aftermath of trauma, navigating a life transition, or simply feeling stuck. My goal is to guide you toward clarity, emotional regulation, and a sense of empowerment.

I offer individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and group therapy sessions. Together, we’ll explore the patterns that may be holding you back, helping you find your voice, strength, and path to healing.

Areas of Practice

Trauma and PTSD (including complex trauma)
Grief and Loss
Anxiety and Depression
Relationship Issues
Life Transitions
Anger Management
Stress and Burnout
Cultural Identity and Adjustment

Cost

Individual Session Cost: $150 per session

Couples or Families Session Cost: $175 per session

*Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers are covered under most insurance benefits.

Education & Certifications

Master of Divinity in Clinical Counselling, Tyndale University, 2024
Bilingual B.A. Honours Major/Minor in Sociology & Sexuality Studies, York University, 2017
Integrative Trauma and Attachment Model (ITATM)® Part 1, Lori Gill
LivingWorks ASIST, Centre de Santé Communautaire de Hamilton/Niagara
Transforming Trauma with Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), PESI Canada
Anger Management Program, Salvation Army Family Services Oshawa
Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), W-The Wellness Institute
Tree of Life Narrative Therapy Practitioner, Narrative Therapy Initiative
Comprehensive Internal Family Systems Therapy (In Progress)
EMDR & Parts Work for Treating Complex Trauma (In Progress)
Complex Trauma Certification Levels 1 & 2 (In Progress)
Personality Disorders Certification (In Progress)

Coffee Corner

What are you reading right now?

This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley

Waking The Tiger by Peter A. Levine, Ann Frederick

What’s your favourite way to spend free time?

I spend my free time with my three boys, catching up with friends, and having heartfelt conversations with my sisters. You might also find me attending church, studying, doing community work, creating new courses or programs, cooking, or diving into a good book.

Who do you work with?

I work with individuals, couples, and families from diverse backgrounds who are navigating experiences of trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, or major life transitions. My goal is to create a welcoming, compassionate space where everyone feels safe to explore their emotions and begin their healing journey.

What would you like a client to say about working with you?

I hope my clients feel seen, heard, and empowered. I would love for them to say that our work together helped them find clarity, strength, and a sense of hope and that they felt supported in uncovering their own resilience and ability to heal.

What is your favourite poem?

Blooming from Within

You are the seed that braved the storm,
Planted deep where roots transform,
Through every crack, in light and dark,
You rise, you heal, you leave your mark.

In moments when the night feels long,
Remember, here, you still belong,
For in the pain, there’s strength to find,
A bloom that waits, a heart unlined.

You are more than scars, more than fear,
A story growing, year by year,
And as you rise, you’ll come to see,
The beauty of your own journey.
— Lydia Nimbeshaho, Fall 2024

Tell me about one experience that changed your life:

Growing up as a survivor of the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994 profoundly shaped who I am today. Witnessing the impact of trauma on those around me, especially losing my older sister Lucie to untreated trauma, major depression, and addiction, changed my path forever. It drove me to create spaces where people can be truly heard, share their stories, and find the answers they’ve been searching for. It taught me the importance of kindness and compassion because we never know what battles others might be facing.

Offering In-Person and Virtual Sessions

Currently Accepting New Clients