Meet the team

Fereshteh Nik Khah is the founder of       Aram Institution, established in 2018 with     a mission to support individuals and families through comprehensive social services, mental wellness programs, and life coaching. With a deep commitment to fostering well-being and personal growth, Fereshteh’s vision is to empower individuals to navigate life’s challenges with confidence, resilience, and a sense of peace. Through Aram Institution, she has created a compassionate space for those seeking guidance and support in their personal and family journeys.

Shayes is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience and a commitment to empowering her clients.

With a Masters of Social Work and 24 years of clinical practice, Shayes brings a depth of knowledge and expertise

To every session.  Taking a client-centered approach, she works with individuals, couples, families, and groups facing

a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, family conflict, trauma, and career or relationship stress.

In her practice, she creates a non-judgmental and compassionate space where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts and emotions.

Ziba is holding a master in psychology from Iran.
Ziba is a  child and parental coach dedicated to empowering children to navigate life's challenges with confidence and resilience. With a background in child psychology and extensive experience in coaching and therapy, Ziba utilizes a holistic approach to support the emotional, social, and cognitive development of her young clients. Her warm and nurturing demeanor creates a safe space where children feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings. Through tailored coaching sessions and evidence-based therapeutic techniques, ziba helps children build essential life skills, manage stress, overcome obstacles, and thrive both academically and personally. She is committed to fostering a positive and nurturing environment where every child can reach their full potential.

Allan is s a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario

and holds a master’s degree in counselling psychology. He has been dedicated to supporting

individuals facing mental health challenges, with a specialization in trauma, depression, and

anxiety, since 2017. Allan’s clinical expertise centers on understanding the profound impact of trauma on

interpersonal relationships, particularly for individuals living with Post-Traumatic Stress

Disorder (PTSD) and their families. He offers a compassionate and personalized approach to

therapy, guiding clients in processing past traumas, developing effective coping strategies, and

managing emotional distress.

A key focus of Allan’s practice is enabling trauma survivors to return to a functional and

fulfilling life. He is passionate about helping clients rebuild their lives by reconnecting with their

communities, returning to work, and rediscovering their sense of purpose and self-worth. His

approach empowers clients to regain independence and stability, fostering resilience and hope

along the way.

In addition to his clinical work, Allan is a senior researcher and has been actively engaged in

psychological research within a psychology lab. His research work informs his therapeutic

practice, allowing him to integrate evidence-based interventions and stay at the forefront of

developments in psychological science.

Allan uses an integrative approach to tailor treatment plans to each client’s unique needs and

goals. He focuses on helping individuals better understand their challenges, reduce anxiety and

stress, and foster healthier, more fulfilling relationships. Through his work, Allan is committed

to empowering clients to regain a sense of stability, build resilience, and cultivate a renewed

sense of safety in their lives.

Marina, is a registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She specialize in creating empathetic, non-judgemental spaces where individuals can manage stress and achieve positive changes. Marina's  approach is highly individualized, integrating Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and mindfulness techniques tailored to your beliefs and values. With a background in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and Psychology from the University of Guelph, Marina bring a deep understanding of mental health and therapy's transformative power. Let's collaborate to overcome challenges and achieve your personal goals in a safe, supportive environment. 

Do you struggle with feeling disconnected or distant from yourself and others? Do you suffer from past traumatic experiences that affect your daily life routines and get triggered by people, places and events? Are you stuck repeating the same maladaptive patterns over and over? Do you wish you could feel better, happier, more connected? In today’s world, individuals feel more anxious, overwhelmed, and stressed in their relationships, careers, and lives. With many sources available and mental health being less and less stigmatized, you do not have to do it alone. You have come to the right place.

Focusing on trauma, anger, addiction, emotional regulation and daily stressors, I work with the intricate interplay between past experiences, unconscious motivation and present behaviours. Using narrative therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy and emotionally focused therapy, I have a collaborative, holistic approach grounded in trust, authenticity and respect.

The therapeutic relationship is a catalyst for change when based on trust, support, and mutual respect. Together, we can build this relationship to help you explore emotions, gain clarity and insight and develop healthier coping strategies for navigating life’s challenges.
Contact me to find out whether or not I can be of help to you.

Snezana is a Registered Social Worker with a Master's degree in Social Work from McMaster University Hamilton. Snezana has over 18 years of both clinical and supervisory experience.

Snezana is well versed in both individual and couples counselling. Her areas of expertise include:  Acquired Brain Injury, trauma, family and relationship issues, stress management, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and personal growth.

She provided Field supervision for Social Service Worker Students from Mohawk College and is Professional Trainer on Suicide Prevention and Mindfulness. Snezana has experience working with newcomers and completed a Language Interpreter Program at Mohawk College, performing numerous interpreting assignments, including document translation.  

Snezana utilizes a multidimensional approach to therapy, exploring each individual's biological, psychological, social and spiritual needs. She desires to come alongside others to assist them in healing from trauma, building self-worth, improving communication in their relationships and reaching their goals. With compassion and understanding, she works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to. Snezana strongly believes in approaching each client with kindness and focusing on positives in their lives, even in the most dire of situations. 

As a compassionate social worker, Renee dedicated to helping individuals navigate challenges related to disabilities, mental health, and family dynamics. She specializes in supporting those dealing with anxiety, depression, anger , grief, loss, and addiction. By integrating evidence-based approaches with a client-centered, strengths-based perspective, Renee guides clients toward lasting, meaningful change.

With experience in Community Living, addiction counseling, alongside volunteering with youth and women's groups, Renee has helped individuals and families confidently face life's challenges. Renee offers a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to explore their emotions, fostering resilience and growth. Her approach is rooted in the belief that everyone is capable of change and that our struggles make us uniquely human.

Renee empowers clients to recognize their inner strength and find their voice, helping them become the best version of themselves through therapy techniques such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Art Therapy, trauma psychotherapy, and resilience-centered counseling.

Naz is a compassionate and experienced Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She is dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, culturally sensitive, and non-judgmental space where clients can feel heard, understood, and supported throughout their healing journey.

With a versatile skill set, Naz specializes in a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Mindfulness, Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), EMDR for Complex Trauma, and Somatic-based interventions. As a Chopra certified meditation instructor, Naz integrates mindfulness and meditation practices into her therapeutic approach to foster healing and personal growth.

Naz's therapeutic approach is client-centered and holistic, focusing on the individual needs of each person she works with. She has extensive experience in supporting individuals through a wide range of mental health challenges, including trauma (both childhood and adult), anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, complex PTSD, grief and loss, workplace stress, and self-harm.

In addition to her clinical work, Naz has taught university courses in occupational health and safety, conflict resolution, organizational behavior, and organizational theory, bringing a rich depth of knowledge to her practice.

Naz is passionate about empowering clients to build resilience, gain clarity, and move forward with a renewed sense of purpose. She looks forward to supporting you on your path to healing and personal transformation.

Raisa holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, an MBA, and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. She completed her internship at Just Us; We All Struggle Inc., where she had the privilege of working with clients from diverse backgrounds. During her practicum, Raisa worked closely with the newly arrived community to the Saint John area, a cause she deeply connects with as an immigrant from Bangladesh. Her personal experience fuels her passion for supporting newcomers and helping them navigate the challenges of settlement and adaptation.

Raisa adopts an eclectic approach to counselling, tailoring her methods to meet each client’s unique needs. She integrates elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), person-centred therapy, humanistic practices, and mindfulness/self-care techniques to provide holistic support. Fluent in Bengali, Hindi, and English, Raisa offers therapy in multiple languages, ensuring that clients whose first language is not English feel heard and understood.

Raisa believes that meaning can be drawn from life’s experiences, empowering individuals to rewrite their stories and regain control. With a focus on creating a safe, supportive, and hopeful environment, Raisa is dedicated to guiding clients toward healing and increased confidence on their personal journeys.

Bowie is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and holds a Master of Social Work. With over four years of clinical experience, she is dedicated to supporting children, youth, families, and adults facing emotional distress and addiction challenges. She works with a non-judgmental, empathetic approach to help clients navigate personal and relational difficulties.

Bowie specializes in a range of therapeutic techniques, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Structural Family Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. These interventions allow clients to develop healthier coping mechanisms, improve communication, and strengthen relationships. She also integrates mindfulness practices to support clients in expressing themselves.

Bowie has extensive experience working with children and youth, offering individual and family therapy to address behavioral and emotional concerns. She also supports adults in managing emotional well-being and addiction, helping them regain control and develop sustainable coping strategies. Through her work with families, she emphasizes the importance of positive dynamics, guiding parents to enhance their parenting skills and nurture their children’s emotional and social growth.

Fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, Bowie strives to create a safe space where clients feel comfortable exploring their challenges, gaining insight, and working toward personal growth and well-being. 

Asma Shinwari, MBBS, DCS, is a medical graduate currently pursuing further studies at DCS while working as an administrator with Aram Institution . With a solid foundation in medical sciences and healthcare management, Asma oversees clinic operations, coordinates clients care, and ensures regulatory compliance. Passionate about improving healthcare systems, they aim to combine their medical knowledge with administrative skills to enhance patient outcomes and streamline processes. Asma is committed to delivering high-quality patient care and advancing medical research.