Reclaim Your Voice. Reconnect With Yourself.
Many adults raised by emotionally immature parents or exposed to abuse, neglect, narcissistic abuse, or toxic relationships find themselves facing unique challenges in their personal and professional lives. You may notice patterns like perfectionism, people-pleasing, over-functioning, difficulty asserting boundaries, or persistent self-doubt. These are not personal flaws — they are adaptive responses to environments where your emotional needs were not fully acknowledged or met.
Growing up with an emotionally immature parent (EIP) can leave lasting effects on how you relate to yourself, others, and the world. These parents may have been inconsistent, emotionally unavailable, or unable to provide the validation and support a child needs. While this doesn’t make you “broken,” it can shape your inner life in subtle and profound ways.
One common experience among adult children of emotionally immature parents is existential loneliness — a deep sense of isolation that goes beyond being alone. It’s the feeling that, at a fundamental level, no one truly sees or understands you, that your inner world is separate from the rest of the world, or that you must navigate life on your own. This type of loneliness often arises because, as a child, your emotional needs were unmet, leaving you with the sense that connection and understanding from others are fragile, conditional, or unreliable
My goal is to offer a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where you are being seen and heard, feelings safe to explore the impact of your past, heal from trauma, and cultivate self-compassion, resilience, and authentic connection. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or ready for deeper recovery, you’ll find guidance and support you need.
I’m Jolien Benjamin, a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), providing psychotherapy in Toronto and virtually across Ontario. With over 20 years of experience offering client-centered counselling in the Netherlands, the UK, and Canada, I bring a compassionate, integrative approach to supporting adults on their healing journey.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, perinatal mental health services, women’s rights organizations, and child protection agencies. These experiences have deepened my understanding of how personal history, identity, culture, and systemic factors shape our emotional well-being and relationships.
I draw on various evidence-based modalities — including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Mindfulness-Based Strategies — to support clients in healing from past wounds and achieving meaningful change. My approach is trauma-informed, non-judgmental, and anti-oppressive, meaning I take into account the impact of trauma on a person’s behaviour, mental health, and capacity to engage in therapy. Together, we work gently and collaboratively, always at a pace that feels safe and respectful.
Over the years, I have developed a strong interest and deep expertise in working with adult children of emotionally immature parents (ACEIP), helping them make sense of their early experiences and transform patterns such as people-pleasing, over-functioning, and self-doubt into healthier ways of relating and living. I also specialize in supporting women around identity formation, relationship issues, perinatal mental health and well-being, PMDD, and peri-menopause, fostering resilience and self-compassion throughout life’s transitions. Having lived and worked in the Netherlands, the UK, and Canada, I also bring a nuanced understanding of migration, settlement, and cultural identity. Fluent in English and Dutch, I strive to honor the unique stories and strengths each person brings to the therapy room.
About
My approach
I highly value creating a warm, welcoming, and safe therapeutic space where clients feel seen, heard, and respected. My goal is to support you as you reconnect with your authentic self, develop healthy boundaries, and build a life aligned with your values. I offer a trauma-informed and evidence-based approach to psychotherapy, grounded in compassion and tailored to your unique needs. Together, we’ll work to:
Gain deep insight into how childhood dynamics, abuse, or toxic relationships have shaped your self-worth and relationships
Heal from the effects of emotional neglect, criticism, trauma, narcissistic abuse, and chronic over-functioning
Strengthen your ability to set healthy boundaries and advocate for your needs with clarity and confidence
Cultivate resilience, self-compassion, and a stronger sense of identity
Reconnect with your authentic self and build healthy, fulfilling relationships
Build self-trust and resilience in both professional and personal relationships
Reconnect with your voice and identity—beyond family roles or external expectations
Explore the intersection of hormones, women’s health, and mental health
Heal the impact of migration and cultural adjustment
Book an appointment
Therapy is a deeply personal choice — and finding the right therapist matters. Book a free 15-minute consultation to talk about what brings you here, ask questions, and see how I can support your growth and healing.
Contact me
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