Positive Perspectives Counselling and Psychotherapy exists to carefully and intentionally provide equitable, socially just, and diverse mental health services for our community.
Meet Our Team
Each practitioner brings their own unique set of skills, strengths, and wisdom to their practice with one important commonality among the team.
That is to care for individuals, couples, and families who are suffering from mental health challenges. It is our mission to help clients overcome the struggles that have prevented them from achieving their goals.
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Founder
Hello friends! My name is Homa Houshmand. My pronouns are she/her and I am the owner and operator of Positive Perspectives. I am currently working and living in the city of Winnipeg, located on Treaty 1 Territory.
I started a solo in private practice in 2014, and now am beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to build an incredible team of practitioners who align with the mission and values of Positive Perspectives.
As a therapist and a mom of two toddlers myself, I very honestly understand the challenges that can come along with not only parenting, but the family planning and pregnancy stages too. I am honoured to be able to bring these perspectives to my mental health and psychotherapy practice.
I enjoy working collaboratively with caregivers who are feeling stuck in their identity, overwhelmed with their new roles, or simply curious to unpack parts of themselves as they move through life transitions. Whether this shows up as grief, trauma, anxiety or depression, please know that all parts of you are welcome in my space.
I operate from a feminist based and culturally diverse lens and my therapeutic approach relies heavily on each individuals own strengths and wisdom. I commonly use a blend of practices from Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Positive Psychology, Internal Family Systems and Narrative Therapy.
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Social Work Associate
Hello lovely people! My name is Kim and my pronouns are she/her. I am proud to work and live on Treaty 1 territory.
Here is a little bit about me and the way I work:
I am passionate about women’s wellness and reproductive justice issues. I have experience working with people across the spectrum of reproductive choices including people who are experiencing infertility, pregnancy, are first-time parents, decision making counselling and people who have experienced abortion.
I enjoy working with people who are curious about exploring new parts of themselves and are moving through life transitions. Lately, I’ve been curious about what comes up for people when they are craving more transition in their life - such as a new relationship, a new job, or new passions… Essentially, anyone who is longing for their life to be in a different place. In my work with clients, I often use an eclectic approach that is tailored to the client.
I use an intersectional feminist lens to my work with folx and I am committed to working from a feminist, anti-racist and decolonizing lens; this work is both personal, professional, and ongoing. I believe it is important to locate ourselves within the broader structures at play such as intersecting forms of oppression and privilege.
I work from an integrative approach that includes body based practices and recognizes the importance of accessing the wisdom of the body.
I’m currently nerding out on Polyvagal Theory and I am looking forward to incorporating it more in sessions with clients!
I believe that over the course of our lives, there are times when reaching out to a counsellor can be helpful and finding the right fit is important. I offer in-person or video sessions on Mondays and Fridays.
I have a decade of experience working with women in community health as a counsellor and registered social worker.
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Social Work Associate
Hi there, I’m Carly Thomas, BSW, RSW (she/they)!
I am a neurodiverse, queer person of Anishinaabe, Metis and European descent.
As a Registered Social Worker, I am passionate about bringing ceremony and spirituality into my understanding of psychology and systems theory to create a powerful catalyst for healing.
I have participated in Anishinaabe ceremonies in my community most of my life! The teachings from my rich spiritual journey have significantly informed my practice as a counsellor. I have extensive experience in supporting Indigenous communities in making informed decisions about their therapeutic treatment plans and connecting with their nervous systems through a cultural lens.
I have a vast understanding of the 2SLGBTQIA* community and have worked with folks as a sex educator, relationship support and queer advocate.
I enjoy working with people through a trauma informed lens and I believe in relationship and community connection above all else. I tend to lean into the Internal Family Systems model, Circle of Security Parenting, brain based science and pleasure activism to empower people.
I look forward to creating safe and non-judgmental spaces for new and current Positive Perspectives community members.
I offer phone, or video sessions on Tuesday and Thursdays and phone consultations on Fridays.
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Executive Assistant and Student AssociateHi there! My name is Nicole and my pronouns are she/her.
I’m in my 7th and final year as a Marriage and Family Therapy graduate student at the University of Winnipeg where I have participated in practicum placements at Women’s Health Clinic, U of W Wellness and Aurora Family Therapy.
My passion for guiding folks toward healing by exploring new perspectives is one of the biggest reasons I have been drawn to Positive Perspectives.
The topics that light me up the most when supporting adults are grief, neurodiversity, life transitions, family patterns, and exploring personal identity. I’m currently nerding out on all of the ways that anger, anxiety and depression show up in our bodies through fight, flight and freeze responses.
I navigate the world as a first-born daughter living in a mixed-race body, with one of my parents being South Asian and the other having European heritage. The lens I’ve been gifted with in this lifetime has allowed me to see diversity in culture, language, religion and our bodies as a thing of beauty.
As as systemic and relational therapist, I lean into Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems Model and exploring the mind-body connection through Polyvagal practices.
Some of the symptoms my clients have reported experiencing before reaching out for therapy are:
1. Always feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
2. Feeling fatigued and like no rest is ever enough.
3. Being angry, resentful or irritated more often than usual.
4. Having constant anxious and intrusive thoughts.
5. Cancelling plans and feeling withdrawn in social settings.
6. Loss of interest in things that used to bring you joy.
7. Motivation being at an all time low.
8. Trying to distract yourself from feeling sad.Please know that there’s absolutely no shame in needing a little (or alot) of extra support.
I would be happy to chat with you more about your curiosities in beginning therapy and connect with you over a no-cost consultation where I’ll ask you questions about your hopes, what’s bringing you to therapy now, and set aside time for you to ask me questions about therapy or how I work.
I offer in-person and virtual sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reaching out for support is often the hardest part! If you made it here, I’m really glad you did.
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MACP Practicum Student
Hello, my name is Mairo and I use she/her pronouns.
I am excited to join the Positive Perspectives team as a practicum student. I am currently completing my master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Yorkville University and I am a Qualifying Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association.
I have worked and volunteered with various community health organizations in supporting roles that involved mental health support.
My favourite part about being a therapist is supporting and witnessing people thrive in their own authentic and unique way. I view it as my own small (but big in many ways) contribution to making our community healthier.
I enjoy connecting on topics such as navigating relationships, defining identity - particularly embedded in race, culture, and sexual orientation, life changes, and stress.
I am quite eclectic in my therapy style, and this is to support your uniqueness in how you approach things in life. With that said, my approach draws from Solution-Focused, Cognitive Behavioural, Humanistic and Narrative Therapy as well as Positive Psychology.
I offer in-person and virtual sessions on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays.