Patricia Marcoccia, Master’s Psychology Student

Therapy and Assessment Areas: anxiety (includes social anxiety, panic, agoraphobia, and other phobias); depression/mood concerns; maternal mental health and post-partum issues; parenting-related challenges; stress and burnout; interpersonal issues and relationship difficulties (including sexual/intimacy concerns); attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); autism spectrum disorder (ASD); perfectionism; obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); grief and loss; loneliness; existential angst; trauma and dissociation; attachment wounds and issues; sleep problems; eating disorders, body image concerns; personality and identity issues; self-esteem and self-compassion; emotion regulation; guilt; shame; paranoia, psychosis; life transitions; personal growth; self-enhancement; meaning making; unique mental health challenges faced by filmmakers and creative professionals (e.g., exposure to complex or triggering subject matter, creative burnout, performance pressure)

I believe that the stories we tell ourselves—about who we are, what we’ve been through, and what’s possible—deeply shape how we move through the world. In therapy, we have the opportunity to explore these stories with curiosity and compassion, gaining insight into how past experiences continue to influence our present thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. This kind of self-understanding can be a powerful foundation for healing and change.

Before entering the field of psychology, I worked for over a decade as a digital storyteller, supporting others in articulating their lived experiences with honesty and nuance. I bring that same attunement and care to my clinical work, offering a grounded, collaborative space to help clients feel heard and supported. I approach therapy with openness, curiosity, and a respect for complexity, and I value the courage it takes to engage in this work.

My therapeutic approach is integrative and client-centered, drawing from psychodynamic, attachment-based, narrative, emotion-focused, and dialectical and cognitive-behavioural perspectives. I consider biological, psychological, and social factors when understanding the challenges clients face and tailor my work to each individual’s needs, values, and readiness. I am also attentive to the ways the body holds experiences and incorporate an awareness of nervous system regulation as part of the healing process.

What draws me most to this field is the profound power of being truly heard. I believe one of the most healing experiences we can have is to feel that our inner world matters—that our lives and perspectives hold weight. It’s a privilege to hold space for others as they navigate the joys and pains of being human and move toward who they are becoming.

I am currently completing a Master of Psychology degree at Adler Graduate Professional School in Toronto. My academic background provides a foundation in both psychological science and storytelling, including an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour from McMaster University and a Master of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University. I work under the supervision of Dr. Lisa Bradford, C.Psych., and am in the process of registering with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO).

Therapy is a deeply personal journey, and the right fit matters. If you’re ready to take the next step, I’d be happy to connect for a free consultation.