Mahira Chishty Zakiuddin
About Mahira
Their own wordsMahira Zakiuddin, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist
Languages: English, Urdu/Hindi
Services Offered: Individual Therapy, Couples Therapy, Family Consultations (In-person and Virtual)
Clients: Adults, Adolescents
Education and Training:
Mahira Zakiuddin holds a Master of Social Work from Columbia University, where she studied as a Fulbright Scholar and served as a Columbia Interfaith Fellow. She is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in the UAE. Mahira also holds an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the Institute of Business Management.
She brings nearly two decades of diverse global experience across the UAE, Pakistan, and the United States, including senior leadership roles in educational mental health services. She previously served as the Director of Counselling for the GEMS Wellington cluster of schools in Dubai and Qatar, where she designed and implemented cluster-wide counselling strategies, supervised counsellors, and led wellbeing innovation across school communities.
Key Credentials and Certifications:
- Gottman Method for Couples Therapy – Level 1 & Level 2
- Certified in Motivational Interviewing (Foundational Training with Drs. Miller, Rollnick & Moyers)
- Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator
- Certified Trauma Training – NICABM
- CBT for Anxiety – Beck Institute
- Narrative Therapy (Level 1)
- Cultural Competency Specialist – ASCA
- Licensed Mental Health First Aider (UAE)
Therapeutic Approach:
Mahira’s therapeutic style is warm, client-centred, and culturally responsive. She integrates evidence-based modalities tailored to the unique needs of each client. Her approach includes:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Narrative Therapy
- Emotion-Focused Therapy
- Play Therapy (for adolescents)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Mindfulness-based interventions
- Attachment-based family systems work
- Gottman Method for couples
She is deeply committed to creating safe and affirming spaces for clients to explore their inner experiences, understand patterns, and foster meaningful change.
She works one-on-one with adolescents and adults, and offers couple therapy for relationships of all types. She also provides family consultations for parenting, adolescent wellbeing, and relational repair.
Languages:
English, Urdu, Hindi
Personal Background
Originally from Pakistan and now based in Ontario, Mahira has lived and worked across multiple continents, enriching her perspective on identity, cultural nuance, and resilience. As a mother, educator, and therapist, she understands the complex intersection between personal and professional growth, and brings this depth into her work with clients.
Outside the therapy room, Mahira is a writer, speaker, and mental health advocate. She values creative expression, intersectional justice, and being part of meaningful community dialogue. She is passionate about holding space for others with compassion, clarity, and curiosity.
Free Support Session for Vicarious TraumaNew patient
“Support sessions for those experiencing vicarious trauma.”2-3 Person Family Social Work/Psychotherapist VisitNew patient
4 options2-4 Person Family Social Work/Psychotherapist VisitNew patient
4 options2-6 Person Family Social Work/Psychotherapist VisitNew patient
4 options2-Person Group Social Work/Psychotherapist Visit - Parent Skills TrainingNew patient
4 optionsCouple Social Work/Psychotherapist VisitNew patient
12 optionsIndividual Social Work/Psychotherapist VisitNew patient
12 optionsIndividual Social Work/Psychotherapist Visit - Parent Skills TrainingNew patient
4 optionsIntake Call with Therapist - BOOKINGNew patient
“NOTE: You will be asked to add a credit card when booking online but you will not be charged for these intake calls.”2 optionsOpenings checked 1 hr ago · prices come straight from the clinic — never marked up
Book with Mahira
Ailio never charges you a booking fee.
Sat 22 2 openings
2 openings on Sat 22 · 13 in the days ahead
2 openings on Sat 22 · 13 in the days ahead
Afternoon
Pick a time above
No account needed to see how to book this time.
Prefer the clinic’s own site? tpc.janeapp.com
Toronto Psychology Clinic
View clinicDirect billing — not published
This clinic’s billing notice doesn’t name anyone it bills directly.