Alisha Fernandes

What do you do at Shift?

I offer individual psychotherapy and mindfulness sessions for adults and adolescents. In therapy, my goal is to help clients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours, and to develop coping skills to manage their symptoms. I strive to create a safe and supportive environment in which my clients can explore their thoughts and feelings and work towards their goals.

What are your academic credentials?

I received my Masters in Applied Psychology from Middlesex University and my Masters in Clinical Psychology from Wright State University. I have also been certified in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and am interested in using evidence-based approaches from mindfulness, dialectical behavioral therapy and positive psychology in helping my clients overcome their mood, anxiety and trauma related concerns.

Why did you decide to become a therapist?

The most intriguing questions come from examining the human condition. I became a psychologist because I have always been fascinated by how people think, feel and behave. Moreover, I have observed that much of our struggles and challenges come from our own negative self-affirmations. Throughout my education and training, I developed a passion for using evidence-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness to help people improve their mental health and well-being. I have made it my life’s work to help my clients examine their own thought patterns and emotions, develop a sense of autonomy, and build the confidence to navigate through life with kindness and compassion for themselves and others.

What do you bring to your therapy sessions, and what are some goals?

In therapy, I aim to set specific achievable goals that are tailored towards the clients’ needs, and develop a plan to reach those goals. This could involve working with specific mental health concerns, such as mood, anxiety or trauma disorders, or working on broader goals such as strengthening relationship dynamics, building self-esteem, or assertiveness skills. My primary goal is to help clients develop their own sense of agency in their lives and empower them to take steps towards positive changes to achieve a more fulfilling life.

Who do you work with?

I primarily work with adults and adolescents over 14.

Why are you passionate about what you do?

Ever since I was young, I knew that many people suffered mental and emotional problems and did not have a voice to express those concerns. I realized early on that in order to achieve success in all domains of life, such as career, education, relationships, and family, one needs to develop good mental health and resilience to be able to navigate through life’s stresses. Being a psychologist allows me to be a facilitator of that change in people. My wish is to plant a seed of hope for my clients, so that they can flourish and blossom into humans living the best versions of themselves.

What do you do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I enjoy playing board and card games, and attending live concerts and musical theatre performances with friends. In the quiet of my home, I can spend hours watching movies, reading books and graphic novels, and listening to various podcasts, particularly about myths, folklore and history. I am a certified Geek and love the fantasy and superhero worlds of the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and the Marvel and DC universes. I also have quite the knack in crafting felt teddy bears and dolls and it is one of my favourite hobbies.

What is a skill that you are currently working on?

I am currently working to deepen my understanding of the field of psychotherapy through continued education of various therapeutic modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reconditioning (EMDR). Outside of psychology, I am experimenting with embroidery and painting.

What motivates or inspires you?

Humans inspire me to do this job. I have had family members, friends, acquaintances and past clients, who in varying stages of their life struggles have demonstrated that every individual possesses the innate capacity for growth, resilience, and self-discovery. Despite undergoing severe struggles, I have known individuals who have embarked on a journey of self-understanding and personal growth, and in doing so, have overcome obstacles and achieved their full potential. It is these people who keep me believing that all humans have their unique strengths which can help them impact positive change for themselves and the people in their lives.

What are your additional areas of clinical interest?

Immigration and acculturation as clinical struggles is something that I enjoy working with.

Additional Experience

• Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for Special Education
• Child Early Intervention
• ACT for Beginners
• The Science of Happiness, University of California
• The Foundations of Positive Psychology

What's one podcast that you like and why?

My favorite podcast is called "Stuff You Should Know" because it covers literally any and every topic under the sun, and the two podcasters are absolutely hilarious. I have learned to many useless facts which, if anything, make for interesting topics at parties :D

What's one book that you like and why?

Being a huge Lord of the Rings geek, my favorite has to be "The Silmarillion" (yes, I know not the LOTR books itself). It's my favorite because it is written like a mythology, it is the creation of the universe where the Lord of the Rings is set it, and has so many more fascinating stories in it.

What's one quote that you like and why?

"Be the change that you wish to see in the world" (Ghandi is often quoted as being the person who said this and while I don't know if that is true or not, it is the one quote that had pushed me to pursue my career goals of creating change through improving mental health)

Available for:

Stress & Burnout | Anxiety-related symptoms (GAD, Phobia, Panic, Social, etc.) | Immigration, acculturation and adjustment issues | Depression | Exposure Therapy | Inter-generational trauma | Relaxation and Mindfulness | Relationship management | Anger Management | Coping Skills | College-related concerns | PTSD | Self Esteem | Stress and Burnout | Boundary Adherence | Life Changes | Grief | and much more...