About

Anseh DIbaji, BSW, MSW, RSW (she/her) 

Hi, I’m Anseh, welcome.

I’m an Iranian-born, Toronto-based clinical social worker and psychotherapist and have been practicing in the field of mental health since 2005. My commitment to social justice and anti-oppression is one reason I chose social work as a profession. My passion for mental health, harm reduction and healing stems from my own long list of adverse childhood experiences and the legacy of intergenerational trauma. I have learned that healing is not a linear process, that pain can be transformed into beauty and that post-traumatic growth is possible. Until 2014, I worked in the children’s mental health sector and although I currently only work with adults and couples, children’s mental health continues to be an area of focus and passion. I am an imperfect and proud parent to two lovely kiddos and a founding board member of Myles Ahead, a children’s mental health charity focused on child and youth suicide prevention.

Since 2011, I have practiced Vipassana, a method of meditation that focuses on the profound connection between mind and body via paying deep attention to physical sensations that arise moment to moment. My personal meditation practice, as well as a love of the natural world, the arts, contrast therapy, mindful strength training and access to non ordinary states of consciousness keep me curious, nourished and grounded. I feel honoured, inspired and grateful to be able to work with people from all kinds of backgrounds and expressions of personhood. I integrate a politically engaged approach that includes social location, social and structural determinants of health and intersectionality because capitalism, ableism, imperialism, colonialism, xenophobia, transphobia, racism and heteropatriarchy (etc.) all impact our physical and mental health. I am an approved mental health provider with the NIHB (Non-Insured Health Benefits) for First Nations and Inuit clients.

I feel privileged to do work that I deeply love and think that accessing psychotherapy should be something we celebrate, normalize and make accessible to all. Until recently, I worked as the Mental Health Lead at a downtown Toronto Family Health Team in addition to having a private psychotherapy practice. My clients would say that I show up with authenticity, humour, curiosity and that I am a self-compassion crusader. I love exploring the human condition, our multiplicities and all of the ways as humans, we have wisely adapted based on what happened to us.

I acknowledge that psilocybin mushrooms and other sacred plant medicines that I am honoured to be learning about for use in a western clinical mental health context, have been used and protected for millennia by Indigenous peoples around the world for healing and ceremonial purposes. These plant medicines have the potential to widen our bandwidth for presence, growth, connection, awe and liberation but are not a panacea for alleviating all forms of human suffering. I also acknowledge that the erasure of Indigenous knowledge, stewardship and influence in the current “psychedelic renaissance” context continues to centre and amplify a settler colonialist, extractivist and capitalist worldview. Colonization is an ongoing process and I humbly continue to learn about ways to practice and enact decolonial and anti-colonial actions. I am grateful to continue learning about Indigenous epistemologies, ways of life and reciprocity and to offer ethical, safe and supportive guidance regarding harm reduction, preparation and integration pertaining to MDMA and Psilocybin.

Lastly, I believe that you are the expert on your life, I am on your team, here to support your innate healing intelligence, intuition and growth. May you reading this and all sentient beings be safe, be peaceful, live with ease and liberation.

Take care.

Credentials

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) – Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)

• Master of Social Work (MSW) – University of Toronto

Memberships

• Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

• Ontario Association of Social Workers

• British Columbia College of Social Workers

• Mindfulness Toronto

• TheraPsil

• Psychedelic Association of Canada