Anna Cantalini, MA, RP
Registered Psychotherapist
Life can change in painful and unexpected ways—through loss, illness, life-limiting diagnoses, or the lasting effects of a challenging relationship. You may feel overwhelmed, on edge, disconnected, or unsure how to move forward. I help adults and caregivers navigate grief, chronic pain, anxiety, OCD, burnout, and the emotional impact of trauma with compassion, clarity, and practical support. Together, we make sense of your experiences and create space for relief, understanding, healing, and reconnection with yourself.
My personal and professional experiences have guided my journey to becoming a Registered Psychotherapist, shaping how I help people find meaning and hope in their most challenging times.
I come to this work with an eclectic background, earning an Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts, a Diploma in Massage Therapy, and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology.
I am a dual-licensed healthcare professional registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO). I have been a volunteer bereavement group facilitator with St. Joseph’s Hospice Sarnia. I am also a mother to two school-aged children.
I have worked in the healthcare sector for 17 years, helping people manage chronic pain and recover from injury; these experiences have profoundly influenced my understanding of human suffering and resilience and have informed my therapeutic approach.
I will approach our sessions with compassion, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to your mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. We will work together to set goals and address your concerns in a way that works for you and honours your perspectives and cultural identity.
You don’t have to keep carrying the weight of your struggle alone. Therapy offers a calm, steady space to be seen, understood, and supported as you rebuild trust in yourself and your capacity to heal.
Pronouns: She/Her
My Approach
My approach is trauma-sensitive and grounded in neuroscience. In our work, we might explore how your nervous system responds to distress, how you process emotions that feel heavy or stuck, and how to build tools to feel more grounded and present. I draw from acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), polyvagal theory, grief theory, pain science, and shame resiliency models to make sense of your concerns and help you reach your goals. I also incorporate self-compassion, mindfulness, and body-mind principles into our sessions if they suit your needs and preferences.
You are the expert of your struggle and life experience. Your perspective and understanding of your challenges are key to our work together. I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental space for us to get to know each other and for you to feel comfortable sharing your concerns; there is room for lightness and laughter in our sessions. I value collaboration and will always encourage your feedback.
Additional and Ongoing Training & Certification
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - Certificate
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Grief & Loss - Certificate
- Master Class for Trauma & Chronic Pain: Dr. Peter Levine - Certificate
- Foundations of Brain Injury for HCPs: Brain Injury Canada - Certificate
- How to Work with Perfectionism: NICABM - Certificate
- Hospice Palliative Care Training: HPCO - Certificate
- OCD Fundamentals: International OCD Foundation - Certificate
- OCD and ACT: In progress
- Shame Certification Training: Dr. Janina Fischer - In progress
- Narcissistic and Antagonistic Relationships: Dr. Ramani Durvasula - In progress
- DBT Consultation Group (Ongoing)
