My Story

Meet Olena

MSW, RSW
Founder & Clinical Director, Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist

Book with Olena

Why This Work Matters

As a Registered Social Worker, psychotherapist with a passion for supporting individuals and families through healing, growth, and meaningful change. My work is grounded in empathy, cultural safety, and trauma-informed care — shaped by both clinical training and my personal experience as a newcomer to Canada.

A Personal Journey

It has been 22 years since I relocated to Canada, and throughout that journey, I’ve dedicated myself to understanding people, systems, and the complexities of support through the lens of lived compassion. My experience navigating cultural transitions and professional growth has deeply informed how I connect with clients and communities.

A Decade of Learning

Over the past 10 years of post-secondary education and clinical practice, I’ve had the privilege of learning from — and working with — a wide range of communities and care settings. These experiences have helped shape the multidisciplinary approach I now bring into StarMind Therapy: one that is collaborative, inclusive, and rooted in the belief that healing happens through relationships.

Why I Do This Work

This work is not just my profession — it’s personal. As a newcomer to Canada myself, I understand how important it is to feel safe, understood, and supported. My own experiences, combined with a decade of professional training, have instilled in me a deep commitment to empathy, cultural safety, and trauma-informed care.

I do this work because I truly believe in the power of healing, growth, and meaningful change. Every day, I’m driven by the resilience I’ve witnessed in the communities I’ve served and the connections I’ve made along the way. It’s my honor to support others on their journey towards well-being and to walk alongside them as they create their own stories of resilience and connection.

Who I’ve Worked With

I’ve had the privilege of supporting individuals and communities across a wide range of experiences, including:

  • Newcomers and refugees adjusting to life in Canada

  • Individuals experiencing mental health challenges

  • People living with disabilities (visible and invisible)

  • Youth and families involved with the Child Aid Society

  • Survivors and individuals involved in domestic violence

  • People navigating addiction and recovery

  • People experiencing homelessness or housing instability

  • Students and professionals in academic and community spaces

  • Indigenous Peoples and racialized communities

I’ve also taken on roles in education, mentorship, and training, always committed to learning from those I support and growing in partnership with the communities I serve.

A Story Still Being Told

In 2024, I was interviewed for a documentary about the newcomer experience in Canada, where I shared my personal and professional journey — shaped by resilience, community, and connection.
Stay tuned — release date coming soon!

Why I Founded StarMind Therapy

Founding StarMind Therapy was a natural next step — a space designed to make psychotherapy, counselling, and wellness coaching truly accessible. If you have extended health benefits, you can access therapy and counselling with ease. If not, we offer affordable wellness coaching, ensuring cost is never a barrier to care.

One Roof, Many Approaches

Our multidisciplinary team offers a wide variety of therapeutic methods, including , expressive arts, trauma therapy, gerontology, sexology, CBT and emotional wellness support.

Services are available in multiple languages, and we prioritize cultural competence in everything we do.

Healing in Community

Clients also have access to group therapy programs and masterclasses, where they can explore healing in community, share experiences, and benefit from a range of supportive modalities.
Because healing doesn’t have to happen alone — and at StarMind Therapy, you never have to do it alone.