Shazia Almas is the Founder and Clinical Director of MindRidge Centre for Mental Health, a psychotherapy practice dedicated to providing high-quality, evidence-based care across Ontario. She is a Registered Psychotherapist with a doctorate in Psychology and over a decade of clinical experience working with adults, adolescents, couples, and families.

“MindRidge was founded on the clear understanding that healing occurs best in spaces where people feel truly seen, respected, and understood. My vision has always been to create a centre that brings together clinical excellence with humanity, thoughtfulness, and compassion.”

Almas is an award-winning clinician, internationally recognized for her contributions to clinical practice, academic achievement, and research. She has received distinctions such as the International Doctor award and Cum Laude honours, reflecting her commitment to high standards of professional practice, ethics, and compassionate care.

Her clinical work focuses on complex and developmental trauma, dissociation, and attachment-related difficulties. She supports individuals in developing emotional stability, processing unresolved experiences, and creating meaningful, lasting change.

She also works extensively with high-functioning professionals, helping them navigate work-related stress and burnout while fostering resilience, clarity, and sustainable personal and professional growth.

“My professional journey has been shaped not only by years of academic training and clinical practice, but also by listening closely to the lived experiences of those I work with. I have seen how resilience can coexist with pain, and how meaningful change often unfolds gradually within safe, steady relationships.”

Almas provides Comprehensive Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for emotional and behavioural concerns, including complex and high-risk clinical presentations.

She is an EMDRIA Certified EMDR Clinician and EMDRIA Approved Consultant-in-Training, with advanced expertise in trauma-focused treatment, including complex trauma and dissociation. In addition to her clinical work, she provides supervision to Registered Psychotherapists (RP) and Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying), supporting the development of strong clinical judgment and ethical, client-centred care.

As Clinical Director of MindRidge, Almas oversees clinical quality, program development, and supervision. She is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care.

“At MindRidge, my role extends beyond direct clinical work. I am deeply involved in shaping the values, standards, and culture of the practice—ensuring that care remains evidence-based, thoughtful, and responsive to each person’s unique story. I believe in creating spaces where clients feel empowered and where clinicians are supported to practice with integrity and depth.”