MEET ANGELICA
Trauma therapy with room
for every part of your story.
Angelica Esposito, MA, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist
Hi, I’m Angelica. I offer individual psychotherapy for adults 18+ in Burlington and online across Ontario, in English and Italian. My work focuses on trauma, anxiety, grief, and cultural identity.
Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation
YOUR EXPERIENCES, IN CONTEXT
Navigating life, identity, and change
People’s lives make more sense when we consider the relationships, cultures, and circumstances around them. That perspective shapes the questions I ask and how I understand what brings you to therapy.
I’m particularly interested in how identity, belonging, and wider social circumstances affect emotional well-being. My work includes culturally responsive therapy for first- and second-generation immigrants.
BEYOND THE THERAPY ROOM
A little about me
Born and raised in Italy, I began my career working in multinational corporations, where I experienced the pressure and burnout that can come with a fast-paced environment. In 2009, I made a significant change to prioritize my well-being and build a life more aligned with my values. That journey took me to Australia, the UK, and eventually Canada.
Living in different countries and changing careers has shaped my appreciation for what it means to start again, adjust to unfamiliar surroundings, and find a sense of belonging. My interest in people, alongside a commitment to social justice, eventually led me to become a Registered Social Worker and psychotherapist.
I’m curious by nature and enjoy learning new things, travelling, and discovering different perspectives. Outside of work, I love bike rides, exploring trails, being in nature, and practising yoga. I’m equally happy with a cup of herbal tea and an indie film—and the smell of roasted chestnuts is one of my favourite things.
I share my life with my partner, our twin daughters, and our cat, Smoothie. I also live with Type 1 diabetes, which has given me a personal appreciation for the daily demands of living with a chronic condition.
These experiences inform the curiosity and care I bring to my work. They also remind me that there is always more to someone than what we first see.
PROFESSIONAL FOUNDATIONS
Care grounded in
learning and experience.
My qualifications and professional registrations are listed here, followed by my full training record.
Education
- Master of Social Work (MSW) — McMaster University, Canada, 2023
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) — McMaster University, Canada, 2022
- Master’s in Coaching, Leadership, and Development of Human Resources — European University of Rome, Italy, 2007
- Master of Arts (MA) in Sociology — La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, 2005
Professional development
Course titles and providers are available in the four categories below.
Explore my full professional training ↗Professional affiliations
- Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers — Registered Social Worker, #844028
- Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW) — member and former Halton Region Local Engagement Ambassador (2022–2025).
- EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) — member
- EMDR Canada
ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Professional Training
Ongoing training and consultation help me bring a range of approaches to our work.
Trauma, EMDR & Integrative Psychotherapy
EMDR, IFS, ACT, and somatic-informed training for work with trauma, attachment, anxiety, and emotional difficulties.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training — EMDR Consulting, LLC (EMDRIA Approved)
- Advanced EMDR Training — Beyond Healing Institute (EMDRIA Approved)
- The Distancing Technique: Treating OCD and Anxiety Disorders with EMDR — EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
- IFS-Informed EMDR — Syzygy Institute
- DeTUR: Urge Reduction Protocol for Addictions and Dysfunctional Behaviours — Arnold J. Popky, Ph.D. (EMDRIA Approved)
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 1 Training — IFS Institute
- Treating Complex Trauma with Internal Family Systems (IFS) — Dr. Frank Anderson, IFS Institute
- Transforming Trauma with Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) — PESI
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) — Association for Psychological Therapies (APT)
- ACT for Depression and Anxiety Disorders — Dr. Russ Harris, Psychwire
- Narrative Therapy Tools for Exploring Stories — Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute (CTRI)
- Narrative-Informed Relational Interviewing: Couple Therapy for High-Conflict Relationships — Vancouver School for Narrative Therapy
- Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy: Moral Injury, Ethics and Self-Care — Centre for Psychodrama and Sociometry of Ontario
- Applied Polyvagal Theory in Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery (Levels 1–3) — Dr. Arielle Schwartz
Grief & Loss
I have pursued specialized training in grief, bereavement, traumatic loss, and life transitions, supporting my individual adult psychotherapy practice.
- Art Therapy for Grief Healing — Virtued Academy International
- Walking with Grief: Helping Others Deal with Loss — Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW)
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss: Effective Strategies to Support Grief and Treat Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression in Bereaved Parents — PESI
- EMDR for Complicated Grief — Dr. Roger Solomon (EMDRIA)
Health & Wellness Specializations
Bringing my personal experience and professional expertise to clients managing chronic illnesses.
- Beyond the First Look: Type 1 Diabetes and Disordered Eating — JDRF/FRDJ Canada
- Mental Health First Aid — Opening Minds
- Existential Well-being Counselling: A Person-Centered Experiential Approach — edX
I also integrate Somatic Experiencing (SE)-informed work. My Somatic Experiencing training is currently in progress.
HOW I WORK
Curiosity before judgment. Collaboration throughout.
My practice is trauma-informed, feminist, and anti-oppressive. This means making room for the effects of culture, relationships, identity, and the wider systems around you—not seeing your struggles in isolation.
My style is warm, conversational, and collaborative. I ask questions, share observations, and welcome your perspective on what’s useful.
A session might bring a difficult conversation, an unexpected insight, or a shared laugh.
I take our work seriously, but that doesn’t mean every moment has to feel serious.
I draw on EMDR, IFS-informed therapy, ACT, narrative therapy, and somatic-informed approaches, depending on what we’re working on together.
I’ll explain an exercise or approach before we use it, and you can tell me what fits.
Explore my approach ↗Your identity belongs here.
I strive to create a space where people feel welcomed, respected, and valued for who they are. My practice embraces diverse identities, cultures, backgrounds, and lived experiences, including those of Indigenous, racialized, immigrant, 2SLGBTQ+, and disability communities.
My commitment is to approach each person with curiosity, cultural humility, and respect for their self-defined identity. I recognize that experiences of discrimination, exclusion, and systemic inequalities can influence our well-being and our relationships with systems of care.
Making therapy more accessible
As a registered Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) provider, I offer direct billing for covered mental health counselling services for eligible First Nations and Inuit clients, subject to program requirements and any necessary approvals.
Learn more about NIHB mental health counselling benefits ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Acknowledging the Land
AE Therapy is located in Burlington, Ontario, on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
Acknowledging this land also means recognizing the histories of colonial dispossession and the continuing presence, relationships, and rights of Indigenous peoples.
A FIRST CONVERSATION
Wondering if we’d be a good fit?
If you’d like to get a sense of working together, you’re welcome to book a complimentary 15-minute consultation.
Complimentary · 15 minutes · English or Italian