Meet Heather Rivlin, MSW
Registered Social Worker
EXTERN THERAPIST (she/her)
Heather Rivlin is a Registered Social Worker who provides online counselling at Cherry Tree. Heather works with adults looking for support with anxiety, depression, stress, life skills, self-care, coping skills, self-esteem and self-confidence, intimate partner betrayal and recovery, separation and divorce, coercive control and post-separation abuse, ADHD and neurodiversity.
“Healing takes time and…difficult moments are just part of a much larger story.”
Heather is currently accepting new clients with no wait times for online therapy and has evening availability on Mondays and Thursdays as well as Saturday afternoons. Heather offers therapy services in English and French.
“Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.”
- FERNANDO SABINO (popularized by John Lennon)
Hi, I’m Heather. I believe that therapy is for everyone, not just for moments of crisis.
Mental health exists on a spectrum, and reaching out for support is not a sign of weakness but of strength. We are not meant to navigate life alone. At our core, we are wired for connection, and I see therapy as one meaningful way we can honour that need.
In my work, I lead with empathy, equity, and integrity. I aim to create a space where you feel safe, respected, and heard. I care deeply about social justice and am especially committed to supporting women, mothers, neurodivergent folks, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Therapy with me is collaborative. I trust your inner wisdom, and I will walk beside you as we explore the path that feels most aligned with your values and goals.
I bring a holistic lens to my practice, drawing from evidence-based approaches while also offering tools like hypnotherapy when it feels appropriate and empowering. This work can help uncover the deeper beliefs that sometimes hold us back. I value curiosity and humour in the therapy room, and I believe that even in the midst of pain, there can be space for lightness.
Outside of my role as a therapist, I’m a mother to three grown boys and a volunteer with my therapy dog, Aspen. Together, we visit hospital units across Toronto through St. John Ambulance, offering connection and comfort to people in moments of stress or vulnerability. I’ve also spent time volunteering with the Horse Therapy Centre of Canada, as I continue to explore the healing potential of nature and animal-assisted work.
My areas of focus include self-esteem, intimate partner betrayal and recovery, separation and divorce, coercive control and post-separation abuse, ADHD, and neurodiversity. I’m especially drawn to working with people who feel like they’ve lost sight of their own needs while carrying the weight of others’ expectations.
If you’re ready to reconnect with your voice, rediscover your self-trust, and move forward with care, I’m here to support you.
Heather is currently accepting new clients with no wait times for online therapy and has evening availability on Mondays and Thursdays as well as Saturday afternoons. Heather offers therapy services in English and French.
Areas of Practice
FOR INDIVIDUALS 18+:
Affordable Therapy
Women’s Wellness
Maternal Health
Parents and Caregivers
Trauma-Focused Care
FOR PROFESSIONALS:
Presenting Concerns and Needs
Anxiety and Depression
ADHD Support and Neuro-Affirming Care
Stress Management and Coping Skills
Sleep Hygiene and Lifestyle Coaching
Chronic Pain
Emotional Regulation Strategies
Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem
Self-Care Strategies
Relationship Support
Communication and Boundary Setting
Divorce and Post-Separation Support
Life Coaching and Transitions
Grief and Loss
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Attachment-based
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Internal Family Systems
Positive Psychology
Rapid Transformational Hypnotherapy
Solution-Focused Therapy
Somatic Therapy
Trauma-Informed -
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology, University of Western Ontario, 1998
Master of Social Work, University of Toronto, 2001
Certified Hypnotherapist, School of Rapid Transformational Therapy, 2024
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Professional Fees
Meet and Greet
15-30 mins, FREE
(phone or video)
Full fee sessions at: $195/hour*
Session fees under the Affordable Therapy Program start at $100/hour. Eligibility is based on specific needs, circumstances, and capacity.
*The last 10 minutes of each session are reserved for therapist charting and treatment planning.