Lia Khalili (She/Her)
Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Psychotherapist (RP)
Are you or your child struggling with ADHD, intense emotional outbursts, anxiety, or deep burnout? Feeling overwhelmed is exhausting, but you do not have to face these hurdles alone. As a Registered Psychotherapist with over 20 years of clinical experience and the founder of Bright Start Bright Future Counselling Centre, I specialize in transforming daily behavioral, learning, and emotional challenges into lasting confidence, self-regulation, and family peace.
What makes my practice truly unique is that I bridge the gap between traditional talk therapy and innovative cognitive development. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, and Attachment-Based Family Therapy with creative play and art interventions. I am also the creator of CleverQuest™ Cognitive Training—a research-informed, play-based brain training program designed to strengthen core working memory, attention, and executive functioning in a fun, engaging way.
Backed by published child development books and over 16 scientific journal articles, my strategies are deeply evidence-based yet delivered in a warm, compassionate, and non-judgmental environment. To make your care as seamless as possible, I offer daytime, evening, and Saturday appointments, secure virtual therapy across Ontario, and direct billing for most major insurance providers. Let's take the first step together—contact me today to schedule your free 15-minute consultation.
Client Focus
Session Format: Family, Group, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Children, Teen
Demographic Expertise: Middle Eastern, Muslim, Persons with Disabilities, Women clients.
Languages: English, Farsi
Treatment Approach
- Art Therapy Uses creative activities like drawing, painting, or sculpture as a way to express emotions. It is especially helpful when words are hard to find.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Combines CBT with mindfulness to help regulate emotions, tolerate stress, and build stronger relationships. Originally designed for borderline personality disorder, it’s now used more broadly.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Combines mindfulness practices with CBT to prevent depression relapse. It helps people notice thoughts without judgment and respond more calmly.
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Helps parents strengthen their bond with their child while learning effective strategies to manage challenging behaviors. Through live coaching, parents practice positive communication, set clear boundaries, and build a more supportive, nurturing home environment.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Play Therapy Uses toys, games, and creative play to help children express emotions. It is especially useful when children can’t fully verbalize their feelings.
- Psychoeducational Therapy Provides education and coping tools about mental health conditions. It empowers clients with knowledge and practical skills.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Average Session Fee 180
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- At Bright Start Bright Future Counselling Centre, we believe that accessing high-quality mental health care should never be a financial burden for your family. We offer a limited number of customized, sliding scale slots designed to accommodate various financial situations. During our initial free 15-minute consultation, we will have a warm, supportive conversation to evaluate your needs, session frequency, and financial capacity to find a sustainable rate that works for you. If you are experiencing financial friction but are ready to begin your healing journey, please reach out—we are completely dedicated to keeping therapy accessible and affordable.
- Accepts Insurance
- At Bright Start Bright Future Counselling Centre, we provide seamless direct billing for most major Canadian insurance providers—including Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, and Ontario Blue Cross. By utilizing secure platforms like TELUS eClaims, we handle the submission processes on your behalf, eliminating stressful paperwork and out-of-pocket delays. Simply verify your extended health benefits coverage for Registered Psychotherapy, share your plan details during our secure intake booking, and our administration team will manage the rest to ensure your care is entirely smooth and affordable.
Education & Credentials
Lia Khalili Registered Psychotherapist (RP)
- Female
- License # 008262
- Licensed in ON
- Practicing Since 2006
Education: Holding a Master’s in Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Speech Therapy, my education uniquely bridges cognitive development, communication, and mental health. As an author of specialized child development books and published journal research, I translate advanced science into practical therapy.
Lia Khalili Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in North York, ON M2J 4V6 and Markham, ON L3T 0C4
- Available Online for residents of Ontario
Bright Start Bright Future Counselling Centre is a premier mental health practice specializing in evidence-based, compassionate care for children, youth, adults, and families. Guided by over 20 years of clinical experience, our practice bridges the gap between modern psychotherapy and advanced cognitive development. Our clinical space is warm, welcoming, and designed to foster emotional resilience, focus, and long-term well-being.
Our primary clinic is centrally located at 251 Consumers Road in North York, providing easy accessibility for families across Toronto and neighboring communities. For added flexibility, we also provide secure, fully confidential virtual therapy across all of Ontario. Our multidisciplinary approach seamlessly blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), DBT skills, Attachment-Based Family Therapy, and creative play-based interventions tailored to each client's unique life stage.
We believe that accessing quality care should be completely seamless for busy families. To remove operational friction, our practice offers flexible daytime, evening, and Saturday appointments, an easy online booking interface, and direct billing for major private insurance providers. Your family's path toward growth, clarity, and peace begins here—reach out today to schedule your initial consultation.