Mae Latif
Registered Psychotherapist, RP
Biography
My curiosity about human interaction and behaviour began early in life. Growing up as the child of immigrant parents, I learned to navigate the space between the culture of my family home and the outside world. Moving between Western and Middle Eastern norms made me attentive to the ways culture, family, identity, and social expectations shape how we understand ourselves and relate to others. These experiences led me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs at the University of Toronto and, eventually, a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University.
Over the years, my work with diverse communities has deepened my understanding of how social, cultural, and intergenerational contexts shape our well-being. This has led me to a decolonial approach that honours the knowledge, resourcefulness, and inner wisdom individuals draw upon to make sense of their experiences and move through life.
My approach also draws from Islamic literature and healing traditions as it allows me to expand beyond the traditional mental health framework that often studies the mind in isolation. We are complex beings, and healing involves attending to the heart, the body, relationships, spirituality, and the communities and histories in which we are situated. I offer these perspectives as resources rather than prescriptions, allowing for each client to determine what is meaningful and appropriate for their own journey.
I support teens, adults, and families with a particular interest in those navigating questions of identity, belonging, transitions, family, culture, relationships, and spirituality, and in finding a sense of authenticity amid the expectations and experiences of those around them.
At the heart of my work is the belief that, with the space, support, and resources to understand themselves more fully, people are often best positioned to find their own way forward. My role is not to tell you who you are or who you should become, but to accompany you through the process of discovery with curiosity, honesty, and care.
I am honoured when clients entrust me with their most sensitive stories and experiences. I hold this trust as an amānah—a responsibility to receive what is shared with integrity, attentiveness, and respect
“I do not regard thee, I regard that Heart.”
Why the Pomegranate Tree?
The pomegranate tree thrives in difficult conditions, carries the scars of survival, and can live for hundreds of years. In many traditions, its fruit represents the heart and the bridge between our darkest chapters and eventual rebirth. Like the pomegranate, our lives often hold complex layers: a tough outer shell forged for protection, alongside a hidden inner abundance of stories, wisdom, and possibilities waiting to be uncovered.
In my practice, the pomegranate tree symbolizes the journey of exploring your inner world, the scars and resilience that have shaped you, and the ways you can remain rooted while continuing to grow.