Meet Elda Almario, Psychotherapist in Pickering, Ontario

I believe that with opportunity, people’s capacity to grow is limitless

Meet Elda Almario, Psychotherapist in Pickering, ON

Hi, I'm Elda, and I believe that

there is no limit to one's growth when given the space to do so. 

Despite feeling stuck at times and witnessing other people's struggles, I've seen it happen, time and time again, in myself, in my autistic brother, and in others I have worked with.

My interest in mental health began as a sibling to my autistic brother. Not only did I have a front-row seat to behaviours that don’t fit within societal expectations, those behaviours took all the time, energy, attention, and even what felt like love from my parents at that time. Although it was isolating, it gave me a deeper sense of compassion and a unique perspective of living in a household with this experience.

As a highly sensitive person and an empath, it was natural for me to see through people, witness struggles, and want to help. I started my child therapy practice in the Philippines and brought my years of knowledge and experience to Canada.

 

After a journey of acclimating to a new culture, learning new information, and gaining more wisdom, I started Larô Therapy - a thriving Psychotherapy Practice in Canada. I provided consultation in a news episode on OMNI NEWS - a nationwide-broadcasted Canadian Television system. And, I was featured in an online article on CTV News.

As I established my practice in Canada, I worked with folks navigating through the struggles of being a neurodivergent person, a visible or invisible minority, a racialized individual, or an immigrant. And here, I found my calling.

As a first-generation Filipino immigrant myself, I deeply empathize and easily make genuine connections with my clients. Cultural sensitivity is a foundational piece of my worldview. My approach is open, non-judgmental, and guided by a sensitivity to diverse abilities, sexual orientations, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. I believe that partially seeing themselves in me makes it easier for folx to put their guards down and be vulnerable, yet still feel safe. And it is in this safe container that I hold, that children, neurodivergent folks, and Filipinos see themselves grow.

 

About Larô Therapy

Larô Therapy is a psychotherapy practice with social justice at the core of its work. I dedicate my practice to immigrants, neurodivergent folks, the LGBTQ+ community, visible and invisible minorities and racialized individuals.

Why Larô?

 Larô /verb/

Ang laro ay pangunahing ginagawa para sa libangan o kasiyahan, ngunit madalas din itong gawin para sa pagpapabuti ng pakiramdam at sarili, pagpapakalma, o karagdagang kaalaman.

Play /English Translation/

Play is an activity done for recreation or pleasure, but it is also often done for emotional regulation and self-improvement, calming, or further knowledge.

 

Whatever the age, I believe that Play is a crucial part of our lives. One’s incapacity to play or engage in anything fun speaks to one’s struggles whether inside of them or in systems around them. For me, being able to play isn’t only a goal we all move towards. It is also the means to which will bring us toward this goal. 

Play is a natural part of growth that fosters development for humans of all ages. It supports social, emotional, and cognitive growth. It provides a means to learn as you explore the world around and within you. For both children and adults, play can be used for self-expression, integration, processing, learning, and coping. Playing, especially when unstructured, stimulates mental flexibility and creativity.

 

Learn more about how I can support you.

A little bit more about me

 
 

I value human connections, so I spend a lot of time nurturing relationships, people-watching, sitting with myself and engaging in my inner world.

One day I want to live in a camper and travel; immerse in and be in awe by the beauty of the world and its people - which I'm actually already doing now, in my therapy room.

I love spending time with nature by hiking and camping. I have run a full marathon (42.195km!) and completed a splint triathlon.

Did I mention that my brother has a full time job that he loves and enjoys?? Ah, what joy!

 

Personally…

 
 

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Professionally…

 
 

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  • Bridge to Registration and Employment in Mental Health (BREM), Ontario, Canada

    Post-graduate coursework, M.Sc. Human Development Psychology, De La Salle University, Philippines

    BS Psychology, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines

  • College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)

    Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP)

    Canadian Association for Play Therapy (CAPT)

  • Integrative person-centred approach inclusive of the following:

    • Narrative

    • Psychodynamic

    • Play

    • Theraplay-Informed Practice

    • Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy

    • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

    • Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy

    • Mindfulness

    • Solution-focused

    • Feminist & anti-oppressive perspectives