Hey there - glad you’re here 💫 My name is Nashina (nuh-she-na) Merani Miranda. I use she/her pronouns. Some of my intersecting identities that may feel important for you know are in the about me section if you’d like to know more.
But first, let me share why I love what I do and who I do it for.
It’s deeply fulfilling to be in relationship with incredible humans daily. I don’t take this privilege for granted.
My approach leans into the realm of holistic psychology that views the mind, body, spirit, emotions, and relationships as interconnected and inseparable.
I work from a liberation centred lens rooted in trauma-informed practice. This approach gently invites us to look at the systems around us—familial, community, cultural, political, social (and all the in-betweens)—and notice how they shape our individual and collective experiences.
It’s a journey - to reconnect with our purpose & power, to remember our individual and collective inherent worth. And to feel into an honest & real sense of belonging.
It’s no wonder we could use a little help along the way. It was never meant to be a solo adventure❣️ I’d be honored to be a part of it.
We’re in this together.
There are many layers of this work. There are a few key components we will weave in and out of. Cultivating awareness of patterns, reactions, behaviours that create disharmony in our lives. Processing, at a gentle pace, what comes up as realizations can evoke grief, relief, surprise, anger, sadness among other emotions. What we don’t metabolize tends to stay as a conditioned (stuck) tendency. Long-lasting transformation occurs when the old dominant way is redirected with care, consideration and patience. Practice, practice, practice! We explore new ways of being and engaging in relationships by practicing in relationship. Courage in tow; here we go!
Scope of practice.
My practice integrates a combination of Psychotherapy (talk therapy) and Somatics & Embodiment (re-membering the body as a vessel of wisdom and knowledge). I draw from a range of therapeutic ‘interventions’ such as (not limited to):
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Attachment Exploration (making sense of how early relationships shape present intimacy, connection and trust)
Liberatory / Anti-Oppressive Therapy (explore how systems such as racism, capitalism, and colonization shape our lives)
Internal Family Systems Therapy (connected to attachment - looking at the different parts of ourselves with non judgment to better understand the ‘why’ we do what we do)
Generative Somatics & Embodiment (helps tune into the wisdom of your body so you can understand, process, and release what words alone can’t reach.)
Relational Safety & Attunement (gently exploring how the body is conditioned to feel safe or unsafe and moving towards greater agency)
Emotional Regulation Skills (learning to feel while lessening overwhelm and fear to help respond and choose freely - in a more congruent way)
Art, Music & Movement Modalities
Areas of knowledge and experience.
Life transitions
Spiritual Exploration
Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
Relational Conflict & Challenges
communication, boundaries,disconnection,relationship tune-up, marriage prep, intimacy issues, life changes (moving, jobs, baby, health related, etc) impacting the relationship.
Self Harm & Suicidal Ideation
Grief and Loss of various kind:
death
loss or change in dreams/hopes/plans
anticipatory grief
Trauma of various kinds:
secondary & vicarious trauma
developmental & childhood trauma
racial, cultural, religious, historical & intergenerational trauma
Credentials, Training & Workshops.
Knowledge and ethical practice are important to me. The training & continuing education I select centre my values and take into consideration the folks I wish to be in healing relationships with therapeutically, professionally, and within the community at large.
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor registered with Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada Clearmind International Training Institute, 2015-2018
Trauma-Informed Practice Levels 1 & 2 with Trish Walsh and Alyson Quinn, 2020 / 2021
Cultural Somatics Workshop with Resmaa Menakem, 2022
Anti-Racism Course Certificate with Selam Debs, 2022
Grief Care Professional Certificate with Megan Devine, 2022
Breaking the Cycle of Unhealthy Family Relationships: Tools for Better Boundaries Workshop with Nedra Tawaab, 2022
Narcissistic Abuse In-Depth Workshop with Dr.Ramani Durvasula, 2022
When Sex Hurts Certificate with Allura Sex Therapy Centre Vancouver, 2023
Healing Trauma: Working with Somatic Wounds with Dr. Peter Levine, 2023
Collective Care, Solidarity & Justice-Doing: Resisting Burnout Workshop with Vikki Reynolds, 2024
DNVC (Decolonizing Non-Violent Communication) Self-Study program with Meenadchi, 2024
Battered Women’s Support Services: Violence Prevention Intervention Training, 2024
Self Guided Embodiment Basics Course: Embodiment Institute with Prentis Hemphill , 2024
Somatic Embodiment & Regulation Strategies Certificate: Collectively Rooted with Linda Thai, 2024
Foundations in Embodied Somatic Abolitionism (FESA): Black Octopus Society with Jennifer-Lee Kolbe & Resmaa Menakem, 2025
Ayurvedic Head Massage Course Level 1: Isis Wellness Centre with Parvinder, 2025
Bodies of Medicine : Mini-Mentorship for BIPOC Practitioners with Nazbah Tom & Fayza Bundalli, 2025
Kind Words
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I have known Nashina as a fellow mental health practitioner for 5 years. My experience of her is that she is very dedicated to her clients and her work and is always looking for ways to grow and hone her craft. This is evidenced by the fact that invests in training and literature regularly. I have found her to be very supportive as a peer and always willing to share wisdom, knowledge and resources. She is a wonderful person to know and I am honoured to be in her circle.
Joyce Musekiwa - Beautiful Pathways Counselling Counsellor, BSC, MBA, MACP, CCC
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My sessions with Nashina were, in a word, groundbreaking. It was the first time I'd come to understand what genuine engagement and support from a therapist felt like. It was also the first time I was able to truly dig into and examine some deep generational trauma. I attribute some of this to the fact that our similarity in lived experiences (first-generation daughters of immigrants) allowed for an immediate shared language and a sense of ease and trust that allowed me to bring my full self into each session.
Former Client
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Nashina is an amazing therapist who has guided me through many ups and downs for years. She has helped me navigate through many difficult situations by breaking down each event and taking steps to ensure growth, while also keeping what is best for me at the forefront. I experienced a tremendous amount of growth & healing in each session, with the help of breath work and understanding the main psychological cause behind each event. I have learnt so much from Nashina and am extremely grateful to have someone like her to confide in.
Former Client
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Nashina is a great educator and mentor. She is very patient and passionate about everything she does. She is great at checking in and giving feedback. Her personality is friendly and compassionate. I can’t say enough great things about her, she is truly a great educator and mentor.
MC: Independent Contractor
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Working alongside Nashina in previous years was transformative for our team. She contributed to cultivating a stronger team dynamic, facilitating leadership meetings, and assisting in the creation of protocols and procedures that prioritize and enhance the client-provider relationship. Nashina’s insights and support were instrumental in these developments, and I would highly recommend collaborating with her to anyone.
BS : Regional Relationship Director MedSpa Partners Inc.
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My healing journey with Nashina started right from the initial consultation. She has a beautiful presence. I felt safe, seen and on a journey of connecting with myself in ways I hadn't before. Whether it's her holding a safe, sacred space for you while you are experiencing your emotions, realizations and processes (no matter how messy) or guiding you through a role play or some inner child meditations... the journey has been an incredible one. Personally, my life has changed for the better... and I'm on the path of my homecoming. I learned so much. As a POC, a decolonial framework was healing as we don't operate individually but are part of the larger system/community. I found her journey to be pretty inspirational! I wouldn't hesitate one bit to recommend her and often do within my network.
Former Client
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I have been working with Nashina as my therapist since the Summer of 2021. Working with her has been one of the greatest gifts. I was able to heal from dysfunctional family dynamics thanks to her support in helping me understand myself and my role within these dynamics. This understanding led me to practice culturally appropriate, compassion-based boundaries in my relationships. I am currently working with Nashina to navigate the challenges of mothering under capitalism and other systemic oppressions. This includes participating in somatic practices to navigate grief, welcome happiness, and release traumas that are not mine to hold in an embodied way. This work is ongoing, involving breaking intergenerational patterns and reactions to colonial and oppressive behaviors. I am eternally grateful to have crossed paths with Nashina at this stage of my development. I don't think I would be where I am in my healing today without her unconditional positive regard, compassion, and faith in me, especially in moments when I did not think I could rise above myself or the systems that would rather see me sink. I encourage anyone seeking counseling support to reach out to Nashina, especially if you are looking to heal from family dynamics, intimate partnership dynamics, and experiences of grief within these dynamics and systemic oppressions.
Former Client