Rizwana Jiwa
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Location: Ontario & Broadway, Virtual
Days and Hours:
Tuesday 11:00am - 2:00pm (In-person) and 4:00pm - 7:00pm (Virtual)
Wednesday 11:00am - 7:00pm (Virtual)
Sunday 11:00am - 5:00pm (In-person)
Practicum ends December 2026.
Bio
My name is Rizwana Jiwa, and I am an Intern Counsellor who approaches my work through a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, feminist, and social justice lens. My counselling philosophy is rooted in the belief that every person holds inherent wisdom, resilience, and capacity for growth and that healing unfolds most meaningfully in relationships grounded in trust, compassion, and mutual respect.
As a refugee cisgender, straight racialized, able-bodied settler on the unceded and ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, I am profoundly grateful to live, learn, and work on these lands. I hold deep respect for the Indigenous peoples who have cared for these territories since time immemorial and am committed to engaging in ongoing learning and reflection in the spirit of truth and reconciliation.
My academic journey has been shaped by a lifelong curiosity about people, systems, and connection. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Master’s degree in Women’s Studies, and I am currently pursuing my Master of Counselling degree. My background in feminist theory and social justice activism informs how I understand the intersections of identity, power, and systemic inequity, and how these forces shape our lived experiences. I have been involved in feminist and anti-oppressive advocacy for much of my life and carry this commitment into my counselling work, where I strive to support both personal and collective healing.
In my practice, clients can expect a collaborative, inclusive, and empowering space. I approach therapy as a partnership where your story, strengths, and insights guide our work together. Drawing on trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches, I aim to meet clients where they are, acknowledging the impact of systemic and intergenerational forces while also nurturing hope and agency. My practice is relational, meaning I value genuine connection and mutual respect as the foundation for healing. I draw on aspects of feminist therapy, narrative approaches, and mindfulness-based work, always tailoring my approach to your unique needs and goals.
I am particularly passionate about supporting clients who are navigating experiences of trauma, marginalization, intergenerational stress, identity exploration, and life transitions. I believe that counselling can be a space of restoration and resistance, where clients can reclaim voice, rewrite narratives, and cultivate new possibilities for living in alignment with their values and truths.
As a parent to a queer, biracial adult, I have learned profoundly about courage, authenticity, and the power of living one’s truth. My personal experiences continue to shape how I understand resilience, belonging, and the transformative potential of empathy and connection.
Outside of work and study, I find joy in discovering new restaurants with friends and family, spending quiet time with my cat, and creating writing that inspires reflection, learning, and hope.
At the heart of my work is a belief that healing is both personal and collective, and that the counselling relationship can be a space where stories are witnessed, identities are affirmed, and new paths forward become possible.
Image Description: Rizwana smiles while sitting on a large rock by the water. She has short hair and wears a yellow shirt and brown pants, accessorized with a watch, ring, and necklace. Clouds fill the sky, with a distant city skyline behind her.
Rizwana Jiwa
(she/her/hers)
Student Counsellor
In-Person and Virtual Sessions
Rizwana is currently accepting new clients to her waitlist for May 2026!
Please email us at connect@collective-healing.ca to connect with Rizwana for counselling services.