Iridescent Vista Counselling Services was founded by Onika Haywood and Monika Parsons, two experienced and passionate mental health professionals dedicated to supporting healing and growth through a trauma-informed lens. With decades of combined experience, they offer counselling and psychotherapy for individuals of all ages, as well as consultation and training for agencies seeking to enhance their trauma-informed practices. Onika brings over 25 years in Children’s Mental Health, specializing in staff development, team supervision, and clinical leadership with a focus on therapeutic use of self. Monika, trained in a range of evidence-based modalities, supports both clients and professionals with a focus on inner healing, self-awareness, and nervous system regulation. Together, they provide a safe, collaborative space for individuals and teams to deepen their understanding, foster resilience, and move toward meaningful change.
Onika has been working in Children’s Mental Health for over 25 years, both as a Frontline Mental Health Worker and as leader to frontline staff. These decades of experience have been spent leading staff through the developmental, emotional and psychological processes of developing identity as the people we are first, and as mental health workers. This is a balance of using our “self” as the therapeutic tool (which encompasses our education and experience), while not re-experiencing, all while utilizing the self-regulatory practices we hope to model and effectively “teach”. Onika uses these clinical and managerial skills to facilitating staff supervisions (individual and group formats) to support staff members as well as, teams, with transformation towards a self and effective use of themselves in their front line practice.
A proven leader in the mentoring & training of frontline staff teams through clinical change and crises that impact a staff group’s ability to deliver client-centered service. Onika has led teams to implement trauma-informed approaches to the relational work of Mental Health Practitioners. This often leads to supporting the professional development of frontline staff through increasing the self-awareness and self-regulatory skills that are essential in developing a therapeutic alliance with our clients, and recognizing how stressors impact one’s ability to be present for our clients.
Onika utilizes her skills as experienced group facilitator to analyze strengths and areas of growth that would benefit staff teams through conflict with empathy, understanding, and an honest & direct approach. Her ability to integrate these principles has led to positive outcomes for team dynamics & cohesion and a strong clinical approach.
Experienced in Frontline Mental Health worker individual and group supervisions, group trainings, incidental or theme-related crises, systems work.
Trained in CBT, DBT, Principles of Trauma-informed practice.
Registered Psychotherapist
Monika began her work in the mental health sector in 2005. She has a wealth of experience working in children's treatment settings of which include: live-in group programs, assessment homes, and psychiatric crisis settings. With over a decade-long clinical experience, Monika holds a extensive knowledge of mental health treatment, with a specialized focus on Trauma.
Monika is trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused counselling, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and holds a Trauma Certificate. These modalities guide her individual therapy sessions with clients and support individuals in healing their inner-child parts.
Monika has worked with agency staff (front line professionals); with specific focus on burnout, compassion fatigue and implementing Self-Care. Having experience of working on the front-lines, Monika can relate to the day-to-day challenges of our caring professionals (CYWs, PSWs, SWs).
Monika has held leadership roles to support Teams through group supervision, mentorship, and agency trainings. Main goals being implementation of trauma-informed lens into practice, teaching concepts of neurobiology of trauma, and supporting staff with regulation of their own nervous systems and self-care.
Therapy is a way to take care of yourself; to deepen your self-connection. By working with Monika, whether through individual psychotherapy, through group workshops or team consultations you will be guided on a journey to create a greater awareness of your parts, unburdening pain, and creating a balanced internal system.
Master of Arts (CHYS) - Brock University
Trauma Certificate - Wilfrid Laurier University
Registered Psychotherapist with CRPO (Reg. #004998)
Member - Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists
Level 3 IFS Therapist (IFS Institute)
We offer both online and in-person sessions. Our office is located at 1150 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, in the heart of Midtown Toronto, just steps away from the Summerhill Subway Station.
Hours:
Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM EST
Saturday–Sunday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM EST
Our approach to therapy is grounded in the belief that healing comes from within each individual. As therapists, we serve as guides, offering tools and support, while empowering clients to access their own innate capacity for growth and transformation. Our goal is to help clients reconnect with their Self-energy—the core of who they truly are—so they can heal, evolve, and become the best versions of themselves.
We provide a safe, non-judgmental space for you to be yourself.
We offer expert care tailored to your unique needs.
We listen closely and tailor our approach to meet your unique needs and preferences.
We support you through steady growth, celebrating both small and big changes.
