hi there!
I'm Ali Woods
Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist, owner of Better Life Therapy and author of It's What's On The Inside That Matters.
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Hi! I'm Ali, and if you're reading this, you've likely come across my page or practice, so let me tell you a bit about myself!
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I always find writing "about me" sections challenging. It feels a bit like being asked, "Tell me about yourself" in an interview, and my immediate thought is, "What do you want to know?" What one person finds important might not matter to someone else. As a therapist who also goes to therapy, I know that certain things resonate with me, while others don’t. So, I’m going to try and share a few things that might help you decide if we'd be a good fit!
My journey to where I am today has been more of a marathon than a sprint. I spent the last 8 ½ years in post-secondary education, completing an advanced diploma, an undergraduate degree, and finally, a master’s degree. I graduated from Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, with an advanced diploma in Child and Youth Work, and then went on to Wilfrid Laurier University in Brantford for my Bachelor of Social Work. I finished my undergrad in March 2020—right at the start of the pandemic—and like many others, I was desperate for any job I could find. After landing what I thought was my dream job, I quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit. So, I began my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University, graduating in 2023.
Between my practicum and work experience, I've been exposed me to a wide spectrum of roles. My first practicum experience was as an educational assistant with a school board, followed by a child and youth worker in residential treatment and secure custody for youth, a housing-first worker with the homeless population, and a child protection worker with two different children’s aid societies. I've also worked with the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services, children’s community mental health, and now, I’m in private practice working with youth and young adults.
My focus as a therapist is on individuals dealing with anxiety, life transitions, family challenges, relationship difficulties, self-esteem or self-confidence issues, and trauma. I consider myself a person-centred therapist, meaning I believe that clients are the experts in their own lives. I’m here to provide support, guidance, and a safe space for them to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. I pull from a variety of approaches depending on what my client needs or what feels like the best fit, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
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Like many, I also go to therapy and have for several years. I continuously work on my own challenges—my anxiety, perfectionism, the need to control situations, and improving communication in my relationship, to name a few. It’s important to me that clients know I’m not just a therapist but also a human who is actively working on my own growth, too.
On a more personal note, I’m married and have a dog named Lenny, whom I rescued from a humane society outside of London. Fun fact: I brought him home without telling my husband (who I was dating at the time). Looking back, it was a pretty bold move, but it worked out!
I love being outdoors. As I’m writing this, I’m sitting outside at my grandparents’ house in their gazebo, soaking in the fresh air. There’s just something about it that brings me peace. I’ve recently gotten into bread-making—I know, I’m a bit late to the trend, but I’m having fun with it! I enjoy hiking, going to the beach, beating my husband in cards on the weekend, and spending time with friends and family.
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One thing you should know: I really don’t like bugs. Some clients have witnessed this firsthand during our walk-and-talk sessions, it makes for a good laugh and a lovely example of the fight-or-flight!
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Growing up, I played competitive sports, including ringette and soccer. One of my best memories was traveling to Finland and Sweden in 2016 for a ringette tournament. Soccer, on the other hand, gave me my worst concussion. I was a goalie, despite being told by a coach that I was "vertically challenged" because I’m only 5’3" and couldn’t jump very high—his words, not mine!
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I’ve always felt drawn to working with people. There’s something fascinating about understanding what drives us, who influences us, and how we grow and evolve over time. Being in this profession, I consider it an incredible privilege to sit with someone through their most vulnerable moments—the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
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My ultimate goal is to create a space where clients feel safe, seen, and heard. Even if we aren’t the perfect fit, I want everyone who walks through my door (or engages with me online) to leave feeling that they were met with compassion and respect. Therapy is a deeply personal journey, and I hope that in our work together, you can feel comfortable enough to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences without judgment. Whether we continue this journey or not, my aim is always to empower growth and healing in a way that feels safe and supportive for you.
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Sincerely,
anxious millennial who is a therapist working with other anxious millennials
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