The journey of Maple Leaf Counseling began with a simple, profound truth: that being human is hard, and therapy should not be. As a clinical psychologist, I, Dr. Antoinette Ibrahimi, have always believed it is an honor to sit intimately with individuals and couples in their most vulnerable moments, guiding them toward reprieve, understanding, and growth. This calling, which I’ve felt since I was a teenager, ignited a desire for a practice that was built on that very principle—a place of unwavering support and intentional care.

In October 2015, I opened a solo private practice, operating under my name but with the vision of Maple Leaf Counseling already in my heart. The name itself was born from my love of autumn and the powerful symbolism of the changing seasons. Life is a series of seasons—some green and flourishing, others withering away for new growth. I believe we must learn to be flexible and open to these internal and external shifts, and our practice was founded to help clients navigate them with grace and resilience. In 2018, I officially transitioned my practice to its destined name, and the journey of Maple Leaf Counseling truly began.

From Solo Practice to a Thriving Team of Eleven

The seed of a solo practice soon grew into a vision for a group. My early years as a psychologist were preceded by a passion for coaching and playing volleyball, where I thrived as a team captain and leader. I found immense joy in fostering growth in others, helping players excel in both their physical and mental game. That love for mentorship became the blueprint for our group practice: a place where we could employ master’s students, doctorate students, and unlicensed professionals, giving me the opportunity to "coach" and support them as they develop into solid, compassionate clinicians for our community.

The moment this vision became reality was a pivotal morning on December 28, 2023. I told my husband, Nexhat, of my desire to grow Maple Leaf Counseling into a group practice. Without a moment's hesitation, he replied, "Yes, we should." That single word—"we"—changed everything. My husband, my talented and intelligent best friend, not only supported my dream but eagerly jumped in full-time to lead the business side of our growing team. I get to focus on high-level clinical duties and supervision, while he expertly handles the backend business, earning him the affectionate family nickname of "our C-Suite (sweet)." It's the strength of our partnership, our shared vision, and our aligned goals that have fueled our success, allowing us to support our therapists, who, in turn, support our community, and all of us together, support our family of five.

A Growing Practice, Grounded in Connection

Our core mission at Maple Leaf Counseling is to provide high-quality, client-focused care that fosters meaningful connections. Our philosophy is deeply rooted in a family systems approach, as we believe in supporting the entire family unit and all its intricate parts. We have expanded our team to 11 and are continuing to grow. This growth has allowed us to offer a wider range of services, including couples, child play, teen, and individual therapy, with specialized support for a multitude of concerns. In May 2024, our Arcadia office expanded into a beautiful seven-office suite, a testament to our ongoing commitment to serving the community. This expansion was a proud moment, marking a new chapter in our story of growth and resilience.

We've faced challenges along the way, particularly in streamlining our systems to be more efficient for our therapists, staff, and clients—details that, as many a psychologist knows, are not covered in graduate school! But through it all, our shared mission has guided us. The maple leaf symbolizes the beauty of natural change and the resilience that follows. It reminds us that even when our inner and outer worlds shift, there is always an opportunity for fresh, vibrant growth. This is the promise we hold for our clients and the story we continue to write every day.