Chantal Riel, MA, Registered Psychotherapist, Yoga Teacher

Meet Chantal Riel, MA,

Registered Psychotherapist, Yoga Teacher

helping you fill your cup

Hello! I’m Chantal

I work as a Registered Psychotherapist and I am the founder of Cup of Tea Psychotherapy.

My intention is to help you develop an embodied kind and compassionate way of relating to your inner and outer worlds. Evidence-based studies have repeatedly shown this makes it easier for you to make decisions that improve your wellbeing, which benefits you and your loved ones.

I listen closely to all my clients and help them align mind, body, and soul… in a way that feels right to them.

Why I do what I do

I am passionate about this work as I have seen in my own personal life the life-changing impact of a therapeutic relationship. One day at a time, becoming who we are meant to be. I am deeply inspired by the compassionate teachers and ancestors that showed me the way. They are a big part of why I dedicate my time and energy to helping others - like you - find their way.

My wish is to offer you a non-judgmental space for you to express yourself freely. With the willingness to be vulnerable, you can peel back the layers of suffering and let your light shine through. Most importantly, I hope this space can help you feel seen, heard, empowered, valued, and cared for.

Walking the talk

I firmly believe that my professional life is shaped by my personal growth. As such, I remain an active practitioner, student, and teacher of yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. I also prioritize my professional development, staying ahead of cutting-edge research and psychological interventions.

When I am not at work, you can find me enjoying nature, exploring new cities/cultures, cooking, practicing yoga or strength training, or slowing down the pace of life with friends and family. I also love painting, singing, playing music, and dancing. My happy place is on a paddleboard, with my dog, in the middle of a peaceful lake.

My Approach

I am a client-centered therapist who works with what you want to bring into the therapy space. I use a holistic, integrative, and trauma-informed approach. This means that I pull from different approaches to suit your needs, am mindful of respecting your pace, and recognize the complexity of recovery from different types of trauma.

I have extensive training and experience working with the following approaches:

  • Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC)

  • Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

  • Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

I am also intentional about integrating dimensions of culture and spirituality/religion if this is something you would be open to bringing into your therapy session. I believe in incorporating your whole self in therapy, which includes mind, body, heart, and soul.

The formal Stuff

    • Anxiety, depression & mood disorders

    • Addiction

    • ADHD

    • Personality disorders (e.g. Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder)

    • Burnout & work-related stress

    • Chronic Illness

    • Eating disorders

    • Emotional regulation

    • Embodiment work

    • Grief & loss

    • Highly Sensitive Person Trait (HSP)

    • Interpersonal relationships (e.g. family conflict, codependency, communication, romantic relationships)

    • Men’s issues

    • Perfectionism, procrastination, self-criticism & self-esteem

    • Self-discovery work

    • Sexuality & related topics

    • Sleep & insomnia

    • Spiritual / religious integration & existential issues

    • Trauma (PTSD and c-PTSD)

    • Women’s issues (e.g. PMS, PMDD, Pre- and post-natal)

    • 2SLGBTQIA+ Community

    • Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario (CRPO) #10908

    • MA in Counselling, Psychotherapy, and Spirituality from Saint-Paul University

    • Honours BA with Specialization in Psychology at the University of Ottawa, with highest distinction Summa Cum Laude (including Psychology and Behaviour studies at Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands)

    • Dialectical-Behaviour Therapy Clinical Training

    • Mindful Self-Compassion Intensive Training

    • Compassion Focused Therapy Training

    • Mindfulness based Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy Training

    • Motivational Interviewing Training with CHEO

    • ASSIST Suicide First Aid Training

    • 200-HRS Hatha Yoga Teacher Training

    • Masters Thesis – BALANCING ACT PRACTICE (BAP): An Embodied and Compassionate Way of Supporting Trainee Therapists in Balancing Personal and Professionals Demands Through Yoga and Guided Journaling

    • Presenter at the 15th World Conference for Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapy and Counseling (PCE2022) in Copenhagen, Denmark & Online

    • Mental Health and Spirituality Conference at Saint-Paul University - Eco-anxiety, positive psychology 2.0, mindfulness, and Durand’s Theory of Anthropological Structures of the Imaginary

    • Eating disorders at the University of Ottawa

    • Cognitive aging, neuroimaging, and brain-behaviour relationships at the University of Ottawa

“Butterflies can’t see their wings. They can’t see how beautiful they are, but everyone else can. You are like that as well.”

- Naya Rivera

Get started with Cup of Tea, today.