Aaron Palachi (he/him)

MA, PhD Student Therapist

Aaron (he/him) is currently pursuing his PhD in Clinical Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). He received his Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at TMU and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from York University.

Aaron has provided clinical services in various settings including St. Michael’s Hospital, the Tory Trauma Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and both the CBT for Psychosis service and Therapeutic Neighbourhood within the Complex Care and Recovery Program at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH). He has also provided assessment services in a research setting working with the Clinical Addictions Research Equity Lab and is a therapist in a clinical trial for social anxiety in the HIV Prevention Lab at TMU. 


Aaron has experience working with adolescents and adults of all ages from diverse cultural backgrounds, sexual and gender identities, and learning needs (including ADHD, dyslexia, and ASD). He has assessed and treated individuals presenting with a wide range of concerns including OCD, anxiety (generalized, social, and agoraphobia), psychosis, PTSD and complex trauma, depression, insomnia, addiction, and eating disorders. He has also treated concerns related to general worry, pessimism, life transition stress, gender-based stress, and avoidance using Exposure Therapy. Additionally, Aaron has experience with completing comprehensive autism spectrum and ADHD assessments for adults.

Aaron has worked with individuals with a range of OCD concerns including obsessions and compulsions related to harm, morality, ‘just-right feelings’, contamination, vulnerability, relationships, and checking behaviours. He has also worked with individuals experiencing symptoms of body-focused behaviours such as excoriation disorder (i.e., skin picking) and body dysmorphia.

Aaron takes an integrative approach to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), drawing on techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). He works collaboratively with clients to find what fits best for them, helping them understand their thoughts and emotions, face challenges with compassion, and make meaningful changes in their lives. Guided by a trauma-informed and strengths-based philosophy, Aaron aims to create a supportive space where clients can build resilience, grow self-acceptance, and reconnect with what truly matters to them.

Aside from his clinical work, Aaron conducts research focused on equity-deserving and underserved groups. He has a particular interest in studying the impact of trauma in diverse groups including 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, intimate partner violence, as well as mental health and barriers to prosocial transitioning in a forensic context.

Aaron has several publications and has presented research on various topics at both national and international research conferences on a range of topics, with the goal of continuing his learning and sharing knowledge.

In his leisure time, Aaron enjoys trying out new recipes, music, and going on adventures with his dog.