Permission to Heal

In this moving and joyful episode of Permission to Heal, we sit down with Sarah DiMuro as she shares her journey through breast cancer, mastectomy, and surrogacy with honesty, courage, and vibrant life energy.

Sarah opens up about receiving her diagnosis at a relatively young age, learning to be her best advocate, using a surrogate to grow her family and the power of sharing her story. She reflects on how illness changed her relationship with her body, her identity, perspective on life and what truly matters.

With warmth and humour, Sarah reminds us that even in the hardest seasons, it is possible to create a life that is meaningful, purposeful and joyful. This episode is a reminder that you don't have to pretend that everything is okay and that living fully, honestly and connected to others is what matters most.

Self Care Warning: This episode includes discussions of breast cancer, surgery, fertility, and medical experiences that may be activating or emotionally intense for some listeners. Please take care of yourself and skip this episode if these topics do not feel supportive for you right now.

At Alli Therapy, we make mental health support accessible and affordable. You can book with an intern therapist (your first session is free, with sessions starting at $45) or connect with an associate therapist starting at $115. Learn more or book a session at alli.io.

Follow us on Instagram @allitherapy, TikTok @alli.therapy, on YouTube, or visit us at alli.io/podcast.

Why do New Year’s resolutions so often fall apart by February, even when we really want to change?

In this episode of Aha Moments from Permission to Heal, Kelly, Registered Psychotherapist, explores why most goals fail and how to create change that actually lasts. Instead of setting resolutions based on pressure, comparison, or what we think we “should” want, Kelly invites you to connect your goals to your identity, values, and a deeper sense of purpose.

You’ll learn why motivation isn’t enough, how intentional action creates real change, and how self-trust, self-compassion, and sustainable habits are the true foundations of growth. From redefining your “why” to setting mini-goals that fit your real life, this episode offers a gentler, more effective way to approach New Year’s intentions.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in an all-or-nothing cycle, fallen off your goals, or struggled to follow through, this episode will help you reset, without the shame. This episode is for anyone who wants to feel better, live more intentionally, and make meaningful change without burning out or beating themselves up.

At Alli Therapy, we make mental health support accessible and affordable for everyone. Visit alli.io to book a session with an intern therapist (your first session is free, and sessions start at $45 after) or connect with an associate therapist starting at $115.

Follow us on Instagram @allitherapy, TikTok @alli.therapy, on YouTube, or visit us at alli.io/podcast.

We speak with Ava, an associate therapist at Alli Therapy, about immigrating from Iran to Canada, navigating her cultural identity, the demands of adolescence and rebuilding a sense of belonging. She shares her lived experience of growing up as an immigrant, adjusting to Canadian culture and witnessing her parents struggle to restart their careers in a new country.

Ava also brings her clinical perspective as a therapist who works with immigrants, newcomers, and first-generation clients. She offers insight into the grief, anxiety, and identity confusion that can come with immigration, while emphasizing self-compassion, emotional validation, and connection as essential parts of healing.

If you’ve ever struggled with immigration, cultural adjustment, family separation, or feeling like you don’t fully belong, this conversation will resonate deeply.

At Alli Therapy, we make mental health support accessible and affordable for everyone. Visit alli.io to book a session with an intern therapist (your first session is free, and sessions start at $45 after) or connect with an associate therapist starting at $115.

Follow us on Instagram @allitherapy, TikTok @alli.therapy, on YouTube, or visit us at alli.io/podcast.

Self-Care Warning: This episode discusses themes of cultural identity, immigration trauma, generational stress and the search for belonging. If these conversations don’t serve you right now, please skip this one. With care, Permission to Heal.

We sit down with Julie Christiansen, author, speaker, and Registered Psychotherapist, to explore one of the most misunderstood emotions: anger. From a quiet simmer to an explosive outburst, anger shows up in our bodies long before it shows up in our behaviours, and it often reveals far more about our internal world than we realize.

Julie breaks down how anger functions in the nervous system and in our minds, why so many of us carry complicated relationships with it and how we can finally move towards mastering it. She shares grounded, compassionate tools to help you understand your triggers, regulate in the moment, and channel anger in ways that are healthy, protective, and aligned with your values.

Whether you find yourself snapping under pressure, shutting down when overwhelmed, or struggling to express your needs, this episode offers practical insights to help you respond differently, with clarity, intention, and self-understanding.

At Alli Therapy, we make mental health support accessible and affordable for everyone. Visit alli.io to book a session with an intern therapist (your first session is free, and sessions start at $45 after) or connect with an associate therapist starting at $115.

Follow us on Instagram @allitherapy, TikTok @alli.therapy, on YouTube, or visit us at alli.io/podcast.

Self-Care Warning: This episode discusses themes of anger and emotional dysregulation. If conversations about conflict or emotional intensity don’t serve you right now, please skip this one. With care, Permission to Heal.

Join us as Luisa, one of Alli’s associate therapists, walks us through her journey of queerness, starting with growing up in Peru where queerness was taboo and often met with judgment.

After immigrating to Canada, she found the space to explore her identity more freely, but also discovered the pressure to define herself within neat labels. She shares the beauty and the struggle of finding identity, belonging and full acceptance of her sexuality, fluid, evolving, and authentically hers.

At Alli Therapy, we make mental health support accessible and affordable for everyone. Visit alli.io to book a session with an intern therapist (your first session is free, and sessions start at $45 after) or connect with an associate therapist starting at $115. Take the first step toward healing today!

Follow us on instagram @allitherapy, tiktok, on YouTube or visit us at alli.io/podcast.

Self Care Warning: This episode contains stories that include mental health experiences and may not be a helpful part of everyone’s journey. If stories of finding sexual identity don’t serve you, please skip this episode. With care, Permission to Heal.

We’re kicking off Permission to Heal with a powerful story of resilience and transformation.

In this episode, Hastee shares her journey of immigrating to a new country, navigating acculturation, managing complex family dynamics, and facing the quiet weight of mental health challenges, including depression and borderline personality disorder.

Through therapy, she found healing, purpose, and ultimately the path to becoming a psychotherapist herself. This raw and honest conversation offers hope, guidance, and a reminder that you are never alone in your mental health journey.

At Alli Therapy, we make mental health support accessible and affordable for everyone. Visit alli.io to book a session with an intern therapist (your first session is free, and sessions start at $45 after) or connect with an associate therapist starting at $115. Take the first step toward healing today!

Follow us on instagram @allitherapy, tiktok @alli.therapy, on YouTube or visit us at alli.io.

Self Care Warning: This episode contains stories that include serious mental health experiences and may not be a helpful part of everyone’s journey. If stories of bullying, familial control & manipulation or overdose don’t serve you, please skip this episode. With care, Permission to Heal.