Meet Antonia
Antonia Villalba, RP, CCC, MA
My journey into the field of mental health I believe began when I immigrated to Canada in the late 90s. I was a fourteen-year-old girl who was beyond ecstatic to reunite with her family after a long 7-year separation. My parents were both from Eastern Europe and wanted a better life for their children, who sacrificed everything they knew in an attempt to provide a life that was meaningful and purposeful. Well, sadly it did not work out this way initially; immigrating to Canada was full of challenges I was not prepared for. I experienced various losses, from the loss of my family and friends who were left behind to the loss of my parents who separated shortly afterwards, loss of my identity and my belonging. I did not know any English, I had no friends and life was not what I expected it to be.
Our stories of loss, of suffering, of struggle are extensions of us, they help us become humbled in our actions. I have chosen this path of healing, a life of helping others understand their story, their struggle, their healing journey. It is within this capacity-because of who we are and what we have lived, that we can help others heal, and become leaders within their own individual life and community.
I will be forever grateful for the relationship I had with my guidance counsellor during a time of great hardship in my life. It was through this relationship of discourse that I learned the power of listening, empathy, and nonjudgmental presence. My narrative shifted and I felt a profound need to find meaning in my life-I found purpose. I learned that within each one of us, there is power to help another person with their struggle and their journey. How meaningful to know that my story did not end with hate or vengeance but rather with hope and purpose.
I enrolled in the Human Services Counselling program at George Brown College and my journey as a mental health professional began. I have been in the human services field for the past 20 years in various capacities from counselling and case management to project management and program delivery. I have seen the pain and struggle in my client’s eyes but I have also seen how powerful hope can be. Hope is like the light that comes when the sun comes out, when we are hopeful we can see all the possibilities, we can dream, and we can inspire others.
As a mental health professional, I believe that this is my mission-to spread hope, to listen in non-judgment and empathy, and offer compassion so that I may inspire you to live in meaning and purpose. May this light help you find your light as I have been helped to find and understand mine.
Resilience theory states that individuals who have experienced great challenges and were able to utilize resources from family, friends and their community are better equipped to overcome such obstacles. My hope is that I can offer you the light, the hope that you need in your life struggles. In the end, it is the stories of struggle that lead us to places of conviction and purpose.
Can you see the light?
Are you looking to enhance your skills, improve your performance, or resolve underlying trauma so that you can live your life to the fullest potential? I am here to support you in your healing journey.