Balens Psychotherapy | RN Psychotherapist in Ontario | Edna Bonsu
Lush botanical background representing grounding and calm, Balens Psychotherapy Vaughan Ontario
Now Accepting New Clients, Ontario

Rooted support for
an unsteady world.

Evidence-based, nature-informed psychotherapy for the high-achievers, deep feelers, and burnt-out givers who are finally ready to put themselves first. In-person in Vaughan and virtually across Ontario.

Edna Bonsu, RN Psychotherapist BScN, MN, CPMHN(C) CNO Registered #16147849
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Privacy First
PHIPA-Compliant via JaneApp
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How We Meet
In-Person in Vaughan, or Virtually Across Ontario
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Direct Billing
GreenShield + Telus eClaims
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Accessible Care
Sliding Scale Options Available
Edna Bonsu, RN Psychotherapist and founder of Balens Psychotherapy, warm and welcoming, therapy in Vaughan and virtual across Ontario

"Rooted in purpose, grown with intention."

Meet your therapist

Edna Bonsu

RN Psychotherapist, BScN, MN, CPMHN(C), She/Her

"You've spent so long taking care of everything and everyone else. This is the part where someone takes care of you."

I'm a Registered Nurse Psychotherapist and the founder of Balens Therapy. My background in nursing gives me a whole-body lens on mental health. I understand the physical, emotional, and systemic layers that get tangled up together when you're running on empty.

My practice is especially meaningful to women of colour, healthcare workers, and professionals in high-pressure roles. People who are used to caring for everyone else and have somehow forgotten that they count too. When I'm off-screen, you'll find me with my pug, my partner, or my ever-expanding jungle of houseplants, pretending I've retired from doom-scrolling.

Anxiety & Depression Burnout & Stress ADHD PPPD Life Transitions Culturally Responsive Nature-Informed
Book a free consultation
What I offer

Services shaped
around your life

Available in-person in Vaughan and virtually to adults 18+ across Ontario. Everything is evidence-based, culturally responsive, and tailored to you, not a template.

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Individual Therapy

For the high-achiever who's tired of holding it all together. One-on-one support for anxiety, depression, ADHD, burnout, and the transitions nobody warned you about.

Anxiety & Depression Burnout ADHD Life Transitions
Learn more
03

Nature-Informed Therapy

Therapy with a gentle, plant-inspired twist. Incorporating elements of ecotherapy and horticultural therapy to help you regulate, reconnect, and root yourself.

Ecotherapy Plant Care Grounding
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In-Person Sessions

A space that feels like
exhaling.

Sometimes you need more than a screen. In-person sessions are available at the Balens Therapy Collective in Vaughan. A calm, plant-filled, private space designed with your nervous system in mind.

The space is intentionally quiet, warm, and welcoming. Whether you choose in-person or virtual, the quality of care is exactly the same.

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Location
Unit 159, 7777 Weston Road, Vaughan, Ontario
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Getting Here
Free parking on site. Accessible entrance.
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The Space
Private, sound-treated office with plants, natural light, and a calm, grounding atmosphere.
See the space →
In-person therapy space at Balens Therapy Collective, Unit 159 Weston Road Vaughan Ontario, calm and plant-filled Warm botanical detail from the Balens Therapy Collective in-person therapy space, Vaughan
Now available
In-person and virtual sessions
Calming plant environment representing person-centred, culturally responsive therapy at Balens Psychotherapy Vaughan Ontario Warm botanical detail representing strength-based evidence-based therapy frameworks, Balens Psychotherapy
My frameworks
CBT DBT MI SFBT + more
How I work

A whole-person
approach

I pull from the most effective evidence-based modalities, weave them together with cultural humility and genuine curiosity, and then actually listen to the person in front of me. Because a framework is only useful if it fits your life.

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Person-Centred & Strength-Based
You're the expert on your own life. Sessions are collaborative, non-judgmental, and built around your existing strengths, not what's "wrong" with you.
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Culturally Responsive & Affirming
I understand the weight of navigating systems that weren't built with you in mind. Therapy here is a space where you don't have to code-switch, explain your background, or justify your experience.
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Nature-Informed & Grounding
From plant care to ecotherapy principles, nature shows up in sessions as a co-regulator, helping you slow down, get present, and reconnect with yourself.
Start your journey →
Session Fees

Transparent,
accessible pricing

Sessions available in-person in Vaughan and virtually across Ontario, all booked through JaneApp. Direct billing available through Telus eClaims. Many extended health plans cover RN psychotherapy.

20 Minutes
Free
Consultation. Let's see if we're a good fit.
60 Minutes
$150
Standard session.
90 Minutes
$225
Extended session for deeper work.
120 Minutes
$300
Full intensive session.

Low-cost and sliding scale therapy available

Because a tight budget shouldn't be the reason you don't get support.

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Low-Cost Therapy Program

Care that meets you
where you are, financially

Mental health care should be accessible, affirming, and rooted in real understanding, not limited by income. That's not just something I say. It's how I operate.

Low-cost fixed options and sliding scale sessions start from $60, same quality, same care, no judgment, no reduced support.

Financial stress or instability Students and recent grads Uninsured or underinsured Anyone who needs support
How it works
1
Book a free 20-min consultation
No pressure. Just a conversation to see if we're a good fit for each other.
2
Talk about what's realistic for you
We'll briefly discuss your financial situation and find a rate that's fair and sustainable for both of us.
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Begin your healing journey
Same quality of care as every other client. The only thing that changes is the number on the invoice.
Book Now. It's Free to Start.
Nature-Informed Therapy

Rooted in something
deeper than words

"Incorporating plant care into therapy can enhance emotional regulation and deepen self-connection in ways that talk therapy alone sometimes can't reach."

Nature-informed psychotherapy isn't about being outdoors or owning the perfect monstera. It's about using the language and rhythm of living things to help you slow down, regulate your nervous system, and reconnect with yourself, wherever you are.

CBT
DBT Skills
Motivational Interviewing
SFBT
Person-Centred
Strength-Based
Explore this approach →
Lush plant leaves representing ecotherapy and horticultural therapy at Balens Psychotherapy Vaughan Ontario Soft botanical detail representing growth and healing, nature-informed therapy with Edna Bonsu

"Growth is not linear. And neither is healing."

Ready to take
the first step?

A free 20-minute consultation is all it takes to start. No obligation, no commitment. Just a real conversation about what you're going through and whether we might be a good fit.

FAQs

Questions?
I've got you.

Still not sure? Reach out directly. I'm always happy to chat before you commit to anything.

Get in touch
What is Balens Therapy?
Balens Therapy is a psychotherapy practice offering individualised mental health support for adults navigating stress, burnout, life transitions, anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and more. We blend evidence-based approaches with nature-inspired elements to promote healing, grounding, and self-connection.
What does the name "Balens" mean?
Balens is inspired by the word "balance," with a soft, grounding twist. The phonetic pronunciation of "balance" is /ˈbæləns/ in American and British English. It is a two-syllable word, broken down as "BAL" + "uhns". It reflects our belief in finding calm, resilience, and connection, even in life's messier moments.
What is Psychotherapy?
"Psychotherapy is a type of treatment that can help individuals experiencing a wide array of mental health conditions and emotional challenges. Psychotherapy can help not only alleviate symptoms but also, certain types of psychotherapies can help identify the psychological root causes of one's condition so a person can function better and have enhanced emotional well-being and healing" (American Psychotherapy Association, 2023).

In the province of Ontario, Psychotherapy is considered a controlled act that may only be performed by regulated health professionals authorized to do so. For more information about when Psychotherapy is a controlled act, click here.
Do you offer in-person sessions?
Yes! In-person sessions are available at the Balens Therapy Collective, Unit 159, 7777 Weston Road, Vaughan. It's a private, calm, plant-filled space with free parking and accessible entry. Virtual sessions are also available to anyone across Ontario. The choice is entirely yours.
Who do you work with?
Adults 18+ across Ontario, in-person in Vaughan and virtually. With a particular focus on professionals in high-pressure roles, women of colour, BIPOC community members, neurodivergent individuals, and those living with PPPD. My practice is inclusive and affirming, and you will never need to explain yourself here.
What is an RN Psychotherapist?
A Registered Nurse Psychotherapist is a Psychotherapist practicing under the restricted title of Registered Nurse, who is competently practicing with the appropriate knowledge, skill and judgment to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy. "Based on the RHPA definition, there are five elements in the controlled act and all five elements must be met to be performing the controlled act" (CNO, 2023).
Can I use my group benefits or insurance plan to cover the costs?
Private Psychotherapy is not covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). It is, however, covered under many extended health insurance plans. Not all insurance providers recognize Registered Nurses as a Psychotherapist, although RNs are regulated to perform psychotherapy. You may need to check directly with your insurance provider to see if it is covered.

Regardless, receipts are always provided, which can be used for reimbursement from insurance companies or as a medical expense claim on your income tax. Direct billing is available through GreenShield and Telus eClaims. Clarify with your insurance provider whether services will be covered before your first session — and I'm happy to help you navigate this.
How does virtual therapy work?
All virtual sessions are held through JaneApp, a PHIPA-compliant booking and video platform. You'll get a secure link before each session. All you need is a private space and a device with a camera. Simple as that.
What does "nature-informed" therapy actually mean?
It means weaving ecotherapy and horticultural therapy principles into standard evidence-based approaches. It might look like plant care practices, grounding exercises inspired by natural rhythms, or simply using the language of growth and seasons to make sense of your experience. You don't need to go outside, or own a plant, to benefit from it.
What is PPPD and how do you treat it?
Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) is a functional neurological condition causing chronic dizziness, unsteadiness, and sensitivity to motion and visual environments. I use structured, evidence-based CBT adapted specifically for PPPD, alongside supportive care for the emotional toll of living with a condition that most people haven't heard of.
How do I know if we're a good fit?
That's exactly what the free 20-minute consultation is for. No commitment, no awkwardness. Just a conversation to see if the vibe is right. The therapeutic relationship is everything, and you deserve to feel comfortable with the person you're opening up to.
Is a sliding scale or low-cost option available?
Yes. Sliding scale and fixed low-cost spots are available starting from $60 per session. Spots are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. If all spots are full, I'm happy to place you on a waitlist or connect you with other low-cost options in Ontario. A tight budget should never be the reason you don't get support.