Why Piya’s Place?

From the very beginning, I knew I wanted to establish a space where people can feel seen… where they can breathe a sigh of relief… where they can simply be.

Piya (পিয়া) is derived from the Sanskrit word, meaning beloved or dear, and was what my late maternal grandmother (رَحِمَهَا ٱللَّٰهُ) used to call me as a child. She used to call me Piya with so much love and affection, and that warmth has been something I’ve carried forward to Piya’s Place. When connecting with me and visiting our office - whether virtually or in person, I hope you can also feel this warmth and comfort.

About Me

Aniqa Sheikh, RP, MA

Founder and Psychotherapist

Hi there/Salaam!

I’m a registered psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (Registrant#13753), and I provide psychotherapy and counselling services to teens (13+), adults, and couples in the Ottawa-Gatineau area and across Ontario.

I further hold a postgraduate degree in Counselling, Psychotherapy, and Spirituality with a specialization in Individual, Family, and Couples Counselling, in addition to completing my undergraduate degrees in Biology, Psychology, and Religious Studies, respectively, at the University of Ottawa.

In addition to my education and clinical experience, I bring lived experience as a visibly Muslim, South Asian woman and daughter of immigrant parents. I’ve witnessed the impact of various traumatic experiences growing up, navigated chronic illness and pain, and moved through seasons of grief and loss. These intersecting experiences, hence, shape my holistic and culturally attuned approach to healing, allowing me to honour the depth and complexity each client carries, regardless of their background.

Areas of Focus

  • Attachment/Relationship Issues

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Family-of-Origin Trauma

  • Intergenerational Trauma

  • Life Transitions

  • Existential Concerns (including Death Anxiety)

  • Grief

  • Faith & Spirituality

  • Identity Development and Self-Esteem

  • Inner-Child Work

  • Burnout and Work/School Issues

Notable Training & Certificates

  • LivingWorks ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals (EFIT) from ICEEFT

    • EFIT Levels 1 & 2

    • EFIT Consultation

    • EFIT for Depression

  • Megan Devine’s Grief Care Professional Certificate Program

  • Gottman Model Couples Therapy (Level 1&2)

  • Training in Islamically Grounded and Trauma-Informed Treatment (w/ Sarah Sultan, LPC, LMHC)

  • Repairing Betrayal: A Neurobiological and Attachment-Based Approach for Couples from Mind Body Training Institute (w/ Dr. Stan Tatkin)

  • BIPOC Brainspotting (Phase 1 completed; Phase 2 pending; with Tracy Gantlin-Monroy, LPC)

  • Advanced Somatic Trauma Treatment Method from PESI (w/ Linda Thai, LPSW)