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Parul Shah

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Parul Shah

Welcome to the Official page CEO, Founder & Psychotherapist of , Parul Shah!

01/04/2026

Ever wondered what it’s like to sit and be still?

It can feel unnerving.

It can feel uncomfortable.

It can feel you need to say something.

Yet, the above isn’t about the person staying still. It’s about others who can’t stand the silence you give as they no longer can control you.

Stillness isn’t about staying in your lane. It’s being able to process without reaction. It’s about clarity and peace. It’s about feeling unbothered by the ones who try to shake you up.

Stillness is about the understanding that people don’t get triggered by your mistakes. People get triggered by your progress.

Stillness. Another bold and courageous move within your growth.

Stay and be still.

01/04/2026

In the mental health profession, we are dedicated to provide the guidance and support you need.

Many of us create additional spaces to fill in immediate gaps.

Yet, when providing distinctive therapy modalities, we must do our due diligence to have scholarly and proper training before executing any form of trauma approaches.

Self design trauma based concept without doing research can be more damaging than the trauma itself.

Like in medicine , science often backs up therapy modalities ,theories and symptoms ( including but not limited to , EMDR, IFS, Prolonged exposure therapy, Brain-spotting , CPT, )( symptoms like PTSD , CPTSD, BPD & DSM V diagnosis ), especially those in the world of first responders , public safety professionals, anyone in frontline who carry mental and moral injuries, PTSD , Complex trauma, suicidal ideation and major depression disorder.

A format is a format. But do we know it works for a particular population ? Do you have evidence it works? Was there study conducted to substantiate the findings?

Many of us who provide safe spaces for clients with complexity of trauma, sometimes , we come across the additional task to unravel unethical and unprofessional form of therapy by other professionals who may be executing a modality with no or little training . Evidence based therapy is called for a reason.

THAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRAUMA INFORMED THERAPY AND TRAUMA TRAINED THERAPY.

Every client is often in desperation for support and guidance for the struggles they face, and therefore we as mental health professionals have a duty to provide ethical practices over lived experience . Lived experiences has its place, but not when we execute trauma based therapy . We need evidence to show we are trained over informed. Clients have the right to ask about our training. Some don’t often want to hear your own experiences and sometimes they do. Yet, what they want to know is how we can support them in ways it won’t re-traumatize them.

01/03/2026

Past lessons have teachable moments if you are willing to see them that way.

We often ask ourselves “ why me?”.

Yet, the “why” often provides more questions than answers.

Instead, we need to ask ourselves, “ what’s this teaching me?”.

Reframing then becomes a powerful direction.

It allows you to view the perspective of growth .

It brings in wisdom.

And it brings in understanding that how you navigated life, may no longer serve you.

Teachable moments reframes how you lead life.

That’s where you are distinct from the rest.

Clarity, courage and connection becomes one of your boldest moves.

01/03/2026

Alignment is intentional.

It’s never accidental.

Alignment is when you finally match your truth & values to action.

And when you are able to see that alignment can also bring others to dislike you, yet, still able to move ( not push) forward, alignment becomes your power.

Alignment shines who you are, as you are, with no shame, no guilt, no apologies. The intention to act on the courage, the bravery you speak about.

Alignment is always an intentional act with oneself through the rawest form of humanity. Being yourself. SUPPORT. STRENGTH. THRIVE.

01/01/2026

It’s January 1st, 2026.

1.1.1.

A space of stillness.

A space of renewals.

A space of keep moving forward.

A space of letting go.

A space of reformulation.

A space of transformation.

Many will start today with new resolutions.

To feel better, do better, be better.

But do we need to be a “new me?”

The answer is no.

The you that others have always admired, know, that they adore the flaws you carry.

That the heaviness never leaves but it can fade with time .

That lessons will always appear, as new challenges will come alive.

The you , who you are now, know it is only you, who can see what you need to do to feel whole again.

Detoxifying , is beyond physical.

It’s also about letting you say no to what doesn’t fit.

To no longer allow others to narrate your story.

Share it! Open it up! Let it out!

Detoxifying is a cleanse that will require us to do throughout the year.

Resolutions aren’t made for the person, it’s made to show that we are not fully accepted of who we are “until we are better”.

Detox the word “resolution”.

And lean in to words that have deeper meaning to you.

Detoxifying is powerful and against all odds, you’ve survived the darkness.

It’s time, to strengthen the . Feel the . So you can see that life is worth thriving for.

Detoxifying. The most powerful word to chase your boldest & courageous moves in 2026.

12/29/2025

With much compassion & care, from me to you.💙

12/25/2025

As I’m an early riser, a kind reminder , that some will see you as “naughty” and some will see you as “nice”.

Yet, we forget, other’s perception of who we are, doesn’t really matter.

Never mattered.

Nor should it take up mental space.

Perception is like reputation. The ones who done you harm will always paint you like a villain. They will gather supporters.

Yet, your character is what you see in yourself.

That never changes.

Ever.

Even when you stand alone.

Uniqueness can never be copied. And yes, we are all unique. Each one of us.

So, Let that shine through!

Have a gentle Christmas everyone! 💙

12/25/2025

When openness is prominent, we get to see something we never knew it was there.

Clarity isn’t there to confuse us.

It’s there to examine behaviour.

Your ease isn’t around the ignorance.

It means that your peace becomes selective and purposeful.

Clarity can arrive in spaces of chaos.

Clarity can also arrive when you reduce the noise.

Yet, clarity can hold space of shame and guilt. You didn’t know what you didn’t know. Clarity arrived to see & feel your worth after the damage and hurt was done by others.

Clarity never needed an audience to prove their existence.

Clarity only required, your time, your space, & your pause.

Thank you CLARITY!

12/24/2025

There are stories many of us don’t share.

Not because we are bounded to not tell them (NDA’s can be nonexistent in some industries) , but rather to understand our own reaction from someone else’s action.

Leaders naturally carry empathy, compassion, care, and kindness.

Yet, when it’s pushed to a limit, our body is going to react ( fight, flight, freeze, fawn) how our mind feels.

We are humanly allowed to defend ourselves even when it comes out harsh. This isn’t just a one off, it becomes accumulative as professional boundaries were ignored.

Leaders are placed in a different holding block . We are not suppose react at all. We are told to be robotic. No emotions other than smiles and accolades . We are the constant “yes” person. We place others needs first before our own.

Lifting others up, while we see professional inadequacies, is a hard pill to swallow. Because the moment we react, we are positioned towards accusations and labels.

Leaders should also never tolerate inappropriate behaviour as much as someone who works with them.

Grace has its limits even in any leadership role.

Our job is to understand as well, what was tolerable, what wasn’t , what caused our reaction, was it justified, and if there was ever an opportunity to have harder conversations. That’s our lessons .

For many leaders ,Growth is always a primary option over revenge. We are human too. Owning our reaction is different than dismissing it. Growth does not require to bend over backwards, it is to understand and take accountability of our own not for everyone else.

Shadow work is a two way street. It’s realizing the warning signs/red flags before being pushed to edge. Accountability is how it begins, for all sides of the coin.

Grace has limits.

12/24/2025

Vindication & Validation!

Eternally grateful & humbled being selected in the finalist category for in the Ottawa area.

As I gear up for a decade of providing guidance, connections, support to first responders, public safety professionals and their families, this highlights that I’m doing something right.

This past 10 months have been challenging, but with everything going on, this provides another indicator that what I do is validated and worthy to still being doing what I love for our 911 communities across Ontario & Alberta.

As a first responder family member for 24 years, I know my in laws looking down and saying “yes”! .

Here’s to them who guided me the way to understanding this world .

There is still lot to do, as I’m honoured, humbled and grateful . Taking in this moment and taking a pause to celebrate this!

To all the nominators, thank you! A form will be sent to you to fill out for Canadian Choice committee to distinguish the receipient in January 2026!

Thank you! Thank you! 💙

10YearsLater
FromSupportToStrength

12/22/2025

Excited & honoured to share that I will be one of the speakers at Day on May 1st, 2026!

As a first responder family member for over 24 years, and a psychotherapist for first responders and their families for 10, the trauma carries us through many stages.

What matters is how we can overcome it through, Support . What that looks like.

That Strength arrives thereafter .

And we begin to Thrive. Yes, we may not be the same person , but we can see a landscape of hope.

12/22/2025

Let’s talk.
Growth doesn’t require us to shrink.

Growth embraces the flawed self, while owning your part of a downfall .

Yes, it takes TWO to make or break any form of relationship.

Therefore, growth doesn’t stand alone. It’s taking accountability of your own actions. Accountability doesn’t mean own everyone’s mistakes. That is not your responsibility or your fault.

Self-sacrifice is a thing in imbalance places. We owe nothing to anyone when it comes to our own growth.

Self sacrifice means ignoring our basic needs for someone else.

That’s not growth. That’s a deterrent to your mental, emotional and physical well being.

Don’t lose yourself in the loud roars. When others want you to take accountability, remind yourself what is the bigger carrot here. It’s about power and control with no accountability. It’s about “ you’re wrong, I’m right” attitude.

NEVER dumb down your worth. Your accountability provides you a space of pause, peace , comfort, transparency without shame and guilt.

Address

Ottawa, ON

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 8pm
Wednesday	8am - 8pm
Thursday	8am - 8pm
Saturday	9am - 3pm
Sunday	9am - 3pm

Telephone

+16139866737

Website

https://embracingempowerment.com/

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Ottawa River Integrative Mental Health
14 Chamberlain Avenue

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Ottawa?

Parul Shah MSP, RSW

Parul Shah has over 20 years of experience in the Mental Health Field. Parul Shah is a privately owned Psychotherapist in the Ottawa area, focusing mainly on frontline personnel dealing with PTSD, anxiety, depression or anyone dealing with various traumas. The true understanding of frontline trauma often results either from self-experience or from living with someone who has a Mental Health Injury. Parul Shah continues to be a Clinical Support for A Peer Family based group called First Responders Family Resiliency Support Group Ottawa . She is also a Board Member for First Eyes, a Proactive Mental Health Program for Frontline and their families.

Parul Shah is also known for her public speaking and her daily inspiring posts and poems. Parul Shah has publicized a few of her poems over the span of 34 years.