About Oria Collective
Therapy grounded in understanding.
Oria Collective provides thoughtful, evidence-informed therapy for adults, teens, and couples in Ottawa and virtually across Ontario.
Meet the Founder
Deborah Headley, MSW, RSW
Founder & Clinical Director
For more than 25 years, my work has centred on supporting people through a wide range of challenges and life experiences.
I founded Oria Collective to bring that experience together in a practice focused on thoughtful, high-quality therapy — where people feel genuinely heard and understood, and where clinical experience and expertise bring depth, clarity, new perspectives, and direction to the conversation.
Being heard and understood is sometimes what is needed most. Therapy can also help you understand your experiences more fully, recognize patterns and connections, consider different perspectives, and find new ways of approaching what you are facing.
My clinical experience informs how I listen, the questions I ask, what I notice, and the perspectives or strategies I offer. I work with teens, adults, and couples, drawing on evidence-informed approaches with each person’s needs and goals guiding therapy.
In Person or Virtual
A comfortable place to talk.
In-person therapy is available in Ottawa’s Wellington West neighbourhood, in private, welcoming therapy rooms with convenient parking available. Virtual appointments are also available throughout Ontario.
What to Expect
How therapy begins.
Starting therapy is a significant decision. Knowing how the first steps work can make the process feel a little more familiar.
Complimentary Consultation
See if it feels like a fit.
The complimentary 15-minute consultation is a chance to share a little about what brings you to therapy, ask questions, and decide whether you would like to book a first session.
Your First Session
Putting the pieces together.
The first session is an in-depth conversation that looks across different areas of your life to understand the fuller picture. I’ll make connections as we go and share observations, insights, or strategies where they may be helpful. We’ll also identify the goals that will guide therapy.
Ongoing Therapy
Therapy takes shape over time.
Your goals give therapy direction without dictating every conversation. Sessions may include listening, questions, making connections, offering perspective, challenging something when helpful, and drawing on different therapeutic approaches as they are useful to you.
Experience & Credentials
Experience, training, and professional accountability.
The work at Oria is informed by extensive clinical experience, ongoing professional learning, and the standards that guide ethical and accountable practice in Ontario.
Registration
Registered & Accountable
Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, practising in accordance with the College’s professional and ethical standards.
Experience
More Than 25 Years
Professional experience spanning hospital, community, and specialized mental health services, as well as clinical leadership and private practice.
Clinical Training
Evidence-Informed Practice
Ongoing clinical training and professional development across evidence-informed approaches, including cognitive behavioural, interpersonal, emotion-focused, attachment-informed, and solution-focused therapies.
Clinical Education
Clinical Faculty Appointment
Clinical faculty appointment within a university Faculty of Medicine and Department of Psychiatry, with involvement in clinical education and the development of future practitioners.
Professional Memberships & Listings
Ontario Association of Social Workers · Psychology Today Verified Provider · Listed on eMentalHealth.ca
Ready When You Are
Start with a conversation.
If you’re thinking about starting therapy, a complimentary 15-minute consultation is a chance to connect, ask questions, and see whether Oria feels like the right place to begin.