Belissa Rugamba, HBSc

Belissa Rugamba is a Therapist in Training at MindSpa Mental Health Centre. She sees clients in person at the Kanata and Gloucester clinics in Ottawa, and virtually anywhere in Ontario. She is completing her clinical practicum as part of a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. In addition, she brings a strong scientific foundation to the work, with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and a minor in Mental Health from the University of Toronto.

She mainly supports young adults facing the pressures of this stage of life. That includes big transitions, relationship challenges, low self-esteem and questions of identity. She also works with clients experiencing anxiety, the effects of trauma and emotional overwhelm.

Clients working with Belissa Rugamba can expect a warm, collaborative, client-centred space where they feel heard and understood. Because she is a clinical intern, her sessions can be a more accessible option for anyone looking for quality mental health care in Ottawa or through virtual therapy in Ontario. Belissa offers a free introductory consultation so new clients can connect with her before committing to ongoing sessions.

Areas of Focus

Individual Therapy

She offers one-on-one therapy for adults who want a confidential space to work through what’s weighing on them. For example, common concerns include stress, anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, and feeling stuck or unsure of what comes next. Individual counselling with Belissa is paced to each client’s goals, whether they want short-term support or deeper, longer-term work.

Young Adult Therapy

Early adulthood brings a lot of firsts: leaving home, starting post-secondary or a career, forming serious relationships and working out who you are. Belissa helps young adults in Ottawa and across Ontario manage academic and career pressure, family expectations, loneliness, self-doubt and the feeling that everyone else has it figured out.

Virtual Therapy Across Ontario

For clients who prefer to meet from home, or who live outside Ottawa, Belissa provides secure online therapy anywhere in Ontario. Virtual sessions offer the same quality of care as in-person appointments, with added flexibility for busy schedules, students and people in rural communities.

Meet Belissa

“I believe therapy works best when you feel safe enough to be completely yourself. My goal is to create that space: somewhere you can slow down, say what’s really going on, and be met with understanding instead of judgment.

My background in neuroscience shapes how I see the people I work with. So much of what we experience, like anxiety, feeling stuck or old patterns that keep repeating, makes sense when we understand how the mind and body respond to stress and experience. I like helping clients see that there’s nothing ‘wrong’ with them. There are reasons behind how they feel, and there are ways forward.

I especially enjoy working with young adults, because this stage of life is full of pressure and possibility at the same time. Whether you’re navigating a transition, a relationship or questions about who you are, you don’t have to figure it out alone. We’ll work together, at your pace, toward the changes that matter most to you.”

Specialty Sections

Anxiety Therapy

Anxiety can show up as constant worry, racing thoughts, trouble sleeping, physical tension or avoiding situations that feel overwhelming. Belissa helps clients understand what drives their anxiety, build practical coping strategies and feel more grounded in daily life.

Trauma Therapy

Difficult or painful experiences can continue to affect how we feel, think and relate to others long after they happen. Belissa offers trauma-informed support that puts safety, choice and pacing first, so clients can make sense of their experiences and begin to heal.

Self-Esteem Therapy

Harsh self-criticism, people-pleasing, perfectionism and the feeling of never being “enough” can quietly shape every part of life. Belissa helps clients recognize those patterns, build self-compassion and develop a steadier, kinder relationship with themselves.

Identity & Self-Discovery

Questions about identity, values, culture, belonging and direction are a natural part of growth, but they can also feel confusing or isolating. Belissa gives clients room to explore who they are and who they want to become, without pressure or judgment.

Relationship Counselling for Individuals

Friendships, family dynamics, dating and romantic partnerships all shape our well-being. Belissa supports individuals working through conflict, communication struggles, boundaries, breakups and patterns they’d like to change in how they connect with others.

Life Transitions

Moving, graduating, starting a new job, ending a relationship or entering a new chapter can bring up stress even when the change is positive. Belissa helps clients manage uncertainty, adjust to change and feel more confident about the road ahead.

Emotional Well-Being

For clients who feel overwhelmed, disconnected or emotionally drained without a clear reason, Belissa offers a space to slow down. She helps them understand their emotions and build habits that support lasting mental wellness.

Professional Background

Her path into counselling began with a scientific interest in how the brain shapes emotion, behaviour and mental health. Her undergraduate studies in neuroscience and mental health at the University of Toronto gave her a solid grounding in the biological and psychological sides of well-being.

She is now completing her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. As part of that program, she is doing her clinical practicum at MindSpa Mental Health Centre, where she provides individual therapy in person in Kanata and Gloucester and virtually across Ontario. Her clinical work is supported by MindSpa’s experienced, multidisciplinary team through regular supervision and consultation.

Therapeutic Approach

Her approach is warm, collaborative and client-centred. She sees each client as the expert on their own life, and she treats therapy as a partnership rather than something done to someone. Sessions focus on building trust first, so clients feel heard and understood before they are asked to make changes.

Her work is trauma-informed and strengths-based. She pays attention to the resilience clients already have, respects their pace, and helps them turn insight into meaningful, lasting change. Her neuroscience background adds an evidence-informed lens, helping clients understand the “why” behind their experiences.

Therapeutic Modalities

• Client-Centred Therapy
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Strengths-Based Practice

Education & Registration

• Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP), Candidate, Yorkville University
• Honours Bachelor of Science (HBSc), Neuroscience, Minor in Mental Health, University of Toronto
• Clinical Practicum: MindSpa Mental Health Centre, under clinical supervision

Locations Served

In person: MindSpa Mental Health Centre, Kanata (West) and Gloucester (East) clinics, Ottawa.

Virtual: Online therapy available to clients anywhere in Ontario.

Belissa welcomes clients from across the Ottawa region, including Kanata, Stittsville, Barrhaven, Nepean, Orléans, Gloucester and downtown Ottawa. Through virtual sessions, she can also reach clients in Renfrew County and communities throughout Ontario.

Reaching out for support takes courage, and you don’t need to have everything figured out before you start. Whether you’re navigating a big change, carrying the weight of anxiety or past experiences, or simply wanting to understand yourself better, Belissa offers a safe, supportive place to begin. Together, you can explore what’s holding you back and move toward a life that feels more like your own.

Ready to take the first step? Book a free introductory consultation with Belissa.

Belissa Rugamba provides individual and young adult therapy at MindSpa Mental Health Centre in Kanata and Gloucester, with virtual sessions across Ontario. She helps clients with anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, identity, relationships and life transitions through a warm, client-centred, trauma-informed approach.