Astrid Marie Machalitza – Therapy & Services
About Astrid Marie Machalitza
A Therapist Who Believes in Balance and Attachment
Hi there! I’m Astrid, a therapist who believes that healing doesn’t always have to be serious — sometimes, a good laugh is the best medicine. While our sessions will dive deep into the heart of your challenges, we’ll also leave room for humor and lightness. Because let’s face it, laughter can break through walls that words alone sometimes can’t.
On this page I would like to welcome you to LivelyFuture Counselling, my Private Practice.
Here I support individuals, couples, and families who long for more connection, trust, and inner peace — especially in times of loss, exhaustion, life transitions, or relationship struggles as a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, Canada, and licensed Psychotherapist (Heilpraktikerin für Psychotherapie) in Germany.
My approach combines evidence-based psychotherapy with a deep trust in healing, growth, and the power of emotional connection.
A Personal Journey Toward Therapy
Every person carries their own story – and mine deeply shapes the way I accompany others today.
My work is not only grounded in professional training, but also in personal experience – born from love, loss, faith, and new beginnings.
Would you like to know more about my story?
Discover how my own path of healing and growth led to the creation of LivelyFuture Counselling.
My Therapeutic Services
Individual Therapy
For those who want to better understand themselves, find calm, or navigate life’s challenges with more clarity.
Common themes include:
- Grief, burnout, or emotional exhaustion
- Anxiety, inner emptiness, or depression
- Self-worth, identity, and personal growth
- Spirituality and meaning
Couple Therapy – Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
For couples who wish to rebuild closeness, trust, and understanding.
Even in crises — after conflict, distance, or betrayal — I help you rediscover one another and reconnect emotionally.
Family Therapy – EFFT
For parents, teens, and families who feel stuck in painful patterns and want to restore communication and emotional safety.
In family work, we focus not on blame, but on connection and understanding.
Supervision & Training
As a Certified ICEEFT EFT Therapist and Supervisor-in-Training, I offer supervision and growth opportunities for therapists and counsellors who wish to deepen their EFT practice — available in English and German, worldwide and online.
Christian Counselling
If faith is an important part of your healing journey, I offer therapy that can gently integrate Christian and spiritual perspectives — always open-minded, respectful, and non-dogmatic.
Qualifications & Education
I have been working in psychotherapy, coaching, and spiritual care for more than 15 years.
My education includes:
- Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO), Ontario
- Licensed Psychotherapist (Heilpraktikerin für Psychotherapie), Germany
- Master of Arts in Spiritual Care & Psychotherapy, Martin Luther University College, Waterloo (Canada)
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) – Certified by ICEEFT for couples, individuals, and families
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Trauma and Grief Support
- Certified Training in Coaching, Enneagram & Mediation
I regularly continue my professional development to provide the best possible care to my clients.
Additional Certifications for Your Growth
I hold specialized training and certifications in:
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): For working with attachment patterns, emotional closeness, and relationship dynamics.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): For addressing distressing thoughts, anxiety, and depression.
- Trauma and Grief Support (Certified): To safely and compassionately accompany people through sensitive and life-changing experiences.
These approaches allow me to tailor each session to your individual needs – providing both a solid, evidence-based foundation and space for empathy, growth, and personal transformation.
Experience and Heart – Two Sides of the Same Work
Professional expertise is essential – yet it comes alive through personal experience.
My own journey through loss, faith, and growth has profoundly shaped the way I work with clients today.
If you’d like to read more about this journey:
Read My Story
Working Across Cultures & Languages
As a German-Canadian therapist, I work with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
I offer sessions in English and German, with sensitivity and respect for individual stories and cultural contexts.
My practice is based in Ontario, Canada, and I offer sessions online or in person.
I also work with clients in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Please note: In Austria and Switzerland, I provide counselling and coaching rather than regulated psychotherapy.
Practical Information
- No waiting list: Appointments are currently available on short notice.
- Insurance coverage in Canada: Available through plans that include Registered Psychotherapists.
- Insurance in Germany: Partial coverage through private insurance or self-payment.
- Languages: English & German.
- Format: Online & in-person sessions.
Because crises are never planned.
Being accessible for my clients during difficult moments is deeply important to me.
If you find yourself in an acute emotional crisis, I offer short emergency sessions (about 30 minutes) —
to ease the intensity of the moment, bring clarity and orientation, and help you breathe and feel more clearly again.
Why I use first names
I choose to use first names in my work because therapy is a space of authentic human connection — not distance.
Using first names helps create warmth and openness, while maintaining respect and professional boundaries.
The intention is simply to foster a sense of safety, trust, and genuine presence.
Life in Ontario – My Family and Our Cat
I live in Ontario with my wonderful son Matthew, who reminds me every day of the resilience, joy, and love we all carry within us.
Our small family also includes Snowflake, our affectionate black cat with a few white spots — a lively whirlwind and gentle companion in everyday life.
Helping People Live with Joy and Purpose
When I’m not in sessions, I’m passionate about creating courses, workshops, and online resources that help people design a more joyful, balanced, and fulfilling life.
In the LivelyFuture Academy, you’ll find practical, down-to-earth, and inspiring tools to bring more lightness, connection, and self-compassion into daily life.
My Heart for this Work
Some people find me through my professional expertise, others through my personal story.
Both belong together — knowledge and humanity.
I believe therapy is more than a set of techniques;
it’s an encounter that restores trust, courage, and connection.
If you’d like to read more about my personal journey, you can find it here:
My Story – From Loss and Renewal to Faith and Connection
Next Step
I offer a free 20-minute consultation, so we can get to know each other and see what kind of support feels right for you.
Life Experience You Can Connect With
I bring my own life experiences into our work together, not to make it about me, but to offer you something tangible to connect with. Life can feel isolating at times, but knowing someone else has navigated those same waters can be a powerful anchor. My goal is to create a space where you feel both seen and supported as you embark on your journey of growth and self-discovery.
Credentials That Build Trust
I am a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario and a Heilpraktiker (Psychotherapie) in Germany since 2016 and worked there as a life coach before. These credentials allow me to offer professional therapy services across borders, ensuring that I adhere to the highest standards of care in both countries.
In 2021 my son and I came to Canada to start my studies in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy at the Martin Luther University College in Waterloo, Ontario. My dream of becoming a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario became true in February 2023.
Combined with my certifications and experience, my qualifications enable me to provide effective, empathetic, and culturally sensitive support.
Certifications That Support Your Growth
These modalities ensure that your therapy experience is both comprehensive and adaptable, providing a strong foundation for personal growth and emotional well-being.
Extensive Experience with Grief
Grief has been a significant part of my personal journey, and it deeply informs the way I support others. During my pregnancy with my son, Matthew, I experienced the loss of seven close people in my life and nearly lost my mother as well. In 2023, I also endured the passing of my father due to complications from the COVID vaccine. These profound losses have given me a deep understanding of the complexities of grief and its impact.
Through these experiences, I have developed a unique ability to provide empathetic and compassionate support to those navigating their own grieving journeys. Whether it’s sudden loss, prolonged grief, or the challenges of processing emotions, I am here to walk alongside you.
Working Across Cultures and Languages
Originally from Germany, I also work as a therapist there and can offer therapy sessions in both German and English. Being able to work across cultures and languages allows me to connect with a wide range of clients and bring a unique perspective to our sessions.
Life in Ontario: My Family and Furry Friend
I’m based in beautiful Ontario, where I live with my amazing son, Matthew, who keeps me grounded and endlessly entertained. He’s my daily reminder of the resilience and joy we’re all capable of cultivating. Sharing our home is also our very cute cat, Snowflake, who is the most loving animal I ever had. (Spoiler alert: She’s not white, but black with a few white spots (the snowflakes).)
Helping Others Live in Abundance
When I’m not in the therapy room, you’ll often find me dreaming up ways to help people live more abundantly. I’m passionate about teaching others how to create fulfilling, joyful lives — whether it’s through one-on-one sessions, group workshops, or my growing collection of online courses. Creating these courses has become one of my favourite projects, and I’m having a blast putting together content that’s practical, engaging, and, yes, fun! If you’re curious, make sure to check out my Academy — it’s full of resources designed to help you thrive
Therapy Tailored for You
Therapy with me is about finding your balance, your joy, and your strength, one step at a time. Whether that means untangling a tough emotion, finding a new perspective, or just having a space to exhale, I’m here for it all. So, let’s talk, laugh, and maybe cry a little (the good kind) as we work together to create the life you deserve.
Ready to Begin?
Ready to get started? Let’s connect!
I offer a free 20-minute Click-Check consultation call, where we can see if I’m the right fit for you. This is a chance for us to discuss your needs and goals while ensuring that you feel comfortable and supported moving forward.