Psychologist Speaker – Speaking & Media

Clarity, connection, and conversation in mental health

I am a psychologist speaker, educator and writer specializing in the integration of cognitive behavioural therapy and attachment theory. My work focuses on parenting and the parent-child relationship across the lifespan, role transitions in families, and meaning-making after adverse events and trauma.

Speaking engagements

Thoughtful, engaging talks for conferences, organizations and professional audiences on relationships, mental health and clinical practice.

Media appearances

Available for podcasts, articles and interviews, offering a relatable and engaging perspective on modern mental health and relationships.

Dr. Rana speaking and gesturing with a pen in hand beside a podcast microphone and MacBook laptop in a navy blue home office

I specialize in integrating cognitive behavioural therapy and attachment theory to understand parent–adult-child relationships and family role transitions.

Areas of focus:

  • Parenthood across the lifespan, including: peripartum mental health, parenting toddlers and teens, the relationship between parents and adult children and navigating estrangement.
  • Family role transitions
  • Attachment and CBT integration in psychotherapy
  • Treatment of trauma-related disorders and dissociation
  • The impact of modern wellness culture and AI on modern relationships

Topics I can speak on

Public talks

  • How family patterns persist into adulthood
  • Parenting at various life stages, peripartum period, toddlerhood, adolescence, emerging adulthood, and adulthood
  • The psychology of parent-adult child conflict, estrangement and reconciliation
  • The backlash of wellness trends like “Let Them” theory
  • AI and emotional displacement in relationships

Professional talks

  • Integrating CBT with attachment in therapy
  • Working with adult children and their parents in therapy
  • Self-focused wellness trends and relational overcorrection
  • Meaning-making after trauma trauma
  • Risk and impact of AI use no relationships
  • Use of journaling in psychotherapy
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A black handheld microphone with a silver mesh grille is angled to the left, casting a soft shadow on a dark background—perfect for hosting mental health workshops or impactful conversations.

Speaking engagements

These speaking engagements are especially useful in settings where relationships, trauma, life transitions are at the core of the work.

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Professional development for clinicians

Workshops or keynotes for therapists, counsellors, or mental health teams looking to deepen their understanding of attachment, early experiences, or reflective practice.
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Training for early years and education teams

Sessions for educators, care providers, or support staff focused on the emotional layers of child development and how to respond thoughtfully in everyday moments.
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Guest podcast speaker

Conversations on how relationships shape our professional worlds — and why slowing down is essential for deeper connection, collaboration, and care across health systems, nonprofits, and interdisciplinary teams.

Media appearances

A person stands on a sand dune looking toward distant mountains at sunrise or sunset, evoking reflection and growth—perfect for promoting mental health workshops. The text "THOUGHTS ON RECORD" appears in bold white letters at the bottom.

Life in transition & navigating change

Dr. Rana Pishva joins Thoughts on Record to explore how we can move through change with greater awareness and self-compassion. We discuss why transitions are best understood as processes rather than events, how grief and growth often coexist, and why learning to tolerate uncertainty may be one of the most important psychological skills of our time.
A woman with curly, light brown hair smiles at the camera. The text above her reads "FOUND HER RISING," highlighting her work in mental health workshops. Below her is the name "CHRISTINE HAKKOLA" with a small graphic of a rising sun.

Where growth meets grit

Christine Hakkola interviews Dr. Rana Pishva, a clinical psychologist and founder of Sorted Mind. They discuss the journey of diversifying services in the wellness industry, the importance of adaptability, and the challenges of business growth. Dr. Pishva shares her insights on overcoming the fear of failure, the significance of finding a niche, and the future vision for Sorted Mind, including the ethical use of AI in therapy.
Logo for "The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast with Dr Marianne Trent," featuring a lightbulb with a brain design wearing headphones, highlighting connections to mental health workshops, above the podcast title in both print and cursive fonts.

Has ‘Let Them’ theory gone too far?

A simple black and white line drawing of a person meditating in a seated lotus position, with legs crossed and hands resting on the knees, palms facing up. Exploring how the popular “Let Them” mindset can sometimes drift from healthy boundary-setting into emotional avoidance and disconnection.
A grayscale image of the full moon against a black background, with "BARKING MAD" in bold, bright blue letters at the top—promoting mental health workshops with a striking visual statement.

Me, myself, and well being. When self care goes solo

A simple black and white line drawing of a person meditating in a seated lotus position, with legs crossed and hands resting on the knees, palms facing up. Barking Mad welcomes Dr. Rana Pishva, a psychologist from Ottawa, to discuss her article titled "Is the Pendulum of Self-Agency Swinging Too Far?"
A white line drawing of a brain with a glowing yellow lightbulb inside, set against a dark blue background, symbolizes creative thinking or ideas—perfect for promoting mental health workshops.

Independence, attachment and the fine line between growth and avoidance

A simple black and white line drawing of a person meditating in a seated lotus position, with legs crossed and hands resting on the knees, palms facing up. In this episode of The Enriched Mindset Podcast, hosts Mahveen and Gracie sit down with Dr. Rana Pishva.
A podcast cover reading "The Coping Toolbox: A Child Psych Podcast," featuring a toolbox filled with a notebook, ball, stethoscope, and scissors—perfect for families seeking tips and mental health workshops. Text below credits Drs. Laila, Jenn, and Mary, C.Psych.

When our past shows up: Parenting, identity and attachment

Dr. Mary speaks with Dr. Rana Pishva about how our own childhood experiences can resurface during parenthood. They discuss matrescence (the developmental shift of becoming a parent), signs that reactions are rooted in past wounds, practical tools like HALT and opposite action, and how self-compassion, intentional communication, and timely repair can improve parent–child and family relationships.
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How to make Santa feel special again

With holiday photoshoots and Santa visits more accessible than ever, these once-magical moments risk becoming just another checkbox in a busy season. This article reflects on how parents can slow down and reintroduce a sense of intention and connection—making Santa encounters feel meaningful again, especially for young children navigating sensory overload or social stress.
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Should you be using AI as your next therapist?

I had the pleasure of speaking with Rebecca Zandbergen at CBC/Radio-Canada about the growing use of AI in therapy. While it's great to see technology making support more accessible, especially for those who may not feel ready to speak with a professional, I also wonder if we're turning to the wrong tool to solve a deeper human problem.
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Attachment theory in action

Join Jenna in a compelling conversation with psychologist Dr. Rana Pishva as they delve into the challenges of new parenthood. Dr. Pishva provides valuable insights on discovering your parenting identity, debunking myths surrounding motherhood, and navigating the journey of parenting as a whole.
A smiling woman stands against a teal background with text that reads: “SLEEP CUES - The Everything Parenting Podcast with Erin Junker Pediatric Sleep Consultant.” The corner features a crescent moon logo, highlighting mental health workshops for parents.

Sleep cues: The everything parenting podcast

On this episode with Erin Junker, Dr. Rana Pishva weighs in on various topics as they discuss attachment parenting along with Gilmour Psychological Services. Erin shares her passion for this topic as well and how she incorporates it into her own journey with sleep coaching and in her practice as a sleep consultant.
Logo with the words "the psychologist" in lowercase purple letters on a white background; "the" is smaller and positioned above the "p" in "psychologist," reflecting expertise in mental health workshops.

Is the pendulum of self-agency swinging too far?

The article explores the concept of self‑agency, the sense that one has control over one’s own actions and decisions, and warns about the risks when this sense swings too far. While agency is usually empowering, an overemphasis on autonomy can lead to isolation, unrealistic expectations, excessive self‑blame, and a lack of collaboration or acceptance of help.

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