Get to know us
Vinu Arunagiri, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Clinical Psychologist
she/her
Dr. Vinu Arunagiri is a Clinical Psychologist at Connect and Thrive Psychology. She provides therapy to adults & couples.
Training & Experience
Dr. Vinu graduated from the University of Melbourne with a B.A. in Psychology, completed her Masters in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University and received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Hofstra University.
She has received clinical trainings at McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical Center, Yale New Haven Hospital, NYU-Bellevue, Columbia University Medical Center, and Mt. Sinai’s Eating and Weight Disorders Program. Dr. Vinu was previously the onsite Clinical Psychologist for the New York University-Paris campus for 3 years prior to moving to Toronto.
Dr. Vinu is currently completing her second post-doctoral fellowship with McGill University/York University’s TULiP lab, focusing on specialized training in couple’s therapy for PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder.
Approach to Care
My clients describe me as “warm, down-to-earth and genuine” – Dr. Vinu
Dr. Vinu uses humor and kindness to create a safe space where clients can feel comfortable to be vulnerable. She aims to build trust with clients but most importantly, her goal is to have clients trust themselves. This is reflected in her collaborative approach where clients are respected as equals in the room. Her empathy is paired with a practical focus: she looks to understand the root causes of the difficulties clients face, while also addressing the current behaviors and symptoms that are getting in the way of their goals.
Dr. Vinu’s approach is rooted in the philosophy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy: principle-based, evidence-driven, and tailored to each person’s needs. She works from a behavioral and family systems perspective, helping individuals, couples, and families communicate more effectively, regulate intense emotions, and address difficulties such as suicidality, self-harm, eating disorders, and trauma. Treatment begins with a thorough assessment, and she uses objective measures to track progress, so that the work stays collaborative, transparent, and grounded in research.
Client Goals & Concerns
Dr. Vinu works with clients with a broad range of goals and concerns, including:
- Communication and assertiveness
- Interpersonal effectiveness
- Relationship health and intimacy
- Self-esteem and self-worth
- Navigating relationships with a loved one affected by a mental health concern
- Healing from history of parental abuse, neglect or disordered behaviour
- Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety (worry, panic, phobias, social anxiety etc.,)
- General stress and burnout
- Emotional awareness and regulation
- Self-exploration and understanding
- Identity related issues
- Stress and trauma as a result of systemic discrimination
- Cultural Identity
- Navigating motherhood and maternal mental health
Dr. Vinu is proficient in several evidence-based treatments including Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical-Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavior Couple’s Therapy for PTSD (CBCT) and Sage, a couple’s therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder.
Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive Behavior Couples Therapy for PTSD (CBCT)
- Sage (Couple Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder)