Meet Joshua Dvorkin

We recently connected with Joshua Dvorkin and have shared our conversation below.

Joshua, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
On one hand, I always used to be afraid that I would be judged because I was different than everybody else. not only did I think differently, look differently, and act differently but I also had some different beliefs. I think the fact that I’m Jewish comes with a piece of inter-transgenerational trauma where one holds a deep-rooted systemic fear which keeps you with the constant belief that you need to be one step ahead of the game. I think this comes into play whenever you come from a place in history where anti-semitism or racism comes into play. Then when I was 15-years-old I came out of the closet as being gay. Then when I was 29, I had an epileptic seizure, fell 7 feet, slid down a brick wall, landed on my head, and broke my neck. I acquired a traumatic spinal cord injury which left me paralyzed from the chest down and I’d become a permanent power wheelchair user.

So being Jewish, gay, and disabled make me so thankful that I’m a Canadian in the year 2024. I’ve learned to be successful because I’ve realized the things that make you different are the things that you should cherish. These three things that make me unique and identifiably me also connect me to other people. Because I’m resilient and have made it through all of these difficult situations which have left their traumatic scars, I am able with my knowledge of psychotherapy, different types of empirically researched treatments, and holistic vibrational remedies I am able to help people that resonate with my beliefs and take them further towards their goals and make them more successful than any other person. That’s how I’ve learned to be effective and successful. This has also allowed me to develop my self-confidence and mastery, which is the belief that I can do whatever I put my mind to.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
So, my name is Joshua Dvorkin, and I am a registered psychotherapist (qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. I own my own private practice and right now I work by myself and do one to one therapy. I also consult businesses about mental health and about universal accessibility as related to physical and mental disabilities in the workplace, and other environments such as public spaces. I use a blend of other therapies in my practice and am an avid believer in mindfulness and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). In my business my ideal client is someone who is functioning and living life that has suffered trauma, is undergoing mental health issues due to a chronic health condition or disability, or has recently acquired a chronic health condition or disability. Mental health issues that may be related to these conditions are anxiety and depression, or any anxiety and depressive disorders. Stress or stress related disorders such as PTSD, Problems with chronic pain and, or insomnia. I also work with people living with HIV as well as the LGBTQ+ communities, and those going through different types of life transitions.

I help people separate themselves from their illness whether it be mental or physical. I am trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, narrative therapy, and motivational interviewing, I am also just finishing my certified complex trauma professional training one and two, as well as training and internal family systems. I believe in using a strength based – client centred approach, based in trust and empathy, fostering post-traumatic growth and resilience.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Some of the most important qualities, skills and areas of knowledge that I have are related to the most difficult circumstances I have experienced. As mentioned, one of these happened in 2005, when I had an epileptic seizure and fell over the edge of the balcony, slid 7 feet down a brick wall, landed on my head, and broke my neck. This left me paralyzed from just below the chest down, as I acquired a traumatic spinal cord injury at the C-5 level. As a result of this injury, I was on a respirator for three and a half months. I was told that I would never breathe on my own again, but I told the doctor to mark my words – that 10 days from that day I would breathe on my own again – and I kid you not 10 days from that day I was breathing on my own for the first time in several months. The doctors also told me that I would never live on my own again however after a year of hospitalization and rehabilitation I moved into my own apartment. That was 20 years ago. From that point I completed 15 years of postsecondary education and now I have finished three degrees. I have done everything that everybody said that I would never be able to do just because I was able to see the opportunities and possibilities with the proper attitude and mindset. I would say that These are the most valuable qualities being able to see opportunities and possibilities, being able to adjust my attitude and mindset and becoming resilient. I suffered mental health issues due to trauma and other issues that arose in my life, but these are mental health issues that anyone who came across my situation would have endured.

I would recommend that everyone look back and be self-aware of what is going on in their lives and be honest with themselves about the areas that they would like to change. It is important that you love the good and the bad about yourselves, because until we take accountability as adults unfortunately, we cannot make any changes. Number two is that everyone needs psychotherapy, not just people who have mental illness. It can be so valuable to have an unbiased opinion from someone outside of our circle. I would say that the third most important thing is to never give up and to always make sure you are taking action because without taking inspired action nothing can change. All I wish for everybody is that we have the best life possible.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
The one person in my life who has been most helpful is my father, Gary Dvorkin. I am sure there are a lot of children who say they have the best father, but I can truly say that my father is by far the person that I hold the utmost respect for. He has helped me overcome many challenges and helped me build and develop many essential skills when it comes to being an entrepreneur and the attitude that it takes to become successful. My dad has never stopped believing in me even when at times I had stopped believing in myself, which at times kept me on the proper path. He made sure that I had the tools to be successful regardless of my physical disability… that I had The resources to get a great education so that I could have a profession and earn money to support myself later in life. He made sure that I knew that I was worthwhile and that I deserved the same as everyone else even though at times I didn’t think so. My father and brother have owned a successful metal recycling business together for over 30 years which has given me a lot of exposure to the types of behavior that are necessary to ensure one’s success. I also have my best friend of almost 30 years who has truly shown me what loyalty and friendship really are. I’ve never seen a friend give up so much of themselves for someone else and I can never be more grateful. In school we were never trained in business. Because of my dad and my best friend I am more grounded and resilient, I possess more self-confidence and mastery and I genuinely believe that I can do any job that I put my mind to which means I can manifest just about anything that comes to mind. With positive thought, inspired action, faith, and a great attitude I believe that there is nothing in this universe that is not achievable.

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