Holistic Virtual Psychotherapy & Counselling
About Sam
Congrats on taking the first step!
Looking for the right therapist can be a tough and even confusing process. If you’re new to therapy, you might not know where to start or how to decide who you want to work with. You might be thinking, ‘What makes a good therapist anyway?’
​
Or maybe you’ve had past experiences with therapy that weren’t the best; maybe you’ve struggled for years to find someone you could really be yourself with who could help you achieve the growth you’ve wanted for so long.
​
Here’s a bit about me and why I could be the right fit for you.​
As a woman and a first-generation immigrant, I've always understood just how hard it can be to live up to the various pressures we face from our families, friends, colleagues and society at large. Like many others, I struggled with reconciling my own identity between two cultures and deciding who I really wanted to be.
​
For me, therapy was the opportunity to not only address challenges like anxiety and perfectionism but also to pursue personal growth and confidence. Through my own process of healing and growth, I discovered my passion for helping others in their own unique journey!
​
I understand how hard it can be to ask for help, especially if you’re someone who is used to taking care of those around you. Many of my clients struggle with self-criticism, people-pleasing and perfectionism. That’s why it’s all the more important to me that we work in a way that feels empowering to you. My approach is for us to work as a team towards your goals.
​
You might be tired of carrying the weight of your stressors all on your own; you might be afraid to open up to friends and family for fear of being judged or worry about feeling like a burden. My priority is ensuring you feel heard and validated in a nonjudgmental space. Through our conversations, you can expect to feel more empowered in expressing your feelings and needs and learning how to say ‘no’ when you mean it!
​
Therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all process; our approach will be just as unique as you are! Our sessions will often combine both the chance to explore and process your emotions, past experiences, and present-day challenges and work towards future goals. We’ll also work on building practical tools and coping skills that you can take home to make your life better in a lasting way.
​
​
I believe our identities and the systems we live in - our families, our work environments, our cultural history, our gender or sexual orientation - can have a huge impact on our problems and how we feel. So I work from a trauma-informed, culturally-competent, LGBTQ+ affirming perspective to make space for and honour all aspects of your background, experiences and values.
Despite what some people might think, therapy isn't all serious business; while it involves effort and requires you to step out of your comfort zone at times when you’re working with the right therapist for you, it can be an engaging process and might also be…dare I say it - fun.
​
You can think of it as an adventure where we explore your life story together. Along the way, we’ll learn new and interesting aspects of you and your personality, uncover your hidden strengths, share some laughs and celebrate your wins. So, therapy isn't just about problem-solving and getting to the end result destination; it can also be a rewarding and enjoyable journey to your best self.
​
Because the therapeutic relationship is so important, I offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation so we can touch base and you can decide if we’re the right fit. If you’re ready to get started, book your free consultation below. Can't wait to meet you!
Education and Training
​
-
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (Yorkville University)
-
Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Classics (University of Toronto)
-
Flash Technique for Trauma Certification
-
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Anxiety and Depression (Psychwire)
-
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Certification (PESI)
​
Fun Facts
-
I love being outdoors
-
My favourite food is pasta (although I can't cook!)
-
My guilty pleasure is watching 90 Day Fiance