Hi, I’m Sarina.
I believe much of who we are is shaped through our relationships with the important people in our lives, as well as our communities, cultures, and the environments we move through. Being fully seen by a trusted other is one of the most powerful ways we come to understand and accept ourselves. That’s what I hope to offer in therapy: a reliable, genuine relationship where you feel known and supported, providing you with the opportunity to explore parts of yourself that may be difficult to access alone.
I’m here to witness and participate in your story, get curious about the patterns you find yourself in, and explore what you may want to do differently. I don’t believe there’s one formula for being human, so I don’t expect therapy to follow one either. We’ll adapt our work as we go, openly exploring what feels most helpful and important to you at any given time.
There are plenty of therapy terms I could use to describe my approach: relational, existential, psychodynamic, attachment-focused, trauma-informed. But no list of words can fully capture what our time together will look like. Finding the right therapist is personal and unique to each of us. I encourage you to reach out for a free consultation to get a better sense of what working together might be like for you.
I welcome individuals of all backgrounds and work with a range of concerns. Some of the common themes that show up in my practice include feeling disconnected from yourself or others, difficulty regulating emotions, getting stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, such as people-pleasing or repeated cycles of conflict, carrying a deep sense of shame, and processing grief and loss. I also work with existential questions around identity, sexuality, gender, meaning, belonging, mortality, and navigating responsibility in the face of an uncertain future, including experiences of climate anxiety and ecological grief.
As a queer Iranian woman, I’m particularly committed to supporting other 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC folks, those navigating polyamory/ethical non-monogamy, experiences of migration or displacement, and anyone whose life or identity doesn’t fit neatly into conventional expectations. Rather than merely adapting to what was imposed on you, I hope to support you in forging a path that is authentically yours.
Background: I hold a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology with honours from Yorkville University and a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Toronto. I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. My professional background includes crisis response work with the national suicide crisis helpline, as well as extensive experience in medical and community-based settings. As part of my commitment to reflective and ethical practice, I have engaged in my own personal therapy for over seven years and regularly participate in clinical supervision.
