Have meaningful relationships and
the big life you want.
Recover from hurtful experiences and trauma.​
Psychotherapy for Individuals and Couples.
Sara Pulins
As a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) I believe in everyone's capacity to recover from traumatic events and distressing feelings or behaviours. Whether it's anxiety, depression, grief, a life transition, or other struggle, having support can help.
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I understand first hand that change is not easy. I appreciate the therapeutic process and want to offer the same respectful, helpful and compassionate support I received.
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I have volunteered in counselling roles at the Distress Centres of Greater Toronto on their 24-hour distress line and as a grief counsellor in the Survivor Support Program for people who lost someone to suicide or homicide. In over 20 years of volunteering in these and other roles, I have seen how everyone has within them the resilience, compassion and intelligence to live a meaningful and connected life.
I have a Master's of Arts in Counselling Psychology which included an eight month placement at Meaningfully Connected Counselling & Psychotherapy.
I welcome you to book a free 20 minute consultation or email me with any questions.
Ontario Society for Registered Psychotherapists member​
Approach
My approach is to first understand the underlying causes of what is troubling you. I will invite you to talk about your mental health, background, childhood and identities to uncover how they have impacted you and your life. At your own pace, I will encourage you to share your thoughts and express your emotions.
In so doing, we will uncover patterns that you may have learned when you were hurt but that no longer serve you. As you undo these patterns, you will be more able to think flexibly, connect to others easily and experience less distress. You may also feel better about yourself and those around you.
I use an integrative approach which includes trauma based and client-centred therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy among other approaches.The process is collaborative. We develop goals together so that you can heal from negative experiences and reach your goals.
Treatments/ Modalities
Trauma Based
A trauma based approach means that I assume your struggles relate to what has happened to you, and that there is nothing wrong with you.
Often when traumatic or painful events occur they include a diminished ability to control our environment while being hurt. For this reason, establishing a therapeutic relationship in which you feel safe and empowered is important throughout therapy.
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy is based on attachment theory.
We dive into your early relationships to understand their impact on you emotionally. We aim to uncover what your learned about connecting to others, both what's been helpful in staying connected and what has been hurtful.
In accessing and releasing emotions from these relationships the painful or hurtful experiences carry less weight. You are more able to reevaluate how you are in relationships now and adjust how you communicate and connect to others.​
Client Centred
In client-centred therapy I assume that you already possess a capacity for growth, self-actualization and connection. I support you in ways that allow you to recognize and internalize strengths and abilities that have been stifled by past hurts or trauma.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps clients understand their personal values and learn to make decisions and take actions based on those values. It also fosters acceptance of the current moment so that you can more easily experience what's in front of you, whether it's another person or any other aspects of your life.
Couples Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy is applied in couples therapy to uncover how each individual's reactions to the other in the relationship is based on what was learned in their respective childhood relationships. Emotions that underlie any unmet needs or learned ways of being in relationships from their earlier experiences are uncovered. As this process unfolds, each partner comes to experience greater understanding of themselves, their emotions, and their partner. Couples develop a closer bond and are more able to understand and communicate with each other and learn to work as a team.
Services
Individual
Online or In-person
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$125 per 60 minute session
$150 per 75 minute session
Couples
Online or In-person
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$125 per 60 minute session
$150 per 75 minute session
Sliding Scale
Reduced fees available for those with low income or without health benefits.
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$65-100 per 60 minute session determined on a case by case basis.
Availability
Online
Wednesdays: 3:00 pm-8:00 pm
Fridays: 11:00 am-7:00 pm
Online Platform
Jane app platform used which is compliant with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).​​
In-person
Thursdays: 5:30 pm-9:00 pm
Saturdays: 8:00 am-2:00 pm
Location
164 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 510
Toronto, ON, M4P 1G4​​
Get in Touch
Sara Pulins
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Email or complete form to send a message.
164 Eglinton Avenue East
Suite 510, Toronto, ON, M4P 1G4​
​Between Yonge St. and Mount Pleasant Ave.
Approx. 5 min. walk from Eglinton subway
Public parking off of Holly Street