Shelley Sayle-Udall

Therapy is most powerful when it goes beyond surface level conversations and helps people truly understand what is happening within them - in their minds, bodies, relationships and nervous systems. I’m Shelley Sayle-Udall, a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario - my work is grounded in an integrative, mind-body, and nervous system informed approach. I support individuals, parents and families who are feeling overwhelmed, stuck or disconnected, and who want more than quick fixes or coping strategies that don’t last. My approach brings together both top down and bottom up therapy. Insight and understanding matter - but lasting change also happens through the body. Stress, trauma, attachment experiences and life transitions all shape our nervous system, which in turn influences how we think, feel, behave and relate to others. When we work with the nervous system - not against it - clarity increases, emotions feel more manageable, and change becomes more sustainable. A central part of my work includes psychoeducation – because understanding what’s happening inside you is not only validating - it’s empowering. When things finally make sense, people often experience relief, self compassion and a renewed sense of agency. From there, it becomes easier to make meaningful changes and to reconnect with your own inner wisdom. An important and distinctive aspect of my work is my understanding our physiology - specifically the gut-brain connection. Our mental and emotional health does not exist separately from our body. The gut microbiome, nervous system and brain are in constant communication through the vagus nerve and the gut-brain axis - influencing mood, anxiety, stress responses, inflammation, energy and emotional regulation. When our gut and nervous system are under chronic stress, it can show up as anxiety, low mood, emotional reactivity, brain fog or a persistent sense of being “on edge.” In therapy, I help clients understand how these physiological systems interact and how small, supportive shifts can create meaningful change. This bottom up lens allows us to work with the body as an ally rather than viewing symptoms as something to fight or suppress. For many clients, this perspective is both relieving and deeply validating - it explains why willpower alone hasn’t been enough, and why somatic and physiology informed approaches can be so effective. My work is holistic, trauma informed, attachment based and collaborative. I integrate evidence based approaches including cognitive behavioural, solution focused, narrative, structural family therapy and nervous system regulation strategies, always tailoring therapy to the unique needs of each person or family. I bring over 28 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, parents and families in community based and therapeutic settings. I have a particular passion for working with parents and caregivers who want to strengthen relationships, reduce power struggles and better understand their children’s emotional worlds - while also learning how to care for themselves. Clients often tell me they feel grounded, understood and supported in our work together. Therapy with me is practical, compassionate and thoughtful - a space to slow down, reflect and build insight that leads to real change. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure, or simply ready to understand yourself or your family at a deeper level, I offer a complimentary consultation to explore whether working together feels like a good fit. Healing begins with understanding. Change happens when our mind and body work together. Learn more or book a complimentary consultation at: https://psychotherapywithshelley.ca