Franklynn Bartol

About

I practice relational psychotherapy, which sees both suffering & healing as rooted in relationships. I support individuals & couples to grow their capacities to feel, reflect, & connect more deeply to themselves & others. I take a collaborative, trauma-informed, & anti-oppressive stance, holding curiosity for how social contexts, your personal history, & identities impact you & our work together.

Biography

I see therapy is an opportunity to honour parts of yourself and your experiences that haven't had enough space in the relationships or contexts you've been navigating. I've supported individuals and couples around a broad range of issues, including those related to anxiety; mood difficulties; lack of fulfillment/purpose; disconnection; community and friendships; navigating conflict; unpacking childhood experiences; intergenerational and systemic traumas; life transitions; grief/loss; career; parenting; separations; sex and sexuality; ethical non-monogamy; identity (race, gender, sexuality, etc); and disability/chronic illness. My work with couples focuses on building the curiosity, self-awareness, and empathy for one another that promotes greater authenticity and intimacy. I'm in my final year of training in relational psychotherapy at the Toronto Institute for Relational Psychotherapy. I opened my private practice two years ago and enjoy working with both individuals and couples. I offer both virtual and in-person sessions at my office located near Bathurst and Bloor St in Toronto. Before training in psychotherapy, I worked in community mental health settings as a program manager, researcher, and peer support worker. I hold a (non-clinical) Master's degree in Psychology and Neuroscience, a Master's in Sociology, and I completed several years of doctoral work in Gender Studies before deciding to pursue psychotherapy training. I pursued this education to better understand the social roots of individual suffering and the ways we can re-think healing from a more anti-oppressive lens. I specialized in decolonial and feminist psychoanalysis, which continues to inform my clinical work. I know how hard it is to share your struggles and trust a new person—I’ve been a client of therapy myself for many years. It’s not easy work! But I’m committed to building trust and staying curious about who you are and how you’re experiencing the process. I enjoy soliciting and receiving feedback and adapting how we work together as we go. My hope is to build a collaborative space where you leave sessions feeling understood, cared for, and more connected to yourself.

Specialities

Additional Locations