Psychodynamic Therapists in Sarnia, ON
Alysha Bernstein
Registered Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor & Traumatologist
I am a registered psychotherapist with a decade of experience in mental healthcare. I have built an authentic, client-centred, and empathic space in my private practice since 2020. We provide care for a wide range of mental health issues and couples or family conflict. My team is as accessible and affordable as possible and we are constantly learning new and better ways to support our clients
Allison Mundle
Registered Psychotherapist, Sandalwood Psychotherapy
Online therapy for women in Ontario navigating anxiety, relationships, and emotional overwhelm. You may look like you are holding everything together, while inside you feel anxious, emotionally drained, or disconnected from yourself. Maybe you are used to keeping the peace, carrying too much, or saying yes when something inside you is saying no.
Maya Awad
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), ADHD-SP, HBSc (she, her)
Accepting NEW clients - Are you feeling overwhelmed or like you’re carrying a lot on your own? Feel like you're doing everything you’re “supposed to do,” but something still doesn’t feel right? Have a desire to better understand your thoughts, emotions, or patterns, work on building confidence or self-esteem, or find support for your relationship?
Serena Welsh
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Hi, I'm Serena! I'm a Masters-level therapist in Ottawa working with teens, adults, and couples. I specialize in relationship concerns, emotion regulation, trauma, BPD, and Bipolar Disorder. My approach is warm, flexible, and judgment-free. Reach out for a free, 15-minute consult to see if we could be a good fit.
Lylla Goheen
Registered Psychotherapist RP (Qualifying), Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC)
Do you and your partner speak different languages? Whether it’s the silence of a "roommate phase," sexual dysfunction, or the weight of chronic illness, you don't have to navigate it alone. I provide inclusive Sex Therapy, Gottman Couples Counselling, and Chronic Pain support in Etobicoke & Toronto. My practice is judgment-free and not "one-size-fits-all." Let's start your new era.
Li Li
Registered Psychotherapist
Li offers relational psychoanalytic and trauma-informed somatic/EMDR/IFS/EFT therapy, to support individual, couples and families in communities such as immigrants, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent (ADHD), and professionals, whose experiences resonate with her own life journey the most. She holds a compassionate, culturally attuned space where clients can express freely and rediscover their authentic self.
Lisa O’Donovan
Registered Psychotherapist
I offer Psychodynamic, trauma-informed therapy for adults and couples in-person in Burlington and virtually. I support clients navigating complex trauma, relationship difficulties, addiction and recovery, family dysfunction, and life transitions helping to uncover and understand emotional and relational patterns, process experiences, build greater self-awareness in a safe, compassionate space.
Sophie Marie McPherson
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) B.A., M.A.
I offer psychotherapy services to teens and adults struggling with a wide range of presenting concerns. I have experience working with ADHD, anxiety, life transitions, stress, self-esteem and body image issues, chronic illness/pain, gender dysphoria, sexuality exploration, and non-monogamous relationships.
Kim Michael
Registered Psychotherapist
Betrayal and relationship trauma can leave you stuck, anxious, and unsure where to turn. I help couples recover after infidelity and individuals whose past wounds shape how they trust and connect. Using the Gottman Method, trauma-informed care, and clinical hypnotherapy, we'll rebuild trust and create lasting change. Virtual across Ontario. Evening & weekend appointments. Free 15-min consult.
Joey Mercer
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
I support adults and young adults healing from addiction, social anxiety, and depression, and guide trauma recovery through an EMDR-informed lens. As a non-Indigenous person working with Indigenous clients, I strive to honour a Two-Eyed Seeing perspective and practice with cultural humility. Recovery doesn't happen to you, it happens because of you. I'll be there beside you.
Siobhan McCarthy, MSW, RSW
Registered Individual and Family Therapist , Clinical Consultant
If you feel that you are not living your best life, your relationships are not what you hoped they would be, or the conflict in your life is not going away, perhaps it is time to talk to someone about it. Starting counselling is a brave first step and I will be there to support you through this process. Additionally, I provide supervision to Social Workers in Private Practice.
Bethany Richer
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) who works with individuals navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, anger, self-esteem, ADHD, emotional regulation, school stress, sleep difficulties, relationship concerns and more. I aim to create a space where clients feel safe, respected, and understood, and where therapy moves at a pace that feels right for them.
Laura Clarke
Registered Psychotherapist
I’m a registered psychotherapist supporting individuals who feel stuck in patterns of self-doubt, emotional overwhelm, or disconnection in their relationships. My approach is warm, grounded, and conversational - integrating Narrative Therapy, EFT, Somatic, and Trauma-Informed practices to nurture safety, awareness, and sustainable change. Complimentary consultations available.
Daniel Wayow
Registered Psychotherapist
Daniel is a therapist specializing in men’s issues, relationships, addiction, and depression, while also working with women and couples. Rejecting rigid, clinical therapy, he uses humor, curiosity, and holistic care—integrating mind, body, and spirit. With a background in fitness and NASM nutrition training, he offers a collaborative, down-to-earth approach so clients never have to do life alone.
Michael Peddle
Registered Psychotherapist (RP), Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), Certified IFS Therapist
Since 2011, I’ve supported clients through trauma and attachment wounds using IFS as my core approach. I integrate EMDR, SFBT, and evidence-based techniques to help people heal burdens, strengthen inner safety, and reconnect with their most grounded, empowered selves.
Mandeep Lalli
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Are you feeling anxious, overwhelmed or stuck? Maybe something feels wrong? I help people navigate anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and relationship struggles, with culturally sensitive care that honours your full background, including pressures others may miss. As a South Asian therapist who spent 15 years in the corporate world, I bring lived experience and real-world context to therapy.
Salima Jadavji
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW, CHyp™
I support high-functioning professionals and caregivers who feel exhausted, anxious, or disconnected beneath the surface. Using a trauma-informed, collaborative approach, I help you move beyond coping toward steadiness and self-trust. Email [email protected] to book a free consultation and see if we’re a fit.
Hareesma Amutha Venkatesan
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
My work is guided by authenticity, hope, and empowerment. I show up honestly and with care, meeting people as they are and exploring what feels true and meaningful for them. I believe change is always possible, and that people already carry the wisdom and strength they need to heal - my role is simply to help bring awareness to patterns and support choices that reflect who they truly are.
Erin Ibrahim
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), BA
Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, relationship stress, self-esteem struggles, or just feeling stuck, we can work through it together. Pulling from a variety of frameworks to instead suit your unique needs instead of making it feel one-size-fits-all, I have interest in anxiety, depression, relationships, attachment, neurodiversity, and self-esteem. I look forward to connecting!
Renata Roma
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
I offer support for individuals dealing with anxiety, including high-functioning anxiety, OCD, intrusive thoughts, and phobias, including animal-related fears. Many of my clients come in with relationship struggles. I also specialize in pet loss, and anxiety related to pets.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Psychodynamic
What is psychodynamic therapy?
Psychodynamic therapy is an approach rooted in psychoanalytic theory that explores how unconscious processes, past experiences (particularly early relationships), and recurring emotional and relational patterns shape current psychological difficulties. Unlike classical psychoanalysis, psychodynamic therapy is typically conducted in weekly sessions face-to-face, is more flexible in its format, and may be shorter or longer depending on goals. It focuses on insight into patterns, the therapeutic relationship as a vehicle of change, and the emotional processing of past experiences.
How does psychodynamic therapy differ from CBT?
CBT focuses on identifying and modifying current thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours, with structured homework and techniques. Psychodynamic therapy explores the historical origins of current difficulties, works with unconscious patterns and defences, uses the therapeutic relationship itself as a primary source of data and change, and is typically less structured and less symptom-focused. CBT tends to be shorter and more focused; psychodynamic work tends to be longer and more exploratory. Both have strong evidence, and many therapists integrate elements of both.
What does psychodynamic therapy address?
Psychodynamic therapy addresses depression, anxiety, personality difficulties, relationship patterns, identity and self-esteem issues, trauma, grief, somatic symptoms with psychological roots, and difficulties with intimacy and attachment. It is particularly valuable for people with complex, long-standing patterns that have not responded to briefer approaches — those who feel they understand their problems but keep repeating them, or who sense there are deeper layers not addressed by symptom-focused work.
What is the transference and why is it important in psychodynamic therapy?
Transference refers to the emotional reactions and relational patterns that the client brings to the therapeutic relationship — ways of experiencing the therapist that are rooted in past relationships rather than the therapist's actual qualities. In psychodynamic therapy, these transference reactions are not seen as problems to be avoided but as valuable data — windows into the client's internalized relational world. Exploring transference in the therapeutic relationship allows patterns to be observed, understood, and changed in a live, immediate context.
How long does psychodynamic therapy last?
Psychodynamic therapy ranges from brief (Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, 16–40 sessions) to open-ended long-term work over several years. Brief psychodynamic therapy uses a specific focus agreed upon at the start to concentrate the work. Long-term therapy allows more thorough exploration of deeply rooted patterns. The duration depends on the person's goals, the complexity of their concerns, and practical factors. Short-term psychodynamic therapy has strong evidence for depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms.