Sandra is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She earned her Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Ottawa and Honours Baccalaureate in Psychology from the University of Toronto. Sandra had intensive clinical training in Trauma-informed therapies and other therapeutic modalities. Starting from her internship where she worked with refugees and immigrants who experienced traumatic events, She found herself passionate and dedicated to serving clients who experienced trauma. In her career path, she specialized in providing culturally responsive, safe, and trauma-informed care for diverse clients, who had significant mental health challenges such as PTSD, childhood trauma, Mood disorders (Anxiety disorders and Depression), grief, and self-esteem. Sandra is trained in Trauma-Informed therapies, Internal Family Systems, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Interventions, Strength-Based Interventions, and Compassion Focused therapy. She earned a Certificate from Beck’s Institute “Essentials of CBT”, and she is currently in training to be a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist Professional (CCTP). As a psychotherapist, Sandra’s main clinical goal for her client is to feel safe and accepted throughout therapy. She cares for her client to know their full potential and gain resilience. She will help her clients gain awareness and understanding of their past and its relation to current stressors and their effect on emotional challenges. She will also assist and teach them to use practical tools and gain skills to cope with daily emotional and life stressors. This is achieved simultaneously with increasing self-compassion to aid in the healing process. Equally important, She attends and becomes interested in the unique outcome of her client’s narrative life story that highlights strengths and positive qualities in their identity. Sandra believes that respecting each person’s culture can create positive change in our community, and by providing supportive and responsive services that are culturally appropriate, we can foster a healthier space for healing. She gives back to her Middle Eastern community by providing workshops and psychoeducation around Mental Health Awareness, in which she explains the prevalence of mental health issues and the link between social determinants and mental health challenges. She discusses and teaches strategies to support other family members or others in the community. Last, Sandra’s fluency in Arabic is a unique skill that will allow her to provide psychotherapy for clients whose first language is not English.Sandra also provides for her community in the community and educates ways to support and aid others in the community that might be struggling with mental health issues
