Online Counselling for Ontario

I am a certified Sex Addiction therapist. My primary area of work is directed to Sex and Pornography Addiction, Partner Betrayal Trauma, Intimacy and Attachment disorders, and the resulting complications from sexual compulsivity. I also practice EMDR trauma therapy to assist clients in processing traumatic events. Through the careful construction of an empathetic counselling relationship I am able to provide therapy for individuals, partners, and couples suffering the consequences of sex and pornography addiction as well as trauma that may, or may not be, related to the sexual challenges. I provide online counselling across Canada.

Although certainly open to journeying with any and all who may arrive at my door; I hold particular interest in helping Marriages and Relationships (full-family & couple) build unions that are enjoyed rather than endured; helping Military (serving & veteran); First Responders (Police, Fire, EMS) and other health professionals (Medical staff, Social Workers, and other Therapists) address the complex trauma and unique dynamic(s) their respective profession brings; and finally, I wish to help men develop, or regain their confidence and self-esteem/image in an effort to keep them from falling victim to suicide and self-harm.

With over a decade of experience in the field of psychotherapy, I have witnessed the transformative power of healing first-hand. My extensive training in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) allows me to employ evidence-based techniques tailored to your unique needs. Throughout my career, I have successfully supported clients dealing with a wide range of challenges, including trauma, PTSD, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), developmental trauma, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Have been experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, or burnout, and life has been harder lately than it once was? Perhaps you're living with mild, moderate, or significant trauma that you can't seem to work through? This can leave you feeling lonely, worried, or unsure about what’s next. Maybe you've noticed yourself trying to manage frequent low moods, substance use issues or social isolation, or you're going through a life transition. If you're feeling an increase in irritability, or having a hard time sleeping or coping, these might be signs that you may need help with addressing your mental and emotional health. - I can help.

Now offering trauma focused psychotherapy and EMDR in Petawawa. I provide counselling and therapy services to adolescents, adults, and seniors. As a person who has been deaf since early childhood, I have learned to speak and hear through the benefits of technology, including the cochlear implant. I am uniquely qualified to work with clients who identify as a person with a disability. As a person with a disability, I identify with life challenges and role model resilience, compassion, perseverance and hope. I am inclusive of all cultures, faiths, gender identities and sexual orientations.

My ideal psychotherapy client is an individual who is motivated to explore their inner world. Someone who willing to explore, and possibly reevaluate bedrock assumptions that play a major role in influencing our current attitudes and life choices. An ideal client also recognizes that a therapist's role is not to provide answers but rather to facilitate a process of self discovery which promotes emotional growth and lays the foundation for enduring change.

My name is Michael Sa'd M.S.W., R.S.W. I am an experienced Registered Social Worker specializing in individual, couples and family therapy. I am committed to providing compassion, understanding, and support to help you through difficult life transitions. In my practice, I utilize Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Counselling (SFT), and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). I am a Certified Solution-Focused Therapist (CSFT). I have experience in various professional settings such as post-secondary counselling centre, hospitals, and private mental health settings.

My practice has four foci each supporting personal growth, identity and well-being: 1. LGBT concerns: coming out, loneliness, dating, relationships, family conflict, developing acceptance of self and by others, consolidating identity, loss and adaptation in these situations, aging, illness; 2. trauma impeding life today: neglect, abuse, bullying, exposure to dangerous or dysfunctional environments, accident, loss, etc. 3. couples: long-term, new or dating, opposite and same sex, experiencing conflict, communication disconnects, codependency, affairs, family concerns, loss, substance abuse, addictions; 4. career counseling to align temperament to vocation, achieving work/life balance, supporting job loss/search and life stage changes such as retirement.

Sometimes life gets overwhelming, and it becomes difficult to see the forest for the trees. Whether it’s work, relationships or historical issues that are causing you stress, psychotherapy can help make things clearer and help you adjust your perspectives to make sense out of your experiences. Other times there is no "sense" to make, but through therapy we can learn coping strategies to get through difficult times. Our approach to therapy is client-centered, with the focus on guiding clients to identify and reach their goals.

I acknowledge the profound vulnerability that comes with sharing personal stories, particularly those involving trauma, illness, grief, addiction, or depression. Creating a secure, compassionate, and respectful space is my priority. I am deeply attuned to the individual needs of each person and strive to establish trust through active listening and unwavering support. I rely on evidence-based techniques and approaches that are aimed at empowering you to unlock your true potential. I adopt a holistic perspective, recognizing the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit in the pursuit of balance and optimal health

Starting or resuming therapy can be difficult, I commend you on taking the step towards support. I believe each individual brings their own experiences and perspectives to therapy. Through collaboration, we can better understand how the cycles and thoughts that may cause you to feel stuck or cause distressed can be shifted to create change and inspire hope. My practice is client centered, and connection focused. I believe through creating a validating and safe space to process difficulties, important skills can be learned that will help create change in your life.

As a counsellor, I hope to provide a space to be a supportive and encouraging presence as you navigate the inevitable struggles of life. I aspire to do this in a kind, non-judgmental way where you can feel safe enough to be honest, transparent and also challenged to pursue your goals. Therapy should be a place where healing can happen and you can find hope and transformation.

I believe that we are all in a continuous process of identifying our internal resources, embracing our own creativity and mobilizing our psychic energy. My aim for therapy is to help my clients arrive at a personal, yet structured and novel, understanding of themselves, others and the world around them. I invite my clients to enrich their personal narratives and use their own unique abilities and skills. Each session is a collaborative attempt to elaborate on the client’s mental map. Each conversation is a mutual dialogue on how you could experience yourself differently.

Change and solutions are possible! Help is available. Psychotherapy addresses a variety of issues and I can help you with everything from anxiety to depression to life and relationship issues. Often the hardest part is simply making the decision to begin. I offer a unique approach; in addition to traditional office visits, I also offer online sessions. Many people enjoy the added benefits of 'meeting' online; reduced travel time to and from their appointments, greater scheduling flexibility and being able to continue whether they are feeling under the weather or away on vacation.

I would like to acknowledge and honour your consideration to reach out for support. It is not always easy and can feel vulnerable. As Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” You are the expert of your life, however most of us need extra support to cope with the challenges that can arise in our daily lives. In today’s climate you may be feeling exhausted and access to the usual resources may be limited. This can be a lonely feeling and may be described as trauma – anything that you lack the resources to get through.

When life gets hard to deal with, it is good to have someone to talk to; Someone with the expertise, professionalism, and compassion to listen, ask the right questions to create clarity and help us find the solution or at least see the light at the end of the tunnel. When dealing with mental and emotional pain, someone with the proper training and experience could be the right person to turn to. I utilize over 10 years of experience in therapy practice to the full benefit of my clients dealing with grief, depression, and anxiety, including those dealing with chronic illnesses such as cancer, as well as youth and parents'

Whether you’re experiencing depressed or anxious thoughts or feelings, difficulties in relationships, the impact of past trauma, feel trapped in addictive living, or looking for help navigating school or work-related stress, I would be honoured to help you on your journey. I will help you encounter the sensations, emotions, thoughts, and long-standing narratives keeping you stuck in repetitive disempowering cycles of behaviour and thought. I can help you cultivate a deeper awareness of your mind-body connection. Tuning inward opens up possibilities for building a healthier sense of self and more meaningful relationships.

Anxiety, intrusive thoughts, & emotional difficulties can be extremely isolating, leading to feelings of shame and secrecy. Everyday "normal" functions might feel tough. Things as necessary as eating, moving, & relationships might feel confusing, overwhelming, or scary. It may feel like your nervous system is hijacked & you react in unintended ways. One's inner world feels chaotic, while those outside say "it's in your head". Trauma informed therapy recognizes that experiences shape our symptoms/coping/survival strategies, and relationships. Together we may work to calm your system, heal, and discover new ways of being.

I provide a compassionate, safe and non-judgmental therapeutic environment. I work from a client-centred perspective, where we collaboratively work towards understanding your relational dynamics, processing your ingrained patterns and triggers, and ultimately expanding your level of awareness and consciousness by exploring meaning, purpose and joy in life. Modalities that I have found particularly effective are IFS (Internal Family Systems) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), which go beyond traditional notions of talk therapy, to access and promote your inherent capacity for self-compassion and healing.