About Sarah
Sarah Kinsley
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), Registered Clinical Counsellor
BA (Hons), BEd, MEd (Counselling), Somatic Experiencing Practitioner™, E-RYT500, YACEP
“I am only one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.”
-Edward Everett Hale
My main goal as a psychotherapist is to help you access your own internal strength and resources as you process the impacts of stress and trauma. It is my job to show up to sessions resourced and grounded, so I am able to be present and attuned to you and where you are at in your life. From here, we can develop a secure, healthy relationship where it will feel safe enough to explore the reasons you are seeking support. Part of my role is to provide psychoeducation on how stress and trauma can impact the nervous system. Through education we are able to understand ourselves more and hopefully be a little more compassionate to ourselves in the process.
My ultimate goal is to walk beside you as an ally in this work. I believe as we heal the parts of us impacted by stress and trauma we can more fully embody our true nature—full of compassion and kindness for ourselves and others.
I do not take this vocation lightly and believe it is my ethical responsibility to do my own work and to practice deep self-stewardship, so I am of sound mind and body to do this important work together.
On a personal note, I am passionate about sharing the main modalities that have been very supportive in my work with others and also in my own journey back to wholeness such as Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).
Collingwood Psychotherapy & Yoga Center
My Path So Far:
I hold an MEd in Counselling from the University of Victoria, a BEd in Education from Queen’s University and a BA (Hons) in Indigenous Studies from Trent University.
I am a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SETM) certified through the Somatic Experiencing® Trauma Institute. I recently completed the Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy at Naropa University. This 8-month, 150-hour non-degree certificate program provides postgraduate-level training for advanced professionals working in relevant therapeutic areas.
I am a graduate of the two-year Community Meditation Teacher training through Truth North Insight. I offer meditation groups in community and online with True North Insight.
Currently, I teach in certificates in Mindfulness-based programs at The University of Toronto. I accompany people in individual counselling through the First Nations Health Authority and in private practice focusing on Somatic Experiencing. I co-design and co-facilitate a 100-hour Yoga Teacher Training: Trauma Informed Practice: on and off the mat. In addition, I am honoured to be part of a research study at SickKids® Foundation offering MARS-A (Mindful Awareness and Resilience Skills for Adolescents) to youth.
I am grateful for extensive training in Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). I completed a year-long training in MBCT facilitation and the Advance Teacher Training at the Centre for Mindfulness Studies. Currently, I share this 8-week program at The Mindfulness and Health Institute (MHI). I also offer an 8-week program on Mindful Eating for folks that would like to develop a healthy relationship to nourishment. Most recently, I completed facilitator training at the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation and I am now sharing the 8-week course: Deeper Mindfulness: A New Way to Discover Calm in a Chaotic World.
I am a registered yoga teacher for adults and children (E-RYT 500, RCYT). I have completed four Yoga Teacher Training courses. I have studied with various schools in North America and Asia, such as Yoga Vidya Gurukul: Institute for Research and Education in Yoga, The Sanada Devi School of Yoga, Yoga in Your School, and Yin Yoga training with Carly Forest. I have studied Trauma Center-Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) with David Emerson and Nicola Mosley. I am a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider® (YACAP®). I wrote Yoga Therapy: Ancient Therapy for Today’s Body, Mind and Spirit, a textbook chapter used in counselling education programs throughout North America.
Previously, I was a primary school educator and the key instructor and co-coordinator for the graduate certificate in Mindfulness-Based Teaching and Learning (MBTL) at The University of the Fraser Valley. I also helped develop and facilitated the Integrated Mindfulness Certificate at Royal Roads University (RRU) for years. I am grateful for my in-person training in Compassionate Inquiry with Dr. Gabor Maté.
I extend deep gratitude to all my kin and kith, including the Earth that schools me in the natural ways daily.
The Process of Psychotherapy:
Psychotherapy is the process of returning to wholeness. It is my great honour to walk with clients through this process.
I believe the process is unique to each person as everyone comes from different circumstances and conditions.
And at the same time there is a flow and rhythm to working together. The first part of the process is taking the time to develop an authentic relationship between the client and the therapist. This is the foundation for all the work we do together as our nervous systems need to feel safe enough.
From there, we are able to co-create a container to explore the reasons why you are seeking therapy. This process asks us both to embody curiosity and take a non-judgemental stance towards ourselves as best we can.
From there, we can explore how your past and present life circumstances are impacting you today. By exploring the impacts of stress and trauma on the whole person, including the nervous system, we are able to decide together the best approach to processing and integrating the challenges you may have experienced or are currently experiencing.
Sessions may include exploring the root causes of the current impacts (i.e., intrusive thoughts, body sensations, emotions, behaviours, etc.) often related to stress and trauma. We may also explore mindfulness-based practices and yoga in the sessions if you are interested.
The outcome of this work is unique to each person, and at the same time, many people report feeling less stuck, more spaciousness and a greater level of compassion for self and others.
By considering the whole person, healing is possible at a deep level, which allows for shifts in one’s way of relating to not only themselves but to others and the world. As we learn how to have a healthier relationship with ourselves, we may notice how that shifts our relationships with others and the world.
Therapeutic Theories I Work With:
- Somatic Experiencing® Trauma Therapy
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Yoga Therapy
- Humanistic Psychotherapy
- Attachment Theory
- Anti-Oppressive Theories in therapy
Relevant Education:
- Master of Education in Counselling: University of Victoria – 2010
- Post-Graduate Certificate in Psychedelic Assisted-Therapies: Naropa University – 2024
- Deeper Mindfulness Facilitator Training: Oxford University – 2024
- G.R.A.C.E: Training in Cultivating Compassion: Upaya Zen Centre – 2024
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Core Training: Hali Blake – 2024
- Meditation Mentorship Program: True North Insight Meditation Centre – 2022
- MBCT Advanced Teacher Training Intensive: The Centre for Mindfulness Studies – 2019
- Somatic Experiencing (SETM) Professional Training: Somatic Experiencing® Trauma Institute – 2019
- Compassionate Inquiry Training: Gabor Maté: Compassionate Inquiry Organization – 2018
- Certificate in Mindfulness Studies: University of Toronto – 2015
- Certificate in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): The Centre for Mindfulness Studies & University of Toronto – 2014
- Facilitation Certificate: Mindfulness Without Borders: University of Toronto – 2014
- Certificate in Applied Mindfulness Meditation: University of Toronto – 2013
- Certified Yoga Alliance Yoga Instructor: Yoga Vidya Gurukul, Sanada Devi Yoga, Yoga in Your School, Yin Yoga Teacher Training and Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Trainings 2005 – 2014
- Bachelor of Education: Queen’s University – 2004
- Bachelor of Arts: Indigenous Studies: Trent University (Honours) – 2003
Our Mission
To provide clients with an accepting, friendly space to discover their healing path and to develop therapeutic relationships that sustain, inspire and guide them.
To provide clients with highly skilled, self responsible and self aware psychotherapists and yoga therapists who are always striving to learn about advancements in their fields and to continually develop themselves.
To create psychoeducational opportunities for clients to empower them to learn about their symptoms and how they can move towards healing and growth.
To provide innovative training programs that develop highly competent, self aware, self responsible, and inspiring psychotherapists and yoga therapists.