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’s Approach:

We all have the inbuilt motivation towards self-realization, if obstacles are removed we are able to develop into healthy beings. Sandra’s work with you focuses on removing the obstacles in your life that prevent you from growing. She teaches self-compassion and believes that having a genuine curiosity towards yourself without judgment is an ingredient of healing and growth. She first focuses on fostering a safe space for what change looks like for you and the impact of your issues on your life. Also, by highlighting your values, She believes you and her can create ways to move towards a meaningful life. To move forward, it’s important to gain awareness of our past and understand how traumas and past attachments affect our present relationship with ourselves and others. With you, she will access buried emotions and work to grieve any losses. Sandra also cares to explore your personal strengths that have allowed you to persevere. She believes that building concrete skills to cope with the present day is essential for growth. Therefore, part of her work with you is psychoeducation by using worksheets, visuals, and metaphors. She will guide you and help you gain skills around emotion regulation, responding to unhelpful beliefs, and changing unhealthy coping behaviors that affect your relationship with yourself and others

Mental Health Issues:

· Depression,

· Anxiety disorders (GAD, social anxiety, panic disorder, phobias),

· Post- Traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),

· Childhood trauma,

· Motor vehicle Accident,

· Work-related Stress,

· Self-esteem.

· Interpersonal Relationships issues

Modalities and Approaches:

· Person-Centred/Rogerian

· Trauma-Informed Therapy

· Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

· Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

· Internal Family System

· Strength-Based Approach

· Compassion-Based Approach

Frequently asked questions:

1- What will be covered in a phone consultation?

In our first call which is 10 minutes, we’ll chat about what you’re looking for in a therapist and if. I’m the best fit for you.

2- What can I expect from our initial session?

In our first three sessions, we’ll discuss the issues you’d like to address and set up a therapeutic roadmap to meet your goals.

– I will be doing a psychosocial assessment (family history, medical history, lifestyle, addiction, emotional/mental health history, relationship history, traumas or significant losses, education, and career history, and support system).

– Presenting problem assessment (Presenting the issue, exploring triggers, current coping strategies, and the impact of the issue on work, social life, romantic relationships, and family).

– The client will be provided with treatment suggestions and collaboratively explore therapeutic goals.

3- What is the time commitment for therapy?

Based on our assessment, your goals, and the severity of your situation, we will discuss the number of sessions that may be right for you. To be able to see results, commitment from both the therapist and you will be important. We’ll have regular check-ins on therapeutic progress to align on how our sessions will continue.

That being said, you are welcome to discuss cutting back or ending our sessions if you feel ready to do so.

Sandra can be contacted via email at Sragheb@infinityhealthcentre.com for any questions or inquiries.