ABOUT ME

Sarah Walsh, MSW, RSW, Social Worker, Psychotherapist

I am a Registered Social Worker (since 2011) and my practice of psychotherapy has developed through clinical work, education, supervision and ongoing professional development.  I have practiced in an inpatient mental health setting providing assessment and brief treatment to children, youth and families experiencing various forms of mental health crises.  I have also practiced psychotherapy in a non-profit child, youth and family community mental health agency.  

My clinical work is integrated, drawing from evidence-based approaches, however it leans heavily on my training and ongoing learning in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) a third-wave form of cognitive behavioural therapy.  At its core, ACT helps us to do things that really matter despite the reality that difficult thoughts, feelings and physical stress often show up.  My work is also informed by Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (another third-wave form of cognitive behaviour therapy), mindfulness, attachment theory and trauma-informed practices, among other approaches.

I am a member of the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science (ACBS) and currently serve on the Ontario ACBS Board, both bodies support the learning and research community for professionals interested in ACT and related therapeutic approaches.  I am committed to ongoing learning and competence; this is a requirement of the College of Social Workers but also something I care deeply about.

I strive toward anti-oppressive and anti-racist values and actions in my personal and professional life.  As a white clinician, I seek open dialogue around my own unseen biases and am committed to compassionately understanding the lived experience of all people.