"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."
Maya Angelou
About
Hello, I'm Pinar (she/her).
Before becoming a psychotherapist, I had a career in travel management. In my mid-thirties, I decided to pursue my true passion for psychology, beginning with an MA in applied psychology in Turkey. After moving to Canada, I completed an MA in counselling psychology at Yorkville University.
I work with adults and young adults who feel they don't 'fit in,' or who see themselves as 'less than,' 'too much,' or 'bad' in some way. These feelings are often a function of neurodivergence, high sensitivity, marginalization, or trauma, which are my main areas of focus.
Having experienced transitions across different identities, countries, and professions, and feeling like a misfit at times myself, I deeply believe in the multiple potentials each of us holds. The right time for healing and growth is always now, and it begins with embracing who you are and where you are at.
Specialty Areas
ADHD | Giftedness | Highly Sensitive Person | LGBTQIA+ | Racial Identity
Life Transitions | Relational Difficulties Trauma | Anxiety | Depression
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, Yorkville University, Fredericton, NB, 2023
Master of Arts in Applied Psychology , Uskudar University, Istanbul, Turkey, 2016 (Thesis pending)
Bachelor of Arts, Travel Management, Bosphorus University, Istanbul, Turkey, 2001
License
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Registered Psychotherapist (qualifying) in good standing with the College of Registered Psychotherapists Ontario (CRPO) Registration #: 13332
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Registered with the Ontario Society of registered Psychotherapists (ORSP).
Professional Development
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Internal Family Systems (IFS) CEU Course by Bone Weiss, November, 2024
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Internal Family Systems, Exiles Course by Bone Weiss, September, 2024,
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Inner Child Work & Protectors: Parts Work Internal Family Systems, Jay Early, Recorded Training, 2024
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The 20-Something Guide to Living with ADHD, Sharon Saline, Psy.D. , 2024
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Exploring the PMDD-ADHD Link: How to Recognize and Treat Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, Dara Abraham, D.O. , 2024
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3-Day Emotion-Focused Family Therapy Core Clinician Training, Jennifer Danby, 2023
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Trauma Informed Counseling, Marie Flanagan, Registered Psychotherapist, MeD, MA, 2023
Education
IFS views the psyche as a system of sub-personalities, and offers tools to empower the individual to heal and transform these parts to bring harmony back to the system
Internal Family Systems
SFT is an approach that focuses on solution-building by utilizing strengths, previous successes and future inspirations.
Solution Focused Therapy
CBT emphasizes how the way we think influence our feelings and behaviour. It offers tools to help change thought patterns and behaviour to be more self-supportive.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
EFT primarily draws from attachment theory. It help clients become more aware of their emotions and make more productive use of them.
Emotion-focused Therapy
Every individual is unique and comes to therapy with different needs and goals. That’s why I draw techniques from various modalities. Depending on your priorities, we can use practical approaches to help you achieve your goals or dig deeper with right-brain oriented insight-based methods to help navigate your emotional landscape and deepen your awareness. Learn below more about the modalities I work with:
Approach
Approach
Every individual is unique and comes to therapy with different needs and goals. That’s why I draw techniques from various modalities. Depending on your priorities, we can use practical approaches to help you achieve your goals or dig deeper with right-brain oriented insight-based methods to help navigate your emotional landscape and deepen your awareness.
Learn more about the modalities I work with below:
Modalities
Internal Family System
IFS views the psyche as a system of sub-personalities, and offers tools to empower the individual to heal and transform these parts to bring harmony back to the system.
Emotion Focused Therapy
EFT primarily draws from attachment theory. It help clients become more aware of their emotions and make more productive use of them.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
CBT emphasizes how the way we think influence our feelings and behaviour. It offers tools to help change thought patterns and behaviour to be more self-supportive.
Solution Focused Therapy
SFT is an approach that focuses on solution-building by utilizing strengths, previous successes and future inspirations.
"No darkness last forever. And even there, there are stars."
Ursula K. Le Guin, The Farthest Shore
Person-Centered and Strengths-Based I stay authentic and offer unconditional positive regard. My style is warm and compassionate, reflecting my values of curiosity, creativity, and humour. I believe that we all possess inner resources and the capacity to heal and grow.
Trauma-Informed I recognize the profound effect of adverse life experiences on the brain and body. I prioritize creating safety and developing coping tools, as well as building a healing path from the impact of trauma.
Anti-Oppressive, LGBTQIA+ Allied, Feminist Social structures affect individuals disproportionately and our cultural context and identities deeply inform who we are. I am committed to an anti-oppressive, inclusive practice.
Relational and Attachment-Based I value the therapeutic relationship and prioritize creating a safe, non-judgmental space, collaborative therapeutic alliance. I strive to understand and help improve relational styles.
Mindfulness-Based I often invite you to bring your attention back to the present moment, physical sensations, emotions, and passing thoughts. Increasing awareness of the present moment without judgment and expanding mindful awareness is an overarching goal.
There are common framework and principles that guide my practice regardless of the modality I use.
My practice is:
Internal Family Systems
IFS views the psyche as a system of sub-personalities, and offers tools to empower the individual to heal and transform these parts to bring harmony back to the system.
Emotion Focused Therapy
EFT primarily draws from attachment theory. It help clients become more aware of their emotions and make more productive use of them.
Approach
Every individual is unique and comes to therapy with different needs and goals. That’s why I draw techniques from various modalities. Depending on your priorities, we can use practical approaches to help you achieve your goals or dig deeper with right-brain oriented insight-based methods to help navigate your emotional landscape and deepen your awareness.
Learn below more about the modalities I work with:
Modalities
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
CBT emphasizes how the way we think influence our feelings and behaviour. It offers tools to help change thought patterns and behaviour to be more self-supportive.
Solution Focused Therapy
SFT is an approach that focuses on solution-building utilizing built in strengths, previous successes and future inspirations.
Person-Centered and Strengths-Based
I stay authentic and offer unconditional positive regard. My style is warm and compassionate, reflecting my values of curiosity, creativity, and humour. I believe that we all possess inner resources and the capacity to heal and grow.
Trauma-Informed
I recognize the profound effect of adverse life experiences on the brain and body. I prioritize creating safety and developing coping tools, as well as building a healing path from the impact of trauma.
Anti-Oppressive, LGBTQIA+ Allied, Feminist
Social structures affect individuals disproportionately and our cultural context and identities deeply inform who we are. I am committed to an anti-oppressive, inclusive practice.
Relational and Attachment-Based
I value the therapeutic relationship and prioritize creating a safe, non-judgmental space, collaborative therapeutic alliance. I strive to understand and help improve relational styles.
Mindfulness-Based
I often invite you to bring your attention back to the present moment, physical sensations, emotions, and passing thoughts. Increasing awareness of the present moment without judgment and expanding mindful awareness is an overarching goal.
There are common framework and principles that guide my practice regardless of the modality I use.
My practice is: