Vania Sukola, BASc, RP (pronouns she/her)
I am a warm, compassionate and attentive psychotherapist who strives to have your voice and story heard. By listening with empathy, I seek to work with you to to explore your situation and emotions that facilitate a path to healing and resiliency. As a white, queer, cis-gendered woman, I am deeply committed to social justice and actively engage in continued learning about my privilege, so i can show up as a co-conspirator for Indigenous, Black, People of Colour (IBPOC), as well as other groups that are marginalized. I work in a non-judgmental way and use trauma-informed, intersectional feminist, anti-racist anti-oppression and 2SLGBTQIAP+ inclusive frameworks. My practice is woman-centred, all body types-positive, sex-positive and inclusive of all abilities and relationships. My definition of “woman” is inclusive to transgender/non-binary folx that self-identify. My family line comes from Eastern Europe, and i am a daughter of immigrants: i hold with honour my role as a settler in what is now commonly known as Toronto. I believe dismantling systems of power and other forms of oppression is possible and necessary to heal individual/collective trauma and mental health.
After receiving my Bachelor of Applied Science (Family & Social Relations and Gender Studies) at University of Guelph, I continued my education at George Brown College where I received a Diploma in Assaulted Women and Children’s Counsellor/Advocate Program, which specializes in Feminist Therapy. I have worked extensively with women and their children seeking help and support or escaping abusive relationships. For 22 years, I worked directed in the gender-based violence sector: I started my career in various abused women shelters, both in Toronto and overseas, and have supported children who witnessed abuse. More recently, i worked at a community mental health agency as a Violence against Women (VAW) Counsellor. I was honoured with the 2018 Soul of a Warrior Leadership Award from WomanAct for my work with women who are labeled with intellectual disabilities who have experienced abuse. I have also worked as a counsellor in a reproductive health/abortion clinic and have been a La Leche League Leader (chest/breastfeeding support).
I have always provided therapy through a client-centred and trauma-informed practice, using Feminist Therapy as the main form of therapy. I strive to work holistically, and am attentive to the different ways women can take care of themselves. Since graduating in 2000, i have continuously been updating my therapy skills and professional development. It’s important to me to provide you with well-informed resources in an integrative way, and I want you to feel safe and comfortable to share with me. Specifically, i have extensive somatic trauma therapy training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and have completed Level 2 in 2021: This is a large part of my current process. As i deeply committed to trauma therapy, i have studied various somatic modalities, including training with Jane Clapp and Somatic Experiencing, as well as becoming Certified as a BreathWork Coach. I am an integrative and relational therapist so my therapy also draws from Narrative Therapy (Level 2), Internal Family Systems (Level 1), Emotion-Focused Therapy for couples and individuals, as well as from tools based in Attachment Theory, Expressive Arts Therapy, and Mindfulness. I have had formal training in all of these modalities. I have also have a Certificate in Sex Therapy, completed training with Postpartum Support International Level 1 and 2 Perinatal Mental Health (2019), Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss with Amy Wright Glenn (2017), and the Birth and Trauma Support Center’s Level 1 and 2 Therapy for Birth Trauma trainings. I received training as a Birth Story Listener with Pam England, as well as attachment-based parenting support with Gordon Neufeld. Finally, i believe we need to tend to our full experience, mind body and soul, and my work intentionally works with all three aspects. Working from this holistic perspective is an asset as it helps folx in their journey of healing and growth towards a life with resilience.
Besides the professional development i have received, i also admire and pull inspiration from other strong leaders of healing: Brene Brown, Kristen Neff, Tara Brach, Kimberly Ann Johnson, adrienne maree brown, Carmen Spagnola, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Sarah Faith Gottesdiener, Marion Woodman, Rupi Kaur, and Sasha Padron.
When i am not sitting in my therapist chair, i am a mother of two teenagers and self-care is an invaluable part of my personal life as well. I love to collect rompers and jumpsuits, knit, relax in my cozy chair with a good book, and paddle board when the right waters call me. I follow the moon phases and nature inspires me. And i’ve been known to always have chocolate on hand – there is always room for chocolate.
I am a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO) and Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP). I abide by the Personal Health Information Act (PHIPA) regarding Confidentiality and other policies listed out by my College and Association. I have personal liability insurance, receive clinical supervision and am part of a peer support group that meets regularly.
If you’d like to see if we are a good fit, click here to contact me!