About Me

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 together with you to create a space 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 trauma-informed, intersectional feminist, anti-racist anti-oppression and 2-SLGBTQIAP+ inclusive frameworks. My practice is woman-centred, all body-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. 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 tools in an integrative way, and I want you to feel safe and comfortable to share with me. 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. Specifically, i have extensive somatic trauma therapy training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and have completed Level 2: This is a large part of my current process. I am an integrative and relational therapist as my therapy also draws from Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems and Parts Work, Emotion-Focused Therapy as well as from tools based in Attachment Theory, Expressive Arts Therapy, and Mindfulness. I have had formal training in all of these modalities. 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 have also have a Certificate in Sex Therapy, Postpartum Support International Level 1 and 2, 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. 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 trauma 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 providing therapeutic support, i am a mother of two young children 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. 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!