Sarah Elizabeth McMillan MA MSW RSW

I am a registered social worker (RSW) in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and am legally allowed to practice psychotherapy with individuals and groups residing across the province of Ontario, Canada.

I opened my practice in spring of 2020 to address the need for trauma-informed mental health care for people living with physical illness, persistent pain and disability, which is an area I am very passionate about.

In addition to my clinical work, I have a background in the social sciences and research including the study of health, illness, disability and health care systems. For almost a decade I worked in a large academic hospital network where I was both a staff member and a patient. You could say I’ve been on both sides of the bed rail. This has given me helpful insights into the complexities of navigating our health and social care systems which informs my work.

I received a Master of Social Work (MSW) in Health and Mental Health from the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto. I also have a Master of Arts (MA) in Sociology and an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Psychology (minor) from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario.

I am a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers and a professional member of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Sciences (ACBS) and the Pain, Health, Cancer and Social Work special interest groups. I have advanced training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (including Trauma Focused-ACT). hypnotherapy and approaches for grief, trauma, somatic work and others.

I take a wholistic and client centered approach to my work and have a deep respect for the innate strengths, resources and wisdom we each posses individually and collectively. I am committed to life long learning and un-learning. My style within session tends to be gentle, encouraging and thoughtful.

I’ve trained in many types of therapies before deciding to really lean into Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT; read as the word ‘act’). ACT is an evidence based therapeutic approach that combines present moment awareness, acceptance, self compassion and behaviour change centered around your personal values. The goal of ACT is to address suffering and increase psychological flexibility, which helps us live with more openness and ease. ACT is not about overcoming pain, fighting our emotions or changing our thoughts; it’s about embracing life in all of its messy complexity which allows us to move closer to what matters most to us.

Trauma Focused ACT (TF-ACT) is a compassion-based, exposure-centered approach to using ACT and is designed to address a wide range of trauma related issues. This comprehensive model draws on relevant fields, such as evolutionary science, polyvagal, attachment, and inhibitory learning theories and helps us heal from the past, live in the present and create a new future.

ACT is a transdiagnostic therapy which means it has been studied and shown to be helpful for a wide range of difficulties. This includes anxiety, depression, grief, perfectionism, chronic pain, OCD, ADHD, body image, PTSD, burnout, moral injury, work performance etc. It is especially well suited for helping us cope with complex issues where a clear solution may not be available to us. Some example may include: facing chronic health issues (cancer, heart disease, diabetes etc.), living with disability or chronic pain, experiencing loss, trauma, stigma, oppression among others.

I love the collaborative and self-empowering nature of ACT as an approach and use the concepts and practices in my own life, too.

Alongside ACT, I also integrate hypnotherapy, compassion focused therapy (CFT), trauma sensitive mindfulness, grief work, parts work and somatics into therapy depending on your needs and goals.

Hypnosis is a mind-body intervention that affects changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts, emotions and behaviours. It involves a combination of relaxation, increased attention and verbal suggestion.

Hypnosis provided in the context of psychotherapy by a regulated health care provider is often referred to as hypnotherapy.

With hypnosis we can quiet our conscious mind, the well-intentioned (though sometimes misguided) analytical, problem-solving part of ourselves to access our subconscious. It’s this deeper part of our awareness that holds our ingrained patterns, habits, automatic body functions (heartbeat, breathing etc.) and body memory. This is also where our instincts, intuition and creativity reside. Working with our subconscious mind can help us relate to ourselves and our experiences in new ways and can encourage, on a deep ;eve;. the change we are seeking to create in our lives.

Many research studies have demonstrated that hypnosis can be an effective approach for acute and chronic pain, emotional stress, depression, sleep issues, anxiety or stressful events like medical procedures. It can help with muscle tension, building personal resources and self esteem, among other benefits.

The first phase in hypnosis is called an induction. Using my words, I will guide you into a relaxed state. I may ask you to imagine a peaceful scene and will provide cues that will help you focus on what you are intending to accomplish during your hypnosis session.

I will then verbally lead you through an exercise and make suggestions to you which are personalized to your reason for seeking support. For example, if you are struggling with anxiety, I may suggest that during and following hypnosis, you will feel less bothered by your anxious thoughts and more easily turn your attention back to the activities you enjoy. The suggestions are a very important part of hypnosis because they are personalized for your unique situation and goals.

Many people describe hypnosis as a pleasant experience, during which they feel relaxed and absorbed in the hypnotic experience. During hypnosis, you will remain awake, peripherally aware of your surroundings, and capable of emerging from hypnosis at any point to respond to external events if needed. You are always in control. After hypnosis, you will be able to remember your experience and we will discuss it, and the insights you’ve gained, together in session.

Services are $160 CAD per 60 minutes. Registered social workers are exempt from charging HST.

Services are not covered by OHIP, however many extended health benefits include coverage for psychotherapy or social work services.

A set number of sliding scale spaces may be available for individuals who are experiencing financial need. Please inquire for more information and availability.

Payment is required at the end of each session and can be made using credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) through Jane or e-transfer through your online bank. You will receive a detailed receipt by email after each payment. For your convenience, you will have the option of keeping your credit card on file to save time at the end of your session. Inputting your credit card information can be done through your Jane client portal in advance of our first appointment.

NOTE: If you do not have extended health insurance you can submit your therapy receipts as a medical expense on your personal income tax.

NOTE: If you are a post-secondary student you may be eligible for support with counselling and other disability related expenses through the Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD). Contact the Accessibility Centre at your school for more details.

Many health insurance plans cover mental health services (counselling, psychotherapy, social work services) provided by a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with a Masters of Social (MSW).

It’s important for you to check directly with your insurance provider to understand what is covered under your individual plan. You may want to ask the following questions:

1) how much coverage do I have for mental health services this year?

2) What type of mental health provider is covered under my plan? Ex. RSW, MSW

3) Is this coverage shared with any other providers and/or services?

I am happy to answer any questions you may have about insurance during your discovery phone call.

Additionally, I am able to direct bill to Greenshield Canada. You will be responsible for covering the cost of the co-pay, if there is one.

Use the button below to jump on over to the online booking page to schedule a 20-minute Complimentary Discovery Phone Call. This phone call is a great opportunity for us to speak one-on-one, ask any questions you might have and get a better sense of my personality. Prior to your Discovery Call you will receive an email inviting you to participate in a short survey to help us make the most of our time together. If after our phone call you don’t feel I’m the right fit for you at this time, that’s okay, you’re under no obligation to move forward with me.

If we decide to work together we can schedule your first therapy session while we’re on the phone or you can use the online booking page to schedule a time that is convenient for you. Once you’ve confirmed your first session appointment time you will receive my Service Agreement Form & Intake Assessment by email so you can review it before we meet again for your first session..