SJ Thiessen
(He/they) MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist 

During our time together, I will invite you to find the growth, change, meaning, and connection you desire. Rather than utilising formulaic or rigid approaches, I foster exploration, collaboration, and creativity to meet you where you are at. Together, we can experiment with what best supports you to address the challenges you’re facing.

 

The identities, labels, and stories we use can have both liberatory and unintended consequences. Whether you're interested in unraveling these to deepen your relationships with others, or you'd like to connect more deeply with your own sense of self, I can support 
you to meet your goals and live your preferred life. Using trauma-informed, harm reduction, and politicized practices, I can hold space for your experiences of distress, joy, and everything in between.
 
My specialisations are working with experiences of trauma and violence (CPTSD), trans/queer identities and gender dysphoria/euphoria, neurodivergence (Autism, ADHD, 
BPD, etc.), dissociation, and suicidal ideation and self harm. I work with lots of folks who live with anxiety, chronic illness and stress. navigating challenging interpersonal dynamics. I also have experience with polyamory/non-monogamy, familial estrangement, and transformative approaches to healing and repair.

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​​​​​​​Lastly, if you’re interested in coming in person, my dog Bunny usually joins me at the office. Bunny is a sweet little dog who loves people, treats, and getting pets. He will greet you with a wagging tail and sniff around before picking a spot to relax and take a nap. Sometimes he moves around, comes over to check in on you, and might even want to cuddle in your lap. While Bunny and I work well as a team, don’t hesitate to let me know ahead of time if you’d prefer not to have a dog in your session.

SJ holds an undergraduate degree in psychology where he concentrated on mad studies, feminist and queer theories, and the pathologization of trans identities. He graduated with a
master’s degree in Social Work from York in 2020. His graduate work focused on critical suicidology, medical assistance in dying, queer liberation, transformative justice.

SJ is a member in good standing of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, Ontario Association of Social Workers, and the Canadian Association of Social Workers. He spent many years counseling at social service agencies working
primarily with survivors of violence and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. SJ has additional certifications and training in a breadth of practices and modalities including: Narrative therapy, Internal Family Systems, somatic interventions, and harm reduction.
Lived experience: trans and genderqueer, 2SLGBTQIA community member, psychiatric consumer, neurodivergent, polyamorous

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