About me.

Sam van Ginkel, MA, RCC

Therapeutic Approach

Let’s be real with each other. That’s the foundation for everything we do in therapy.

We know from research that building trust, understanding, and connection is one of the most important piece of this work. I do that by showing up as myself, and making space for you to do the same.

I’ve been drawn to these conversations as long as I’ve been speaking. Holding space for real-talk and providing my perspective is an honour. Sharing deep relationships is a big part of what my life is about.

Science has a lot to say about about doing this right—and I’ve spent a lot of time learning (and continue to do so). My Master’s degree focused on what makes a rich and meaningful life, and how do we move toward it?

Of course, along that journey we encounter road blocks. Painful thoughts, feelings, memories. Unhelpful patterns. Difficult circumstances and relationships. That’s why I’m trained specifically for working through these issues.

I offer two approaches to therapy:
1) Deep experiental work, designed to understand and heal the root of the problem in the emotional centres of the brain.
2) Tools and Practices to help better manage difficulties and move toward what matters.

Clients often tell me they like working with me because I’m friendly, young, warm, and genuine, and that I’m also honest, straight-forward, and give feedback. I like to share some laughs along the way (when appropriate), humour can be healing. My approach is suited to folks who want a supportive, empathetic therapist who will help them go deeper and challenge themselves. My approach is probably not suited to people who want a therapist who will just nod and listen, or those who aren’t interested in really understanding their inner world.

Therapy only works when there’s a good match. So notice how you’re feeling after reading this. Do you feel drawn to me, or away? Follow your intuition.