|
I'm Dr. Natsumi Sawada, a registered psychologist offering online therapy to adults in Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, capable, and used to handling things on their own. They've often read about their patterns, tried the tools, and |
can describe exactly what they do and why — and still feel stuck with anxiety, self-criticism, perfectionism, or the exhaustion of always being the one who holds everything together.
That's because understanding a pattern isn't the same as changing it. My work goes further than insight: we work with your emotions as they happen — not just your thoughts — so that something actually shifts, and you feel steadier and clearer, not just better at explaining the problem.
That's because understanding a pattern isn't the same as changing it. My work goes further than insight: we work with your emotions as they happen — not just your thoughts — so that something actually shifts, and you feel steadier and clearer, not just better at explaining the problem.
Approach
My approach is warm, active, and experiential. Therapy with me isn't only about talking through the week or learning to cope. We slow down the patterns that keep showing up and work with the emotions underneath them, in the moment.
I draw primarily on AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy) and somatic approaches, integrated with practical tools from CBT, ACT, and mindfulness. So you get both: concrete strategies for anxiety, overthinking, and everyday coping, and deeper work on the patterns that keep those struggles in place. Part of this work is paying attention not only to what's painful, but also to the moments of relief, clarity, and strength along the way — those become part of how change happens.
I draw primarily on AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy) and somatic approaches, integrated with practical tools from CBT, ACT, and mindfulness. So you get both: concrete strategies for anxiety, overthinking, and everyday coping, and deeper work on the patterns that keep those struggles in place. Part of this work is paying attention not only to what's painful, but also to the moments of relief, clarity, and strength along the way — those become part of how change happens.
Who I work with
I work with thoughtful, capable adults navigating anxiety and overthinking; self-criticism and low confidence; perfectionism and people-pleasing; burnout, chronic stress, and over-functioning; low mood and motivation; relationship patterns and life transitions; and food, eating, and body-image concerns. Over the years I've worked with people facing a wide range of concerns; today my practice centers on these areas, where I can do my most focused work.
Credentials |
I hold a PhD in Clinical Psychology from McGill University and completed a clinical postdoctoral fellowship in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. I'm a registered psychologist licensed in Alberta and Ontario (CAP 4935, CPBAO 7366), able to provide online therapy to clients located in Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
|
Training and experience |
I have over 17 years of clinical experience as a therapist and researcher across hospital, private practice, and academic settings in Canada — including the McGill University Health Centre (OCD and CBT clinics), the Jewish General Hospital, MindSpace Montreal, Connecte Montreal Psychology Group, the DBT Centre of Vancouver and Simon Fraser University, CAMH, and Red Tree Psychology in Edmonton. I have advanced training in AEDP and somatic therapy, CBT, ACT, DBT, Hakomi, and mindfulness-based approaches, and I keep developing through ongoing consultation and continuing education.
|
A little more about me |
Outside of work I'm curious and usually have several things on the go — philosophy, art, music (I play bass), nature, and time with my family. A long-standing mindfulness and yoga practice shapes how I live and how I work; it's where my interest in slowing down and paying attention began.
|
If you would like to learn more about my training, credentials, and experience please visit my professional linkedin profile or contact me.
Dr. Natsumi Sawada, Registered Psychologist (Alberta CAP 4935; Ontario CPBAO 7366). She offers online therapy to adults in Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick & Nova Scotia, focusing on anxiety, perfectionism, self-criticism, and burnout, using AEDP and experiential, attachment-focused approaches.