Who Am I?

Santyna Brar

  • She/her

  • Occupational Therapist, Psychotherapist

  • Brown (South Asian) Canadian

  • Queer

  • Witch

  • Spiritual but Not Religious (SBNR)

  • Sex-positive

  • Queer-affirming

  • Life-long learner

  • Trauma survivor

  • Advocate for Equity and Justice

What makes me different from other therapists?

  • I have experience working with and learning from people who have faced intersectional and systemic/systematic forms of discrimination and generational trauma (E.g., BIPOC, women, queer, disabled/differently-abled people who come from a range of diverse socioeconomic circumstances

  • I use critical theory approaches (E.g., critical race theory, critical disability theory, etc.)

  • I will honour all of your experiences and acknowledge that you are the expert in your life

  • I don’t pretend to know everything!

  • I am happy to discuss and work with you to more closely align yourself with your personally meaningful spiritual activities (E.g., I ask about your spiritual rituals, beliefs, aspirations and desires)

  • I care and won’t pretend that I don’t - I am not a robot! I am an emotional and real human – the same as you!

  • I’m a licensed Occupational Therapist!

    • The term "occupation" in occupational therapy does not directly refer to your job or work (this is a common misconception!)... rather, "occupations" are defined as your personally meaningful activities.

    • OTs are trained to help you discover, identify and pursue activities that hold personal significance to you. Whether you're seeking to revive past interests that may have taken a "back seat" due to mental health-related difficulties (or for any number of reasons) or you'd like to embark on new activities or interests, OTs specialize in facilitating this journey.

    • Activities we can focus on integrating into your routine include spiritual care and rituals, self-care, productive activities and/or leisure pursuits. 

    • As your OT, I will combine activity engagement, spiritual care and psychotherapeutic modalities (Emotional Freedom Techniques, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Trauma Focused-CBT, etc.) to help support you on your healing journey.

Qualifications

Psychotherapy Training

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) training from Wilfred Laurier University

  • ACT uses mindfulness and acceptance-based psychotherapy approaches to address mental health-related challenges, including (but not limited to) trauma, depression, anxiety, etc.

Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) training from the Medical University of South Carolina

  • TF-CBT is a psychotherapeutic approach to assist children, youth and adults in processing traumatic memories by exploring your emotions and developing a trauma narrative (a story/book, a song, a poem, chants, drawings, etc.)

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Level 1 and Level 2 training with Joan Kaylor, MSEd, LPC, DCEP (EFT International [EFTi] accredited training by an EFTi Certified Advanced Practitioner)

  • This technique joins together modern psychotherapy and Eastern Chinese energy/somatic healing approaches for addressing low mood, anxiety, trauma, addictions and pain by targeting acupressure points to realign your energy and release blockages that cause "dis-ease.

Spiritual Knowledge and Training

Trained in Reiki, which is an ancient Asian form of energy healing which can be completed at a distance and focuses on integrating the mind, body and spirit. Similar to EFT, this form of healing helps to release energy blockages within the body which can cause physical, emotional and spiritual pain

I practice tarot reading, along with crystal and plant healing

I use clearing and grounding strategies such as beginning sessions with singing bowls, meditations, incense or sage cleansing, or setting intentions (whatever you’d prefer!)

I have engaged with profound texts, such as the Bhagavad Gita, the Tripitaka, WitchCraft Activism, Shades of Faith: Minority Voices in Paganism and many more

I draw from wisdom from spiritual leaders, such as honoured Swamijis from India, to help you discover your inner resilience and foster post-traumatic growth