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?

Offerings Include:

  • 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

Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) training from IFSCA

  • IFS is a transformative tool that conceives of every human being as a system of protective and wounded inner parts led by a core Self. IFS is frequently used as an evidence-based psychotherapy, helping people heal by accessing and healing their protective and wounded inner parts.

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

  • 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.

  • Try a 15 minute session for free and see if it’s right for you.

    Let's Connect

Spiritual Background

Trained in Reiki, which is an ancient Asian form of energy healing that 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 am familiar with the tarot, crystal and plant healing

I am familiar with using clearing and grounding strategies in spiritual practice such as the incorporation of singing bowls, meditations, incense or sage cleansing, and intention setting

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