Nicole Sparrow, MACP
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) | Associate
NICOLE SPARROW (She/Her)
My Approach
I engage with you to develop a safe and supportive relationship in which we can focus on what you would like to work on in therapy, in ways that feel respectful and relevant to who you are, what you need and what you feel ready for. You will experience me as:
• Warm and compassionate: I feel care for all of you, even the messy parts, and I am committed to offering and teaching an experience of wellbeing, strength and resiliency that is made possible by the capacity for compassion.
• Respectful and collaborative: I value and respect your expertise in your experience of yourself and your life, and your understanding of your needs. I am transparent about my responses to what you share with me, and I invite your contributions to what is helpful and what is not. I invite you to define your own experience in ways that are meaningful to you.
• Active and responsive: I listen attentively and actively engage with you to explore our respective observations, insights and curiosities. I offer information that might help you develop new perspectives, as well as tools and strategies that support you to develop those skills and capacities that are helpful both within and outside of therapy. I invite you to step into processes that can deepen your experiences and insights and support you in the places you feel stuck.
• Empowering: I highlight your choices and respect your decisions. I support you to engage with experiences of yourself that undermine your confidence and agency, in ways that support you to understand their function and develop alternative and empowering ways of responding to yourself.
I am guided by the understanding that as human beings our biology supports a remarkable capacity for healing and renewal. It is also true that this capacity for healing and renewal is enabled in safe and supportive relationships with others. My intention is that you experience therapy as a place in which you feel safe, supported and empowered to understand your struggles, grow your Self, and experience your own ability to build safe relationships, and a life that feels purposeful, meaningful, and congruent with who you know yourself to be.
On A Personal Note
I feel joy…going for a run on a summer’s day, in banter with family and friends, listening to beautiful music, in silence in nature, seeing joy in the people I care about, and in many other moments.
In my spare time I like to…go for walks, run, spend time with those I care about, read, learn to play piano, teach myself to draw and paint, write, create something delicious, experience silence.
I take care of myself by … respecting what is important to me, making time for myself, listening to my body and giving it what it needs, saying “yes” to what feels healthy and affirming, showing up in my life in ways that support my values and responsibilities.
Identities I hold
My many roles and life experiences as a woman, within communities of women, makes this a community that I both identity with and advocate for. I try to do this in a way that respectfully acknowledges and makes space for other genders.
My cultural identity is a blending of my life experiences in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Europe and Canada. I grew up in South Africa and I have also lived and worked in England and Europe. I have lived in Canada for 13 years, and have experience of the physical, emotional and mental effort involved in immigrating and rebuilding an experience of “home”.
My previous career as a management consultant has offered me firsthand experience of working life outside of psychotherapy, across many geographies, industries and cultures. I value the exposure this gave me to experiences of collaborating with diverse groups of people on a range of problems and goals.
I have come to experience myself as part of the neurodivergent community, with lived experience of, and experience working with, the intersection of ADHD and Gifted.
Just for fun
I have no favourite colour. Today, it is Ionian Sea-blue.
I have come to favour spring and summer until it gets too hot, for too long, and then I start to favour Fall and winter.
(The internet tells me that) my astrological signs are Gemini (sun), Pisces (moon) and Aries (rising).
Certifications
Coming soon
ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS
AvailablITY
Monday: 10-3
Tuesday: 9-2
Wednesday: 9-2
Thursday: 10-3
Nicole offers virtual & in-person sessions. In-person sessions are available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from our Whitby location.
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INDIVIDUALS 20+
Burnout, stress, overwhelm and difficulty coping
Navigating painful life changes
Impact of childhood trauma / challenges
Relationship issues (including covert control/narcissistic abuse)
Anxiety and depression
Creating a meaningful and purposeful life and relationships
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College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario - Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) - #009646
My membership supports clients to access OHIP funded psychological assessments with a psychiatrist, within a collaborative care model.
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My approach is integrative, drawing on elements of the following modalities:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
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Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology Yorkville University, 2019
Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Psychology and English Literature Rhodes University, 1992
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Professional Development - Training:
3-year Diploma in Psychodynamic Existential Therapy
Emotion-Focused Therapy for Complex Trauma
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Complex Trauma
Emotion-Focused Therapy, Level 1
Professional Development - Workshops:
Internal Family Systems Theory, Trauma Workshop, with Dr. Richard Schwartz
Self-Compassion, with Dr. Kristen Neff
Compassion-Focused Therapy, with Dr. Paul Gilbert
Advanced Stabilization Skills for Complex Dissociative Disorders, Dr. Kathy Steele
Developing a Shame-Informed Approach, The Forgiveness Project, UK
Emotion-Focused Individual Therapy for Trauma, Dr. Leanne Campbell
Nicole’s Fee Schedule
Standard Rate
$150/hr
For those with sufficient access to financial resources who can pay the standard fee for services.
Supported Rate
$135/hr
For those experiencing financial limitations. No documentation is required; this fee option is based on integrity.
Pay-it-Forward Fee
$165/hr
For those with more than enough financial resources who would like to supplement the supported fee option for those in need.