SASHAUNA BRISSETT

Yorkville University MACP Practicum Student

 

“Personal growth is not a matter of learning new information but of unlearning old limits.”

Alan Cohen.

Hello, my name is Sashauna, and I am a Student Therapist.

I’d like to share a little about who I am and what brings me to this work. I am a counseling practicum student with a strong interest in supporting women, children, and individuals from diverse backgrounds through their life challenges. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Guelph-Humber and am currently completing my master’s degree in counseling psychology at Yorkville University.

The counseling profession has been something I have aspired to since high school, helping individuals process and navigate their emotional challenges through a comprehensive exploration of their minds and behaviors. I have long felt in my heart that I want to help cultivate a positive view of mental health for Black individuals and highlight its overall importance to our health. Through extensive research on Black mental health, I am truly passionate about this topic. Many Black individuals have experienced trauma that has gone untreated, leading to significant mental health challenges. I have learned that this demographic needs additional services, approaches, and professionals who resemble them and can advocate for them.

In addition to my academic training, I have volunteered as an emotional support chat worker with Certified Listeners, where I supported individuals from diverse backgrounds around the world through active listening. In this role, I helped individuals process their emotions, navigate difficult thoughts, and connect with helpful resources. This experience has strengthened my ability to offer empathy, remain present, and meet individuals where they are.

How I understand therapy

I understand therapy as a space where people can bring their whole selves—their strengths, challenges, culture, identity, and lived experiences—and be met with acceptance, curiosity, and compassion. I believe that feeling genuinely seen and understood can be a powerful part of the healing process.

I am particularly passionate about the importance of accessible and culturally responsive mental health support for Black women, young women, and individuals from marginalized communities. I recognize that experiences related to identity, belonging, discrimination, and self-worth can have a profound impact on emotional well-being. Therapy can provide a space to explore these experiences, strengthen self-esteem, develop a deeper understanding of oneself, and build a sense of empowerment.

At its core, I view therapy as a collaborative relationship that supports growth, healing, and self-discovery while honoring each person's unique story and identity.

What matters to me in this work

What matters to me in this work is supporting people in becoming more fully themselves. I feel especially drawn to working with young women, Black women, and individuals from marginalized communities who may be navigating questions of identity, belonging, self-worth, or life transitions.

I care deeply about creating spaces where people feel accepted and affirmed without judgment. I believe it is important to validate all aspects of a person's identity and to understand their experiences through an intersectional lens, recognizing that culture, race, gender, family, and other social identities influence how we experience the world.

I am passionate about helping individuals build self-esteem, develop self-compassion, and move toward self-actualization. For me, counselling is not only about coping with challenges but also about supporting people in discovering their strengths, embracing their authentic selves, and creating meaningful lives that reflect who they truly are.

What I bring into the room

 What I bring into the room is authenticity, empathy, and a strong appreciation for the role of culture and identity in each person’s experience. As a Black woman, I prioritize creating a culturally responsive and affirming space. I strive to create a space that is open, grounded, and intentional for conversations around identity, community, and lived experience.

 My way of working

My approach is grounded in a person-centered perspective, which serves as the foundation for the environment I strive to create with clients. I believe that each individual is the expert of their own experience and has an innate capacity for growth, healing, and self-discovery when provided with the right conditions. As a counsellor, my role is to offer a space characterized by empathy, acceptance, authenticity, and respect where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences without judgment.

In our sessions, you can expect a calming, collaborative, and supportive presence. I prioritize building a trusting therapeutic relationship and aim to understand each person's unique story, values, and lived experiences. I place particular importance on creating affirming and culturally responsive spaces for Black women, young women, and individuals from marginalized communities, where all aspects of identity are welcomed and valued.

 I also incorporate other approaches into my work, such as

-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

-Narrative Therapy

-Emotion-Focused Therapy

-Attachment therapy

Who I work with / What I offer

My passion is suited to individual psychology and therapy. Areas I work with in practice include

- Depression

- Anxiety

- Stress management

- Life transitions

- Relationship and interpersonal issues

- Identity and self-exploration

- Behavioral patterns

Languages

 I offer therapy in English.