ABOUT ESSENTIAL SELVES
Essential Selves offers counselling and workshops to increase self awareness, improve interpersonal communication and develop skills to better cope with change, uncertainty, loss, relationship problems and other challenges.
We welcome all people ( teenagers , youth and adults of all ages, ethnicities and sexual orientations) who are in need of support, at a crossroads in their lives, are feeling lost or stuck or who want to learn how to change habits that are no longer working for them.
Some of the main issues we work with are: major life transitions, grief, loss, anxiety, depression, stress management, sexual and emotional trauma, relationship issues, self confidence, parenting, addictions and sustainable work.
We also work with community groups and non-profits who would like support in creating healthy workplaces for their employees.
Please feel free to contact me to set up a free 15 minute consultation to see if we can help you.
MEET LEENA SARKAR (MSW, RSW)
I am the founder of Essential Selves. I am a therapist with a passion for helping people to live more in alignment with their own deep values, get in touch with their inner knowledge and wisdom and help them to express this in their personal lives and work.
Through my own interest and involvement in human rights, feminism and environmentalism, I have come to see the importance of supporting the people who are trying so hard to creating a sustainable future for everyone. I particularly love helping people who feel “different”, those who don’t easily fit in or know where they belong . I have an affinity with activists, sexual minorities, artists, entrepreneurs, independent thinkers,those living in non-traditional families, and anyone who feels compelled to forge their own path in the world.I take inspiration from nature and art and encourage my clients to use these vehicles in their own healing.
I have nineteen years of post-master’s experience working as a therapist and group facilitator with non-profit organizations ,government and private practice in Ottawa and Montreal . I have successfully worked with thousands of clients from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
I graduated with a Master’s degree in Social Work from McGill University in 1999 and then went on to train as a Gestalt therapist with the Gestalt Institute of the National Capital in Ottawa.
I have additional training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Focusing , Non-violent Communication ,emotionally focused therapy, and yoga and stress reduction that contribute to the toolbox of resources that I draw upon and use to help my clients. I regularly take courses,read and keep up to date with developments in the field of therapy. I am a registered social worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers ( OCSWSSW) and a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers ( OASW).