Psychotherapy in Stratford Ontario.
Relational, reflective, and trauma-informed care.
approach
I specialize in relational, depth-oriented therapy with adults at all stages of life. What does this mean? I join with you in understanding your inner world and your experiences of important relationships in your life.
Together we look at your early relationships with caregivers and big events in your childhood, and consider what this means in terms of who you are today and how you relate to others. Maybe some of your emotional reactions don’t make sense to you or you are struggling to adjust to a transition in your life. We can gently explore all of this in our work together.
The relationship between client and therapist is so important to this work and so I aim to listen—really listen—so that you may feel understood and less overwhelmed.
perinatal and postpartum therapy
Becoming pregnant, pregnancy and new motherhood can bring up feelings and struggles that aren’t often talked about. While there can be so much joy in these experiences there can also be other feelings that are difficult and isolating.
Bonding with a new baby doesn’t always come instantly.
Some women feel pressure to live up to standards of motherhood that are unrealistic and exhausting.
Or feelings about their own experience being mothered may rise to the surface.
Relationships with partners can become strained.
For some women the experience of giving birth is traumatic.
And life with a new baby can feel like landing on another planet (“how did I get here?!”).
Throw in hormone changes and lack of sleep and you have a recipe for postpartum overwhelm.
The good news is that therapy can help. We can talk through what all of this has been like and work towards helping you feel more like yourself again.
a little about me
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Sara Wilken MSW RSW PhD
I am one of those lucky people who loves their work. I enjoy the process of slowly building a sense of trust and connection with those I work with and witnessing the relief and growth that comes from feeling understood. Therapy is a process that brings meaning to my life.
I work with adults of all ages who come to me with a range of concerns. My training is in social work and psychotherapy, with a focus on attachment, relational therapy, and also perinatal mental health. See below for the details.
My family and I moved from Toronto to Stratford in 2024 and we are still amazed by the beauty and community we have found ourselves in.
Training/Credentials
Registered Social Worker with the Ontario Association of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (#828695)
Masters of Social Work at York University
PhD in Social Work and Education at McGill University
Completed 4 years of course work with the Canadian Institute of Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
Training and Research in Intersubjective Self-Psychology (TRISP) Advanced Two-Year Certificate
Post Graduate Post Partum Stress Centre Advanced Certificate
Selini Institute Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Certificate
a welcoming therapy space
In person therapy appointments take place at The Collaborative in Stratford. You will find a comfortable waiting room with a fireplace and coffee, tea or water so that you can relax and feel ready for your session.
in-person and remote options
My office is located in Stratford, Ontario at 206 Ontario Street in the Collaborative suite on the first floor. Parking is free. Can’t make it into the office? No worries – I’ve got you covered with teletherapy.
Processing and healing from trauma happens within empathic relationships. Trauma becomes unbearable when “emotional pain cannot find a relational home in which it can be held.”
— Robert D. Stolorow