Sara Mottola
Sara Mottola, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist
Specialties: Grief and loss, anxiety, caregivers and helping professionals, relationships and life transitions, older adults, dementia.
Clients like: I’m confident, warm, and direct at the same time. I help them see things in ways they never thought of before. You won’t need to explain the things you’ve seen and definitely won’t feel judged.
Modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness, attachment based trauma informed.
Availability: Virtual
Schedule: Days and Evenings
Languages spoken: English
More About Me
Hi! I’m Sara. I became a therapist because of my own experience with navigating health systems while caring for someone I love. I’ve also worked in an Intensive Care Unit and in the Medical Assistance in Dying Program - I’m no stranger to grief, stress, anxiety, burnout, and shame. Because of this, I bring parts of my authentic self to sessions with clients.
My clients have experienced loss, sadness, frustration, and overwhelm. They are often in caregiving roles, high pressure jobs, or involved in complex relationships or family dynamics. I help them move through their grief, reduce their guilt and anxiety, remove the stress from their relationships, and shift their thinking so that they can make real change and get back on track. I love supporting clients through their experiences with grief, care giver burn out, terminal illness and setting healthy boundaries and getting their needs met in romantic relationships, with family, and at work. I pride myself in creating a non-judgmental space where you feel safe to be you truest self by being curious about who you really are.
You won’t need to explain the things you’ve seen and you definitely won’t feel judged by me. I help you put words to your experiences that make them make sense. Together we can rebuild your strength and confidence, calm the internal noise, and get you back on track.
My clients like that I'm relatable, direct, warm, and help them see things in ways they never thought of before - I help them make real change.
I am anti-oppressive and trauma informed, taking into consideration how bigger picture issues affect our wellness. I am trained in multiple types of therapy including including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectal Behavioural Therapy, and Emotion Focused Therapy. I have specialized training in mindfulness, dementia care, postpartum anxiety, supporting bereaved parents, and supporting health professionals. I believe in a hoslitic approach and offering what works for you. Clients can expect me to weave multiple approaches throughout sessions depending on the client’s needs while drawing on their strengths. I am also a believer in holistic approaches such as mindfulness. I practice what I preach, maintaining my own meditation practice.
When I’m not with clients I am enjoying a cup of coffee, hanging out with my dog, and watering my house plants. I don’t believe you need to be in crisis to seek support. I don’t believe you need to be in crisis to seek support, reach out now. I'm available virtually days and evenings. Book a free 20 minute consultation to get started.
Education & Certifications
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Masters of Social Work, Health and Mental Health, University of Toronto, 2022
Diploma in Addictions and Mental Health, Humber College, 2019
Bachelor of Social Work, Ryerson University, 2018
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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: The Basics (University of Toronto)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: Beyond the Basics (University of Toronto)
Motivational Interviewing – Strategies for Supporting Change (Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute, 2019)
Trauma Informed Care – Building a Culture of Strength (Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute)
De-escalating Potentially Violent Situations (Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute)
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST, 2019)
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Centre for Mindfulness Studies, 2014)
Dementia Care Training U-First PIECES (Toronto Alzheimer’s Society, 2021)
Supporting Bereaved Parents After a Pregnancy Loss or the Death of a Child (Wilfred Laurier University)
Compassionate Care Workshop for Health Care Professionals – Pregnancy and Infancy Loss (Pregnancy and Infancy Loss Network)
Postpartum Anxiety, Rage an Burnout: Common Concerns in the Perinatal Period and Practical Tools for Clinicians (Hexagon Psychology)
