• Emilia Pacholec, Registered Psychotherapist

    Hi! I’m Emilia and my pronouns are she/her.

    I earned a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Western University, a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Psychology from York University, and two post-graduate certificates in sex therapy from the University of Guelph.

    I began my career working with youth and adults experiencing Borderline Personality Disorder, as well as justice-involved and high-risk youth. Since then, I have focused primarily on post-traumatic stress and related difficulties among survivors of sexual and criminal violence.

    Each day, I support survivors of various traumas, including childhood sexual abuse, rape, grooming, robbery, human trafficking, kidnapping, and assault. I have a special interest in supporting relationships in which one or more partners are affected by trauma.

    I deeply understand how these experiences impact our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships, and I truly believe that relief is possible.

    My approach is genuine, empathic, and directive. Recognizing that we often avoid the topics we need to discuss most, I promise to ask the hard questions while respecting your choice to answer them.

    You might believe that life can’t get better or that you’re not capable of growth. My goal is to empower you to see your strengths, to overcome your difficulties, and to transform your life.

    Trauma is not a life sentence. You can trust, laugh, and love again.

    My Practice and Credentials

    My areas of expertise

    • Trauma, PTSD, and Complex PTSD related to sexual violence:
      • Childhood sexual abuse, including child on child sexual abuse (COCSA)
      • Sexual Assault, Rape, Marital Rape
      • Human Trafficking
      • Sexual Exploitation, Sextortion, Sexual Harrassment, Grooming
    • Intimacy after sexual trauma
    • Substance use/abuse
    • Suicide ideation and self-injury
    • Anxiety disorders
    • Perfectionism/self-criticism
    • Emotional dysregulation
    • Adults and couples/folks in all relationship structures

    Professional associations that I belong to:

    • College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario 
    • Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
    • American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT)
    • National Coalition for Sexual Freedom – Kink and Polyamory Aware Professional

    I get knocked down, but I get up again

    You are never gonna keep me down

    – Chumbawamba

     

    Research Experience

    I've been involved in countless research studies since 2011. Most recently, my work has focused on assessing the efficacy of various psychotherapeutic interventions including mindfulness based approaches for families who have experienced adversity. This research was presented at various conferences including the Mindful Society; Dialectical Behaviour Therapy with high risk and justice involved youth which has been published in the Journal of Community Mental Health; and best practices for supporting survivors of human trafficking.

    Organizations that I have been involved with include the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Kids Help Phone, London Family Court Clinic and various labs at York University and Western University.

    • Conferences at which I have presented research
    • Trauma and Violence Intervention Research Conference
    • Canadian Psychological Association
    • Mindful Society
    • Child Health Research Day at Children’s Hospital London
    • Human Services & Justice Coordinating Committee
    • Western University Faculty Research Day

    Program Development

    I have used my training and expertise to develop programs that enable community organizations and mental health providers offer specialized services for the unique individuals they work with.

    I was the lead developer of an asynchronous learning DBT program for justice involved and high-risk youth. I have also developed programs based on mindfulness, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for use with clients in private practice. 

    Speaking Engagements

    I have had the privilege of sharing my clinical knowledge at at various events and settings including:

    Trauma, Sex, and Couples Therapy in Toronto
    Offered Virtually or In-Person at Spadina and Queen