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“The foundation of the therapeutic relationship is the compassionate, curious presence of the therapist,

which allows the client to safely explore all aspects of their experience. We gain a sense of freedom

from being honest and open with ourselves; great freedom and joy.”

“it is imperfection that allows for love to emerge; we love the other because of the other’s imperfection, not despite it”

– Slavoj Zizek

“Your task is not to look for love but to find within yourself all the barriers that you have built against it”

– Rumi

I provide the

following services:

CONTACT

Psychotherapy for individuals, couples and families;
Trauma assessments for refugee and immigration claims, family and criminal court, human rights claims, etc.
Professional trainings for conducting trauma assessments and writing support letters(see brochure);
Expert testimony on trauma and its effects;
Clinical Supervision.

ABOUT

Education

Current Positions

Previous Positions

Ph.D., University of Toronto

M.S.W., Carleton University
B.A. (honours), University of Toronto

Supervised Private Practice since 2006

Course Instructor, University of Toronto - WGSI, Equity Studies & OISE

Clinical Social Worker, Barbara Schlifer Commemorative Clinic

Clinical Social Worker/Coordinator, Same Sex Partner Abuse Project, David Kelley LGBTQ-HIV/AIDS Services

Professional Trainings

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level 1 – Training for the Treatment of Trauma
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level 2 – Attachment, Development & Trauma

Advanced Seminar Program Level 1: Working with the Neurobiological Legacy of Trauma
Advanced Seminar Program Level 2: Working with the Neurobiological Legacy of Trauma

Certificate Program: Mindfulness Meditation and Clinical Practice

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

– Anais Nin

“We look at the world once, in childhood. The rest is memory.”

– Louise Gluck

PAT DURISH RSW/MSW, PhD.

Welcome.

Therapy is collaborative process that requires both the therapist and the client to be curious, compassionate and non judgmental. Therapy is also effortful; it is most effective when you take risks and actively work to apply what you learn in therapy to your everyday life. As a therapist, I strive to cultivate an empathetic and honest presence. My intention is to support you but also to gently challenge you.

I have been in private practice since 2007. My clinical experience includes working in a range of social service organizations providing service to children, families, individuals and couples. In addition, I have worked as a policy analyst, researcher and educator. I have extensive post graduate training in the areas of gender based violence and trauma.

I am an accredited expert witness and have appeared before the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, Provincial and Federal Courts.

I have been on faculty at the University of Toronto since 2006 teaching in the Equity Studies and Women and Gender Studies programs.

My practice is located in the heart of the Annex neighbourhood at the corner of Bathurst and Bloor.

I am a clinical social worker registered with the OASW and OASWSSW.

APPROACH

I am relationally oriented, which means that I understand that a caring and respectful relationship between a therapist and client is essential to healing. I am committed to providing you with a safe therapeutic environment that will encourage honesty and exploration.

I am trained as a sensorimotor psychotherapist so I am interested in how your body holds and expresses your early memories and learnings about the world and your place within it.

I encourage body awareness and the use of mindfulness meditation as a tool to aid us in our work together.

I am committed to an anti oppressive practice that is respectful of difference.

trauma
relationships
grief
depression
anxiety
stress
addiction
sexuality and gender identity (LGBTQ)

I offer support for the
following issues: