Meet Our Therapist - Samantha Duarte

About Me

My name is Samantha, and I am a Registered Psychotherapist (RP). People often describe me as warm, open-minded, and empathetic, and I strive to bring these qualities into our work together. I work with adults (18+) and I am here to support you as you navigate challenges such as stress, grief and loss, trauma, and attachment or relationship issues. My core belief is that healing happens in connection. Together, we slow things down and begin from wherever you are, creating a safe and supportive space for you to be seen and heard.

My Approach to Therapy

My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and deeply trauma-informed. It is grounded in an awareness of the nervous system and the body's wisdom (somatic awareness). I integrate traditional talk therapy with body-based insight to help you understand your unique stress responses. This understanding allows us to create space for healing and choice, moving you out of reactive patterns and into a state of greater regulation and presence.
To ensure your therapy is suited to you, I draw from a range of evidence-based approaches, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT). Each session is tailored to your unique needs and goals.

Support for Service Providers

My professional path has included working as a case worker and trauma therapist in the anti-human trafficking sector. This experience gave me a profound understanding of the impact of trauma and the importance of sustainable care. Because of this, a special passion of mine is offering support and training for service providers who are navigating burnout and secondary trauma. I have a particular focus on those working in high-impact spaces like youth homelessness, anti-human trafficking, and gender-based violence.

My Education & Personal Life

My academic foundation includes a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) from Yorkville University, a post-graduate diploma in Child and Youth Care from George Brown College, and an undergraduate bachelor's degree from the University of Toronto. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy reading, listening to music, and attending yoga and pilates classes. I have also recently started to get into cooking and baking, which I find to be a mindful and creative outlet.