Project Description

Counselling Services in Hamilton

Offered both virtually and in-person

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or mental health crisis please call 911.

Durand Health offers counselling for individuals, couples, groups, and specific groups including children, pre-teens and adolescents. We offer both in-person & virtual appointments.

Also known as talk therapy, counseling involves helping people with a broad variety of emotional and mental difficulties. By listening to what a client is struggling with, the therapist acts as a facilitator to assist clients to help find answers within themselves. This can help eliminate or control troubling symptoms so a person can increase well-being. To book with a registered psychotherapist, click here.


What types of techniques are used?

Our therapists, Sean Sydor, Sophia Sammy Joy Friesen and Cristina Palermo have the ability to use their different training techniques to provide you with care that is best-suited to your needs. The following are some of the techniques they use:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IP)
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Mindfulness-Based Approaches
  • Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy
  • Emotion-Focused Therapy
  • Solution-Focused Therapy
  • Skill-Building Approaches


Collaborative Care

When needed, our psychotherapists and social workers work collaboratively with the other healthcare practitioners in the clinic including physicians naturopaths, and other specialists in order to best manage your mental health needs. Please inquire for more information.

Counselling Can Help With:

  • Anger

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Grief

  • Loss

  • Burnout

  • Abuse

  • Trauma

  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Phobias

  • Transitions

  • Substance Abuse

Practitioners Offering Counselling

Sophia Headshot

Sophia Sammy

Registered Psychotherapist, CYC, R.P.

Sophia Sammy

Sophia Sammy is a Registered Psychotherapist who has significant experience in working with a variety of client demographics. She has worked within a school setting as well as community and clinical settings. Sophia’s client-centered therapeutic approach encompasses an eclectic array of cognitive, humanistic, and behavioural therapies. She implements CBT, solution focused therapy, art therapy, and spiritually integrated therapy, to name a few.Sophia possesses a diploma in Child and Youth Care from Sheridan College, a Bachelors degree in Sociology from York University, and a Masters of Arts in Theology with a concentration in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy from Wilfrid Laurier University.As per the requirements of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) regarding members of a qualifying status, Sophia receives supervision under Caroline Krupica.

“Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far you have come.” – Unknown

book with Sophia
Cristina Palermo

Cristina Palermo

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) R.P. and Art Therapist

Cristina Palermo is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and Art Therapist. She completed her training in Art Therapy and Psychotherapy at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute and is currently finishing her thesis project on the benefits of art therapy in breast cancer patients and survivors. Cristina has always been passionate about the arts and her own journey as an artist helped her recognize the therapeutic value it holds.

In counselling sessions, Cristina offers both traditional talk therapy and art therapy as options. Cristina takes a very person-centred, humanistic and organic approach with each of her clients, letting the client guide the direction of each session. Sessions are rooted in mindfulness, meditation, grounding, and cognitive behavioural therapy.

Cristina can help clients suffering with anxiety, eating disorders, depression, grief and loss, behavioural and neurobehavioral disorders, brain injuries and mood challenges. She regularly works with adults and also specializes in working with children and adolescents. She has learned that using art and even play in sessions helps facilitate a conversation to talk about difficult experiences, especially in youth.

Don’t think you’re an artist? That’s ok, prior skills are not necessary to participate in art therapy it is inclusive to all ages and genders.

“Art can permeate the very deepest parts of us, where no words exist.” – Eileen Miller

Book with Cristina
Joy RSW

Joy Friesen

Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW

Joy Friesen

Joy Friesen is a Registered Social Worker who holds degrees in Master of Education and Master of Social Work. She offers over 10 years of experience in working with children, adolescents, adults, and families and approaches therapy as a supportive journey with clients, working towards their therapy goals. Joy provides a sincere and compassionate space for clients to feel known, heard, and validated so they can start taking control of their lives again.

Joys areas of focus are: Addictions | Anxiety & Depression | Child & Adolescent Mental Health | Coping Strategies | Emotion Regulation | Grief | Life Transitions | Pandemic Stress | Parenting Support | Self-Compassion | Self-Esteem | School Challenges | Work Stress & Burn Out
The theoretical approaches that Joy offers for therapy are: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy | Dialectical Behavioural Therapy | Internal Family Systems | Mindfulness| Motivational Interviewing | Solution Focused Therapy | Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

“The most powerful words are “me too” because these words make you feel that you are not alone in your journey.” -Unknown

Book with Joy