Doctoral Associate
Leah Sack
M.A.
Families often feel warmth and understanding from their first conversation with Leah. Parents begin to feel empowered, reminded that they are the ones who know their child best, while Leah takes the time to really understand who a child is and what has brought the family in. Most leave with a sense of hope, a feeling that with the right support, some of the hardest parts can begin to shift.
On weekends you'll find me outside with the people I love, exercising, cozying up with a book, or playing team sports, despite my skill level.
You don't have to have it figured out.
How Leah works
Leah believes kids do well when they can, and that parents want to do their best, even when their own struggles get in the way. She knows that a close, attuned relationship between a parent and child can be one of the most powerful things for a family. And she knows that children cannot always put their feelings into words, so she pays close attention to what their behaviour is telling us instead.
She is especially drawn to young children experiencing big emotions, and to parents who want to support their child through those emotions and behaviours but are not sure how. Much of her work happens in the space between parent and child, helping families communicate in the ways they want to, mend what feels strained, and work through difficulty together.
Leah starts by getting to know a child beyond what they are struggling with, their interests, their humour, who they are. With younger children, that often means play, meeting them in the language they know best. Throughout, she is paying attention to how safe and comfortable a child feels, and to the big emotions when they surface.
Clinical approach
Warm, relational, and centred on connection.
Leah draws on Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), attachment-based therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and parent-child play therapies. Much of her work supports parents in supporting their children, because parents are their child's trusted people and are with them far more than any therapist. She helps families become attuned to one another, communicate through the hard moments, and mend relationships so parents and children can face difficulty together.
With older children, she also looks at how thoughts, behaviours, and emotions are linked, gently adjusting the pieces that help a young person do the things they want to do. With younger children, she uses the in-the-moment experiences of a session to strengthen the parent-child bond.
I want every child to know that their experience makes sense, and every parent to know that they can learn new ways to support their child. Connection and understanding come first.
What Leah works with.
Areas of focus
Languages: English
Background and credentials.
Education and training
PhD, Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology
University of Guelph
MA, Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology
University of Guelph
Professional AssociationsOntario Psychological Association (OPA)
College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO)
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health
Toronto District School Board
Family Psychology Centre
CertificationsEmotion-Focused Family Therapy
Core for Clinicians · Caregiver Workshop
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