I am a Registered Social Worker (MSW, RSW) with more than three decades of experience supporting survivors of intimate partner violence, abuse, and complex trauma. I offer warm, authentic, and anti-oppressive therapy for adults, teens, and youth navigating trauma, anxiety, stress, and the long effects of childhood or relational harm. My work is informed by CBT, Narrative Therapy, DBT, EFT, IFS, and Motivational Interviewing, and I take care to find the approach that fits each client. Serving Ajax, Pickering, and the broader Durham Region in person and online across Ontario.
Client Focus
Session Format: Family, Group sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Children, Teen, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: Women clients.
Languages: English
Treatment Approach
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, while committing to actions that reflect their values. It blends mindfulness with practical behavior strategies.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) Builds skills in self-kindness and compassion toward others. It is especially helpful for people who struggle with shame or self-criticism.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Combines CBT with mindfulness to help regulate emotions, tolerate stress, and build stronger relationships. Originally designed for borderline personality disorder, it’s now used more broadly.
- Eclectic Therapy Draws from different therapeutic methods based on what fits each client best. It is flexible and personalized rather than following one single model.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Focuses on strengthening emotional bonds in couples or families. It helps people identify negative cycles and create more secure connections.
- Feminist Therapy Addresses how gender roles, power, and social inequality affect mental health. It empowers clients to challenge limiting beliefs and systems.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Helps clients heal by working with different ‘parts’ of themselves, like inner critics or wounded children. It fosters harmony within the self.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Combines mindfulness practices with CBT to prevent depression relapse. It helps people notice thoughts without judgment and respond more calmly.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) A collaborative, client-centered approach that strengthens motivation for change. It is especially effective for addictions and health behaviors.
- Multicultural Therapy Acknowledges the role of culture, race, and identity in mental health. It values diversity and adapts treatment to each person’s background.
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Psychodynamic Therapy Explores unconscious thoughts and patterns that influence current behavior. It builds insight into how the past impacts the present.
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Focuses on solutions and future goals rather than past problems. It is practical, short-term, and goal-driven.
- Somatic Therapy Helps clients notice how emotions are stored in the body. It uses breath, movement, and awareness for healing trauma and stress.
Approach Description: I draw from a broad, integrative toolkit shaped by more than three decades of clinical practice. My work is grounded in anti racist and anti oppressive principles and informed by Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, Person Centred (Rogerian), Feminist, Multicultural, Somatic, and Psychodynamic approaches. I use trauma informed and attachment informed lenses throughout, and tailor the work to each client so therapy feels supportive, collaborative, and effective.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Average Session Fee 200
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- I offer a limited number of reduced rate sliding scale spots for clients facing financial barriers to accessing therapy. Priority is given to survivors of intimate partner violence and abuse, students, newcomers, and those navigating temporary financial hardship. Rates are set collaboratively with no documentation required beyond our conversation, and apply to in person sessions at our Ajax and Pickering offices as well as virtual sessions across Ontario. Because spots are limited there may be a brief waitlist. Please reach out to inquire about current availability.
- Accepts Insurance
- Direct billing available for most major insurers including Manulife, Sun Life, Canada Life, Green Shield, Blue Cross, Equitable, Desjardins, and Beneva. We also work with Victim Services, IFH, and auto insurance under SABS. Receipts provided for all extended health benefits.
Education & Credentials
Sue Blair MSW, RSW
- Female
- License # 834092
- Licensed in Ontario
- Practicing Since 2011
Education: Master of Social Work (MSW), University of Toronto
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Toronto Metropolitan University (Ryerson)
Social Service Worker Diploma, Sir Sandford Fleming College (1986)
Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), License #834092
Additional training: Narrative Therapy, DBT (ongoing), EFT, IFS, advanced Motivational Interviewing, Cyber Counselling, trauma informed practices, and Train the Trainer in Vicarious Trauma / Compassion Fatigue (Empathic Strain). Member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).
Sue Blair Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Ajax, ON L1S 6B7 and Pickering, ON L1V 1Y3
- Available Online for residents of Ontario
- Online Therapy Details: Secure video sessions via Jane App
I believe every person has inherent strengths, and that hope can be found even in the most difficult circumstances. My therapeutic approach is informed by a variety of evidence based methods including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). I recognize that therapy is not one size fits all, so I take care to understand each person's unique needs, experiences, and goals to find an approach that feels supportive and effective.
My approach is authentic, grounded, and compassionate. I strive to create a space where you feel safe, respected, and understood, and my work is rooted in anti racist and anti oppressive principles. By creating an environment of trust, we can explore patterns, clarify your goals, and strengthen the inner resources that support a stronger sense of self.
In our first session, I will help you to feel comfortable, safe and at ease. We will begin by getting to know you and learning more about your background and your current life circumstances. From there, we will explore the concerns that brought you to therapy in more depth. We will also talk about what you hope to gain from therapy and work together to identify meaningful goals. In future sessions, we will use those goals to guide our work together.
My journey to becoming a therapist began in childhood. Raised by my grandparents, I learned the importance of kindness, compassion, and social justice from their example. Although they had limited resources, they consistently helped others and instilled in me a deep commitment to supporting people through hardship.
Growing up in the Niagara Region in the late 1970s and early 1980s, I was exposed to intimate partner violence, substance use, oppression, and gender based violence. These experiences shaped my desire to create change and led me to pursue a career in social work. I completed a Social Service Worker Diploma from Sir Sandford Fleming College in 1986 and began working in the Violence Against Women sector at age 20, supporting survivors of intimate partner violence. I later completed my BSW at Toronto Metropolitan University, where I deepened my commitment to anti oppressive and anti racist practice, and went on to complete my MSW at the University of Toronto.
My experience expanded through my work with the Ministry of the Attorney General's Victim/Witness Assistance Program, where I supported survivors of crime with complex needs through crisis intervention, advocacy, referrals, safety planning, and emotional support. In leadership roles, I provided consultation, guidance, and case management support to staff and students working with survivors of violence, abuse, homicide, and other traumatic experiences.
I also developed a strong interest in supporting helping professionals after witnessing the impact of trauma exposure and empathic strain. This led me to extensive training in vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue, and the opportunity to help lead a Ministry wide standardized vicarious trauma training for new employees at the Ministry of the Attorney General.
Reaching out for therapy can feel intense, and I am glad you are here. Whether this is your first time in therapy or you have had previous experience, finding the right fit is important. I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation so we can connect, answer any questions you may have, and explore the kind of support that feels right for you.