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About Kumsal

Kumsal Kosar

Ayse Kumsal Tekirdag Kosar

BSc PhD MSW RSW

Registered Social Worker

Psychotherapist

Founder of Our Healing Connection

Kumsal is registered and in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW: 848023)

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She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP: 520821) and holds a membership in the following professional organizations:

  • ​​​OASW - The Ontario Association of Social Work

  • CASW - The Canadian Association of Social Workers

  • ​International Centre for Excellence in EFT (ICEEFT)​

  • Toronto Centre for Emotionally Focused Therapy (TCEFT)​​

OASW logo
CASW logo
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Toronto Centre for EFT

Founder & Owner of Our Healing Connection

 

  • Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist in Ontario, Canada

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  • Turkish-Canadian cis-gender woman and a first-generation immigrant

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  • Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Toronto, Canada

  • BSc in Biological Sciences and Biological Engineering and Ph.D. in Cell Biology from Sabanci University, Turkiye

  • Postdoctoral training in cancer and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, USA

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  • Experience working in community mental health centres, inpatient and outpatient hospital settings serving diverse adult clients

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  • Specialty in trauma-informed care and substance use/addiction support;

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  • Supporting people dealing with anxiety, depression or low mood, bipolar disorder, stress and burnout, work-related challenges, parenting-related challenges, caregiver burnout, boundaries, emotion regulation, identity issues, relationship conflict, low self-esteem, life transitions, grief and loss, traumatic experiences, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex trauma, substance use and addiction, substance use disorders, concurrent disorders

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  • Training in several evidence-based therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Polyvagal theory, Motivational Interviewing and Interpersonal Therapy

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A note from Kumsal

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Welcome to Our Healing Connection Therapy, where healing begins and empowerment thrives!

 

I am so glad you took the first step to exploring counselling and therapy with me.

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I am Kumsal, owner and founder of Our Healing Connection Therapy.

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I am a Registered Social Worker and Turkish-English-speaking psychotherapist based in Toronto, Ontario, dedicated to supporting people from all walks of life.

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My lived experience in three cultures informs my authentic therapeutic style. I have experience providing support in hospital and community settings. I am passionate about providing client-centred, and evidence-based interventions for my clients.

 

My practice focuses on the unique needs and goals of each client and I will meet you where you are at in your mental health and wellness journey.

 

I support people with a warm, compassionate and direct style. We will work collaboratively to support you with the changes you would like to make in areas including, but not limited to: anxiety, depression, life transitions, trauma, substance use/addiction, relationship with yourself and others, parenting and work/school stress.


I strive to work with you to understand your unique needs and collaborate with you to improve your coping skills and resiliency on your wellness and recovery journey to achieve your goals.

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Are you ready to establish our healing connection? 

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If you would like to further discuss if we are the right fit, reach out to me.

 

I am providing therapy and mental health support in English and Turkish. If you are interested in therapy in Turkish, please check here for further info.

 

I look forward to connecting and establishing our healing connection!

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Professional Qualifications

Credentials

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As a Registered Social Worker in Ontario, Kumsal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Bioengineering and a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology from Sabanci University, Istanbul Turkey. She has completed postdoctoral training and extensive research on neurobiology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, US.

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She further completed a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto, with a specialization in Mental Health and Health.

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Memberships

 

She is registered and in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).

 

Practice

She has worked with various populations and gained experience in various settings, strives to practice from the highest ethical standards and has completed rigorous training in various modalities.

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Kumsal is trained and informed by a range of integrative approaches and modalities including:

  • Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

  • Emotionally-Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT)

  • Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT)

  • Trauma-informed care 

  • Polyvagal theory (PVT)

  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)

  • Mindfulness 

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)

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Her clinical approach is anti-oppressive, strengths-based, harm-reduction focused and recovery-oriented.

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She continues to engage in ongoing professional development and clinical supervision to ensure her practice is based on evidence-based therapeutic approaches.

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Additional Training and Qualifications

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  • Mastering Skills and Overcoming Challenges in EFIT: A Consultation Process - ICEEFT 

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis - Training by Dr. Noah Lazar

  • Emotionally-Focused Therapy for Couples (EFCT) 4-day Externship - TCEFT / ICEEFT

  • ​Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) -Evergreen Certifications

  • Polyvagal Theory for Embodied Trauma Recovery - PESI

  • Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy Essentials (Level 1+ Level 2) - ICEEFT 

  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy - University of Toronto & Coursera

  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction - Centre for Mindfulness Studies, Toronto

  • Trauma Certificate, Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) - Ongoing

  • Seeking Safety Webinar- Treatment Innovations  

  • Trauma-Informed Practice Webinar-CMHA           

  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) Certificate, Wilfrid Laurier University 

  • CBT Level II – Anxiety Disorders and Depression  WLU  

  • CBT Level I - Fundamental Skills OISE, University of Toronto

  • Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) - Advanced Topics in Mental Health, University of Toronto

  • Transforming Trauma with Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) - PESI

  • Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) Level 1 - Individual Therapy-York University Psychology

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) 3-day Certification Training-PESI AU 

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): An Introduction to Essential Components-SickKids CCMHLI

  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)-Social Work Practice in Mental Health - University of Toronto 

  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)-University of British Columbia CPD

  • Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Online Course-CAMH 

  • Introduction to Problem Gambling Course-GGTU CAMH

  • The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs - University of Toronto & Coursera

  • The Art and Science of Love, Two days intensive  The Gottman Institute

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Specialization

Kumsal's clinical practice focuses on creating safety and building a therapeutic relationship to address your unique needs. She has extensive training in trauma-informed care and integrating safety, collaboration and empowerment into her clinical practice. She will meet you where you are on your journey and will work collaboratively to support you with the challenges, whether it is anxiety or depression, navigating life transitions or addressing traumatic experiences.

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Services

She offers individual counselling and psychotherapy in English and/or Turkish.​

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