About

Introduction & Background

Madison Sayers, MA, Registered Psychotherapist & Expressive Arts Practitioner

Hello, my name is Madison Sayers and I work out of Pickering, ON, providing specialized counselling and psychotherapy services to children, youth, and adults, via individual, couple, family, and/or group counselling.

For over a decade I have been pursuing my passion for helping others by working and volunteering in helping roles. This has included providing supportive listening to patients of all ages and families in the hospital, co-facilitating art and play therapy activities for children and youth undergoing cancer treatment, assisting with the facilitation of grief and loss counselling groups for children and youth in foster care, providing supportive counselling for isolated elderly individuals with chronic mental illness, and providing counselling and psychotherapy services to diverse clients in both private and agency settings (as detailed below).

This passion for working with and helping others has become solidified by pursuing a career in counselling and psychotherapy. In 2012 I obtained my Bachelor of Arts (Honors Equivalent) in Psychology from McGill University and in 2014 I obtained my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Registration # 003062) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.

Description of Most Recent Clinical Experience

My work is currently based out of a multidisciplinary counselling clinic. The office is equipped with a magazine stocked waiting area and private counselling rooms.  I undergo regular professional development/trainings and supervision from experienced clinicians to ensure that my clients obtain the best possible service.

Prior to this, I worked at Frontenac Youth Services providing assessment, treatment planning and treatment to youth and families via individual, group, family and parent therapy modalities. Clients treated had a variety of presenting issues including; general and social anxiety, depression, ADHD, Autism, oppositional defiance, Substance abuse problems, fire setting, suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts, violent convictions, body-image issues, school anxiety/avoidance, familial separation, pervasive family conflict, etc. Given the demographics of families, clientele ranged from toddlers to seniors. There I also had the opportunity to develop and co-facilitate Anger Management, Life Skills, and activity-based groups to build social skills in adolescents.

I completed private practice work with adults during internships at the Montreal Anger Management Center and the McGill Domestic Violence Clinic. There I was co-facilitating groups for men with anger management problems and male perpetrators of domestic violence. I also administered short term individual therapy there, treating issues that include; depression, trauma, anger management, self-esteem issues difficulties setting limits and boundaries, relationship problems, and substance abuse. I conducted couples therapy work there as well addressing topics such as parenting, communication, healthy boundaries, managing emotions, etc.

During an internship with Batshaw Youth and Family Services, a youth protection and young offender’s agency, I provided assessment and treatment to youth with sexual behaviour problems and their families. Given the complex nature of these cases, the clients had various problems that were of clinical concern, beyond their sexual behaviour, that were addressed to varying degrees in treatment. Therefore, I gained experience aiding youth in overcoming issues related to; addictions, stress, behaviour problems, (sexual, physical and emotional) abuse, trauma, resolving conflict, depression, life transitions, anxiety, and self-esteem issues, and parents with topics such as coping with their child’s behaviour, setting appropriate limits and boundaries, and communication.