Session Types: Online, Phone, In-Person (Ottawa)
Schedule: Mondays and Thursdays 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Specialities: Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, Body Image, Perfectionism, Abuse (Childhood/ Relationships)
Helping you heal, grow and embrace your whole self with compassion and care.
Availability: Sarah is accepting new virtual clients to a waiting list.
Schedule: Mondays and Thursdays 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Certification:
Level 1: One Week Narrative Therapy Intensive.
Narrative Therapy Centre
2017
Certification:
Level 2: Summer Narrative Therapy Intensive
Narrative Therapy Centre
2019
Certification:
Somatic Embodiment and Self-Regulation Strategies. Collectively Rooted
Linda Thai
2021
Certification:
Trauma Treating Certification Training. The Latest Advances and Proven Techniques to Resolve Deeply Held Trauma
Janina Fisher
2023
Certification:
EMDR (Part 1)
Philip Manfield
March 2025
TRAININGS
Training:
Orientation to Eating Disorders.
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
2010
Training:
Family-Based Therapy for In-Patient Eating Disorders
Held at: Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
Training by: McMaster Children’s Hospital
June 2012
Training:
Concurrent CARE: Skills training in the comprehensive treatment of Substance Use Disorder and Eating Disorders
Anchor Psychological Services & Rideauwood Addiction & Family Services
2015
Training:
Positive Psychotherapy: Integrating the Yin & Yang of Human Experience.
The Royal Mental Health Centre
2016
Training:
Managing Emotional Dysregulation
The Royal Mental Health Centre
2017
Training:
Ontario Walk-In Counselling Clinic Symposium
Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK).
2017
Training:
Responding to Trauma in Brief Settings: Witnessing Resistance
Vikki Reynolds
2018
Training:
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
Level 1
McMaster Children’s Hospital
2018
Training:
Unpacking the Narrative Suitcase. Practices that Fit in Any Setting
The Windz Centre
2019
Training:
Creating Sacred Spaces in Psychotherapy.
Mind Body Spirit Convention
Daybreak Therapy and Training
2019
Training:
Trauma Training Narrative Therapy
Jill Freedman
2020
Training:
Within Us: An Introduction to Internal Family Systems Theory
Elyse Heagle Counselling & Psychotherapy
2021
Training:
Supervision Training Course
Adler Graduate Professional School
2021
Training:
Eating Disorders. Clinical Approaches To Treating Body Image Issues
Jennifer Rollins
2021
Training:
Trauma – Dan Siegal
Shalem Mental Health Network
2022
Training:
New Opportunities for Healing Trauma and Building Resilience with Neuroplasticity
PESI
2022
Training:
Transforming Trauma with Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT)
PESI
2023
Training:
New Hope for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Janina Fisher
2023
Training:
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders Ontario
2023
Training:
Bottom-Up Strategies for Trauma Stabilization – A Phase-Oriented Approach
Linda Thai – Academy of Therapy Wisdom
June 2024
For many people living with an eating disorder or recovering from trauma, it can feel like life has become something to manage, not enjoy. You may be exhausted from the fight—tired of the inner critic, the cycles of shame, or the fear of not being enough. Sarah is here to remind you that healing is possible, and you don’t have to walk that path alone.
Sarah Terwilligar is a Registered Psychotherapist and the founder of Sarah Terwilligar & Associates. Based in Ottawa, she offers virtual individual and family therapy for youth, adults, and families across Ontario. With over 16 years of experience as a Registered Nurse—15 of which were spent supporting children, teens, and families at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario—Sarah has devoted her career to helping people reclaim their lives from eating disorders, childhood abuse, and relationship trauma.
Early in her nursing career, Sarah discovered her calling in supporting individuals and families navigating the depths of eating disorder recovery. What began as a job quickly became a life’s purpose. Over time, she saw a growing gap: people weren’t getting help early enough. Determined to be part of a solution, Sarah returned to school and became a Registered Psychotherapist—driven by a desire to offer support before things reach a crisis point.
Sarah’s approach is deeply compassionate, grounded in empathy, and backed by years of specialized clinical experience. She creates a non-judgmental space where clients feel heard and safe enough to explore the parts of themselves they’ve learned to hide. Using modalities such as Family-Based Therapy (FBT), Narrative Therapy, CBT, DBT, IFS, and trauma-informed practices, Sarah tailors therapy to meet each person and family exactly where they are, always with warmth, respect, and authenticity.
Clients describe Sarah as someone who genuinely cares, who sees their strength even when they can’t. Whether you’re a teen overwhelmed by food anxiety, a parent navigating family-based treatment, or an adult working through past abuse, Sarah will walk beside you with kindness, curiosity, and an unwavering belief in your capacity to heal.
Getting started takes only a few simple steps. Click on the Book a Free Consultation button below, browse, select a therapist that resonates with your needs, create your profile, and pick a suitable time slot.
Have questions? Please use the contact form below to reach out to us.
