Sam van Ginkel
Clinical Director | Supervisor | Registered Clinical Counsellor
Hi, I’m Sam. I created The Experiential Therapist out of a realization that the most powerful therapy goes deeper than intellectual understanding.
In my earlier years, I practiced traditional forms of talk therapy and found them helpful—but limited. For many, they had different ways of thinking about their problem, but they didn’t feel different. They were stuck in their heads, trying to think their way out of emotional pain, and therapy wasn’t giving them a way out.
I experienced powerful shifts that changed lives in my practice when I was introduced to experiential techniques—using the body, imagination, memory, and emotion. Clients who had been stuck for years finally experienced the change they had been looking for.
Now I’ve dedicated my mission to helping as many people as possible experience those inner shifts.
What is it like to work with me?
My clients have told me they like working with me because I’m warm and friendly, but also direct and straight-forward. I’m here to help you do the deep work you’re here for, at the pace you need, in a safe & supportive environment.
My approach is suited to folks who want a caring therapist who will also be real with them, cultivate clarity, and help them get to the root of the problem and address it.
Who do I work with?
I specialize in helping adults with:
1) Anxiety & Shame
2) Healing from Trauma and Emotional Wounds
3) Unwanted Patterns in Relationships
Experiential therapy eventually leaves them feeling lighter, clearer, more at ease and connected.
I also provide supervision for therapists wanting to deepen their experiential skillset.
Which modalities do I use?
My approach to Experiential Therapy combines 3 modalities, each of which use different techniques to access and rewrite stuck emotional patterns.
1) Coherence Therapy
2) Internal Family Systems (IFS)
3) Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)
Earlier in my career, I specialized in Mindfulness & Cognitive-Behavioural modalities. These therapies provide tools and practices to gain awareness, self-regulation, and try new ways of thinking and acting.