Leanne
Sawchuk

Registered Psychotherapist

Registered Psychotherapist

Therapy in Kitchener

In-person and virtual sessions across Ontario

276 Frederick St, Kitchener
Virtual across Ontario

Looking for a therapist in Kitchener is a quiet act of courage.

Whether this is your first time searching or you've been in therapy before and are looking for something that fits differently, you're here because something is asking for your attention.

I'm Leanne Sawchuk, a Registered Psychotherapist with over 12 years of clinical experience. I offer therapy in Kitchener for adults and couples from my practice at 276 Frederick Street, and virtually with clients across Ontario. I specialize in anxiety, trauma, grief, couples work, and somatic therapy. The people I work with tend to be thoughtful, self-aware, and carrying more than anyone around them realizes.

If you're not sure where to start, that's okay. You can read more about me and how I work, or a short consultation is a simple, no-pressure way to see if this feels like the right fit.

Book a Consultation
Credentials

Registered Psychotherapist (RP)

College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario

Experience

12+ Years

Private practice, relational psychotherapy

Specializations
AnxietyTraumaGriefCouplesSomatic TherapyDepression

276 Frederick Street, Kitchener

In-person & virtual across Ontario

What I Help With

Therapy works best when it's specific to what you're actually living through.

Individual Therapy

Space to slow down and pay attention to what's actually going on beneath the surface.

Group Therapy

Healing happens in connection. Being witnessed by others who understand can shift something profoundly.

I also provide clinical supervision for qualifying and registered psychotherapists in Ontario.

My Approach

What it actually feels like to sit in a room with me.

Leanne Sawchuk, Registered Psychotherapist in Kitchener, Ontario
Leanne Sawchuk
Registered Psychotherapist

Most therapy websites in Kitchener will list a menu of modalities. CBT, DBT, EMDR, ACT. I want to tell you what it actually feels like to sit in a room with me instead.

I work from a relational, trauma-informed, and somatic lens. In plain terms, that means I pay attention to what's happening in your body, not just your thoughts. I notice patterns in how you relate to yourself and others. And I hold the understanding that what you're struggling with now usually has roots in experiences that came before.

Sessions are collaborative. I'm not a blank slate and I'm not going to sit in silence waiting for you to figure it out on your own. I'm warm, direct, and gently challenging when it's needed. Clients often tell me they feel like they can say the things they've never said out loud before.

I'm a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) in good standing with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).

We might work with breath and body awareness one session and spend the next in deep conversation about a relationship that's been weighing on you. There's no rigid script. The work follows what's alive for you.

High-functioning anxiety

This is especially important for people living with high-functioning anxiety. If you've been told by previous therapists that you're "doing really well" when you know that's not the full picture, this is a different kind of space. I see past the performance.

Free Guide

If you'd like a sense of how I think about the nervous system and stress, I put together a guide that many of my clients have found helpful.

When Your Nervous System Won't Settle
Getting Started

What to expect.

01

Your first session

The first session is about getting to know each other. I'll ask about what brought you to therapy, what you've tried before, and what you're hoping for. You don't need to have it all figured out. Most people don't, and that's perfectly fine. My goal is to understand your world well enough that we can decide together whether this is the right fit.

02

Session format

I see clients in person at my office at 276 Frederick Street in Kitchener, Ontario, and virtually via secure video for anyone living in Ontario. Some clients prefer one format. Others move between the two depending on the week. Both work well. Sessions are typically 50 minutes for individuals and 60 minutes for couples.

03

Fees and insurance

Most extended health benefits plans in Ontario cover psychotherapy with a Registered Psychotherapist (RP). Coverage varies by plan, so I'd recommend checking with your provider before your first session. I provide receipts after each session that you can submit for reimbursement.

View full fee details
04

Booking

Getting started is straightforward. Book a consultation through the website. It's a brief phone call where we talk about what you're looking for and whether my practice is the right fit. There's no obligation and no pressure.

Book a consultation
Common Questions

Frequently asked questions.

It is completely normal to have questions before reaching out. Here are a few common ones to help you feel more comfortable.

Individual therapy sessions in my practice are comparable to the standard range for registered psychotherapists in the Kitchener area. Couples sessions are longer (60 minutes) and priced accordingly. I provide detailed fee information on my fees page. Most clients use their extended health benefits to cover part or all of the cost.
Psychotherapy with a Registered Psychotherapist is not covered by OHIP. However, most private insurance plans and employee assistance programs do cover sessions with an RP. If you have extended health benefits through work or a private plan, check whether your coverage includes psychotherapy. You don't need a doctor's referral to use these benefits in most cases.
Both are qualified mental health professionals, but the training paths differ. A psychologist holds a doctoral degree and can perform psychological assessments and diagnoses. A Registered Psychotherapist (RP) holds a master's degree and is trained specifically in therapeutic practice. Both provide talk therapy. The best choice depends on what you need. If you're looking for therapy focused on healing, growth, and relational work, a psychotherapist is an excellent fit.
Fit matters more than credentials on paper. I'd suggest reading a therapist's website carefully. Does the way they describe their work resonate with you? Do you feel something when you read their words, or does it feel generic? Then book a short consultation. Most therapists in Kitchener, myself included, offer a brief introductory call so you can get a feel for the person before committing. Trust your instincts.
Yes. I see clients virtually across Ontario using a secure, PHIPA-compliant video platform. Virtual sessions follow the same structure and depth as in-person work. Many of my clients in Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, and beyond choose virtual therapy for convenience, and some who started virtually have transitioned to in-person sessions at my Kitchener office, or a mix of both.
There's no standard answer because it depends on what you're working through and how deeply you want to go. Some people come for a specific issue and find what they need in 8 to 12 sessions. Others stay longer because the work continues to unfold in meaningful ways. We check in regularly about how therapy is going and adjust as needed. You're never locked in.
The first session is a conversation, not an assessment. I'll ask about what's been going on for you, your history if it feels relevant, and what you're hoping therapy might help with. You can share as much or as little as you're comfortable with. I'll also tell you about how I work so you can decide if it feels like a fit. Most people leave the first session feeling lighter simply because they've been heard.
No. You do not need a referral from a doctor or anyone else to see a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario. You can reach out directly and book a session. If you're using insurance benefits, some plans may have specific requirements, so it's worth checking with your provider. But in most cases, you simply contact the therapist and begin.
Somatic therapy is a body-oriented approach that pays attention to physical sensations, breath, and nervous system patterns as part of the therapeutic process. Many people carry stress, anxiety, and unresolved experiences in their bodies without realizing it. Somatic work helps you notice and gently release those held patterns. It's not massage or bodywork. It's a way of including the body in the conversation during a regular therapy session.
Yes. Whether you come alone or with a partner, therapy can help you understand the patterns in your relationships, where they come from, and how to shift them. I work with couples using the Gottman Method and relational approaches, and I also support individuals who are navigating relationship challenges, separation, or the desire to show up differently in their connections.
Therapy in Kitchener & Across Ontario

Ready to take the next step?

My practice is located at 276 Frederick Street, Kitchener, Ontario. Whether you're in Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, or anywhere else in Ontario, I'd be glad to talk about what you're looking for.

4 Min Drive

from Kitchener City Hall

9 Min Drive

from Uptown Waterloo

Reach out.

A consultation is a short phone call. No commitment, no pressure. Just a conversation to see if this feels right.

Confidential & goes directly to Leanne

Prefer to call? (519) 772-6896

Prefer the full contact form? Visit the contact page

This contact form is not monitored 24/7. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room. Crisis resources