Online Counselling and Psychotherapy Services | Sunward Therapy
Compassionate counselling and psychotherapy services by Jacqueline On, MSW, RSW, offering virtual therapy services to adults across Ontario.
Your Therapy Journey
The Grounded Growth Model
At Sunward Therapy, your journey with me is guided by a gentle, structured map designed to help soothe your nervous system. Inspired by the resilience of nature, the Grounded Growth model ensures we focus on stabilizing the present moment first, giving you the steady ground needed to explore deeper inner work when you are ready.
Here is how your therapy journey with me might look:
Ground
Finding Safety in the Present
Much like a sunflower must stay deeply rooted to withstand harsh weather, our first step together is helping you stay steady through life’s storms. In this phase, we focus on grounding your nervous system in the safety of the here and now using a blend of practical coping strategies and somatic body-based work. Together, we will work to gently set down the heavy weight of the past and quiet the constant spinning of “worst-case scenarios” about the future, opening up space for what is possible.
Orient
Finding Your Compass
Once you have built a solid foundation of safety, our work shifts toward discovering your core values. What truly matters most to you? These values will serve as your internal compass, guiding your path when life’s stressors and shadows feel heavy. We will explore how to optimize your daily choices so they align with what matters most to your authentic self, ensuring your precious energy goes toward what genuinely fulfills you, while balancing life obligations.
Turn
Holding Both Pain and Hope
In life, we often feel we have to choose: do we stare at our pain or do we force ourselves to stay positive?
At Sunward, we will practice holding both. We deeply validate the unfairness of an invisible struggle while choosing to act on the values that give your life meaning. We don’t ignore the shadows; we simply refuse to let them be the only things you see.
We will gently move between the weight and the lightness, struggle and ease, bringing each part closer at whatever pace your body allows.
Grow
Building Adaptive Resilience
Sunflowers are incredible symbols of resilience. They don’t just survive in poor soil and harsh conditions; they actively adapt and find a way to thrive. By seeking therapy, you are already stepping powerfully towards that kind of adaptive growth. In this phase, we work together to tap into your innate strengths and co-create sustainable daily habits that work with your body. The goal here is integration; learning to navigate life’s demands while protecting your body’s unique energy cycles and rhythm.
Bloom
Stepping Into Your Vitality
A mature sunflower stands tall and confident. The ultimate hope for our time together is that you reach a point where you feel steady, whole, and deeply deserving of a fulfilling life. When you reach a place where you no longer feel you need regular therapy, that is a beautiful victory! My ultimate goal is to help you step back out into the world, confidently living life on your own terms. Please know that I will always be here if you ever need a soft place to land or extra support in the future.
Navigating the Paths to Healing
When you are looking for support, the professional labels shouldn’t get in the way of your healing. Whether you call it counselling, psychotherapy, or simply therapy, the core purpose remains the same: creating a safe, compassionate space where you can slow down, process your experiences, and find your footing.
Because your needs change depending on the day and the season of life you are in, my practice is designed to bridge both of these clinical worlds:
- Counselling focuses on the here and now. On days when life feels fast and overwhelming, it provides practical, immediate tools to help you navigate current stress, manage burnout, set boundaries, and handle demanding life transitions.
- Psychotherapy dives a bit deeper. In seasons when you are ready to look beneath the surface, it allows us to gently unpack past hurts, process long-standing patterns, heal trauma, and explore the emotional weight you’ve been carrying.
Whether we are working on practical tools for tomorrow morning or processing deep-seated roadblocks from your past, we will move entirely at your pace. You don’t need to have it all figured out before you reach out—together, we will weave these approaches together to fit your unique story.
Orienting Toward Growth
When choosing a name for my practice, I kept returning to the beautiful instinct of the sunflower: its natural drive to actively turn its face toward the light. I chose the name Sunward Therapy because it represents my deep commitment to your integrity, your autonomy, and your vitality.
Living with a chronic condition, navigating a difficult health diagnosis, or enduring a major life upheaval can make you feel trapped in the heavy shadows. But my core belief is that even in our darkest moments, we can choose to turn toward the sun, orienting ourselves toward what gives you life, brings you genuine joy, and offers quiet glimmers of hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Areas of Specialized Support
Psychotherapy with Jacqueline On, MSW RSW: Areas of Focus
You don’t have to carry the weight of these shifts alone. Below are my primary areas of focus, where I provide dedicated, specialized care.
A Note on Insurance & Coverage:
As a Registered Social Worker (RSW) and Psychotherapist, our services are classified as Psychotherapy and Social Work Services for insurance purposes. Many extended health benefit plans in Ontario cover these services. Your official receipts will include my RSW registration number to make submitting your claims as simple as possible.
