Sabrina Popernitsch (she/her)

MA, RP

Sabrina has a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Yorkville University. She has completed her requirements to become a Registered Psychotherapist. Her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Western Ontario – King’s College focused on grief, bereavement, trauma and loss, as well as a minor in child and family functioning in social institutions.

Sabrina has experience in the mental health field providing support to individuals experiencing OCD, bipolar disorder, BPD, anxiety, trauma, grief, loss, relationship concerns, and attachment issues.

Before transitioning into psychotherapy, Sabrina worked extensively in education and behavioral support management, gaining firsthand experience in addressing the diverse challenges faced by individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD. This foundation has equipped Sabrina with a deep appreciation for the intersection of mental health, learning, and behavior.

With her master’s degree in counselling psychology and a rich professional background in education and behavioral support management, Sabrina brings a unique blend of expertise, empathy, and practical insight to their therapeutic practice.

Sabrina has a special interest in working with individuals with OCD and phobias and has completed her ERP certification under the supervision of Dr. Thea Gallagher with the International OCD Foundation. Sabrina has worked with individuals with a wide range of OCD presentations, such as “just right” tendencies, sexual-related thoughts, contamination and cleaning presentations, harm-related thoughts, scrupulosity concerns and perfectionism. In her work with OCD and trauma, Sabrina is dedicated to empowering clients to break free from cycles of anxiety and intrusive thoughts while fostering resilience and healing.

Drawing on years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults, Sabrina understands the complex dynamics of mental health challenges and the interconnectedness of individual well-being within the biopsychosocial model. Their approach integrates evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Internal Family Systems (IFS) and trauma-informed practices tailored to each client’s unique needs.

Sabrina has a passion for knowing people deeply and creating a space that is empowering, non-judgemental and compassionate. She believes the relationship between the therapist and the individual is integral to the process of therapy, and as such, she puts emphasis on building a connection where you can be seen and supported. Sabrina comes to the mental health field with her own lived experience and believes in the concept of therapists and clients being fellow travelers. 

In her time outside of the therapy space, Sabrina enjoys spending time with her partner and their dogs on a hike in rain, snow or sun. She is continually learning and is passionate about all things empathy and compassion driven. She is intentional about reflecting the belief of holistic wellness by practicing the importance of balance and well-being in all aspects of life.