Sam van Ginkel
Clinical Director | Supervisor | Registered Clinical Counsellor
Hi, I’m Sam. The founder and director of Thriving Minds.
We all have suffering in this life. I help people move through their suffering, and toward their version of a rich and meaningful life.
I’ve worked with hundreds of people, trained in and tried many different modalities. Here’s what I’ve found: the most powerful therapy is active and experiential. It goes further than just talking about your problems.
The good news: we can make lasting changes to your brain, your mind, and your life—for the better.
The bad news: it will take commitment, looking inward, and facing challenges. Maybe that’s not such bad news.
The other therapists on my team work by the same philosophy.
So keep reading below to see if we’d be a good fit. If so, it’d be an honour to guide you on your journey.
Or, if not, we’ll do our best to match you with someone who will.
Warmly,
Sam
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 believe the kindest thing that I can do is to prioritize your progress in therapy. I’m here to help you do the 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 maybe enjoy a laugh or two along the way.
Who do I work with?
I specialize in helping adults whose lives are weighed down by:
1) Anxiety
2) Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
3) Perfectionism
Therapy eventually leaves them feeling lighter, clearer, and proud of the life the life they are building.
I also provide supervision for therapists wanting to deepen their experiential skillset.
Which modalities do I use?
My approach to therapy has two foundations: outer work & inner work.
Outer work involves action and experience in the world. When we do things differently, we create new opportunities to learn and grow. I draw from two gold-standard modalities for this work:
1) Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
2) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Inner work involves slowing down to work with our thoughts, emotions, and memories. This can powerfully shift our feelings and perspectives and reinforce the outer work. For this I draw from:
1) Coherence Therapy
2) Internal Family Systems (IFS)
3) Somatic Therapy