Questions
​
​
​
**********************************************
Experience
​
Sam Turton is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists
of Ontario (CRPO).
​
After practicing Zen meditation since the early 70s, teaching art, and managing his own graphic arts business, Sam dedicated himself to three years of expressive trauma-resolution psychotherapy in the 90s. He then apprenticed with Barbara Ann Bryan, MA, LLMSW at the Primal Integration Center of Michigan and attended the Ark residential Multi-Modal Psychotherapy Training in Lehighton, Pennsylvania created by William Smukler, PhD., of Philadelphia. In 2000 he practiced psychotherapy as a co- leader under the supervision of his mentors.
​
Sam initiated his private practice of psychotherapy in 2001. Since that time, he has completed tens of thousands of clinical hours with many hundreds of clients from across Canada and the United States, as well as overseas countries such as Croatia, England, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Poland, Scotland, Slovakia, and Sweden.
​
Independently and with his mentor Barbara Bryan, Sam created and delivered educational/training programs for interested individuals across the world. Graduates work in a variety of health care professions, predominantly psychotherapy.
​
Being a compassionate, effective therapist/guide requires extended and varied life experience. Born in 1951, Sam has passed through decades of cultural change and has explored many paths—art, teaching, meditation, organic gardening, songwriting performance, and psychotherapy—as well as raising three children and enjoying two wonderful grandchildren. All of these rich and challenging experiences inform his approach to therapy, parenting, Zen, counselling, and coaching.
​
​
Clients
​
Sam Turton offers his assistance and facilitation to individuals, couples/relationships, groups, and organizations.
​
Each inquiry, regardless of age, issue or background is considered and assessed based on the potential for success.
​
​
In Person and Online Sessions
​
Sessions occur in person at Sam's quiet neighbourhood session space, or virtually via Zoom or telephone. The choice is yours.
​
​
Problems
​
Just as thousands of different leaves all grow from one tree trunk, the multitude of human problems often have the same causes in early life. As an example, the various substance and behavioural addictions, such as opioids, cocaine, cannabis, meth, alcohol, nicotine, food, porn, sex, gaming, gambling, social media, shopping, and workaholism, may all be caused by one early childhood problem—neglect—from abandonment, isolation, and a lack of bonding and affection. One underlying trauma/conditioning drives them all, so an experienced and feelingaware therapist may assist in resolving these issues without having to specialize in any particular one.
​
A safe, feelingaware exploration can address problems in the areas of:
Emotion: fear, anxiety, depression, grief, anger, shame
Trauma: childhood & adult trauma, abuse, neglect, dissociation
Behaviour: addiction, obsession, controlling, enabling, avoidance, attention deficit
​
Relationships: conflict, parenting, family, boundaries, bonding, work
​
Self: confusion, inner conflict, confidence, doubt, motivation
​
Thinking: belief, meaning, judgment, worrying, preoccupation
​
Purpose: direction, career, organization, procrastination, leadership, creativity
​
Culture: social media, self image, disconnection, emptiness
​
​
Modalities and Techniques
​
Sam does not restrict himself to any one modality or technique. He meets you as you are, and follows the process that will best suit your particular problems and strengths.
​
Sam's training was focused on original traumatic causes, their expression and resolution. Many effective approach can be used, from deep listening and supported sharing to body experience, parts work and a myriad of other therapeutic options.
​
When problems are more behavioural and relational—or the practical matters of work, career, business, life direction, and parenting—Sam will help you explore the internal beliefs that drive the problem and adjust them towards new and realistic actions and solutions. Often this type of process can involve both the mind and the emotions.
​
Sam's longtime practice of Zen mindfulness is offered as a trusted, ancient and effective solution to the human epidemic of excess thinking, negative thinking, worrying, self-judgment, obsessing, daydreaming, and the like. Deep Zen awareness of the moment can also provide profound insight, release, enjoyment, peace, and spiritual connection.
​
​
Feelings
​
Feelings and their responsible, natural expression are welcome. Feelings of grief, sadness, fear, anger, or shame can arise spontaneously or as a part of a therapeutic exploration/exercise. You have the freedom to engage or decline any aspect of the process at any time.
​
The soundproof session space is in an independent building on Sam's property. There are no other offices, so every person can feel safe to share and express as freely as needed.
​
​
Typical Session
​
After an initial meeting and mutual decision to begin, a typical session usually begins with an opportunity to share thoughts and feelings.
​
You may wish to focus on a situation or event (past or present) or you may explore your emotions and any bodily awareness or discomfort.
​
Sam offers safe, non-judgmental support. He will encourage your sharing and offer suggestions or exercises to help your exploration. If you feel emotional, stuck, flat, upset, or confused, Sam will accept, listen, support, and guide you toward release, insight, and resolution.
​
Depending on the issue you are engaging, Sam may suggest exercises, actions, and other “homework” to continue the process between sessions. His overall intention is to encourage the empowerment and leadership of your own process.
​
​
Free Initial Meeting
​
The most important element in this process is a therapeutic relationship where you can trust and honestly share. The best relationships, whether personal or professional, often come down to an innate sense of “fit.”
Sam believes that a free initial meeting—not a working session—is the best way for you find that “fit”—to ask questions, share your needs, and for him to discover your situation and intentions. A meeting without the pressures of fees and expectations is a chance for you to experience Sam as a person and a therapist as well as the session environment itself. From this meeting better decisions can be made about how to proceed.
To set up a meeting appointment contact Sam by phone, text, or email.
​
​
Session Studio
​
The session studio is in an independent structure nestled into a tree-covered slope. It is surrounded by a calm, home oasis of organic vegetable and pollinator gardens in the historic Exhibition Park neighbourhood of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
​
The studio interior is a quiet respite from the intensity of daily life, with windows that can open to the flowers and greenery or be closed and shaded for safe, soundproof expression. It is practically and artistically designed to support your opportunity to check in, feel, and explore what you need, without distraction.
​
​
Informed Consent
​
If you decide to begin session work with Sam, you will have the opportunity to read and sign an informed consent document stating that you understand and agree with the therapeutic process and can engage or decline at any time. Sam will also need your contact details for his confidential files.
​
​
Frequency and Duration
​
Your unique needs and resources will inform decisions about the length, frequency, and duration of sessions. Most people prefer 1 hour, though others require 75, 90 minutes or more to fully share and explore.
​
You may want 1 or 2 sessions a week, 1 session every 2 weeks, or start frequently and taper off as you progress. Some people need only a few sessions to resolve a specific issue while others commit to an extended course of sessions either to provide a guiding influence or to achieve a deeper personal transformation.
​
Those who are working on deeper trauma resolution and significant personal transformation sometimes find it helpful to schedule intensive session packages of one or two daily sessions for a consecutive number of days or weeks. The exact arrangement is custom-designed and priced to your needs. Distance clients wanting some in-person sessions may find these arrangements useful and arrange local accommodation for their visit.
Location
​
The session studio is on Sam's home property in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The exact location will be provided if an initial meeting is arranged.
​
​
Days and Times
​
Sam books sessions Monday to Thursday from 9:30 am to 8:00 pm, and Friday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm EST.
​
​
Fees
​
Session fees follow a sliding scale from $110-$135 Canadian per hour. The amount is yours to choose. Sam charges much less than most psychotherapists because he wants self-improvement available to as many people as possible.
​
Sessions are not a “50-minute hour,” but a full 60 minutes—and sometimes more— because Sam prefers to follow a natural conclusion to sessions. He never books sessions back-to-back in order to accommodate this natural flow and allow time for note-taking and personal balance.
​
Most prefer to pay for sessions by etransfer, and insurance is honoured for those covered. If you need receipts they are produced for any requested time.
​
Clients from outside Canada most often pay via PayPal, in intervals that are most convenient—per session, or a set number of sessions on your account.
​
​
Cancellation
​
A 24-hour notice is required if a session needs to be cancelled without charge.
​
Sessions missed due to unexpected events like illness and accidents are also not charged.
Sessions missed—without notice—less than 24 hours in advance are charged at half rate.
Confidentiality
​
Everything you present in session will remain strictly confidential, because sharing and exploring deeply and honestly will not occur without this trust. Confidentiality is the cornerstone of both relationships and therapy, as well as privacy law and psychotherapeutic ethics.