David Sider, registered psychotherapist and owner of Compass Psychotherapy based in Kingston, Ontario. David provides in-person and virtual services to children (5+), teens, adults, seniors, and families.
David strives to offer a safe, non-judgmental space whether it is in an office setting, an open field, barn, or forest. The holistic journey may include individuals rediscovering themselves, uncover strengths, identify values, and write a new story of resilience and authenticity. Together, we create space for safety, connection, and the rewriting of what once felt unchangeable.
David has over 15 years of experience working for community mental health organizations, working with teens, adults, and seniors who may have severe and persistent mental illness and addiction concerns.
Over recent years, David has tapped into his passion for social-justice and developed his skills to work with survivors of trauma, children/families of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human-trafficking. In addition to, David supports a range of presenting issues including anxiety, depression, addictions, borderline personality disorder and other personality disorders, dissociative identity disorder, gender dysphoria/body image issues, self-harm/thoughts of suicide, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, chronic pain, and relationship issues. Many of these presenting concerns can go hand in hand when individuals have experienced significant trauma / C-PTSD.
Within a person-centered approach, David’s approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), solution-focused therapy (SFT), experiential therapy, and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) skills training, narrative therapy, polyvagal and somatic practices.
The collaboration of Compass Psychotherapy and Riverview Barn and Forest allows us to explore and use Equine-Assisted Story Transformation (EAST) in Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). A non-riding connection (or intervention) allowing us to listen to what our body holds, the story we tell ourselves, our thoughts and feelings, our nervous system response, and most of all - our heart. Our work may include breathwork, mindfulness, grounding, or rebalancing everyday needs like sleep, nourishment, and connection. Together, we make space for healing [at your pace, in your way] with curiosity, compassion, and the wisdom of the herd.
As you read this, you may be navigating life changes, grief, anxiety, relationship challenges, addictions, or feeling unmotivated or overwhelmed. So, what shall we do? How about we “take the lead” and reach out today for a 20-minute free consult to begin exploring the stories that have shaped you and lets gradually rewrite them.
Please Note
Current Waitlist for Kingston Office.
To book Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy please email at admin@compassontario.com
