Much like Odysseus’ long and winding journey home, psychotherapy is a voyage into the unknown—filled with trials, inner monsters, and moments of profound self-discovery. It is a return to the self, where healing unfolds not in haste but through courage, reflection, and relationship.
In therapy, we navigate the inner seas together, seeking not just relief from suffering, but a deeper sense of wholeness and homecoming.
About Me
Welcome!
My name is Sharmila Jaihindraj and I am happy you have made your way here.
I started Odyssey Psychotherapy to honour the winding, often non-linear journey we take through the mind in therapy. If you’ve ever thought, “I understand this logically, so why can’t I feel any different?” That question marks the beginning of your inward journey. Self-reflection is the first step toward self-awareness, and with thoughtful, tailored guidance, it can lead to deeper clarity, emotional insight, and
healing.
As a Registered Social Worker in private practice in Ajax, I work with adults, providing both psychotherapy and psychiatric consultations. Before transitioning to private practice, I served as a Clinical Therapist at an inpatient addiction treatment center and worked as a Rehabilitation Worker supporting individuals with Acquired Brain Injuries (ABIs).
During my time in addiction treatment, I developed a deep interest in psychoanalysis — a specialized and in-depth modality of psychotherapy. While Dr. Freud is often the first name associated with this field, psychoanalysis has evolved significantly. Today, it is a dynamic, evidence-informed therapeutic approach recognized for its depth, insight, and enduring outcomes. What draws me most to psychoanalytic work
is the compelling research showing that its benefits often not only endure but deepen long after therapy concludes.
My journey through formal education and clinical training has been shaped by hands-on experience in settings focused on trauma, addiction, and mental health. I hold a degree in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Social Work from the University of Windsor, along with additional certifications in specialized areas of practice.
Currently, I am enrolled in a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy program, where my focus includes supervised clinical work and the study of transference mechanisms.
This ongoing training enhances my capacity to offer longer-term, insight-oriented, and compassionate care. In psychoanalytic psychotherapy, I use my ongoing awareness of counter-transference to empathically explore and understand your experience. This dynamic interplay ensures that I remain alongside you
throughout your journey, from healing to growth. While many therapeutic approaches and even AI-driven tools exist, this deeply projective form of analysis is a hallmark of my practice and cannot be replicated by any technology. I also integrate EMDR, a well-researched therapeutic method that supports the processing
and healing of emotional injuries.
If you are pondering why there are internal conflicts, like the initial question above, when you strive for change, desire clarity and are ready to begin the journey, I am here to explore alongside. At Odyssey Psychotherapy, my mission is to equip you with insights that continue to support you long after our therapy
sessions end.
Professional image coming soon
Specializing in Psychoanalytic psychotherapy and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
Who I Work With:
In short, I support individuals experiencing:
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Chronic anxiety, emotional distress and chronic relapses
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Trauma including developmental, interpersonal, generational, cultural, cumulative, shock, and intrapsychic
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Challenges with self-esteem and a desire for personal growth
In more depth:
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Therapy fatigue: If you've been searching for help and nothing seems to work—if you’ve seen multiple therapists and are feeling discouraged.
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Trauma processing: If you know you’ve experienced trauma, whether formally diagnosed or not, and want to reduce its impact on your daily life.
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Lack of belonging: If you often feel disconnected from your family or closest relationships—if your needs go unmet and you sense you're fundamentally different from those around you
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Addiction: If you struggle with addiction but sense that it’s tied to something deeper—an emotional or relational wound
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Care burnout: If you are the loved one of someone dealing with addiction, and you’ve tried everything to help them and are now looking for a way to support yourself, while also understanding how best to support them