About Me

Hello,

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.

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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.