Hello! My name is Michelle Fischler MSW RSW, RP.
- Registered Social Worker
- Registered Psychotherapist
- ASTO* Certified Sex Therapist
- ASTO* Approved Supervisor
Sex Therapy
I have been working in the mental health field since 2003. My experience ranges from working in hospitals to now having worked in private practice for the last 10 years.
During my years of studying and training to become an individual and couples therapist, asking clients about their relationship with sex and sexuality was not a requirement within some of the most well known therapeutic modalities. If they were included there was little guidance around what to do when a sexual concern came up and the most helpful treatment recommendations available.
That’s when I decided to investigate training opportunities on my own within the area of sex and sexuality so that I could incorporate these questions into my work and be able to provide options around treatment recommendations.
Incorporating questions such as, “Tell me about what values around sex and sexuality were brought into your home while growing up?”, or “How have some of the experiences you have had with sex and sexuality growing up impacted who you are today?” Sometimes opened up rich conversations about:
- Family of origin
- Religion
- Culture
- Race
- Trauma
- Illness
- Abuse
- Gender
- Sexual Identity
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Confusion
- Dating
- Relationships
- Parenting
- Fertility
- Career
- Anxiety
- Depression
Although much of my work continues to support clients with concerns unrelated to sex, I’ve chosen to refine my practice so that clients who do have concerns about sex and sexuality, in addition to other life stressors, such as grief, life transitions, dating, loneliness, heartache, relationship conflict, communication issues, and affairs, can feel confident that I have the knowledge to support them.
Practice Topics
I feel so privileged to be able to do this work and to help support individuals and partners in dealing with a broad range of sexual concerns:
- LGBTQ issues
- Gender Dysphoria
- Sexuality and Aging
- Sex and Disability
- Low Sexual Desire
- Painful Intercourse
- Orgasm Difficulties
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Rapid Ejaculation
- Sexual Dissatisfaction
- Sexual Trauma
- Consensual Non-Monogamy
- BDSM
- Kink
My practice, whether physical, or virtual, is a safe space where each and every person’s human rights are respected.
People who are transgendered, transsexual, intersexed, gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, 2-spirited, queer & questioning, plus friends, and allies are treated with dignity, respect, appreciation, and are valued, welcomed, and supported.
Therapeutic Approach
My personality is friendly, open-minded, warm and curious. My goal is to make you feel relaxed, comfortable and safe. What we discuss is dependent on your needs and what you feel comfortable disclosing. We will look at your goals and hopes for coming to therapy and then discuss the best plan to achieve them.
My therapeutic approach depends on the needs of the person or people I am working with. I tend to incorporate a number of elements from a number of different evidence based therapies. Mindfulness, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy to name a few.
Completed Training
- Master of Social Work – University of Toronto
- Bachelor of Social Work – York University
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Certificate – University of Toronto
- Intensive Sex Therapy Training Program – University of Guelph
- Emotion-Focused Therapy Training for Couples – York University
- Externship in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy – Ackerman Institute for the Family, New York, New York
- Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Core Skills Training with Gail Palmer – Toronto, Ontario
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction – Mount Sinai Hospital