Frank Szatmari (He/Him)

This therapist provides mental health counselling under their own license, as well as practices under the supervision of a Registered Psychologist or Registered Psychological Associate. If you are seeking supervised psychological services, an initial appointment must first be made with the supervisor to confirm appropriateness of fit.

Frank Szatmari is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). He provides counselling and psychotherapy in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, practising under the supervision of a Registered Psychologist or Psychological Associate who is a member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario.

Frank holds a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree from Knox College and the University of Toronto (2018). His doctoral research focused on opportunities for ministry and care among newly landed immigrants, reflecting his longstanding commitment to culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and ethically grounded practice.

With over twenty-three years of clinical experience, Frank has supported individuals, couples, families, and groups through complex emotional, relational, and life-transition challenges. He approaches psychotherapy with professional integrity, clinical humility, and deep respect for each client’s dignity, autonomy, and lived experience. His therapeutic style is characterized by empathy, careful listening, consistency, and collaborative goal-setting, fostering a safe and trusting space for healing and growth.

Frank works with a broad range of clinical concerns, including:

• Anxiety disorders and depression
• Anger management and emotional regulation
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma
• Intimacy and relationship difficulties
• Sex therapy and sex addiction
• Self-esteem and identity concerns
• Religious and spiritual struggles
• Gender identity and sexual health
• Pre-marital counselling
• Ethnic-minority and cross-cultural issues

He is a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) and a member of the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP). In couple and family therapy, Frank is known for his balanced, respectful, and structured approach, helping clients develop communication skills, emotional attunement, and mutual respect while strengthening trust and intimacy.

Specialized Areas of Practice and Values

First Responders and WSIB-Supported Clients
Frank has specialized experience working with first responders—including firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and emergency personnel—who are receiving services through WSIB. He understands the cumulative impact of chronic stress, repeated trauma exposure, and high-stakes decision-making, as well as the emotional and physical consequences of workplace injury. His work emphasizes recovery, emotional regulation, resilience, and sustainable return-to-work support, while remaining sensitive to the unique pressures and culture of emergency services.

Faith Integration with Deep Respect for Diversity
For clients who wish, Frank can integrate faith and spiritual values into psychotherapy in a way that is client-led, clinically appropriate, and deeply respectful of the individual’s faith tradition, beliefs, culture, or worldview. Whether clients identify as Christian, belong to another faith tradition, or do not identify with religion at all, Frank honours each person’s meaning-making framework without assumption or pressure. He is an ordained Presbyterian minister in Canada, and he approaches spiritual integration with humility, ethical care, and respect for diversity.

2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming and Rainbow Advocacy
Frank is a Rainbow Advocate with a deep understanding of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and communities. He provides affirming, compassionate psychotherapy for young adults and adults exploring questions related to gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. Frank offers gentle, non-judgmental support to individuals navigating curiosity, uncertainty, hidden desires, internal conflict, or dilemmas related to sexuality and identity.

He also works with heterosexual, same-sex, and gender-diverse couples who are experiencing relationship challenges, intimacy concerns, communication breakdowns, or life transitions. His approach is grounded in affirmation, safety, consent, and respect, helping clients and couples find clarity, self-acceptance, and healthier relational patterns.

Professional Values and Lived Experience

Having immigrated twice, Frank brings lived experience of transition, loss, adaptation, and identity reconstruction. This personal history informs his deep appreciation for resilience, hope, and the human capacity for renewal, and enriches his work with clients navigating migration, cultural identity, and belonging.

Frank’s practice is guided by core values of compassion, ethical responsibility, cultural humility, inclusivity, accountability, and lifelong learning. He is committed to ongoing education, clinical supervision, and reflective practice to ensure safe, effective, and up-to-date care.

Confidential counselling sessions are available by appointment in Kitchener, Ontario.