Get to know us

Pouria Saffaran, MA

Client Care Coordinator

he/him

Pouria is one of the members of our support team here at Connect & Thrive Psychology. He is currently enrolled in a MA/PhD program in Clinical and Counselling Psychology at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE).

Connect with Pouria

Training & Experience
Approach
About

Training & Experience

Pouria has completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience, as well as a Master of Arts in Developmental Psychology. Pouria is currently enrolled in a MA/PhD program in Clinical and Counselling Psychology at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). Pouria has received clinical training in the provision of therapy and completing assessments at the OISE Psychology Clinic.

Pouria has experience working with diverse populations, such as individuals with neurodivergence and those with learning disorders. Additionally, Pouria has experience providing care to individuals with a variety of concerns, using a person-centered approach to the provision of care. For the past several years, Pouria has also been involved in research examining the manifestation of trauma in various populations.

Approach

Pouria believes in the value of empathy and listening, above all, when interacting with clients. Pouria believes that it is only through empathy that we can come to truly understand the needs of another person, before help may be provided. Listening complements empathy as a deep form of respect for another human being. When we truly listen, we allow space for another to express themselves to the fullest, to reveal who they genuinely are in that moment. When empathy and listening are present together, they create the conditions for proper care.

Pouria is deeply committed to the principles of Connect and Thrive, and importantly, the belief in the ability of individuals to grow. Therapy is meant to facilitate transformation, and such transformation requires faith and a supreme mental effort by the individual. Clinicians at Connect and Thrive create and nurture environments in which individuals can expend such efforts towards achieving positive transformation. As a member of the Support Team, Pouria sees his role as an extension of the clinicians at Connect and Thrive and aims to provide timely and effective support that will help clinicians fulfill their role.