About Us
Sandra L. Tenus, B.A., B.Ed., M.A.
A therapist since 1998, I have a deep commitment for helping people articulate and address the core issues with which they struggle and working collaboratively to create realistic goals. I strive to help individuals, couples and families create an atmosphere in which to enjoy harmonious, encouraging and deep relationships. My therapy style is down-to-earth, caring and direct whilst being gentle and engaged. I am both process and goal-oriented.
I received my Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology in 1998 from the Adler Institute of Professional Psychology in Chicaco, Illinois. They operated a satellite school in Toronto, specifically training psychotherapists and psychologists, which is where I took most of the classes. Some courses were taken in Chicago as well. My Bachelor of Education also had an added one-year specialization in "Guidance and Counselling" and was granted from the Brandon University, in Brandon, Manitoba. My Bachelor of Arts degree, from York University, Toronto, was also in Psychology -- so my background and training as a Psychotherapist is very strong.
Although trained as an Adlerian Psychotherapist, (theories developed by MD and Psychiatrist Alfred Adler -- who began the psychoanalytic movement along with two other physicians: Sigmund Freud and Carl Gustaf Jung). I employ an eclectic approach to psychotherapy, drawing from a variety of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behaviour psychotherapy, reality / choice therapy, art therapy, dream analysis and life-style diagnosis.
My approach, and that of all Adlerian Psychotherapists, is very down-to-earth and goal-directed. Adlerian Psychotherapists look at the past only to understand how you got to be where you are today, and to undo the thoughts and beliefs you formed that are causing you problems (called "cognitive restructuring), but do not dwell in the past as we do not feel that it is productive. Getting "stuck" or living in the past does not help you today, nor where you are going tomorrow. This differs from many kinds of therapy that spend forever and a day discussing the past -- Adlerians do not believe in this. Staying in the past does not help you move towards your future -- Adlerian Psychotherapists focus on forward movement -- changing or shaping your thought processes and beliefs and direction so that you can lead a healthy and productive life, not tormented by the things that are currently weighing you down.
Adlerian Psychotherapy is a holistic psychotherapy -- meaning we look at the whole person, not just the problem in isolation and what is going on inside the brain. This includes the physiological, environmental, cultural, socio-economical, religious beliefs, class, upbringing, career and work situation, as well as the personal relationships in your life in addition to the psychological issues.
Alfred Adler
As a cognitive-behaviour therapy, Adlerian's beliefs are based on the idea that one's experience of reality is connected to basic beliefs, which, in turn, are based on interpretation and understanding our our past and present experiences and what we have learned. Basic beliefs and thoughts serve as the filter through which all of life is experienced. Understanding, examining and sometimes challenging these tenets directly affects how we feel and cope with life. In other words, we look at all of the things that have shaped your personality and outlook on life and influenced your interpretation of events as well as your reaction (both psychological and physiological) and ability to cope with various situations.
Each individual client is assessed and a treatment plan with specific goals is devised which we will evaluate from time to time. Therapy will proceed at the pace with which you are comfortable. From time to time, you will be given "homework" -- things to work on between sessions.
I have been in private practice now for approximately 15 years. Prior to that, I was in the educational system, as a guidance counsellor for many years (approximately 10, but with 2 maternity breaks in between), with my final position as a Head of Guidance for a Toronto High School. I am, therefore, equally comfortable working with children, adolescents and adults. Dedicated to keeping up with the latest research and advances, I have pursued indepth and wide-ranging advanced training throughout my practice.
In my 20's, I was a parachuting instructor. When I stopped jumping, I had logged just over 100 skydives. I am proud to say I could turn a style set ( left turn, right turn, backflip, left turn, right turn, back flip) in 13 seconds. I was the first female jumper in the Keewatin region of what is now Nunavut -- I jumped into an "Arctic Char Fish Fry" gathering with a dive buddy named Jim. I could not believe how frigidly cold it was flying at 7,500 feet above Rankin Inlet (300 miles north of Churchill) with the door off the plane and diving out the door. And yes, in the air, under parachute, I could see the icebergs in the Hudson Bay. My skydiving days came to an abrupt end when I hurt my back lifting a sheet of drywall. My drop zone days are very special to me -- it is there that I formed many long-term friendships and where I met my late husband, Wesley White -- who was the bush pilot of the Cessna 206 and my favourite jump plane -- the Beech 18.
An avid scuba diver, I have over 500 dives ( I don't bother logging them anymore ) and am an underwater photographer. I took great pride in recently having both my daughters receive their "Open Water Scuba Diver Certification."
Today, I am happy married to Eugene (below) I'm not sure if I fell in love with him first, or his Goldwing. We have 2 wonderful teenage daughters. With them, I get to practice all my "parenting skills" that I learned at the Adler School so many years ago!
Eugene Tenus, B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed.
Eugene received his Master of Sciences Degree from Niagara University in Educational Administration in 1984. Now retired from teaching, his teaching career spanned 33 years, with his favourite subject area being Drama. Many of his former students are now well-known people in the arts field (Recording artist Amanda Marshall, actor Dean Eiffel, to name a few). He also taught English, Law, Special Education and SAP (Sociology, Anthropology and Psychology). Eugene often runs the group testing sessions.
In his spare time, Eugene enjoys working on the computer -- his passion, doing "Your Life Story" and video-editing. He has also been a speaker at a few conventions hosted by major corporations in Toronto -- Speaking on "Team Building" and doing experiential exercises.
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Harbourfront Psychotherapy • Beaches Psychotherapy • Toronto
