Sawyer Johnson

As a queer and trans person living with complex mental health Sawyer has grown an intense passion for working with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community specifically supporting trans and queer folx struggling with their mental health and addiction. In addition to this Sawyer is interested in working with polyamorous and ethically non-monogamous couples and singles navigating relationship struggles. You don’t need to be fixed Because you were never broken Though they yelled their words of hate Of loathing And judgement You resisted, persisted They labelled you non-compliant Not the right fit You resisted, persisted, never broken You yelled back and said “I will build the life I see for myself; despite your rules I was never broken. Held up the weight of the worlds hate…yes, but never broken.” These words ring true for Sawyer and their social work practice. To them therapy is not a space where people come to be fixed because people seeking therapy were never broken to begin with. It is through an oppressive capitalist societal worldview that tells us we are broken, that we will never be good enough, and that our productivity is directly correlated with our self- worth. These sentiments go against Sawyers values, specifically around self-compassion, curiosity, as well as the importance of being gentle with ourselves. Self- compassion and curiosity are an integral element of therapy especially in a world that demands so much from us. Sawyer uses anti-oppressive theory in all aspects of their practice. They recognize that racism, specifically racism that is targeted against Queer and Trans Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour is inflicted both outside and within the queer community. They acknowledge that people’s identities impact all aspects of their lives including the way they navigate looking for a therapist. While they continuously work at fulfilling anti-oppressive and anti-racist principles within the therapeutic process, they recognize that as a white settler therapist they may not be the right fit for everyone given the historical and contemporary violence enacted by white therapists against Queer and Trans Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour. They want you to know that if you feel comfortable reaching out for a consultation that race and racism within therapy can be discussed if you feel comfortable. Sawyer graduated with their Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary in 2018 and their Master of Social Work from the University of Calgary in 2023. If Sawyer sounds like they may be the right fit for you, please reach out for a free 20 minute consultation so you can get to know each other a bit better.