About Alexander (Sandy) Maclean

Sandy is a Registered Psychotherapist and member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. He received a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from the University of Guelph and completed his Master’s of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University. We’re excited to have Sandy return to MyLife after completing his internship with us under the supervision of our Clinical Director Mark Nixon.

Sandy is most interested in acting as a guide helping people gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their identities and what is meaningful to them rather than only focusing on what is wrong or “disordered.” Sandy can put himself in his clients’ shoes thanks to his personal therapy experiences over his life for his learning disorder, depression, and trauma. Although much of his own therapy was helpful, much of it wasn’t and he strives to learn how better to relate to his clients through those negative experiences.

As a queer identifying therapist Sandy finds it particularly meaningful working with other individuals from the traditionally underserved LGBTQ+ communities. He has often struggled to find therapists for himself who can relate to that cultural experience and hopes to help others feel more heard and understood through that shared space.

Sandy is particularly passionate about helping people develop a stronger sense of self focusing on issues of identity and meaning; most especially around sexuality and gender. Sandy believes that one of the primary ways we do this is through our relationships with other people. He primarily works with relationships on issues related to sex, sexuality, kink, nonmonogamy, and communication to strengthen connections and intimacy. His specialized training in Gottman relationship therapy means he’s capable of creating a safe and constructive space for people in relationships to explore these often fraught and difficult topics.

In his down time, Sandy is a voracious reader of superhero comics (Nightwing and Superman are personal favorites) and genre fiction, works of philosophy, and whatever new therapy he is trying to learn. He also delights in table top games like D&D and is an avid rock climber.