Dr. Kimberley Cullen, C.Psych.

Dr. Kimberley Cullen is a registered Clinical and Health Psychologist with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario and an experienced Sex Therapist. Her area of focus is adult mental health, and she provides both individual and couples therapy. Dr. Cullen works with clients to address a wide range of issues including depression, anxiety and stress, trauma, self-esteem, relationship problems, communication, sex and intimacy, life transitions, gender and sexuality, women’s health, as well as difficulties adjusting to and coping with physical illness, particularly with cancer patients, survivors, and family members. Dr. Cullen also has special interest in the ways that an individual’s identity and sense and self can be impacted by significant life events and/or life transitions, and she enjoys helping clients to explore existential, philosophical, and spiritual questions in service of their search for meaning and authentic living.

As a sex therapist, Dr. Cullen has a passion for supporting individuals and couples who are facing difficulties with sexual functioning as a result of illness, chronic pain, or altered mobility/ability. Sexual wellbeing is an integral part of healthy living, and is associated with multiple physical and mental health benefits. Correspondingly, Dr. Cullen believes that sex therapy is not just for those experiencing sexual dysfunction, and would consider it to be beneficial for anyone wishing to improve their sex life. Dr. Cullen recognizes that multiple factors and life events can impact sex and intimacy, and is committed to supporting all individuals wishing to explore, enhance, and rediscover their sexual selves and relationships.

Dr. Cullen utilizes an integrative approach to therapy, drawing upon a variety of evidenced-based models including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT, EFT-C), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Gottman’s Couples Therapy, and Systemic Sex Therapy in order to provide personalized treatment for each client’s unique needs and therapeutic goals.

Dr. Cullen’s philosophy of care is grounded in humanistic foundations, systems theory, and trauma-informed approaches, and she continually strives to facilitate her clients’ curiosity, self-compassion, and understanding of their difficulties in the service of helping them to build confidence and agency in order to make meaningful changes. Using a warm, non-judgemental, and collaborative approach, Dr. Cullen provides a safe and supportive space that empowers clients to partake in a transformative experience of personal growth. Dr. Cullen is affirming and knowledgeable of 2SLGBTQIA+, poly/ENM, and kink identities.

Dr. Cullen completed her Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology at York University in Toronto. She undertook her pre-doctoral internship at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), with rotations in the Women’s Program and Integrative Day Treatment Program. She has also trained at the Adult Mental Health Program at North York General Hospital, CAMH’s Adult Gender Identity Clinic, Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Center, and the York University Psychology Clinic. Additionally, Dr. Cullen has completed the Intensive Sex Therapy Training Program at the University of Guelph, and is a Certified Kink Affirming Therapist.

In addition to working in private practice, Dr. Cullen works as an educator in the area of sexual health/wellbeing and cancer survivorship. She is frequently invited as an expert guest speaker, and has facilitated a variety of workshops for cancer survivors struggling with body image issues and sexual difficulties. She also collaborated with a national breast cancer organization to develop an educational video and blog series on this topic, served on various sexual health and education committees, and was an expert reviewer for the Canadian Cancer Society’s section on sex, intimacy, and cancer. Dr. Cullen is a member of the Canadian Psychological Association, the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology, the Canadian Professional Association of Transgender Health, and the Society for Sex Therapy and Research.