How did I get to be a Therapist?
I have formal training as a counselor and as a Narrative therapist, and have been working with kids and families since 1990. I have a Masters degree in Social Work, and am a licensed member of the Ontario College of Social Workers.
And like everyone else, my real qualifications are a combination of:
- formal training and education,
- things I’ve learned from life experience
- lessons taught to me by other people, through stories and observation
Here are some bits that stand out:
- Being raised by a young, single mom taught me about assumptions, support, and determination
- Going to art school taught me creative thinking, planning, and playfulness
- Working with homeless teens taught me how to listen, and how to grieve
- Being in a committed relationship teaches me compassion, forgiveness and humour
- Working with young children teaches me imagination and respect
- Gaining my Master’s degree taught me about injustice, community, and perseverance
- Getting hit by a car taught me about dependence, insecurity, and recovery
- And working as a Narrative Therapist teaches me about collaboration, hope and curiousity
And what's your story?
We are all made up of stories and experiences that shape what we know, and what we do.
When I work with people I want to know about many aspects of their lives, including
- what they’ve been taught,
- what they’ve taught themselves,
- what they’ve seen and felt through the experiences of other people
- and what it all means to them.
I work as a team with the people who consult with me, and together we change how problems limit lives. We build our knowledge of what works, together.
Between my experience and yours, we have a lot to work with!
My Private Practice
With over 20 years experience working with families and communities, I now focus on helping kids who are dealing with conflict, stress and anxiety.
I've presented at National conferences and to general audiences speaking on the topics of self-esteem, narrative therapy, and the use of metaphor in counseling. And I'm thrilled to be teaching Narrative Therapy for the past 3 years, at the Hincks-Dellcrest Institute in Toronto.
More formally...
Education
University of Toronto, Master of Social Work
York University, Bachelor Social Work
Emily Carr College of Art and Design, Bachelor Fine Arts
License, Certifications & Awards
Registered Social Worker, Ontario College of Social Workers, 2007 to present
Ontario Association of Social Workers
Additional Training
Narrative Therapy Extern Programs, Hincks-Dellcrest Institute
Narrative Therapy Introductions, Brief and Narrative Therapy Center
Reflective Practice with Jan Fook
Working with Men who use Abuse with Tod Augusta-Scott, Alan Jenkins
Child Witnesses of Domestic Violence
Working with Youth in Community Settings
and various trainings and workshops on the use of neuroscience in therapy, conflict resolution, anger management and many others : )
Presentations and Workshops (selected)
Helping People Navigate LIfe Transitions, Hincks-Dellcrest, 2012
Undermining the Habits of Low-Self-Esteem, Hincks-Dellcrest, 2011
Panel Presentation, Narrative Therapy, OACCPP Forum 2010
Working with Highly-Stressed Children in After School Care, 2007-2008
Effects of Violence on Children, South Riverdale Health Center, 2006
Selected Work Experience
Faculty, Narrative Therapy Extern Program Level Two, 2009-present
Clinical Social Worker, Family Health Team, Sunnybrook Hospital, 2010-present
Co-Facilitator, Partner Assault Response Service, Family Services Toronto, 2008-2010
Therapist, Yorktown Walk-in Clinic, 2007-2009
Manager, Neighbourhood Programs, Woodgreen Community Services, 2003-2008
Child, Youth and Family Therapist, Peel Children's Center, 2006-2007
Child and Youth Community Development Worker, Woodgreen Community Services, 1998-2003
Child, Youth and Family Therapist, Port Alberni Women's Resource Center, 1994-1997
