Education
Formative Learning Experiences
I am a curious person, a lifelong learner and I see value in all types of knowledge. I hold in my frame that healing takes many forms, and state sanctioned practitioners are only one of many options to support your process. Some of my most valuable learnings have come from informal teachings, sitting in quiet, reading, podcasts, on the job experiences, and through working alongside clients. I am grateful for the institutional privileges that allow me access and engage in the pursuit of learning. The opportunity to share these gifts and to partner with you in your sacred process is my greatest honour. I invite you to consider that when choosing a practitioner to work with, any trust you offer is always yours to keep. I offer this information about my education, training and the lineages my practice draws from to support you in making an informed decision that is aligned with your values, needs and desires for healing.
Academic Background
Education
Master of Social Work, Specialization: Equity and Diversity Studies, University of Toronto, June 2015
Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics, St. Francis Xavier University, June 2010
Professional Development Training
Somatics and Embodiment
Somatic Experiencing™ Practitioner (SEP) Certificate Training with practicum, one-to-one personal sessions, and clinical consultation, SETM International (247 hours), January 2024, courses completed;
Advanced 2 (36 hours), Berns Galloway, November 2023
Advanced 1, (36 hours), Berns Galloway, May 2023
Intermediate 3, (24 hours), Linda Stelte, October 2022
Intermediate 2, (24 hours), Linda Stelte, July 2022
Intermediate 1, (24 hours), Linda Stelte, April 2022
Beginner Level 3, (24 hours), Berns Galloway, January 2022
Beginner Level 2, (24 hours), Berns Galloway, October 2021
Beginner Level 1, (24 hours), Berns Galloway, May 2021
Somatic Abolitionism – My Grandmother’s Hands Guided/Embodied Study Group, Karine Bell, in progress
Safety, Belonging, and Dignity: Using the Generative Power of Somatics to Heal Individual and Systemic Trauma (15 hours), Staci Haines, Academy of Therapy Wisdom, June 2022
Foundations in Somatic Abolitionism (8 hours), Resmaa Menakem, MSW., LICSW., SEP., Education for Racial Equity, June 2022
Certificate in Somatic Embodiment and Regulation Strategies (10 hours), Linda Thai, MSW., LICSW., June 2021
Movement for Trauma Level 1 (10 hours), Jane Clapp, March 2021
Mindfulness-Based Intervention Train-the-Trainer Intensive Certificate with practicum (35 hours), Center for Mindfulness Studies, December 2020
Mindfulness-Based Wellness Certificate with practicum (35 hours), Center for Mindfulness Studies, May 2019
Brain-Based and Relational
Brainspotting Certification (6 hours) with Jackie Tyson, MSW, LCSW, June 2023
BIPOC Brainspotting Phase 2 with practicum (21 hours), Grace Community Counseling & Social Services, Tracy Gantlin-Monroy, MA, MDiv, LPC., November 2022
Brainspotting Intersectionality and Social Justice with practicum (21 hours), Grace Community Counseling & Social Services, Tracy Gantlin-Monroy, MA, MDiv, LPC., October 2022
BIPOC Brainspotting Phase 1 with practicum (21 hours), Grace Community Counseling & Social Services, Tracy Gantlin-Monroy, MA, MDiv, LPC., September 2022
Systemic and Collaborative
Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST), Certification Training with practicum, Level 3 (24 hours), Janina Fisher, Ph.D. & Denise Tordella, M.A, LPC, LLC, Academy of Therapy Wisdom, June 2023
Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST), Level 2 (24 hours), Janina Fisher, Ph.D., Academy of Therapy Wisdom, April 2023
Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors: Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST), Level 1 (24 hours), Janina Fisher, Ph.D., Academy of Therapy Wisdom, August 2022
Trauma Informed Care for Youth (20 hours), Kristin McLeod, Ph.D., June 2019
Narrative Therapy Certificate (35 hours), Bonnie Miller, MSW., RSW., Hincks-Dellcrest Gail Appel Institute, November 2016
Cognitive and Behavioral
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a Brief Intervention (8 hours), Russ Harris, Ph.D., Psychwire, August 2020
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness for Trauma (24 hours), Russ Harris, Ph.D., Psychwire, January 2018
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Beyond Basics (14 hours), Shelly McMain, Ph.D., University of Toronto, January 2018
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Essentials (14 hours), Shelly McMain, Ph.D., University of Toronto, November 2017
Skills for Safer Living (14 hours), Yvon Bergmans, PhD, RSW, St. Michaels Hospital, June 2017
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Beginner and Intermediate Skills (18 hours), Stephen C. Hayes., Ph.D., Association for Contextual Behavioural Therapy, May 2016
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Introduction (18 hours), Dr. Patricia Rockman, MD., Center for Mindfulness Studies, August 2015
Yoga and Movement
Restorative Yoga and Somatics (40 hours), Kim Mcbean & Indu Vashist, Union Yoga, December 2020
Personal Training Specialist Certificate (27 hours), Anastasia Berezowsky, Canfitpro, December 2019
Trauma-Informed Yoga (12 hours), Sarah Kinsley MSW., RSW., Union Yoga, November 2018
Yoga Teacher Training Certificate (250 hours), Jason Lu & Ali Alexander, Yoga Tree Studios, April 2018
Clinical Supervision
Foundations of Clinical Supervision (30 hours), University of Ottawa, August 2022
Trauma Informed Supervision Training (6 hours), Kathryn Mettler, Safeguards Training for Children and Adult Services, June 2021
Supervised Clinical Supervision (35 hours), Gini Bechard, MSW., RSW., December 2019
Memberships
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
Ontario Association of Social Workers
Somatic Experiencing International
Yoga Alliance
Professional Growth
In order to offer effective and ethical psychotherapy services, I participate in regular clinical supervision sessions with leaders in their respective fields. My supervisors include Tracey Jastinder Mann MSW., RSW., (embodied anti-racism and anti-oppressive practice supervisor), Linda Stelte MEd., CCC, SEP., and Claire Khudai Dagenais , SEP., (Somatic Experiencing supervisors), Denise Tordella, M.A, LPC, LLC (TIST supervisor) and Jackie Tyson, MSW., LCSW., (Brainspotting supervisor). I am also a part of a peer consultation group that is made up of experienced therapists who specialize in complex trauma using an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and intersectional feminist lens.
Embodied Growth
I have been a client of humanistic existential psychotherapy, talk therapy, Somatic Experiencing®, EMDR, Brainspotting, attachment-focused work, and parts work. I continue to receive somatic experiencing personal sessions with a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and attend weekly psychotherapy with a body centered Jungian Analyst. My goal is to be a grounded and resourced presence for your healing process.