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.