51±¾É«

Alana has been involved in the field of restorative justice as researcher, educator, practitioner, and trainer since 1999. She has extensive experience implementing restorative justice in community, prison, and school contexts. Her research has discussed restorative justice in relation to the police, post-secondary institutions, community, serious and violent crime, and decolonization. Alana has organized and participated in numerous conferences on issues related to restorative justice, trauma and mental health, victim/survivors of crime, and prison justice. In 2017, Alana was the recipient of the Restorative Justice Award from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General in BC. She also worked to develop the first victim-sensitive principles and standards for restorative justice providers in BC. Dr. Abramson is currently a full-time criminology instructor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Co-Chair of the Restorative Justice Association of BC, Coordinator and Facilitator for the Alternatives to Violence Project, and trainer for Achieve/Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute.

Stephanie is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) and registered social worker (RSW) who has been in the field for over 25 years. Throughout the course of her practice, trauma has been a consistent thread woven throughout the experiences of those she has served. Stephanie has been privileged to support people in several areas including acquired brain injury, addictions, intimate partner violence, mental health, concurrent disorders, sexual violence, and complex trauma, as well as provide individual, marital, family, and group therapy to a diverse range of ages and needs in both community and institutional settings.

Stephanie currently has her own private practice where she provides counselling, clinical supervision, as well as consultation and training to various community organizations. Her expertise and interest lie in supporting people with navigating the outcomes of various types of trauma, addiction, violence, neurodivergence, and mental health concerns, including the ways in which these issues often intersect.

Pina has a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto, and both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Social Work degree from McMaster University. Pina practices predominantly from a CBT-based treatment modality and enjoys working with individuals of all ages and cognitive abilities. Particular areas of focus include working creatively with children and youth, with individuals who have experienced trauma, in particular historical Indigenous trauma, and individuals living with chronic health conditions. Along with her clinical practice, Pina has discovered a new-found passion in creating, writing and instructing courses. Outside of clinical practice, Pina is an avid believer in volunteerism and spends much of her free time providing support in a variety of forums to the Type 1 Diabetes community.

As the Chief Executive Officer of Alzheimer Society of Ontario, Cathy Barrick leads with enthusiasm, creativity and a drive to create impact within the not-for-profit sector. Cathy drives innovation through fundraising and program development. Cathy believes that not-for-profits should step up and shine by increasing their social profit margins.

Cathy has worked in the not-for-profit sector from the start, beginning her career as a gerontological social worker. Her degrees in gerontology, social work and sociology have allowed Cathy to develop a clinical practice supporting individuals, couples and families address issues throughout their lives. Cathy has a particular interest in supporting seniors and their families as they face a diagnosis of dementia.

Her leadership of organizations for the last 20 years continues to evolve with a focus on creating an environment where staff feel both valued and supported in their efforts to do good.

As a recent Intrapreneur Fellowship graduate of the School for Social Entrepreneurs, Cathy tackles organizational challenges and change from the inside out. Using design thinking to drive success, Cathy believes we can change the culture of the not-for-profit sector.

Amy is a Learning Consultant at 51±¾É«. She helps students with academic skills, including studying, time management and exam preparation. She also delivers multiple workshops weekly on these same topics. Amy also worked at 51±¾É« Co-op for three years. Previously, she was the Manager, Human Resources at Waterloo Public Library. She holds the CHRL (Canadian Human Resources Leader) designation. She worked in the non-profit sector position for almost 10 years, preceded by 10 years working in private retail and manufacturing settings as an HR generalist. Amy graduated from McMaster with a degree in psychology and completed the HR management post-diploma course from Sheridan College. She completed her Masters of Education in Student Affairs from 51±¾É« in 2020.

Amy has trained or facilitated in all her roles, and since 2013 has been a contract instructor at 51±¾É« and/or Conestoga College. She employs an experiential training style in her classroom that encourages students to interact with one another and the material. Amy uses videos, case studies, personal experiences and hands-on learning activities to enhance the learning process.

Dina is a registered marriage and family therapist living in Ancaster, Ontario. She is the associate director of the Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) certificate program at OISE/Continuing & Professional Learning, University of Toronto, co-director of the Canadian SFBT Centre and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor.

Dina trains and consults with mental health agencies on integrating SFBT with single session therapy (SST). She also provides direct clinical supervision and SFBT training to agencies, graduate students, and therapists. Dina’s clinical experience includes over 15 years of practice at a children’s mental health clinic in Hamilton, Ontario. She received an award of distinction from the City of Hamilton for her brief therapy work with children, adolescents and their families in 2017. She now has a private practice in Ancaster. She is passionate about SFBT and SST, and enjoys seeing the difference it can make.

Diane is a registered psychotherapist, EMDR certified therapist, clinical supervisor and clinical lead on the AWC Grief Support team. She has provided psychotherapy services for children, youth and adults in a variety of community mental health and private settings since 2006. Diane is passionate about collaborative, creative and compassionate counselling service with those who are experiencing serious illness, grief and bereavement. Diane has a specialized focus in trauma and bereavement in parents and siblings, including perinatal grief/bereavement. Currently, Diane provides grief and trauma-focused individual and family counselling, education and clinical consultation through AWC Grief Support, as well as her private practice, located in the Durham region of Ontario.

Kirstin has worked in the field of addictions and mental health for 20 years. She currently provides mindfulness groups to people with depression, anxiety and high stress. She has worked as a supervisor, educator and program planner in addictions. She will complete her yoga certification in September 2023. She has been engaged in innovative projects related to mindfulness meditation and has led mindfulness groups for chronic pain, depression, smoking and other addictions. Kirstin has formal training in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and has extensive experience providing mindfulness training to healthcare professionals who plan to add mindfulness to their clinical practice.

A lifelong resident of Kitchener, Nancy has over 20 years of experience as a senior leader at United Way Kitchener Waterloo & Area and United Way Waterloo Region Communities. Nancy has also served as an interim Executive Director for an agency in Guelph and the Resource Development and Engagement Lead for Kawasaki Disease Canada. Her experience includes strategy and operational plan development, grantmaking, cross-functional team leadership, community engagement and fundraising. Nancy has worked closely with community organizations, local government and other funders. Nancy established her own consulting business focused on leadership support and coaching in 2021. She is also currently working as an office manager and serves on the Board of Directors for Bridges to Belonging.

Nancy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Waterloo, Master of Arts degree in Leadership from University of Guelph, Adult Teacher/Trainer certificate from Conestoga College, Management and Leadership certificate from 51±¾É«’s Faculty of Social Work, and is an alumnus of Leadership Waterloo Region.

Robin is a certified Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) trainer, supervisor, and therapist. Presently, Robin is a adjunct faculty member in the graduate program for Martin Luther University College, where he teaches the EFT Externship and Core Skills in the Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy program. Robin teaches Creating Secure Connections: an Intro to EFCT, in the Faculty of Social Work Professional Development program for 51±¾É« (2020 to present). He designed and taught the first EFT Core Skills equivalency course to be offered at a Canadian university with his colleague, ICEEFT supervisor Debbie Wang at 51±¾É« (2021). In the past few years, Robin has taught EFT at York University in their social work program and was invited by Mount Sinai Hospital to speak at their level two trauma clinic. He is a former adjunct faculty member at the Living Institute of Existential-Integrative Psychotherapy, where he taught EFT for 5 years. Robin trains EFT for local centres and communities in Fredericton, Cambridge, Toronto, York Region and Edmonton and he co-trained at the Toronto Externship with Sue Johnson in October 2020-2022. As an international EFT trainer, Robin has taught in the US, UK and Iran and is looking forward to teaching for the Ukrainian community in the fall.

For the past 4 years, he has been a regular consultant for Hold Me Tight retreats organized by Toronto Beyond the Blue a not-for-profit organization providing therapeutic services for the Toronto Police Services and their families and is looking forward to co-facilitating a HMT workshop for the London, ON Police Services with his colleague Jodi Rough - ICEEFT Certified EFT Therapist. Robin is a co-founder of the Toronto Centre for Emotionally Focused Therapy and has been a director for the Centre since 2005. Robin is a registered psychotherapist and has been in private practice in Toronto for 22 years where he sees individuals, couples and families and provides supervision for therapists working towards certification in EFT/EFIT/EFFT. With a passion for EFIT, Robin is presently collaborating on the EFIT Workbook with 6 other EFT trainer/authors for Routledge Publishers.

Thomas is a social worker and director of clinical supervision at Qualia Counselling Services, where he offers the gold standard for CBT clinical supervision to Qualia and community clinicians. In addition to providing CBT supervision, Thomas continues to pursue his CBT passion by treating clients and delivering the cognitive behaviour interventions to those dealing with mental health challenges and life stressors.

Thomas can teach the gold standard because he has striven so excellently to achieve it. Thomas has completed a variety of rigorous training programs through the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. He has received extensive, ongoing CBT mentoring, training and supervision which has helped him emerge into the director of supervision role he holds.

Additionally, Thomas teaches CBT in a variety of contexts including workshops, conferences, university lectures and medical residency programs.

Niki is rigorously trained in CBT and her role as a mental health professional has been influenced through a variety of professional experiences within the fields of education and fitness and wellness. In addition to her work as a registered psychotherapist, she is also a certified yoga teacher and fitness trainer. She is additionally trained in youth mental health and has taught in a variety of educational settings from elementary to university students. Drawing from a variety of modalities including DBT and mindfulness approaches, she believes that strengthening the connection between mental, physical and spiritual well-being is important for long-term health and wellness. Empowering and encouraging people is her greatest joy, especially witnessing students and clients gain understanding, commit to new practices and making changes that improve their lives.

Lauren is the president and CEO of Bridge C-14, a national non-profit organization providing a network of peer-to-peer connections and community supports through all stages of medical assistance in dying (MAiD). In early 2017, Lauren met Jan Ditchfield, the founder of Bridge C-14 and joined its founding board of directors. Lauren is deeply passionate about providing individuals touched by MAiD with compassionate support throughout their journey with assisted dying and took over the organization after Jan stepped down from day-to-day operations in June 2019.

Lauren is also a social worker at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH). She holds a permanent position in the Medicine Department at the Civic Campus and was a member of the MAiD team at TOH and with the Champlain Regional MAiD Network.

Lauren holds a social service worker diploma from Lambton College, a certificate in dementia studies from Lakehead University, as well as a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work from Carleton University. She is a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW) and the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW).

Lauren was named as one of the OASW Inspirational Leaders for 2019 for her work with MAiD, and has spoken at local, provincial, national and international conferences. She has also been a guest instructor for the NICE Advanced Practice Gerontological Social Work course for health professionals working in the Sinai Health System, the NICE Learning Series on Aging, and with 51±¾É«'s Death, Dying and Bereavement Certificate Program. Additionally, Lauren is the primary instructor for the Bridge C-14 Educational Series.

Lauren is most proud of her role, though, as wife to a very supportive husband, adoring mama to two young children, and fur-mama to two cats and a puppy.

In practice since 1998, Scot is a registered psychotherapist, international trainer and consultant in brief therapy and narrative community practice. He formed Brief Narrative Practices in 2012 to provide a portal to personalized post-graduate specialty training and consultation in brief therapy. Scot is a manager of child and youth mental health services at a children’s mental health centre, where he practices, oversees the quick access clinic and supervises students and the clinical team. His teaching spans a range of contexts and he provides specialized consultation in regards to brief service delivery. Scot has several publications including his new book Brief Narrative Practice In Single-Session Therapy, and the co-edited book, Masters of Narrative and Collaborative Therapies: The voices of Andersen, Anderson, and White. Scot offers the curriculum through a spirit of adventure and exploration, inviting participants to practice, stretch their skill set and transfer specific learning into everyday practice. His high energy and engaging style makes for an interactive, lively learning experience.

Sarah is rigorously trained in CBT and has additional training in emotionally focused therapy for couples and families. Sarah is a registered psychotherapist and a registered marriage and family therapist. Sarah has decades of clinical experience focusing on a variety of mental health issues, addictions, couples and family system issues. She loves to work with couples and families around relationship issues (communication, conflict, mediation, affairs, parenting, etc.) using EFT and CBT. Sarah is the Couples and Family Clinical Lead at Qualia Counselling and contributes research and supervision. Sarah has experience teaching CBT workshops and courses.

Rick Csiernik (they/them/their) is a professor within the School of Social Work, King's University College in London, Ontario. Rick is a White settler currently living on Dish With One Spoon Treaty Territory. Rick has written 10 books, edited nine, including The Essential Guide to Psychoactive Drugs in Canada, Homeless, Housing and Mental Health, The Drug Paradox, Substance Use and Misuse: Everything Matters, and Responding to the Oppression of Addiction. Rick has contributed to 250 peer reviewed publications, made over 300 public presentations and been part of research teams receiving over $5 million in funding during his career. Rick, who has been a social worker for four decades, has been recipient of both the King's University College and McMaster University Continuing Education Teacher of the Year awards as well as the Hugh Mellon Excellence in Research Award, Ontario Volunteer Award, and Jeff Wilbee Award for leadership in the field of addiction.

Lorral is a registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She has an MA in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and a postgraduate diploma in Addictions Treatment and Prevention from Georgian College. Over her 20+ year career, she has worked in the field of addiction and mental health in a variety of capacities including residential, hospital and outpatient settings providing both short-term and long-term therapy. Lorral has worked with diverse client populations including those with concurrent disorders, mandated clients, women and children, cross-cultural populations, couples, and family members. She has also designed and delivered training workshops for healthcare professionals and has experience in the management of government initiative projects. Presently, Lorral is living and working in the Cayman Islands providing therapy to individuals, couples, and families. A career highlight for Lorral occurred in 2018 when she launched her private practice offering online therapy ses-sions to those aged 18 and over residing in Ontario.

Luke is the Victim Services Counsellor for the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS). He has been working as a civilian in the field of policing for two decades, starting his career with the Brantford Police Service in 2005 and moving to the Waterloo Regional Police in 2012. Luke completed an undergraduate degree in Honours Criminology with General Contemporary Studies at 51±¾É« (Brantford Campus) and a Masters Degree in Sociology with a focus on Social Work at 51±¾É« (Waterloo Campus). He has been working as the Victim Services Counsellor for the WRPS since 2019.

The primary focus of Luke’s work is within the Intimate Partner Violence Unit of the WRPS. He provides training for various organizations, including for the Ontario Police College, Probation and Parole, the Victim Services of Waterloo Region, WRPS post-OPC recruit classes and local counselling agencies, as well as guest speaking opportunities at local educational institutions. Luke has a passion for helping victims and enjoys sharing knowledge, information and resources from his experience within the criminal justice system.

In practice since 1999, Dara is a reproductive counsellor/psychotherapist, and founder of Informed Fertility, a group practice focused on family building and transitions. Dara is committed to providing services that are inclusive, empathetic, and helpful, informed by her educational and clinical background, and inspired by her own long, personal journey with infertility, IVF and ultimately, parenthood through surrogacy.

In her daily practice, Dara supports people through infertility and loss, as well as those using assisted reproduction due to sexual orientation, gender identity, relationship status and preexisting medical conditions. She provides grief and relationship counselling, pragmatic andeducational guidance, and help in developing effective coping strategies, anxiety reduction techniques and boundary building skills. She counsels people freezing gametes for social, medical or identity reasons, undergoing IUI and IVF, and embarking on co-parenting arrangements, as well as provides assessments for Intended Parents, donors and surrogates. When treatment ends, she works with clients transitioning to pregnancy, parenthood, or moving forward without children. Dara also supports donor conceived adults navigating the complexities of their identity. She provides mediation services and facilitates various peer support groups, is a regularly invited speaker and consultant, involved in government consultations, active in industry research, and sits on the Ethics Committee of a large Toronto fertility clinic.

Dara holds a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from the University of Toronto, and Bachelors’ Degrees from York (BSW) and McGill Universities (BA). She is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers (RSW), and a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and ASRM’s Mental Health Professionals Group (MHPG). She is also a member of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS), holding the position of Chair of the Counselling Special Interest Group (CSIG), and an instructor in Wilfred 51±¾É« University’s Social Work Professional Development Program, having developed their first course on infertility and assisted reproductive technologies.

Andrew is the founder and director of Broadleaf Health, a multi-disciplinary emotional and behavioural care clinic in Ontario. Dr. Ekblad has been intensively trained by Dr. Edna Foa, PE treatment developer. He holds certification as both a PE trained therapist and PE trained consultant, indicating the heightened training and demonstration of skills required for these levels of certification through the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania. He has over 15 years of clinical and research experience in the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD) through dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). Dr. Ekblad leads educational seminars and workshops for hospital, university, and community mental health practitioners throughout Canada. He has conducted trainings on PE to a range of groups including clinicians based in hospitals, and clinicians based in military contexts (e.g., on Canadian Forces Bases). Dr. Ekblad has presented original research at international conferences and published academic articles on DBT, BPD, emergency department care of suicidal patients, substance abuse, mindfulness and mentoring. He is an Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at McMaster University. Dr. Ekblad received his PhD in clinical psychology from Duke University.

Melissa (she/her) is a registered social worker (RSW) with a BA in psychology and anthropology, master of social work, a master of arts in anthropology and a PhD in anthropology. She is a play therapy intern and member of the Canadian Association for Play Therapy. Melissa is the founder and owner of Bloom: Child & Family Therapy in Waterloo and Kitchener, an ultra-creative evidence-based group practice in children's mental health and family well-being, as well as co-owner of Mel & Kel Co. that focuses on women’s health, relationships and community. Melissa has received multiple awards for her research, which has been implemented in hospitals, schools and counseling agencies. She has published a book and several academic journal articles. Melissa has taught courses at Western University, 51±¾É« and Sheridan College, and spoken at academic and community forums. Melissa has worked with neurodiverse adults, children and youth for over five years in therapeutic settings and in research and advocacy for over 15 years. Along with working in the field, Melissa is neurodiverse and is raising three neurodiverse children.

Avril owns a private practice where she specializes in perinatal mental health. With extensive clinical experience, Avril has built her expertise around supporting individuals through the unique challenges of perinatal periods.

Her qualifications include certifications in perinatal mental health, perinatal grief and loss, and birth and reproductive trauma. Avril is also trained in IFS Level 1 and holds a certificate in CBT focused on women's reproductive mental health. These credentials highlight her dedication to addressing the complexities of mental health during and after pregnancy.

In addition to her clinical work, Avril is a skilled public speaker, known for her engaging presentations on perinatal mental health topics. Her ability to convey nuanced concepts with clarity has made her a sought-after speaker at conferences and workshops. Avril’s passion lies in advancing understanding and support for perinatal mental health, aiming to inspire and educate others in her field. Her work reflects a deep commitment to improving mental health outcomes and providing compassionate care for those navigating this critical period.

Charity is a cognitive behaviour therapist with many years of experience specializing in CBT for trauma, Indigenous adapted, and cognitive behaviour play therapy. She is president and CEO of Qualia Counselling Services, which has CBT clinics across Southern Ontario, and partners with 51±¾É« to offer the cognitive behavioural therapy program. Charity is passionate about working with priority populations, especially using CBT in flexible ways to deliver mental health interventions that result in real change. Charity identifies as Indigenous and is passionate about and focuses much of her CBT work and training on helping Indigenous people heal from historical trauma. Charity also serves as the Indigenous Director of Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and was recipient of the Ontario Association of Social Workers Inspirational Leader Award in 2023.

Sue is a clinical social worker living, teaching, and practicing in Waterloo, Ontario. With over 40 years of practice, Sue views the world through a trauma informed lens and embraces ongoing opportunities for integrating theory and practice. Sue teaches at a variety of universities and is an Associate with Cardinal Counselling and Mediation in Waterloo. Sue is a mother, daughter, partner, and friend who views learning as a lifelong endeavour and tries her very best to live a balanced life!

In partnership with Sandy Jardine, Sue develops and delivers workshops to various agencies, professionals, and community groups.

Maria is a registered social worker and practices psychotherapy with clients ages 16+, addressing a diverse array of presenting issues. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in International Development from Calvin University, a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Waterloo, and a Master of Social Work from 51±¾É«. In addition to psychotherapy practice, her career has also involved teaching English internationally, and working in refugee resettlement and refugee and newcomer mental health in a variety of capacities in both the United States and Canada. Maria began to study and train in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) during her MSW, and quickly became passionate about the model. While she has trained in a variety of models, ACT has remained foundational to her practice of psychotherapy from day one, and she has engaged in ongoing training and study of the model. She has been a member of the KW-Guelph ACT Consultation Group since 2016, and has been a co-facilitator/coordinator of the group since 2018. Maria deeply values and strives to embody compassion, curiosity, respect, and authenticity in her therapy practice.

Amar is a registered social worker, and instructor with the 51±¾É« Faculty of Social Work. He has 18 years of experience supporting individuals, families, and groups with complex mental health concerns in addiction treatment, prisons, shelters, schools, mobile crisis, outpatient mental health, and healthcare settings. His research focuses on cannabis and mental health, psychosis, trauma, crisis intervention, harm reduction, recovery, and psychosocial assessment/therapy. He has specialized training in CBT, DBT, and suicide intervention, as well as a certificate in trauma counselling.

Amar's research is published in leading academic journals, including Clinical Social Work, Early Intervention in Psychiatry, Psychosis, and Health and Social Work. He has received numerous awards and grants for his research, including the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Fellowship. He has presented at various conferences and is passionate about teaching professionals in the mental health field.

Janice is a passionate educator, values-driven leader, seasoned therapist and clinical supervisor/consultant with 15+ years in the field of social work, including: 10+ years of direct clinical work, five years of providing clinical supervision and four years of teaching at the post-secondary level. Areas of expertise include: trauma and attachment, emotion-focused therapy, narrative therapy, somatic-based interventions, and parent-child and family therapy.

Janice owns and operates her own group psychotherapy practice, Solstice Psychotherapy, and also provides coaching and consultation to therapists seeking support around launching and/or expanding a private practice through Abundant Practice.

Janice is recognized for her genuine, down-to-earth, human approach to her clinical work, consultation, and teaching, and embraces an imperfect, and ever-evolving commitment to uphold a personal and professional practice that is rooted in anti-oppression, anti-racism, anti-homophobia and anti-ableism.

Janice is passionate about social justice and always looking for ways to be involved in breaking down barriers for marginalized folks in the community. One of the ways she stays involved in the community is through volunteering and sitting on the board of directors at Safetynet Child and Youth Charities in Oakville, Ontario.

Janice is a proud member of both the 2SLGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent communities and enjoys working with and supporting folks who share these identities.

Laura is a registered psychologist and the founder of Tapestry Psychology & Clinical Services, a private practice in Toronto. Over the past 10 years, Laura has held clinical, managerial and consultative roles in the child and youth community mental health sector. Laura's professional focus is on providing interventions grounded in the principles of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) for neurodiverse children, youth and adults with severe mental health needs and their caregivers. She is a co-author on the policy paper Putting Children and Youth First: Integrating Autism and Mental Health Services in Ontario and is dedicated to capacity building and the implementation of innovative services that support integrated, responsive and neuro-affirming care to people with complex needs. Laura earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Dalhousie University and then completed her psychology residency at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa.

Sarah has over 10 years clinical experience working with clients across the life span, specializing in child and adolescent mental health in both acute care and outpatient settings. Sarah has been a vital part of the Qualia Counselling and teaching team since the clinic first opened.

Cara is a registered social worker, social work educator, and holds a certification in thanatology. Cara has a private practice where she works with individuals of all ages and families facing issues such as grief, traumatic loss, PTSD, violence, and mental health challenges. Cara is a lecturer in the Thanatology and Disability programs at King’s University College, Western University, and at the Faculty of Social Work at 51±¾É«. Cara’s doctoral research focused on the grief and mourning experiences of people labelled with intellectual developmental disabilities. Cara was the team lead for the development the Intellectual Disability and Grief module for Canadian Virtual Hospice (). Cara has had the privilege to work with many children, youth, families and students throughout her more than 30 years in practice. Her work with MADD Canada’s Youth Victims of Impaired Driving has spanned over 15 years, and in 2017 Cara was awarded MADD Canada’s Citizen of Distinction Award for this ground-breaking program. Cara has also developed and facilitated numerous community-based bereavement support programs, including: Missing Pieces: The Grief Puzzle (in partnership with local school boards); T.L.C. for Kids; P.A.L.S. (Peer Adolescent Loss Support); and Growing Through Grief for young adults.

Jennifer is one of Qualia Counselling's leading cognitive behavioural therapists, specializing in CBT for children, adolescents and families and working within Indigenous communities. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Applied Science, child, youth and family major, from the University of Guelph and a Master of Social Work degree and CBT certificate from 51±¾É«. Additionally, Jennifer has a background in human development and has worked extensively alongside individuals with developmental disabilities, providing both individual and group support. Jennifer is also closely affiliated with Crane Lake Discovery Camp, where a wilderness therapeutic approach is used to reach at-risk youth with various mental health and behavioural challenges. Jennifer's passion for child and adolescent mental and developmental health has been a driving force in her social work career.

Sandy is a graduate of the Faculty of Social Work at 51±¾É« and has been a clinical social worker for more than 20 years.  She is a Maritimer through and through and an Acadian in her roots.

Sandy is a Clinical Traumatologist and is trained in critical stress management and compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress. She facilitates debriefs to various groups and in various settings, from hospitals to local agencies to first responder workplaces. She provides education and training to workplaces across the country as a trainer and consultant.

In partnership with Sue Gallagher, Sandy develops and delivers workshops to various agencies, professionals, and community groups. She is the owner of her private counselling practice in Kitchener, where she specializes in trauma-focused work.

Veena is an individual, couples and family therapist. She is also an experienced clinical supervisor. Veena has been providing clinical supervision since 2003; she is a CAMFT Approved Supervisor, and has been teaching clinical supervision courses and workshops for more than 12 years.

Veena has a particular interest in anti-oppressive practice (AOP). She has worked extensively with new immigrants, refugees and Indigenous peoples in helping them reclaim their lives from the effects of oppression and trauma. She has also provided workshops and trainings in anti-oppressive practice.

Veena graduated from the Couple and Family Therapy program at the University of Guelph in 2000. She has largely worked within the non-profit service sector, as Director of Training, Multicultural and Trauma Services at K-W Counselling Services, where she directed the intern training program for more than 12 years. She spent a couple of years working in the remote isolated communities of the Western Arctic region, and spent some time in Belarus, working with Doctors without Borders.

Stephanie holds an Honors Bachelor of Science degree with a specialist in psychology and a Masters of Science in psychology. Additionally, she holds a number of certifications, including advanced training in solution focused therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, attachment therapy and psychometric assessments, as well as a post-graduate certificate in addictions and mental health counselling.

As a complement to her strong clinical education, Stephanie has incorporated additional evidence-based holistic certificates to further round out her training, including certifications in four mindfulness and meditation clinical modalities. She is the co-founder of the Hoame virtual wellness app.

Stephanie holds teaching positions at multiple post-secondary institutions and has a clinical psychotherapy practice where she primarily treats anxiety, depression, self-esteem and insomnia. She is also a trainer for safeTALK, ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and MHFA (Mental Health First Aid) certifying individuals in these three important modalities.

Sarosh is an adult, child and adolescent psychiatrist and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario where she does clinical work, teaches residents and medical students and does research. In addition to her previous administrative and research roles, she has been involved in spearheading and co-developing a family therapy training program based on the ecosystemic structural family therapy (ESFT) model.

Sarosh completed her adult psychiatry residency training at the Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital, affiliated hospital of University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia where she trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy. She completed her child and adolescent psychiatry residency training at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, previously the Philadelphia Child Guidance Centre where Salvatore Minuchin initiated and formalized structural family therapy. Sarosh received family therapy training at the Philadelphia Child and Family Therapy Training Centre under Dr. Marion Goldberg who trained directly under Minuchin and adapted Minuchin’s model to ESFT.

Annette has a master’s degree in social work, is a registered marriage and family therapist and is an advanced attachment focused therapist. She has worked in children’s mental health for over 30 years as a therapist, supervisor, manager and clinical director. She was the owner/director of the Leaside Therapy Centre, a multi-discipline clinic in Toronto, for 10 years. She has had a private practice for over 30 years. She specializes in attachment focused therapy for adults, couples, adolescents and adoptive families.

Annette has received advanced training in attachment focused therapy and has been a member of an advanced consultation group in this model of therapy. She is trained to score the Adult Attachment Interview. She offers consultation to mental health agencies and consultation/supervision to individual professionals and provides training on child and adult attachment to organizations, including 51±¾É« Faculty of Social Work, SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health, Safeguards, Mission: Empowerment.

Annette has written and published two books: It’s Attachment: a New Way of Understanding Yourself and Your Relationships and Secure Parent, Secure Child: How a Parent’s Attachment Shapes the Attachment of the Child. Both are published by Guernica Editions and available on Amazon and Caversham Books. Her first book has been translated into Chinese and will be into Arabic and Spanish.

Kat is in private practice as a drama therapist in Connecticut, USA, where she focuses on doing embodied work with folx who have traumatic life experiences. Kat also develops content for Greenleaf Integrative, a consulting organization specializing in burnout prevention for helpers and healers. She has served as faculty at New York University and the Kint Institute, focusing on cultural awareness and intersectionality in creative arts therapy. She is the past Director of Secondary Education for ALIVE/Miss Kendra Programs through the Post Traumatic Stress Center in New Haven, CT.

Patricia received her Bachelor of Arts in political science with a specialization in women’s studies at the Simone de Beauvoir Institute at Concordia University. She later completed her Bachelor of Social Work at McGill University and completed her Master of Social Work at the University of British Columbia.

Patricia has worked in oncology and palliative care at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, Military Family Resources Centre during the Canadian involvement in Afghanistan, and currently works at Hotel Dieu Hospital site with Kingston Health Sciences Centre in Kingston, Ontario where she is an adjunct lecturer in the department supervising Residents and Fellows in the art of family therapy.

Working through the lens of trauma, Patricia uses a plethora of therapies such as ecosystemic structural family therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (individual and group based), emotion focused family therapy, interpersonal therapy (IPT), emotion focused therapy, eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) and brainspotting.

Patricia has a core belief that families can heal and need skilled committed people to help them along the path to wellbeing. Teaching these skills are a privilege and she hopes to ignite this passion to anyone who seeks to grow their knowledge base in family therapy.

Patricia also has a private practice in Kingston, Ontario.

Sara is a clinical social worker, children’s author, musician and mindfulness practitioner and teacher. She currently works in private practice as an individual, couples and group therapist, as well as public speaker and workshop facilitator. She is a certified mindful self-compassion teacher and has had teacher training in MBCT (mindfulness based cognitive therapy), MARS-A (mindful awareness and resilience skills for adolescents) and MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction). She is also trained in EFFT (emotion-focused family therapy) and has completed Level 2 in PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couples therapy), Level 3 in Gottman method couple’s therapy, and is certified in DARe (dynamic attachment repatterning experience).

Sara has developed and facilitated numerous mindfulness programs for children, adolescents, parents and families in mental health, school, hospital and community settings. She is the author of four children’s books: No Ordinary Apple: A Story about Eating Mindfully, My New Best Friend, which introduces self-compassion, The Inside Flashlight, which playfully teaches emotion regulation skills to children and No Ordinary Pizza: A Story about Interconnection. Sara is the co-creator of Mindful Monkey Magazine: Connecting Families Through Practice & Play. She is also the author of the chapter Supporting Young Children Visited by Big Emotions: Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation and Neurobiology, in Collaborative Therapy and Neurobiology: Evolving Practices in Action (Marie-Nathalie Beaudoin and Jim Duvall, Eds.). Sara can be found online at and .

Alison is a social worker and psychotherapist who provides psychotherapy and coaching at her group practice. Over her years in practice, Alison has developed an interest in mentoring and supporting other therapists, which is derived from her experience in creating and growing her own practice. A researcher and planner by nature, Alison developed The Practice Companion as a resource to support therapists in building and growing their practices. She has used her experience and knowledge to create resources that are informed by her mistakes, her successes and the lessons she has learned along the way. 

In addition to her clinical work and practice-support, Alison has been a professor and guest lecturer for post-secondary students in the fields of social work, professional practice and psychology. She provides corporate training and facilitates workshops on various topics such as self-care, managing life changes, mental health, communication skills and compassion fatigue. Alison has been a registered social worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers since 1995 and is committed to supporting fellow social workers achieve success in private practice while remaining mindful of their self-care as they balance the roles of clinician and business owner.

Christine is a registered psychotherapist, registered drama therapist and board certified trainer with experience teaching drama therapy methods nationally and internationally. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba, where she specializes in critical and anti-racist approaches to trauma-informed school interventions and in arts-based approaches.

Christine has taught for Lesley University in their expressive therapies program, for 51±¾É« in their social work program, and was the co-director of a post-graduate drama therapy certificate program in the U.S. She serves as the associate editor of Drama Therapy Review, the official peer-reviewed journal of the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA) and has published multiple articles and book chapters on critical approaches to trauma and the use of drama therapy and the arts for social action, clinical practice, and in school-based settings.

Prior to completing her doctorate at 51±¾É«, Christine worked as the Director of Public Health and Social Policy at the Post Traumatic Stress Center in New Haven, Connecticut, where she led a multi-city trauma-centered drama therapy program in the schools called ALIVE. In addition to specializing in the use of drama therapy with those who have experienced trauma, she has expertise in using the arts with youth, school-based settings and in social justice work.

Shaun has over 20 years of experience working especially with children and adolescents as well as adults, caregivers and families. Shaun’s specialty and focus has been in education, mental health, cognitive behaviour therapy and psychological/psych-ed assessment and treatment. Working for a variety of school boards and clinics, Shaun has been fiercely committed to his own and others’ education from the primary to post-graduate stages; teaching at elementary, university and post-graduate levels. Shaun currently resides in Edmonton, Alberta.

Katelyn is a research consultant at Taylor Newberry Consulting (TNC) and holds a PhD in sociology from Western University. With over seven years of experience in applied and academic research, she specializes in projects related to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), school/career readiness, and labor market inequality. At TNC, Katelyn has contributed to a variety of initiatives, including program evaluations aimed at reducing gender-based violence and supporting youth transitioning to university or the workforce. She also uses her research skills to help design programs for various organizations. Katelyn's diverse methodological background encompasses a wide array of research methods, such as interviews, surveys, experimental designs and content analysis. She is particularly enthusiastic about mixed methods and innovative research techniques.

Dena is a registered psychotherapist and holds a master’s degree in psychology with a specialization in traumatic bereavement. For over 25 years, Dena has provided individual and family counselling to those grieving the loss of a loved one. She is a founding member of the Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council (WRSPC) and the local chapter for Bereaved Families of Ontario. She is the creator of several intervention programs for the treatment of traumatic grief and for the past seven years, has enjoyed her role as an instructor for Wilfrid 51±¾É«’s professional development certificates. Dena has recently retired from her private practice and is dedicated to continuing to share with others, what so many have taught her over the years. It is Dena’s personal experience with loss which complements her knowledge and understanding of the challenges of grief.

Melissa’s educational background includes a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Manitoba, a master's in marriage and family therapy from Antioch University in Los Angeles, and a master's degree specialization in applied community psychology. Melissa has received certification in evidence-based practices such as functional family therapy, seeking safety, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness. She is also a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), the Canadian Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT), and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. In addition to running her own private practice, she also is an instructor at the University of Winnipeg, University of Manitoba, and the University of Guelph. Melissa also provides clinical supervision to marriage and family therapists completing their practicum studies.

For the past 36 years, Michelle has worked through the continuum of care in the addiction field. She has achieved certifications in gambling, gaming and addictions. She is also a Certified Digital Wellness Educator.

She is a registered social service worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and a member of the Ontario Social Service Worker Association. Michelle is currently working at The Residence at Homewood as an Addiction and Recovery Management Specialist and Digital Lead.

Michelle has been intrigued with problem gambling since 1989 and has had the pleasure to work in all areas of the gambling field throughout her career: treatment, prevention and research. She was a co-investigator on a research project titled A Comprehensive Review of Problem Gambling Self-Assessment Tools for Use on an Internet Platform and was honoured to present the findings at the 15th International Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking in Las Vegas.

Michelle has been fascinated with relapse prevention throughout her career and has proclaimed that “relapse prevention is the cornerstone of addiction counselling.” She has developed relapse prevention programs for gambling and substance use. She also facilitates mindfulness-based relapse prevention programs for addictive behaviours. She is currently facilitating a virtual group (Road to Recovery), which explores key relapse concepts.

Michelle is passionate in promoting digital wellness through mindfulness. She is also a freelance writer/contributor for . Michelle has also co-authored a book My Parent’s Aren’t NOOBS! This heartfelt story for children and parents highlights the importance of technology (video games) with today’s generation of youth and promotes healthy video gaming habits. Michelle has presented on gambling, gaming, shopping, technology, digital wellness and substance use at a variety of forums throughout her career.

Marg is a social worker with over 30 years of clinical experience working in the mental health field. Since 1999, she has been a part-time faculty member with 51±¾É«’s Faculty of Social Work, teaching clinical courses on individual and group therapy and mindfulness models, as well as providing a variety of workshops through the faculty’s Professional Development office. She has been a social work field advisor for 51±¾É«, a sessional instructor at Renison University College’s School of Social Work and has acted as a field supervisor for many students over the years. Marg also sees clients and provides clinical consultation through her private practice.

In 2016, Marg initiated a local consultation/study group for professionals interested in learning more about acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), a topic she has presented on at the international level and provided customized training for a variety of community organizations. As well, she contributed to, and developed, eating disorders treatment, prevention and professional development services in the Waterloo region, previously as co-founder of the Eating Disorders Awareness Coalition, a non-profit charity. Marg’s current research interests are related to the impact of mindfulness practice on new social work practitioners. She has published on that topic as well as on motivational interviewing with teens, self-esteem enhancement groups, families whose loved ones have an eating disorder and mother-daughter relationships, and has conducted workshops on numerous topics across Canada. In another life, she is also an award-winning quilt artist whose work has been selected for exhibition in local museums as well as national and international exhibitions.

Craig is a registered psychotherapist with over 12 years of experience working with youth, adults and families. He has occupied several frontline and managerial positions in both inpatient and outpatient settings and directs his clinical focus towards those individuals struggling with complex trauma and mood related disorders. Craig has a passion for—as well as extensive training and experience with—the ideologies embedded within dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). Prior to moving into full time private practice at the start of 2023, Craig acted as the clinical lead for several therapeutic programs—including the adherent DBT program—at a children’s mental health facility in Halton. Today, in addition to his client-focused work, Craig provides clinical supervision for new therapists, facilitates DBT-focused skill groups, and acts as a clinical consultant for several mental health agencies across the GTA and surrounding area. Craig obtained his Master’s degree in counselling psychology from Western University, and has undergraduate degrees in psychology, political science and philosophy from the same school.

Raechel is a distinguished social worker, professional coach and organizational consultant with over two decades of experience in mental health and leadership development. A proud Indigenous woman from the Turtle Clan, she holds a Master of Social Work and is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coach Federation (ICF). As the owner of Red Maple Coaching and Consulting, Raechel and her team provide keynote speaking, professional leadership coaching, and consulting services across various industries.

Raechel's career spans both the public and private sectors. Her holistic, client-centered approach integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), psychedelic medicines and EMDR, tailored to her clients' needs. As a professional coach, Raechel empowers leaders and organizations to build high-impact organizations by focusing on resilience, emotional intelligence and purpose. She is passionate about helping individuals and organizations navigate challenges and unlock their full potential.

Raechel is dedicated to ongoing professional development that helps her stay at the forefront of her field. Her commitment to lifelong learning, thought leadership and her clients' well-being has established her as a respected leader in both the social work and coaching communities.

Frank Pew is a registered social worker and psychotherapist who specializes in the assessment and treatment of adolescence, transitional-aged youth (18-25) and adult mental and emotional health. Over the past 15 years, Frank has worked in a variety of outpatient mental health care settings in Canada and the USA. His career started off in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he worked in community mental health and specialized in crisis intervention. After relocating to Guelph, he continued working in community mental health as a crisis worker for several years at Canadian Mental Health Association of Waterloo and Wellington (CMHA WWD) formerly know as Trellis Mental Health.

After completing his Masters of Social Work at 51±¾É« in 2013, he worked as the clinical lead at CMHA WWD where he pioneered the development of one of the largest DBT-informed programs in Ontario. Frank has been in private practice since 2016 and is the founder/director of Pew Psychotherapy, a boutique psychotherapy practice in downtown Guelph that specializes in the provision of evidence-based treatment interventions for emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, anxiety, depression and OCD.

Frank is intensively trained in several evidence-based treatment modalities, such as dialectical behaviour therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, prolonged exposure, acceptance and commitment therapy and exposure and response prevention. Throughout his clinical career he has gained extensive experience working with trauma survivors, and people with borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, addictions, suicide, and non-suicidal self-injury.

Vi is a registered social worker with a certificate in diversity, equity and inclusion from Cornell University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto. She has been practicing for over a decade as a social worker, providing direct service and policy system change work. She comes with experience in post-secondary education, healthcare, the legal system and children services. As a child of refugee parents, Vi became inspired by her parents’ experience as Vietnamese boat people to pursue a career in social work. Her passion and experience in the field has focused on increasing and providing access to destigmatizing mental health services along with a focus on advancing equity, inclusion and diversity efforts to ensure compassionate, trauma-informed and person-centered care.

Carolyn graduated with an honours BA in psychology from York University. She received her Addiction Education diploma from McMaster University and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto, which included a joint collaborative program in Addiction Studies. She possesses additional certifications in smoking cessation interventions, concurrent disorders and opioid dependence from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. She also holds certificates in solution focused counselling, trauma counselling and non-violent crisis intervention.

She holds teaching positions at McMaster University, Durham College and Humber College in their addiction and mental health programs. She is also a certified trainer with the Mental Health Commission of Canada for Mental Health First Aid, and with LivingWorks for both SafeTALK and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).

Carolyn possesses a solid clinical and theoretical foundation that is complimented by a holistic appreciation of the mind and body connection. To further round out her training, Carolyn has completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training and has completed her and is the co-founder of Hoame virtual wellness app.

Carolyn has worked as a mental health clinician and consultant in a variety of academic, hospital and community settings. She has a special clinical focus in issues pertaining to children and adolescents. She currently runs a busy private psychotherapy practice. She has several peer-reviewed publications in the field of addictions and has presented at international and national conferences. She is a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and the Ontario Association of Social Workers.

Tori is a registered social worker and has extensive experience facilitating community-based programs and delivering equine-facilitated learning training programming. Recognizing the power of horses to help heal and educate beyond riding, Tori began her journey in the field of Equine Facilitated Learning and Equine Facilitated Counselling, creating her business, 2 Lead Change, in 2006.

Shoshana is a professor in the Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work at 51±¾É«. She has conducted research on the impact of Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) on women with addictions, conducts EFP with individual clients and has co-facilitated a Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning certificate program with Horse Spirit Connections and 51±¾É«.

Through her 20+ year career journey working in financial services and higher education, Jennifer found her passion in working with leaders to develop both themselves and their teams.

Jennifer's areas of specialization include leadership development and coaching, workplace team coaching and development, and designing and delivering training. She is also an experienced process facilitator.

Jennifer has taught in the post graduate human resources program at Conestoga College and professional development courses with the Canadian Human Resources Professional Association.

Her clients include Axonify, Cisco, Communitech, Fiix Software, Geotab Inc., Magnet Forensics, ThinkLP, Homewood Health, The Daniels Corporation, The Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Bank of Canada, Economical Insurance, US Center for Disease Control, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Ryerson University and 51±¾É«/WLU Students’ Union.

Jennifer holds professional designations in both human resources (CHRL) and training and development (CTDP), in addition to certifications including Dare to Lead™ (Brené Brown), team performance coaching (Team Coaching International), emotional intelligence practitioner (EQ in Action), Everything DiSC Workplace™ (Wiley Publishing), Crucial Conversations™ (Vital Smarts) and Personality Dimensions™ (Career/LifeSkills Resources Inc.). She also completed her workplace coach certification training through the International Coaching Academy (Australia).

In addition to her numerous certifications, Jennifer holds both an undergraduate degree and business diploma from 51±¾É« (Waterloo) and a master’s certificate in organizational development and change from the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto, ON.

Melissa is a registered social worker with over 15 years experience in the field of mental health and addiction counselling. She has experience working in both the public and private sector. Melissa has held various positions in Grand River Hospital's Adult Outpatient Mental Health and Addiction program delivering individual and group therapy. In addition to her experience with crisis and acute mental health interventions, Melissa has also worked in private clinics and now owns her own private practice where she offers a number of evidence-based modalities (CBT, DBT, EMDR, IFS) to best serve clients anywhere along the continuum of mental health and wellness.

Melissa has completed her professional coaching certification (PCC) with the International Coaches Federation. With a hat tip to Johan Hari concept of rat park, Melissa believes that rehumanizing workplaces by deepening relationships and connecting to purpose can help foster resiliency around mental health and substance misuse. Melissa is particularly passionate about coaching front-line care providers for sustainability in careers with high rates of burnout.

Melissa holds a BA (Hons) in psychology from York University and a Masters of Social Work from 51±¾É«. As a continual learner, Melissa is certified in the Daring Way™ (highly experiential methodology in developing shame resiliency based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown) and loves teaching and learning from new students.

Maxxine Rattner was the founding social worker at Kensington Hospice; for a decade, she attended to the complex psychosocial and practical support needs of diverse patients and their families, and coordinated and implemented the hospice’s bereavement support program.

Currently, Maxxine writes, teaches, provides clinical supervision and training, and does research and advocacy work on palliative and end-of-life care, non-physical suffering, and grief. Her work seeks to create more space within palliative care literature and practice for the harder parts of living with, and dying from, a life-limiting illness, and to support patients, families and clinicians with these aspects.

Maxxine holds an MSW from the University of Toronto, a post-graduate certificate in palliative and end-of-life care from the Smith College School for Social Work, and a PhD in Social Work from 51±¾É«. She is a Psychosocial Specialist with Canadian Virtual Hospice’s clinical team, a founding member of the Canadian Grief Alliance, and an editorial board member of the Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care.

Susan is an accomplished registered social worker and psychotherapist specializing in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). With a holistic educational background, she holds a Master's degree in social work and a Master's in education from the University of Toronto, complemented by a Bachelor of Social Work and an undergraduate degree from the University of Waterloo.

Her clinical experience spans over three decades, during which she has served in a variety of roles within healthcare settings, encompassing both medical and mental health capacities. Susan has made significant contributions in the field of domestic violence and trauma and has provided invaluable support for individuals dealing with first-episode psychosis.

Certified by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, her expertise is not limited to clinical practice; she is also a revered educator. Susan's passion for teaching and sharing knowledge is evident through her engagements with several esteemed educational institutions. She is an instructor with the Professional Development program in the Faculty of Social Work at 51±¾É«, where she teaches CBT, and she holds faculty positions at Fanshawe College and in the family medicine program at McMaster University.

Susan's unique blend of education, extensive clinical practice and dedication to teaching positions her as a leader in her field, adept in shaping the minds of future social work professionals while continuing to impact the lives of those she counsels positively.

Ian currently works as a consultant and educator for community-based organizations and hospital systems to establish high-quality trauma-informed standards of care and effective service delivery approaches. He provides clinical training in trauma, mental health and addiction best practices. Ian also provides clinical supervision to therapists who operate in private practice and within community-based agency settings. Ian worked for many years as the Regional Clinical Supervisor for Addictions and Mental Health at the Niagara Health System. Ian has been a speaker at international, national, provincial, and regional conferences and an organizational trainer in the clinical areas of substance abuse, trauma, concurrent disorders, mental health, youth at risk, youth threat assessment, motivational interviewing, organizational trauma-informed practices, vicarious trauma, trauma and mindfulness, polyvagal and structural dissociation theory and CBT for frontline workers. He has completed his certification as an Advanced Clinical Supervisor from Smith College, School of Social Work in MA, USA. Ian also owns and operates a private practice in Niagara.

Laurie enjoys working at the policy and service system level of care for all people and is a strong advocate for implementing trauma-informed service systems in Canada. Laurie completed both her BSW and MSW at the University of Calgary and started her career as a youth worker and clinical social worker in both child welfare and children’s mental health sectors. Later in her career, Laurie moved into administrative positions as director of services and acting executive director. Laurie has been consulting since 2011 and enjoys working with a variety of organizations and employers in the broader non-profit sector and government. Presenting and training others on trauma-informed theory and practice is a true passion. Initially trained on the sanctuary model of trauma-informed care, Laurie has since pursued extensive study on a variety of approaches that cover all service sectors, including mental health, addictions, developmental services and the justice system to name a few. Laurie’s early experience as a clinician keeps her interested in trauma specific interventions and cutting edge approaches in social work.

Angela is a registered social worker, speaker and trainer. She has over 20 years of experience working in social service settings including child welfare, employment counselling, crisis counselling, health care (Family Health Team), outpatient addiction treatment and residential addiction treatment. She has a master’s degree in social work, an undergraduate degree in psychology and a diploma in addiction counselling.

Currently, Angela has her own business providing onsite training workshops for organizations as well as personal development workshops for individuals; she is an instructor for the 51±¾É« Faculty of Social Work Professional Development Program; and she is the Director of Mission: Empowerment!, a company that provides personal and professional development seminars and events. Angela has been a speaker at several conferences on topics including addiction, motivational interviewing, self-esteem, overcoming limiting beliefs and positive psychology. She has also delivered several personal development workshops for clients on topics including happiness, self-esteem, overcoming limiting beliefs, emotional eating, and achieving your dreams. To learn more, visit .

Kate is a practicing clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience, concentrating in child and adolescent mental health.

Kate worked as an individual, family and group therapist for 29 years at an outpatient hospital mental health clinic for children, adolescents and their families who experienced complex mental health concerns. She specializes in the areas of trauma, anxiety and depression, externalizing behaviours, attachment and relationship issues, domestic violence and acute concerns, and incorporates a variety of theoretical frameworks and therapeutic modalities. In addition, Kate offered extensive consultation and numerous workshops to community partners including schools. Kate currently has an active private practice which includes offering professional consultation to clinical social workers.

Kate has been a part-time educator at the Faculty of Social Work at 51±¾É« for 25 years, teaching a variety of courses for the graduate program including; Introduction and Advanced Family Therapy, Reflexive Practices, Ethics, Crisis Intervention, Integrating Theory and Practice and Group Therapy and for the undergraduate program, Social Work Practice with Children and Families. Kate also taught Addictions and Mental Health at Renison University College at the University of Waterloo.

Kate also offers a variety of Professional Development workshops with the Faculty of Social Work at 51±¾É«.

Ceilidh is a certified child life specialist and an assistant professor in Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care at McMaster University, and a Research Fellow with the Association of Child Life Professionals. She practices clinically with AWC Grief Support and is the Child Life Lead for Canadian Virtual Hospice. Since 2001, Ceilidh’s research, clinical work, teaching, and resource development have been focused on supporting children and families living with a child’s or parent’s serious illness, dying, death, and grief, with an emphasis on communication and relationships from the perspectives of young people and their parents.

Sarah has spent the last almost 20 years working within the gender-based violence (GBV) movement in Ontario.

As a white, non-binary, queer, middle class, survivor they strive to be responsive and accountable to the ways their positionality impacts how they show up to gender justice and trauma healing work. With roles across nearly a dozen organizations and initiatives focused on responding to issues of gender-based violence, they have extensive experience working with individuals (and their supports) who have experienced interpersonal, institutional or state violence. Sarah uses trauma counselling, group work, advocacy, education, systems work, non-punitive accountability models, facilitation, art projects and activism as paths to challenge sexual violence and create safer and more accountable communities. They have delivered speeches and facilitated discussions nationally and internationally on gendered and sexual violence, focused on trauma-informed responses and strategies for prevention and alternative accountability practices.

Sarah is currently the Associate Director, Sexual Violence Response at 51±¾É«, a consultant for both profit and non-profit organizations, and an Instructor at Vermont Law School teaching the New Approaches to Domestic and Sexual Violence course.

Jennifer is a registered social worker with over a decade of eating disorder (ED) experience. She completed her PhD at 51±¾É« with a focus on mothers’ experiences of having a child diagnosed with an ED. Jennifer is one of the few clinicians in Canada that is a certified Family Based Treatment (FBT) clinician for pediatric EDs.

Jennifer’s professional experiences vary from inpatient mental health, intensive outpatient, community, and private practice settings. She has worked in both adult and adolescent eating disorder populations and is trained in various evidence-based modalities for eating disorders.

Jennifer is also a contract faculty member at 51±¾É«, where she teaches clinically-oriented courses. Jennifer also has a private practice where she works with families and youth, and provides supervision to clinicians. Currently, Jennifer works at Grand River Hospital’s outpatient pediatric program as their program developer/evaluator and clinical lead.

Michael is founder and director of the Strategic Change Group, a niche consulting firm that helps empower individuals, teams and community organizations to achieve their maximum potential and reach peak performance. Michael has over 20 years of experience working with individuals and teams to plan out, implement and track projects that help them improve their service delivery model, reduce costs, find efficiencies, or work more effectively together. He does this by bringing to bear over 20 years of experience in operational improvement, organizational design, process improvement, change management, Lean six Sigma and High Performance (and High Performance Team) coaching.  He has managed over 113 projects of various sizes, planning and coaching teams to reduce costs, improve service levels, increase quality levels and transform their service delivery models.

Michael has set up project management offices, completed PMO audits, created numerous project controls across his 113+ projects, and managed projects ranging in size from $8,000 to $220 million.

Michael has led seminars on managing successful projects for the Project Management Institute, the Institute for Public Affairs of Canada, the University of Toronto, PAVRO and numerous others. Michael has his diploma in change management from Cornell University and has been certified in project management, ITIL v3 (IT Information Library) and Lean Six Sigma. Michael is working towards his certification in High Performance Coaching. Michael holds a Masters in International Economics from the London School of Economics.

Washington Silk (they/them) is a registered social worker. They hold a BA in anthropology from the University of Lethbridge (2010) and a Master of Social Work from 51±¾É« (2013). Wash is a passionate transgender and queer social worker with over 10 years of clinical and community experience. They are a white settler from Alberta. They have lived experience of ADHD and learning disabilities. Their life experiences informs their approaches and motivation for the work. Wash has focused their career on providing support that enhances people’s sense of wellbeing. Wash has been a trans care educator for the past six years with a focus educating social workers, mental health care providers, medical professionals and education professionals. 

For over 20 years, and in various settings, Sylvie's work has included supporting those struggling with substance use, addiction and mental health challenges. In a full-time role in an outpatient community program, she provides individual and group counselling to people coping with substance use, gambling, video gaming and overuse of technology. In addition, she helps support family members who have loved ones dealing with these issues. Sylvie immensely enjoys working with university students struggling with substance use or having family members struggling with substances. She has facilitated the development of programs and sessions concerning various addiction issues. In addition, she presents education sessions to various clients, other health professionals and community partners. Sylvie has always had a particular interest in supporting families living with addiction. She believes it is vital to help families find support and healthier ways to cope.

Sylvie is a registered psychotherapist and a member of Ontario's College of Registered Psychotherapists. She has diplomas in social service work and drug and alcohol counselling and a BA in Social Development Studies. She has been instructing in the Addiction Certificate program at 51±¾É« since its inception, which led to her completing her Master of Education in Adult Education. In the fall of 2019, she began Phoenix Rising Psychotherapy, her part-time work in private practice to support a broader range of people and utilize her training in The Daring Way™, a highly experiential methodology on the research of Dr. Brené Brown.

David began his specialization in Internal Family Systems (IFS) almost 20 years ago. He is a certified IFS consultant, and has trained hundreds of students from around the world through his 16-week Thinking-Heart IFS intensive course. Additionally, he has presented at the IFS international conference and consults with IFS practitioners globally.

Earlier in his career, David was a part-time faculty at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (now William James College), and teacher with the New England Center for Existential Therapy. David believes that the simple axioms and practices of IFS constitute a kind of basic physics of the human psyche. This "physics" shares much in common with the world's wisdom traditions, allowing this work to transcend cultural boundaries. Because it is so foundational, IFS has applications across many fields, including psychotherapy, education, coaching, various kinds of mediation, business, community change-making, and politics.

David teaches that IFS is an essential tool that helps us be better human beings. Beyond teaching the core principles and practices of IFS, he emphasizes that at its heart, IFS is a psychospiritual practice that empowers personal, community, and world awakening.

Jaisa (she/her) is an occupational therapist with 15 years of experience in neuro-rehab. In 2010, a spinal cord injury led her to discover the benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion. She then went on to become a practitioner of medical qigong and Chinese shamanic medicine and a certified teacher of the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindful self-compassion (MSC) curriculums.

Jaisa’s inspiring journey of healing is published in the book Purpose in Paralysis: From Chronic Pain to Universal Gain which became an Amazon bestseller. Jaisa is also a queer parent and interdisciplinary artist who explores collective care through re-Indigenizing movements, music and storytelling. Jaisa lives and works in Toronto where she currently focuses on the role of mindfulness self-compassion in preventing burnout in healthcare professionals and in supporting the truth and reconciliation process for settlers on Turtle Island.

Hannah is a certified play therapist, supervisor, and an approved training provider with Canadian Association for Play Therapy. She is a certified practitioner, consultant and trainer in Theraplay and DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy). Hannah has more than 30 years’ experience working with children and families who experience life challenges including developmental and emotional difficulties, trauma and loss. Hannah provides supervision and consultation to therapists and organizations, and conducts training workshops nationally and internationally. Hannah is also an author of children’s books and therapeutic games.

With a lifelong interest in human stories, Megan completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) at 51±¾É« and her BA in drama and film at Queen’s University. She has worked in therapeutic settings for 15 years, including Starling Community Services (formerly Lutherwood), the Child Development Institute, 51±¾É«’s Student Wellness Centre and The Heart of the Work Psychotherapy Services.

Megan is a registered drama therapist (RDT) with the North American Drama Therapy Association. Her drama therapy training took her across North American studying various forms of drama therapy with some of the big names of the field. She has led embodied social justice workshops with Huron College (Western University), the Sexual Assault Centre of Waterloo Region, and Theatre of the Beat. Megan has also provided training for therapists for psychotherapy services across Waterloo Region.

Anna is an organizational consultant and CTI-trained professional coach. Since 2010, she has seamlessly integrated the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model into her practice with mental health populations, para-mental health practitioners, and leaders. As a Level 2 IFSI-certified practitioner with over 35 years of experience, Anna excels in coaching and consulting with systems, teams and individuals. She has led numerous virtual and in-person IFS-inspired workshops and serves on staff for the IFS Institute and other training organizations, delivering comprehensive IFS programs.

Anna’s expertise spans various industries, including education, healthcare, not-for-profit, financial services, technology, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing. Often weaving in her Indigenous spirituality, Anna facilitates a culture of learning, support and accountability through her teaching and training. Creating a safe and comfortable learning environment, Anna customizes training and development opportunities with skill. Her workshops feature real-life examples, humor, and practical tools, enabling participants to immediately apply their newfound knowledge.

Andrew is co-owner of Taylor Newberry Consulting (TNC), a company based in Guelph that specializes in helping non-profit groups make better use of research evidence. He is a program evaluation consultant with more than 20 years’ experience and has worked with a wide range of government departments, social service agencies, grassroots groups and foundations on program evaluation projects. He is also an experienced trainer. TNC’s approach to program evaluation employs a participatory, developmental approach and focuses on generating practical, useful information that can inform action. Andrew teaches program evaluation at the University of Guelph and acts as Resident Evaluation Expert at the Ontario Nonprofit Network.

Rahim is a registered social worker in the province of Ontario. He works as an instructor, psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, consultant, public speaker, podcast host and writer.

He developed and taught Introduction to Systemic Therapies and Anti-Oppressive Practice and Sex Therapy in the Department of Sexuality, Marriages and Family (SMF) Studies at St. Jerome’s University at the University of Waterloo. He’s been a keynote speaker at a number of sexuality and sexual wellbeing conferences. He is a Fellow at the Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies at the University of Toronto. He also completed the Professional Certificate in Psychosexual Therapy offered by the Contemporary Institute of Clinical Sexology (CICS) based in the UK. Rahim has an upcoming book, The Mental Health Guide for Cis and Trans Queer Guys, which will be published by New Harbinger Press and can be .

Rahim calls Toronto home and is a full-time instructor at The University of Alabama (UA). He’s also enrolled in UA’s Doctor of Social Work program. His work explores the intersection of mental health and systemic oppression. He has a particular interest in examining innovation in queer relationships and exploring what anti-racist, queer-affirming psychoanalytic frameworks can offer training therapists and organizational leaders.

Anna is a Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Marriage and Family Therapist, and Clinical Supervisor with over 25 years’ experience in the social services. She trained extensively in Canada and abroad with a focus on feminist, narrative and collaborative therapies. She is a former Chair of the Ethics Committee of the Ontario Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Anna currently works in private practice in the GTA offering individual and couple therapy and clinical supervision to both new and seasoned therapists alike.

Lysa is a registered social worker and psychotherapist whose clinical focus for two decades has been grounded in the care of individuals and families living through grief and trauma, with a deepening focus on complex trauma and dissociative disorders in recent years. Prior to moving into full time private practice in 2018, her organizational work included positions with the Dr. Jay Children's Grief Centre and the Hospital for Sick Children. In addition to her client work, Lysa also teaches, writes and offers clinical consultation. She has been engaged in contemplative practice in various streams of yoga and Buddhism for over two decades. Lysa is passionate about supporting people of all ages living through adversity, loss and trauma to give voice to their experiences and to discover their own innate wisdom and resilience.

Elisha is the founder of A Mindful Change, a private practice in Guelph that specializes in mindfulness-based practices and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). She also works with many southern Ontario agencies in the development, implementation, training and supervision of DBT within their programs. Over the last 18 years, Elisha has held many clinical and managerial roles within the mental health inpatient and community-based sectors. Within all her roles, Elisha has facilitated clinical implementations of DBT, as well as provided education, training and supervision in the practice of DBT, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and other evidenced-based interventions. In the last several years, Elisha has provided training and supervision at all levels of DBT within hospitals, live-in treatment homes, community outpatient and school-based programs. Elisha has a Master of Social Work degree from 51±¾É« and an Honours BA in Psychology from the University of Guelph.

As co-founder and president at Credence, Marg Van Herk-Paradis specializes in working with workplaces to address conflict, transform organizational culture and clarify organizational mission and vision through the use of creative tools. Having worked extensively across North America, Marg specializes in facilitation, coaching and mediation for groups and individuals. Marg has worked with universities, social service organizations, not-for-profits and a variety of faith-based organizations.

Marg’s professional experience includes over 25 years in not-for-profit organizations, of which 17 years were in a leadership position. She has a BA in applied social science from Concordia University in Montreal and recently completed a Masters degree at Conrad Grebel University College, affiliated with the University of Waterloo. Marg is a Qualified Mediator with the ADR Institute of Canada and a member of the ADR Institute of Ontario. She is a certified MBTI trainer for individuals and groups.

Omer completed a general arts degree from King’s University College in 1999 and travelled overseas to teach English for a period of five years. He then completed his Bachelors of Social Work at King’s University College, University of Western Ontario and worked as an addictions/mental health counselor and then a program coordinator at Addiction Services of Thames Valley in London. He completed his Masters of Social Work also at King’s University College in 2009. In September 2011 Omer assumed the role of the Regional Coordinator of Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Services of Southwestern Ontario, offering specialized case management to individuals with complex needs, often including addictions and/or mental health concerns, with a special interest in the correctional system. Omer was also the identified ABI system navigator for the Southwest Local Health Integration Network, working collectively with the other ABI system navigators by focusing on the service delivery system and addressing any gaps. Omer is currently a Coordinator of the Operational Stress Injury Clinic at St. Joseph's Health Care London – Operational Stress Injury Clinic at the Greater Toronto site.

Jan retired as the CEO of United Way Kitchener-Waterloo & Area where she held the role for 12 years. Prior to this role, Jan was also a full- and part-time faculty member at 51±¾É«’s School of Business since 1995. She was also the Director of the 51±¾É« Institute, the management and executive development arm of the School of Business. She joined the faculty after serving 15 years in the private and public sector. Jan and her husband Dave also owned an experiential training and development business that included their own team building challenge course. Jan has been teaching with the Faculty of Social Work Professional Development program since 2006.

Wanda has worked in the field of mental health and well-being for 35 years as a social worker, educator and organizational leader. In her 24 years as executive director of a community counselling agency, she provided organizational leadership as well as supported clients and leaders through her counselling, coaching and consultation practice. Wanda has taught group work in the Master of Social Work program in the Faculty of Social Work 51±¾É« for 24 years. She is committed to educating practitioners about the integration of theory and counselling practice.

Sarah brings over 16 years of expertise to her practice, specializing in supporting individuals and families through mental health challenges, grief, trauma, and life transitions. In addition to managing a private practice, she offers brief therapeutic interventions to students in a postsecondary setting, enhancing their mental health and overall well-being. Sarah is proficient in a range of therapeutic techniques including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused brief therapy, narrative therapy, and creative arts therapies. As a seasoned researcher, writer, and educator, Sarah has a distinguished track record in designing, developing, and leading award-winning educational programs tailored to various clinical audiences, demonstrating her capability to deliver effective and engaging training.

Barbara is a leader in children’s mental health with over 30 years experience working in community organizations and the public education system. Her work includes researching, teaching and consulting on how trauma impacts children’s wellbeing, with a focus on the significance of providing a trauma informed and healing-centred system that is identity affirming and responsive to the needs of children, youth and their families. She has a strong focus on integrating positive psychology and third wave cognitive behaviour practices, as well as social emotional learning concepts that are identity affirming, into her work. She also understands the interconnections between staff wellness and organizational trauma and stress. Barbara believes in the collaboration and partnerships that successfully create “a village to raise a child”.

Barbara completed her PhD studies in psychology from the Taos Institute & Vrije University, and has a Masters in Social Work from 51±¾É«.

Andrea is a registered psychotherapist whose passion lies in helping families and communities support people of all ages who are grieving the illness or death of someone close to them. With a degree in nursing, a Masters degree in thanatology (the study of dying and death) and years of nursing and counselling experience both in Canada and abroad, Andrea brings to her work a rare mixture of medical and psychosocial expertise.

Andrea started her therapy career as a grief counsellor at the Dr. Jay Children’s Grief Centre in Toronto, where she was also the director of Camp Erin Toronto, a free overnight bereavement camp. Andrea developed and teaches the five-day certificate program in Children’s Grief and Bereavement at SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health in Toronto, and was a founding member of Ontario’s Children and Youth Grief Network. She was also a founding board member of the Nightingale Centre for Grieving Children, Youth and Families in Guelph.

Andrea is a member of the clinical team at Canadian Virtual Hospice (CVH) where she responds to questions about children and grief asked by professionals and family members from across Canada. Andrea was the project lead for the development of CVH’s free online grief resources KidsGrief.ca and KidsGrief.ca for Educators.

Andrea lives in Guelph, Ontario, from where she runs AWC Grief Support, a group practice of over 30 therapists who provide grief therapy across Ontario and grief education across Canada.

Jennifer has been in the addiction counselling profession for 25 years and is currently working in her own private practice, Will Thrive Psychotherapy and Consultation. She graduated with a BA in psychology from Laurentian University, achieved a post-graduate diploma through Georgian College in the Addictions Treatment and Prevention program and has completed a Masters in Counselling Psychology. She has earned a certificate in cognitive behaviour therapy from McMaster University and is a registered member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.

Jennifer has enjoyed a diverse career in the addiction counselling field including group and individual counselling in both residential and intensive day treatment settings as well as in the community with substance dependent clients. Additionally, she specialized in the problem gambling/behavioural addiction field for over 15 years and has worked in both the public and private sectors.

Jennifer’s current work within her own practice has allowed her abundant opportunities in utilizing a cognitive behavioural therapy approach along with its therapeutic branches, with individuals suffering from anxiety, mood, trauma and addiction related struggles. Her work extends to couples and families and is offered both virtually and in-person.

Over her career, Jennifer has presented at conferences nationwide and has been regularly featured as a guest expert on multiple media platforms. She has developed and facilitated a number of workshops for helping professionals and adult learners, and has been a workshop facilitator with Wilfrid 51±¾É« since 2015.

Denise is an Advanced Practice Nurse Educator with an extensive clinical background in critical care and palliative care nursing. She graduated in 2010 with an MSc nursing degree from Queen’s University, earned a specialist certification in critical care through the Canadian Nurses Association in 2004 and graduated with a BSc in Nursing degree from Toronto Metropolitan University (Formerly Ryerson University) in 2002. Denise is a trained facilitator of the Serious Illness Care Program, an evidence-based communication framework developed by Ariadne Labs at Harvard University. Use of the framework allows clinicians to tailor their care, to best reflect the values, goals, and preferences of patients living with a life limiting illness. Denise is also trained in psychological first aid, utilizing the John’s Hopkins evidence-based RAPID Psychological First Aid (PFA) model; designed to promote the resiliency of those who have experienced a critical incident. Her research interests includes: the integration of a palliative approach to care within the critical care environment, the influence of culture on the illness response and supporting nurses to build their clinical competence, to transition from novice to experts.

Denise’s greatest joy as an educator is assisting learners to thrive – not only survive – as they navigate the complexities in patient care.

Anathèle has been working as an occupational therapist since 2009, and in outpatient mental health from 2012 until 2023. This experience has provided her with the opportunity to work with individuals experiencing a wide variety of mental health challenges. She is also a registered psychotherapist. She has specialized in schema therapy, although she has a background in CBT, DBT and ACT. Anathèle is currently working in private practice, with a focus on BIPOC women’s mental health and racial trauma, a field that she is passionate about.