My education was completed at the University of Trinity College at the University of Toronto, specializing in psychotherapy, and a two year intensive spiritual care psychotherapy residency at a large teaching hospital in Southern Ontario. I worked with diverse patient populations in acute care, as well as in a mental health facility which included patients with diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, addictions, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, emergency/crisis counselling, those managing the challenges of chronic illness, and those at the end of life in palliative care. Providing support to their families, and staff members was an important part of my responsibilities.
Witnessing the positive changes people experience with psychotherapy cemented my interest in pursuing a career in this field, and resulted in a great desire to learn as much as possible so as to help people in many different ways. As such, I engage in regular professional development, and now an EMDR therapist, a level two Psycho Biological Approach to Couple Therapy clinician, a Gottman trainer, a neurofeedback trainer, and am a provisional supervisor-educator with the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC). I consider it a privilege that I have the opportunity to work assist those living with the effects of PTSD, trauma, ADHD, depression, anxiety, and conflict in relationships, helping heal wounds and creating the possibility of a very different future. The loss of my cousin, Carley Rawes, to depression, inspired me to open a clinic devoted to treating young adults in financially difficult situations, living with depression and anxiety. You can read more about it at www.carleyrawescentre.ca
As a Registered Psychotherapist, I am a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, a regulatory body overseen by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. I am a Certified Psycho-Spiritual Therapist, and Provisional Supervisor-Educator with the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC), a professional body which offers specialized training and certification in spiritual care psychotherapy, sometimes referred to as chaplaincy. Training is rigorous and thorough, and, once certification is achieved, there are continuing requirements for professional and personal development. Supporting CASC is important to me and as such, in my free time, I serve on the Professional Practice Commission, and as National Chair of Psycho-Spiritual Therapists.
