CURRICULUM VITAE
Professional Background
Education, Clinical Experience, Teaching, Research & Professional Contributions
i've always been deeply curious about how people heal. That curiosity has shaped more than 25 years of clinical work, teaching, research, and continuing education.
While qualifications are only one part of what makes a therapist effective, many people appreciate knowing more about the experience and training that inform my work. This page provides an overview of my professional background, education, research, and ongoing professional development.
Current Practice
I am a Registered Social Worker, Certified Couple and Family Therapist, trauma therapist, clinical consultant, educator, and presenter. Through my private practice, I provide individual psychotherapy, couples counselling, clinical consultation, and professional education.
My work is grounded in trauma-informed, relational, attachment-based, and neuroscience-informed approaches, with a particular interest in understanding how lasting healing occurs at both psychological and neurobiological levels.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University (2018)
Dissertation:Ecological Ethics for Social Work Therapy Practice
My doctoral research explored professional ethics in psychotherapy, examining how therapists navigate complexity, relationships, responsibility, and context in everyday clinical practice.
Master of Social Work (MSW), University of Toronto (2001)
Research Paper: Vicarious Trauma and Professional Practice
Honours Bachelor of Science (Psychology), University of Toronto (1993)
Thesis: Maternal vs. Child Perceptions of Motivation for Child Firesetting Behaviour
Certification in Couple and Family Therapy, University of Guelph / Ontario Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Professional Designations
Registered Social Worker (Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers)
Certified Couple and Family Therapist (CCFT) | Certified EMDR Therapist (EMDRIA / EMDR Canada) | DBR Approved Provider | DBR Consultant-in-Training
Clinical Experience
For more than three decades, I have worked in hospital, community, and private practice settings, supporting children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families experiencing trauma, relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, grief, attachment injuries, and complex mental health concerns.
Previous clinical roles have included: Social Worker/Psychotherapist, Southlake Regional Health Centre;
Family and Systems Specialist, York Region Centralized Consultation and Assessment Service Social Worker/Psychotherapist, Mental Health Services for York Region; Child and Youth Worker, Eating Disorder Program, Southlake Regional Health Centre; Group Therapist and Supervisor, York Region Abuse Program
These experiences continue to shape my clinical thinking and commitment to providing thoughtful, compassionate, evidence-informed care.
Advanced Clinical Training
I continue to pursue advanced training in emerging trauma therapies, attachment, neuroscience, ethics, and relational practice to ensure that my work reflects current research while remaining grounded in compassionate, client-centred care.
Areas of advanced study include: Trauma and Neuroscience (Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Complex Trauma, Dissociation, Attachment trauma); Individual Psychotherapy (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT); Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT); Narrative Therapy; Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT); Mindfulness-informed approaches); Couples Therapy (Relational Life Therapy (RLT), Gottman Method, Attachment-informed couples therapy).
Teaching & Professional Education
In addition to clinical practice, I have enjoyed teaching and mentoring students and professionals throughout my career.
I have taught or lectured at: Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Waterloo, University Health Network (De Souza Institute), Seneca College, and Sir Sanford Fleming College.
Teaching topics have included: trauma-informed psychotherapy, family and relational practice, dialectical behaviour therapy, professional ethics, psychosocial oncology, group therapy, Gottman method, practice with individuals, use of self in therapy
Throughout my career, I have enjoyed contributing to the profession through writing, teaching, and presenting. Sharing knowledge with colleagues has been an important part of my commitment to lifelong learning and advancing thoughtful, evidence-informed practice.
Publications
The Bipolar Workbook for Teens: DBT Skills to Help You Control Mood SwingsSheri Van Dijk & Karma Guindon (New Harbinger Publications, 2010)
I authored chapters on relationships, mindfulness, self-esteem, substance use, motivation, and reflexive awareness, integrating Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and other evidence-informed approaches.
Selected Professional Presentations
Over the years I have presented locally, nationally, and internationally on topics including trauma-informed psychotherapy, professional ethics, narrative therapy, integrative psychotherapy, child and family mental health, couple therapy, relational practice, clinical complexity, Presentations have been delivered at universities, hospitals, professional conferences, and community organizations throughout Canada and internationally.