I am a registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and a registered social worker with the Ontario College of Social Work and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). I have worked for many years in a hospital outpatient community mental health clinic. I opened my private practice in 2018 and it has been going strong ever since.
Psychotherapy and Supervision
My clinical practice has expanded, and I am pleased to offer you the opportunity to work with some amazing clinicians. Our personal approach in psychotherapy is based on your needs, struggles and stressors. We do not believe in simply offering one method of treatment for all problems. The clinicians that are now part of Advocating Hope will reflect the same approach and treatment.
The clinicians have completed training for a variety of styles of treatment, including Mindfulness, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Narrative and Interpersonal Therapy. I am a resource to these clinicians and together we will explore your needs to embark on a healing journey of personal growth and improved mental-wellness. I will personally continue to support clients who access services through NIHB.
Specialization
I been qualified through Behaviour Tech Intensive Training to offer Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). The foundation of DBT is Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness. My team have been trained in this approach as well. Many of us have training in numerous other forms of treatment including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Marital (Gottman), PACT, Narrative, Solution Focused, etc. I have included my CV if you are interested in knowing more.
Many of our clients struggle with Trauma, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Anxiety/Panic, Depression (Dysthymia and MDD) and a vast array of other struggles, concerns and stresses.
My Approach
My team and I are passionate about what we do. We have a wholistic approach in the therapy we provide. Our approach is somatic in that it recognizes the relationship between mind and body. We do not believe that we are an island but rather the sum of our experiences with others and within the community/culture we have been exposed and participate in. In the past our clients have expressed appreciation for our genuine, knowledgeable and heartfelt support.
On a Personal Note
I confess I love Peterborough! I grew up in Toronto and value the experiences that I have had in such an amazingly diverse city. I have worked as a waitress, leather cutter, security guard, factory worker and multiple other positions. I attended university part time at first. I guess I am saying that my education extends well beyond the walls of a university. These experiences I feel help me in offering compassionate and empathetic support because “I get it!” I have walked a similar path as many of the people I support. The MACP candidates that are part of the team were selected to join Advocating Hope because they too have had lives that go beyond school-based learning.
So why Peterborough? It started out that I moved to a town of 1300 to raise my children. I love the rural life even with it being fraught with its own unique obstacles. I am a naturalist at heart and even pick fiddleheads in the spring. In the summer months I kayak the lakes in the Kawartha Highlands, Algonquin and at Killbear Provincial Park. I still camp in a tent (might have to rethink that I suspect). I also enjoy my mountain bike and walking Nipiish (our family dog from Attawapiskat). In the winter I do my art (bead weaving) and swim at a local pool.
I welcome you to contact me for a free confidential consultation session or visit my website https://advocatinghope.ca for further information or to book an appointment/consultation time. I look forward to chatting with you!
Curriculum Vitae
Professional Governing Associations
2015 – Present
Registered Psychotherapist
Member in Good Standing with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
2002 – Present
Registered Social Worker
Member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and
Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
Professional Affiliation
2016 – Present
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
Professional Member
Member #: 14340
Previous Professional Affiliation
2001 - 2011
Certified Child and Youth Counselor
Member in good standing with the Child and Youth Counselor Association
Education
Wilfrid Laurier University
1985
Masters in Social and Community Psychology
York University
1982
Honours in Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Dean’s Honour Role)
Publications
Earls, Mary and Nelson, Geoff; American Journal of Community Psychology, Vol.16, No. 2, 1988 The Relationship Between Long-Term Psychiatric Well-Being and Their Perceptions of Housing and Social Support.
Nelson, Geoffrey and Earls, Mary, Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, Vol.5, No.1, Spring 1986; An Action-Oriented Assessment of the Housing and Social Support Needs of Long-Term Psychiatric Clients.
Experience
Northumberland Hills Hospital Community Mental Health Services
Psychotherapist
2007 – Present
Provide a wide range of clinical services to assist people with serious mental illness to function in the community. Providing Clinical supervision, support and training for MSW and Psychotherapist Candidates.
Clinical Social Worker/Online Counselor
http://My-Counselor-Online.com
Private Practice
2004 – 2008
Four County Addiction Services
Addictions Counselor/Clinical Social Worker
Four Month Short Term Contract
2006 – 2007
Providing confidential addictions counseling, education and support to individuals, families and the community and for promoting health lifestyles and healthy choices.
Community Mental Health/Campbellford Memorial Hospital
Crisis Worker and Clinical Social Worker
2002 – 2005
Provide systematic, structural counseling to individuals, dyads, groups or families in relation to specific issues. Provide crisis management services to consumers.
Hastings and Prince Edward County Board of Education
School Board Counselor
2000 – 2002
Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society
Child and Youth Therapist
2000 – 2004
Providing therapeutic intervention for a child with a mental illness diagnosis under the mandate of the Kawartha -Haliburton Children's Aid Society
Toronto Children’s Aid Society
Child and Youth Therapist
1999 – 2005
Providing therapeutic intervention for a child with a mental illness diagnosis under the mandate of the Toronto’s Children's Aid Society
Kawartha Pine Ridge School Board
Child and Youth Worker
1995 – 2000
Classroom Support and Resource. Developed and implemented of individual behavioral modification programs.
Canadian Mental Health Association/Waterloo Region
Director of Programs for CMHA/Waterloo
1985 – 1987
Wilfrid Laurier University
Researcher
1984
Coordinated, implemented and participated in a research project that examined the relationship between qualities of housing, social support and long term psychiatric clientele.
Wilfrid Laurier University
Field Placement Supervisor
1983 -1984
Assisted undergraduate students in their relationship with agencies in the community.
Wilfrid Laurier University
Undergraduate Tutorial Instructor
1983
Served as a Tutorial Instructor in Research Methodology Course for Undergraduate Students.
Continuing Education
- 2017: Northumberland Hills Hospital Community Mental Health Services: Brief Single Session Psychotherapy with Scot Cooper, RP
- 2016: Trent University: Domestic Sex Trafficking Conference with Trent University Department of Sociology, Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, East Metro Youth Services and Justice for Children and Youth
- 2016: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) with Living Works \
- 2016: Faciliated DBT Training for Cornerstones Staff Members with Liane Simmons MSW, RSW and Mary Earls, RSW, RP
- 2014: Choices and Change, Clinical Influence and Patient Action through Institute for Health Care Canada
- 2013: Violence, Victimization & Trauma, The Complexity of Trauma Response with Dr. Lori Haskell, C. Psych
- 2013: Maximizing Professional; Effectiveness in Turbulent Times by OCSWSSW at Annual Meeting
- 2013: Essential Skills for New supervisors: Hincks-Dellcrest Centre-Gail Appel Institute
- 2012: 6th JEMH (Journal of Ethics in Mental Health) Conference on Ethics in Mental Health
- 2012: Northumberland County Domestic Violence Monitoring Planning Day
- 1012: Bipolar I Disorder and Schizophrenia A novel approach to existing challenges with Steve Potkin, Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at University of California
- 2012: Winds of Change Conference: Conversations on the Margins: Therapeutic Change, Social Change, Social Justice
- 2012: Women in Mind Conference: Essential Knowledge in Women’s Mental Health
- 2012: Ontario Common Assessment of Need Training
- 2011: Ten days intensive course in Dialectical Behavior Therapy; Behavior Tech, LLC
- 2011:Innovations in Brief Narrative Therapy: Hincks-Dellcrest Centre-Gail Appel Institute
- 2011: Women in Mind Conference: A Conference on Women’s Mental Health
- 2010: Buried Treasures: The Nature And Treatment of Compulsive Hoarding with David F. Tolin, Ph.D., ABPP: Hincks-Dellcrest Centre-Gail Appel Institute,
- 2010: Hincks-Dellcrest Centre-Gail Appel Institute, Navigating Stress: Caring for One’s Self while Caring for Others by Gabor Mate, M.D.
- 2010: Drug Interactions between Street Drugs and Pharmaceuticals by Jamie Kellar, RPh, BScPhm, BScHK : The Human Service and Justice Coordinating Committee,
- 2009: Traumatic Loss: New Understanding, New Direction by John R. Jordan: Ph.D.Hincks-Dellcrest Centre-Gail Appel Institute,
- 2009 – 2012: Standard First Aid CPR (C) AED INTRODUCTION with Jean Archer: Archer First Aid/CPR Training,
- 2009 – 2011 Safe Management Program 1 – 2 Health Care Training: The Safe Management Group,
- 2009: Disordered Eating Project, Supporting You, Supporting Recovery with Dr. Leora Pinhas MD, FRCP (C) and Dr. Hany Bissada MD, FRCP (C): PRHC and CE LHIN
- 2009: Follow Up with DBT and Case Presentations with Max Man, MSW, RSW: Four County Addiction Services Inc:
- 2009: An Introduction to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy with Max Mann, MSW, RSW: Four County Addiction Services Inc:
- 2008 Cognitive Behavioural Coaching with Greg Dubord, MD Department of Psychiatry UofT
- 2008: Advanced Addictions & Introduction to Concurrent Disorders: Four County Addiction Services Inc.,
- 2008: General Addictions & Introduction to Concurrent Disorders: Four County Addiction Services Inc.,
- 2007: Motivation Interviewing: The Introduction Workshop with Grant Corbett
- 2007: Concurrent Disorder Planning: LCMHS
- 2007: An Overview of Changes in Child Welfare Practice in Northumberland County: Children’s Aid Society of Northumberland:
- 2005: Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Understanding and Treating Chronic Worry with Martin M. Antony, Ph.D., ABPP: Cameron & Mathieu Consulting Courses,
- 2004 – 2005: Training for Online Counseling; Levels I and II: University of Toronto, Faculty of Social Work,
- 2004: The Transforming Power of Affect: Attachment and Emotion in Clinical Practice with Diana Fosha, Ph.D.: Leading Edge Seminars,
- 2004: Attachment, Affect & Accelerated Change in Psychotherapy: Working with Individuals with Diana Fosha, Ph.D. and Sue Johnson, Ed.D.: Leading Edge Seminars,
- 2004: Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy with Sue Johnston, Professor of Psychology at UofO: Leading Edge Seminars,
- 2003: Gottman Marital Therapy Training with John Gottman, Ph.D.: Hincks-Dellcrest Centre-Gail Appel Institute:
- 2003: Critical Incident Stress Management with Murray N. Firth: PRHC,
- 2003: “Interface Between Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychogeriatrics”: PRHC,
- 2002: The Use of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in the School System, Introduction to Narrative Therapy & Introduction to Reflecting Teams by Eric King: HPECSB
- 2001: Cognitive Assessment Workshop with Dr. Jennifer Ingram and Judy Hinan Nurse Clinician
- 2000; Narrative Therapy in School System by Eric King: HPECDSB
Previous Appointments
Correction Services Canada of the Ontario Region, member of Citizen Advisory Committee at Warkworth Institution
Additional Past Experiences
- President and LEC member for OPSEU Local 344
- President and Board Member for the Kawartha Village Cooperative Housing
- Member of Northumberland Concurrent Joint Committee with Four County Addiction Services, Campbellford Community Mental Health and LCMHS.
- Closing the Gap: Innovative Services for Concurrent Disorders: Co Presenter with Donna Rogers Presentation: Integration: Beyond Co Location
- Member of the Homeless Initiatives Committee of Northumberland
- NHH Presenter for Health Careers Symposium
- Member of Central East Concurrent Disorder Network Committee
- Coordinator for the Alternatives to Violence Program at Warkworth Institution
- Qualified Lead facilitator for Alternatives to Violence Project
- Volunteer and member of the Native Brotherhood at Warkworth Penitentiary for 13 years
- Moderated Community forum for Elmer Buchanan, M.A.F.R.A.
- Community Rep for a self help group of inmates within Warkworth Institution
- Developer and Executive member of the Havelock Food Bank (Vice-chair & Chair)
- President for the Havelock United Church Women Executive Committee
- President for Hucklebug Day Care Inc. Board of Directors
- Classroom Volunteer & Computer Instructor at HBPS
- Community Representative for the Peterborough Family Enrichment Mobile Unit
- Member of the Board of Directors for Canadian Mental Health Association/Waterloo
- Artist on Display at Whetung’s Art Gallery