So, this is the place where I have to tell you all about my professional training and experience. Sounds exciting, right? Without trying to fill your head with a lot of information that may or may not be important to you, here are the highlights:
(Photo Credit: Allison Clark Photography)
Education and Training
- Bachelor’s of Arts in Honours Psychology (University of Western Ontario, 2000)
- Master’s of Social Work (University of Toronto, 2011)
- Mental Health First Aid Certificate (2015)
- Applied Suicide Intervention Strategies Training (ASIST) (2015)
- Treating Anxiety in Children using Meditation, Mindfulness and Yoga (2020)
- Applied Foundations in Mindfulness Meditation Certificate (University of Toronto, 2020)
- Children’s Yoga Teacher Certificate through the Therapeutically Integrated Yoga And Mindfulness Approach (TIYAMA) (2020)
- Grief Literacy Certificate – Level 1 (Being Here, Human, 2020)
- Grief Literacy Certificate – Level 2 (Being Here, Human, 2021)
- Mindful Presence in the Context of Race and Gender – Workshop Certificate (2020)
- Impact of Technology on Youth – Workshop Certificate (2020)
- Sports Psychology for Kids: Balancing Performance and Well-Being – Workshop Certificate (2020)
- Mindful Yoga for Children: Playful and Practical Tools for Wellbeing – Workshop Certificate (2020)
- Children’s Grief and Bereavement Certificate (Sick Kids Hospital, 2021)
- Clinical Supervision Certificate (In Progress)
- Yoga Instructor Certificate (In Progress)
Professional Experience
- Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, my services transitioned to virtual formats (through video or phone) and will continue in this format indefinitely
- I have been in private practice, holding offices in Orangeville and Georgetown, since 2017, providing individual, couples, and family counselling services.
- I have been working in the mental health and social services fields for more than 16 years, including work in Canada and Bermuda.
- Following my completion of my Master’s degree, I worked as a Clinical Supervisor for a transitional residential program for adult men with mental illness, who were homeless or at risk of being homeless.
- I worked as a Youth and Family Counsellor at a non-profit organization, providing therapy to youth (ages 4 to 24) and their families for a variety of presenting concerns, such as: anxiety; depression; self-harm and suicidal ideation; family conflict; social skills training; anger and stress management; obsessive-compulsive disorder; borderline personality disorder; bipolar disorder; bullying; and school issues.
- I have served on numerous committees throughout my career, focusing on service delivery, policy reform, and research. I have developed and facilitated several workshops and community education presentations on youth and mental health and service delivery for front-line workers and community members.
- I am a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Worker (OCSWSSW) and a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).
You must be wondering, “Cindy, what modalities and approaches do you use?” (which I know is on everyone’s minds)…
Well, I am glad you asked! I utilize several modalities and approaches of therapy ranging from cognitive-behavioural, narrative, psychoanalytic, attachment, behavioural, solution-focused, and motivational therapies.
More recently, I’ve adopted a mindfulness foundation in my personal and professional lives that I regularly incorporate into my sessions. If requested, I also incorporate elements of play therapy and yoga with children and youth in a therapeutic manner. Please note that I am not a certified Play Therapist.
What else should I tell you about myself?
I am a mother of two energetic boys (who fill my space with video games, sports and action shows and movies), a soccer mom, a novice party planner, a lifetime learner, a story-teller, and an advocate for social justice. I love reading, cooking, YouTube, and Amazon. I am obsessed with Harry Potter (both movies and books), I binge-watch Netflix (or Crave or Disney+ or Prime Video…) whenever time permits, and have an annoying ability (so I am told) to find the positive side of almost anything.
Cindy Nash Counselling 