Donna has over a decade of experience supporting children, youth, adults and families in a variety of settings including the school board, community based children’s and adult mental health, and child welfare sector.
Working from an anti-oppressive lens and strengths framework, Donna offers a non-judgemental and compassionate space for others to share their experiences and develop strategies to navigate their daily lives. Donna draws on a number of therapeutic approaches to practice including, motivational counselling, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy.
In addition to the professional experience that Donna possesses, her lived experiences have contributed to her desire to support woman, couples and families through coping with trauma, building healthy relationships, changes pre and post pregnancy, fertility and loss, and child related concerns including, child development and sleep. Donna is a mother of 3 and has twins who were born micro preemies at just 23 weeks gestation.
Donna is passionate about working with others and recognizes that with the appropriate supports, improving one’s social and emotional well-being is always possible. With that being said, Donna encourages you to reach out for a free consultation to determine how you can work together.
Specializations:
Fertility and Reproductive, Perinatal Mental Health (prenatal and postpartum), Parenting Support, Family Breakdown, Relationships, Anxiety, Depression, Self-Care, Emotional Regulation, Children and Youth, School Related Concerns, Self-Esteem
Therapy Approaches:
Strength Based and Goal Oriented Approaches, Trauma Informed Therapy, Attachment Focused Therapy, Mindfulness Based Approaches, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Individual/Couples/Family Therapy
Additional Certifications/Trainings:
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
- Suicide Risk Assessment and Management with Youth through School Mental Health Ontario
- Loss and Grief for Children, Youth and Families
- Healthy Relationships Plus Program (HRPP)
- Fundamentals of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy through School Mental Health Ontario
- Certificate in Narrative Therapy through The Narrative Therapy Centre
- Various workshops/webinars through York Hills including, Understanding Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Using Mindfulness-based practices to support mental health in children, youth and families
- Anxiety and School Avoidance through SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health Learning Institute
- Trauma in Children, Youth and Families through SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health Learning Institute
- Certificate for Specialized Advanced Training for Mental Health Providers/Integrated Foundational Autism and Mental Health Training through Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) and Autism Ontario
- Certificate for Enhancing Support for Underserved Communities: Towards Cultural Competence through Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) and Autism Ontario
Professional Registration:
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) & Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).