Renee is an authentic, empathic and experienced counsellor who seeks to provide a safe, supportive, and transparent environment for every individual she comes in contact with. With a Masters in Social Work, Bachelors in Child & Youth Care, and Diploma in Child and Youth Work, Renee’s extensive education, training, and experience in the field of child, youth, and adolescent mental health helps her to support and empower adolescents and their families.
Renee specializes in working with adolescents and their families from all backgrounds who experience anxiety, depression, diagnosis of a mental illness, addictions, suicidal ideation, truancy, academic difficulties, sexual abuse, bullying, low self-esteem, identity and cultural issues. She deeply understands child and adolescent development, the impact of difficult experiences and issues on the self and on the family, and how to support individuals to make progress on their issues and challenges.
Renee is a Registered Social worker and member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) who brings 16 years of varied professional practice in the areas of child and adolescent mental health, behavioural and academic issues, individual and family counselling, parent and family wellbeing, depression, anxiety, marital conflict, health concerns, intergenerational trauma, long-term care, elder care, in-home support, and community practice. She uses Narrative Therapy and Trauma-Informed practices to foster the voices, stories, and strengths of individuals in ways that support their healing, growth, and healthy development. She also uses an Anti-Oppressive lens to inform assessment and therapy, including the use of inclusive and anti-oppressive language, and consideration of the micro and macro factors impacting the current situations of her clients. Renee is a Certified Behavioral Therapist who integrates Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Approaches, and Family Systems Therapy in her work with adolescents and families.
Renee respects the sacredness of individuals sharing their personal stories. She believes that people’s stories should be heard, understood, acknowledged, and validated, especially where there are themes of pain, anger and rejection, as bottling these stories inside often leads to more suffering. Renee creates a safe space for clients to voice their stories of pain, anger and sadness individually and in their important relationships, and to reflect on how these narratives impact their current relationships and struggles. She helps clients in the journey of seeking truth, inner peace, and their true self by guiding them to recognize how they can re-tell and re-imagine the other side of their story, which often includes acceptance, joy and truth.
Through the use of open-ended, challenging and reflective questions, Renee helps clients gain greater clarity and develop greater coping skills which they can use when facing stressors and challenges. She knows firsthand how much effort it takes to break the cycle and speak about personal struggles and mental health, especially when it’s discouraged or when silence is an engrained cultural belief. From her personal experience, Renee has also discovered the beauty, joy, and forgiveness that’s on the other side of acceptance.
Renee enjoys yoga, taking walks in nature, and spending time with her family. She is interested in becoming more health conscious….and is challenged when the oxtail, rice and peas keep calling her name.