Addiction
I believe that people are resilient, dynamic and have their own strengths which can be the foundation for therapy. My approach is strength-based and incorporates motivational interviewing, solution-focused, and cognitive-behavioural therapy. These approaches have been successful in addressing mental health, relationships, addictions, behavioural concerns, and more.
Ultimately I strive to promote a supportive and non-judgemental environment where my clients can feel confident in reaching their goals. My office is located in a convenient and discrete location and evening and weekend appointments are available. Call anytime and be assured that appointments are often available within 48 hrs.
After having interned at a substance abuse treatment facility for two years, I served as the coordinator for an adolescent substance abuse program. I became very comfortable working with individuals struggling with the emotional impact of substance abuse as well as the difficulties surrounding maintaining one’s recovery.
I have taught meditation and mindfulness extensively, including as an instructor at the University of Toronto for 10 years. I bring many years of experience to sharing evidence based techniques and tools for addressing a range of life problems. I support individuals to live more joyfully, peacefully and with authenticity.
As a Psychologist with a background in Recreation Therapy, I have a unique perspective on wellness, health, and making change. I focus on building on strengths and I believe even small changes to lead to big differences!
I often work with people who’s underlying issues are related to anxiety, low self-worth, addiction, and depression. These experiences often can be the result of major life changes, trauma, grief, relationship issues, work stress, or a myriad of other stressors.
I draw from therapeutic tools such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR (for trauma), Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, and DBT (for overwhelming emotions), as well as the simple tool of listening and working together to unravel the complexity that is each individual’s life story.
With 19 years of post Master of Social Work (MSW, Wilfrid Laurier University, 1998) experience, Connie brings a well informed perspective to clinical practice. She offers a holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing that is evidence based, creative and spiritual.
Experienced in working with women, children, men, couples, families and agencies, Connie has a certificate from U of T in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy as well as training in CBT, concurrent disorders, mindfulness/meditation, solution focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, emotion focused interventions, narrative therapy, experiential therapies and addiction treatment. Connie is also an Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) with McMaster’s Department of Family Medicine teaching Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences.
By dealing with all the issues simultaneously the client will be given the opportunity to discover how each struggle is connected to another. The methods used here serve the needs of each specific treatment plan are: * Twelve-Step philosophy with multiple on-site and off-site meetings * Group Process and Individual Therapy * Family Program * Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) * Psychodrama * Nutritional classes * Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) * Grief and Spiritual Work * Integrative Therapies: Massage Therapy, Yoga, Art Therapy * Therapeutic & Recreational Activities Program: Adventure Therapy, Equine-Assisted Therapy * Neurofeedback Expert Full-Time Staff On-Site Our treatment team here at Cornerstone Recovery Center consists of full-time medical and psychiatric staff, psychologists, master-level therapists, EMDR specialists, registered dietitians, therapeutic activity specialists, and licensed therapy practitioners. Depending on you or your loved ones needs, a treatment team will be designed specifically for you or that person. The client will meet with their primary therapist once a week to discuss progress and current struggles. In addition, if Trauma related work or potential Eating Disorder related work is needed the client will meet with those specialists once a week as well.
Founded in 1988, Millcreek Behavioral Health is a leading provider of intermediate care for children and adolescents who are emotionally disturbed or developmentally disabled. Located in Arkansas and created due to the overwhelming need for these kind of services for children and adolescents, Millcreek offers residential treatment that addresses the unique needs of each patient. Regardless of the level of care needed, the programs at Millcreek strive to implement the most effective and valuable treatment as possible so as to ensure patient success and improvement. Millcreek’s multidisciplinary team of professionals, including psychiatrists, registered nurses, case managers, licensed clinical therapists, recreational therapists, and nutritionists, conscientiously work to guide and support patients towards wellness. This team also focuses on each patient’s strengths while identifying areas requiring improvement so that positive personal growth can be achieved. With treatment planning that integrates proven and evidence-based techniques and modalities, the combination of the caring staff and methods of treating mental health conditions, such as depression, are what make Millcreek a great place to facilitate progressive change for children and adolescents.
Years in Practice: 20+ Years
School: Southern Arkansas University
Year Graduated: 1983
License No. and State: P9208016 Arkansas
I see myself as an emotional fitness trainer. I can help you fine tune your communications skills, work on assertiveness, and improve self-esteem. I enjoy couple’s work–helping each learn to understand and meet the other’s needs, therefore enhancing the satisfaction of both. I can help stressed and depressed individuals learn ways to take better care of themselves as they begin to listen to their bodies. I have over 20 years experience as an Employee Assistance Professional, specializing in solution-focused therapy.
I specialize in codependency, marital issues, parenting concerns, communication problems and substance abuse. I offer individual, couples, family and group counseling for adults and adolescents.
I believe that life is a journey–a series of problems–and that talking with an objective listener can help with the challenges encountered along the way.
I am a Registered Play Therapist with the Association for Play Therapy. Play therapy is an effective, clinically proven tool used in counseling with children to help work though problems that are difficult to talk about. Examples of some issues are depression, self-esteem, school issues, anger, and trauma.
I am trained in Child Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) and Filial Family Play Therapy among others. I have presented internationally on Culturally Competent Play Therapy using Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Adlerian Play Therapy, and CCPT.