Joan Boyd is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario and a Clinical Member of the Ontario Society of Psychotherapists. She has worked in community mental health; adult and youth criminal justice; as well as women and men’s issues since 1999, focusing on mental health, trauma and crisis work. She has experience working with individuals and groups. For two years, Joan co-facilitated Turning Point a men’s healing group for male survivors of sexual violence through the Sexual Assault Crisis Centre in Kingston. With respect to Joan’s professional background, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Development Studies, which focuses on psychology and social work, from the University of Waterloo. She also earned her Behavioral Science Technology with Distinction from St. Lawrence College. Joan is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional-II (Complex Trauma). Her education and experience include study in psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral, Client-Centered, Feminist, Dialectical Behavioral, Trauma-Focused, Sensorimotor, Internal Family Systems parts-work, mindfulness strategies, Solution-Focused, Motivational Interviewing, and Experiential models. Her therapeutic approach utilizes strength-based interventions tailored with respect to the client’s needs, moving the process forward in a balanced manner. Most importantly, the foundation of her work is based on developing a trusting and confidential relationship with the client. Joan’s current interest is on trauma recovery. Traumas can include recent events or past traumas that are negatively impacting an individuals’ current functioning (e.g. childhood abuse including survivors of child pornography and prostitution, neglect, divorce, dissociation, grief, relationship issues, or illness in the family, traumatic attachment, and unresolved shame, fear, and anger. Her goal as a psychotherapist is to create a comfortable, non-judgmental, casual and friendly environment to assist individuals to heal wounds from the past and achieve a stronger sense of self by empowering individuals to create the life they want for themselves.

Andrea is a Registered Psychotherapist providing mental health counselling and therapy since 2005 to adults, adolescents, and children in a variety of settings. Andrea’s work has focused on supporting survivors of trauma and abuse with diverse clinical experience including sexual violence, childhood abuse, intimate partner abuse/domestic violence, depression, anxiety, dissociation, and other mental health concerns. Andrea brings an understanding of the varied social and personal factors that impact mental health and wellness. Presently, Andrea is focused on providing services to children and their families who have experienced trauma and are navigating the impact of this. As every family is unique, Andrea will collaborate with each family to identify the specific goals for the child and the family as a whole. For some families, the most effective therapy work might focus on caregivers and finding ways to help them support their child. In other families, the therapy sessions may be solely focused on the child; allowing the child to work through challenges and build skills to support growth. Play therapy techniques are frequently used such as stories, art, and games, as these allow children to express themselves at their own pace in a safe and comfortable environment. Importantly, Andrea embraces a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and person-centered therapeutic approach. This means that building a safe and supportive relationship where clients feel accepted, respected, and understood is the most important aspect of therapy. - “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you go; they merely determine where you start.”-Dr. Lauren Fogel Mersy

I am a Registered Psychotherapist through the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. I recently graduated from the Master of Counselling program through the University of Calgary. After completing my practicum placement at the Centre for Abuse and Trauma Therapy, I was excited to accept an opportunity to stay on as a staff member. Before working with clients at the Centre, I completed intensive training focused on providing therapy to individuals who have experienced trauma and abuse. I consider learning to be a lifelong process and I am continually seeking opportunities to develop my clinical skills and knowledge through workshops, seminars, conferences, articles, books, and consulting with colleagues. My goal as a therapist is to create a safe environment in which I can work collaboratively with clients to address the impacts of trauma and make the changes necessary to live the healthy and fulfilling life that they want for themselves. I understand that each client is unique, and I aim to adapt my approach to each individual. I work from a client-centered and trauma-informed framework and integrate techniques from a variety of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Feminist Therapy, and mindfulness practices.

Kayla Walsh is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario as well as a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. After completing a practicum for her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, she accepted a therapist position with this agency. She is excited to continue working with clients on their road to recovery from trauma and abuse. Kayla has over five years of experience working in the field of mental health and addictions. She has experience as a counsellor in a substance abuse treatment centre, as well as providing counselling for various mental health and addiction concerns. Kayla’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies where feminist issues and awareness was studied, as well as experience working and volunteering for feminist organizations supporting survivors of violence against women and sexual violence. Her goal as a psychotherapist with this agency is to provide individuals with a safe place to recover. Using a collaborative approach with each unique individual, she aims to provide a warm environment where individuals will be heard, understood, and supported in their healing. She will work with each individual to support them in recovering from their experiences of trauma and abuse as well as assisting them in reconnecting to the life they want to live.

Nathan is a Registered Psychotherapist Qualifying with the College of Psychotherapists of Ontario as well as a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Nathan has recently completed his Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. Nathan completed the practicum component of his degree at the Centre for Abuse and Trauma Therapy and has recently accepted a position with the organization. Nathan graduated from Western University with a Health Science and Psychology degree in 2015, but it wasn’t until recently that he returned to post-secondary to obtain his degree in Counselling Psychology. Working from a trauma informed, client centered approach, Nathan aims to create a safe holding space for each client’s unique set of presenting concerns. His approach is to provide a warm and welcoming environment where clients can feel safe, respected, and heard. Nathan believes that working from a client centered approach allows clients to be the architect of their own lives/recovery, meaning that the therapist, though knowledgeable and skilled, is not the expert, but rather a fellow traveller that will walk next to you on your road to recovery.

Meaghan Barrett is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, as well as a professional member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. After completing the practicum component for her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, she accepted a therapist position with this organization. Meaghan graduated with her Social Service Worker diploma in 2016 and her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, with a specialization in Criminology and Socio-Legal studies in 2020. Meaghan has spent the last five years working with individuals who hold diverse experiences, such as children and youth, adults, families, survivors of trauma, abuse and/or violence, LGBTQ2S+ folk, racialized people, people living with behavioural difficulties, cognitive struggles, and concurrent disorders. Meaghan learned that despite such adverse experiences, people possess significant strengths, resiliency and a sense of hope. Meaghan believes that as humans, we all bring unique stories and perspectives to the table, which is why she will focus on your individual needs and goals. Additionally, Meaghan utilizes a strengths-based, trauma-focused, and person-centered therapeutic approach. Meaghan is dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive and non-judgemental space. Meaghan will further focus on building and maintaining a therapeutic relationship through mutual respect, empathy, genuineness, and positive regard.

Ms. Andrews has extensive working experience as a psychotherapist for adult survivors of all forms of childhood abuse and life traumas. She has learned to safely guide survivors through the challenging process of recovery from sexual, physical, emotional and verbal abuse, including survivors of such profound abuse as child pornography and prostitution. She has helped survivors manage the many symptoms of abuse such as flashback, eating disorders, self-injury, nightmares, depression, panic attacks, and dissociation. She helps survivors discover the many benefits of healing such as higher self-esteem, greater control of life, peace of mind and better relationships. Through her 26 years of association with the Sexual Assault Centre Kingston, she gained extensive knowledge of the symptoms and treatment of the effects of sexual violence and other forms of abuse. She was employed as a psychotherapist by SACK from March 1992 until Jan. 2008, when she moved to the new Centre for Abuse and Trauma Therapy full-time. She also worked part-time as a psychotherapist at Bertha’s Cooperative Counselling Centre from their opening in September 1996 until their closing five years later. Ms. Andrews has been trained in Marriage and Family Feminist Counselling. She studied treatment of Dissociative Identity Disorder at the Royal Hospital in Ottawa. She has counseled abuse survivors in the Prison for Women and supported HIV+ individuals when she worked for the Kingston AIDS Project. Her continuing education includes several college courses, as well as numerous workshops and conferences on therapy relevant to treating survivors of violence, sexual assault, trauma and all forms of childhood abuse. She is committed to staying current on all aspects of abuse and trauma recovery. She makes good use of the internet and exploring new books to continue these studies and to improve her knowledge and skills as a psychotherapist. She is a member of an ongoing international study group online for therapists of severe childhood abuse. Ms. Andrews is a member of the College for Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and a Clinical Member of the Ontario Society of Psychotherapists. These associations provide insurance, professional development, and collegial support.