About Ajax Pickering Virtual Counsellor and Psychotherapist

What is your background?

I began studying psychology 20 years ago. After completing two undergrad honours degrees in psychology and nursing, I began working as a Registered Nurse on an acute care paediatric inpatient adolescent medicine and psychiatry unit supporting patients experiencing eating disorders, crisis, and/or psychosis. Since 2015, I have been working as a clinical mental health nurse in an interdisciplinary team supporting the mental health needs of postsecondary students. I returned to school to complete a graduate degree in counselling psychology and am now registered with both the College of Nurses of Ontario (09400249) and the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (11689).

What is your education?

2022: Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University
2009: Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Honours), University of Toronto

2007: Specialized Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Honours), York University

What is your training?

2023: Emotionally Focused individual Therapy (Levels 1 and 2), International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy

2023: Specialized Advanced Training: Mental Health Providers, Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO), in partnership with Autism Ontario and Dr. Jonathan Weiss

2022: Trauma Counselling and Support Certificate, Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute
2021: Telebehavioral Health Workshop, William & Mary School of Education
2021: Trans care for mental health practitioners: Introduction and working with trans and gender non-conforming clients in a clinical setting, SickKids CCMH Learning
2021: DBT Skills, Behavioral Tech, A Linehan Institute Training Company
2020: Single Session Therapy, Dr. Jared French, C.Psych.
2019: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, LivingWorks
2019: Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, Crisis Prevention Institute, Inc.

What is your membership?

College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
College of Nurses of Ontario
Registered Nurses Association of Ontario
Mental Health Nurses Interest Group
Ontario Campus Health Nursing Association