Liz MacPherson- Principal
(519) 396-7035
I work closely with Liz within the school setting. She can speak to my work ethic and outstanding ability with children and families.
Summary
From a young age I knew my career path would lead me to work with children and families. From camp to college it was. My career assessing children and counselling families reminds me daily, of how resilient and self-aware children are. Whether the news is positive or hard for caregivers to hear, every child has their unique strengths to bring to the world. I strive to bring those attributes to light while sensitively sharing challenges in order to create goals that best meet the needs of kids and families alike.
Now, with a family of my own, my partner and children are looking to settle north. A place of my roots, it will be good to come home!
Highlights:
As a Psychologist, my approaches to caring are both research and evidenced-based .
Skilled understanding of the nature of mental health disorders.
Compassionate professional with expertise in positive communication, building client relationships, and maintaining strict confidentiality.
Exceptional motivator, communicator, and advocate with inherent ability to manage many types of personalities, diffuse stressful situations, proactively resolve issues and achieve challenging goals.
Areas of Interest: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mental Health Counseling, Child and Family Therapy, Advising Treatment Plans, Emotional Support, Psychological Assessments, Stress Management, Teaching and Mentoring, Person Centered Therapy, Leadership and Community Liaison.
Work experience
2009Present
Psychologist
Bluewater District School Board
Key aspects of this position include: Assessment and intervention with children presenting with learning and or mental health concerns. Consultation services are provided as a means to guide case planning and Individual Education Plan implementation. Ongoing staff and student training in the areas of suicide prevention and mental health concerns.
Chesley, ON
20072009
Therapist
Keystone Child, Youth, and Family Services
Highlights included counselling with children and families with diverse mental health needs, risks assessments, return to school planning and community liaison.
Owen Sound, ON
19992008
Clinical Coordinator
Child and Family Services
Clinical Coordinator of Care Homes servicing high needs youth. Care plans ranged from suicide assessment to life skills management. Assisted Child and Youth workers in implementing treatment plans and goal setting to ensure clear, timely, attainable, and measurable outcomes.
Kitchener-Waterloo, ON
19992001
Crisis Counsellor /Community Advocate
The Women's Centre/ Community Living
Counselling services for women and children exposed to trauma and domestic violence. Assistance navigating support and court systems.
Owen Sound/ Walkerton, ON .
Education
20092012
Psychological Associate -retraining implementation
Athabasca University/ Independent Study
Once attaining a position with the Bluewater District School Board, I immediately became involved in a retraining plan in order to become registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario.
2012
Psychologist
College of Psychologists of Ontario
Registration for autonomous practice with the College specializing in assessment and counselling with children, adolescents, and families.
20032005
Masters of Education- Counselling Psychology
University of Western Ontario
Specific areas of study included; assessment, counselling (individual and group), as well as evidence based intervention strategies with children, and adults.
19931997
Honors Bachelor of Arts- Sociology and Psychology
University of Western Ontario
Completion of Honors Program in Sociology with a concentration in psychology.
Certifications
20122015
SAFE Talk-Trainer
Living Works
SAFETalk trainer certification. I am a trainer in SAFE Talk a suicide alertness for everyone program.
20132015
Mental Health First Aid- Trainer
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Just as physical first aid is administered to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained, MHFA is given until appropriate treatment is found or until the crisis is resolved.
20122015
Member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario
College of Psychologists of Ontario
I have been issued a license to practice psychology in the province of Ontario.
Skills
10
Work Ethic
Continued and ongoing self-development to increase time, financial, communication, and organization skills.
Excellent interpersonal and assessment skills
Team oriented as well as self-motivated and autonomous
Ability to resolve conflict, while supporting and diffusing emotional situations with family, children and staff
10
Assessment
Astute clinical observation and interpretation. My findings are clear, concise, and easy to understand.
8
Intervention and Counselling
Genuine interest in clientele as well as authenticity and accessibility
Understanding of the importance of self-reflection
The Ability to Listen – On Multiple Levels
Use of evidence-based approaches (priomarily CBT)
Use of ongoing education to hone and learn new skills
8
Management
Work as a clinical team lead developed and fine-tuned my time management and planning skills. In addition, my communication skills are such that I have the ability to influence and encourage others in a positive and motivational manner. I have excellent organizational skills in order to maximize work productivity.
Sense of humor and flexibility
Projects and other Notables.
Published in Sage Journals- Qualitative Social Work: The Needs of Foster Parents: A Qualitative Study of Motivation, Support, and Retention
http://qsw.sagepub.com/content/5/3/351.abstract
Co-Lead in the development of the Grey Bruce We CARE Project. An initiative of community agencies and school boards who recognize the importance of working together toward the common goal of increasing and enhancing community capacity and mobilization around the promotion of youth mental health and prevention of youth suicide.
http://www.wecaregreybruce.ca/
Current Training Initiatives
September -December 2015
School of Neuopsychology- Understanding and assisting children and youth with learning/ executive functioning difficulties from a neuropsychological perspective.
December 2015-January 2016
Ontario Brain Association- Brain Basics. This course helps practitioners to understand the nature and complexity of Aquired Brain Injury.
September 2015-March 2016
A Psychologist's Guide to Psychopharmacology
Drawing from recent research and key texts in psychopharmacology, this course provides participants with a full overview of the biological underpinnings of how psychotropic drugs work, how the main classes of psychotropic drugs act to reduce symptoms of psychological disorders, as well as how the history of drug use and development impacts our current theories and approaches to psychological disorders, and most importantly, how psychologists can best combine psychotropic and psychotherapeutic approaches so that clients may receive the best outcomes. Please note that this course emphasizes neurobiological functions as well as scholarly research on psychopharmacological agents. Some prior knowledge of neurobiological functioning may be an asset.
May 2016- June 2016
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
A course to introduce practitioners to the practices of mindfulness in CBT. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) combines the practice of mindfulness meditation with the tools of cognitive therapy. This workshop adapts this treatment to health-care providers for personal use. Participants will explore the modes of mind that often characterize changes in mood while simultaneously learning to develop a new relationship to these modes. In addition, participants will be introduced to the theoretical assumptions underlying the model as well as the application of MBCT in clinical settings.