Through a dynamic and multifaceted approach to treatment,
Dr. Monica Vermani has dedicated her life to help facilitate therapy,
health and wellness to individuals, families and organizations.
Dr. Vermani is a clinical psychologist, public speaker, teacher and author in the field of mental health and wellness, and a registered member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario. In her private practice, Dr. Vermani Balanced Wellbeing, she provides a multi-faceted treatment approach through a variety of techniques and treatments, including supportive Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Breath~Body~Mind practices, executive coaching, Mindfulness Meditation, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).
Dr. Vermani specializes in facilitating treatments for adults suffering from trauma/abuse, mood, anxiety, substance addictions and other related conditions and disorders. Furthermore, Dr. Vermani offers crisis management, chronic pain management, self-esteem/assertiveness enhancement, vocational counselling, skill development and professional coaching. She also conducts outpatient/inpatient psychological, vocational and forensic assessments.
Dr. Vermani’s Start Living Corporate Wellness programs were created out of her belief in the importance of good mental health in the workplace. These in-person and online programs are a product of her dedication to helping people cope more effectively with mental health issues and challenges in every aspect of their lives, providing continuous, ongoing support and resources. Start Living Corporate Wellness programs support and facilitate individuals’ efforts to overcome the barriers that prevent them from living their best and most authentic life.
Dr. Vermani has worked as a Clinical Psychologist at United Health Network (UHN), the Lyndhurst Rehabilitation Institute with brain and spinal cord injury patients, and at Correctional Services of Canada (CSC), providing crisis intervention and the management of substance abuse, chronic pain, low self-esteem, stress, mood and anxiety management. She has also worked at the Stress, Trauma, Anxiety, Rehabilitation and Treatment (START) Clinic in Toronto, at the Centre for Addiction & Mental Health (CAMH – Anxiety Disorders Clinic & at METFORS, forensic unit), with youth and families with anxiety disorders at the Lakeridge Mental Health Centre, and with crisis/trauma forensic populations at Correctional Services of Canada (CSC –Fenbrook and Beavercreek Institutions).
Dr. Vermani is a certified mindfulness meditation teacher and provides individual and group mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBSR/MBCT) training. She has taught breath/body/mind practices to many groups, including members of the US Military, 9/11 first responders in New York City, and war veterans in Watertown, NY.
Dr. Vermani has taught and appeared as a guest speaker at numerous colleges. She is a frequent and sought-after expert commentator to TV, radio, podcasts, and print media. She is a certified Coach Practitioner, certified Reiki Master level (1, 2, & 3), a Breath~Body~Mind meditation practitioner/teacher and an assaulted women’s and children’s counselor/advocate (AWCCA). Her book, A Deeper Wellness, was published in 2021 and is available worldwide.
EDUCATION
Clinical Psychologist, C. Psych.
College of Psychologists of Ontario Registration #4998
Certified Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapist/Consultant
Association of Canada (EMDRAC) & International Association (EMDRIA) (2016)
Certified Coach Practitioner
Certified Coaches Federation (CCF) (2009)
Reiki
Level I, II, II & Master Level (2009)
Certified Breath~Body~Mind Meditation Therapist/Teacher (2004)
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology Degree (Psy.D.)
Adler School of Professional Psychology (2007)
Mindfulness Professional Training Certification Levels 1,2,3
University of Toronto, Social Work Program (2006)
Masters in Counselling Psychology Degree (M.A.)
Adler School of Professional Psychology (1999-2001)
Assaulted Women’s & Children’s Counselor/Advocate Program (AWCCA Diploma)
George Brown College (1997-1999)
Honours Bachelor of Science Degree (Hon. B.Sc.)
University of Toronto (1993-1997)
(Speciality/Majors: Psychology, Sociology & Criminology, Women’s Studies)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Sept. 2018 to present
Start Living Corporate Wellness – Vitaodyssey Incorporation
Founder, Speaker, Executive Coach Consultant and Clinical Psychologist
Responsibilities:
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Facilitate Corporate Wellness programs for mental health awareness and treatment
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Corporate Wellness Consultant
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Speaking engagements for a variety of platforms/populations: Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH), College of Naturopathy, Anokhi Vibe, Ayurvedic Rituals Spa - Food for Mood 12-week Group Therapy, Empowerment and Learning from Friends ELF Women’s Group, GTAA – Toronto Pearson Safety GTAA, FESTI Fire Services, BELL Canada, Breath~Body~Mind, SS Television, News Talk Sauga 960am, E Baba Ent., Badge of Life Canada, UHN – Lunch and Learns for Nurses
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Educating groups and individuals on mental health and treatment options Facilitating Lunch and Learn Talks, Seminars, Workshops, Retreats
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Crisis Intervention in workplaces
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Train the Trainer Workshops
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Q&A for small employee groups, addressing mental health and wellness questions
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Psycho-education and Awareness on Coverage within Benefits
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Self-care for the Self-care Provider - Caregiver wellness (for nurses)
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Creation of an Online Platform for Self Help: Life Lessons - A Deeper Wellness for ongoing continuous help for employees and their family members
Oct. 2014 to present
Registered Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Monica Vermani, C. Psych. MV Psychological Services,
Dr. Vermani Balanced Wellbeing Private Practice (Toronto)
Responsibilities:
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Conducting Psychological Assessments: interviewing/diagnosing patients, note taking, administering, scoring & interpreting test protocols & writing assessment reports and relaying results to patients and relevant clientele
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Administrating Psychological, Vocational, Forensic, & Neuropsychological psychometric tests/measures
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Providing individual psycho-educational training and psychotherapy/counselling, and couple, family and group support for individual clients
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Therapist: Providing Crisis Intervention, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Meditation (Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction MBSR & Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy MBCT), Breath~Body~Mind Trauma relief and Stress Reduction to patients presenting with trauma, addictions/substance abuse, attention (ADD/ADHD), mood and anxiety disorders
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Training & Supervising students/volunteers
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Presenting data/research/symposiums at conferences and hospital research rounds
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Organizational Psychology – Facilitating Psychoeducation and Re- structuring and training seminars to employers/employees in corporations & small businesses
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Professional Psychological Executive Coaching
June 2019 to present
College of Psychologists of Ontario – Peer Reviewer
Clinical Psychologist Dr. Monica Vermani, C. Psych.
Responsibilities:
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Co-Facilitate Peer Reviews for the College of Psychologists of Ontario
Aug. 2014 to June 2019
Clinical Psychologist
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute TRI - Lyndhurst Centre Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Unit
Responsibilities:
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Performed Crisis Intervention and Suicide/Pain/Mood & Anxiety Management with brain and spinal cord injury patients
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Performed psychological assessments/consultations
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Facilitated individual and group treatments
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Performed Psychoeducation Sessions, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychotherapy, EMDR, and Supportive Counselling
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Facilitated Mindfulness Meditation (MBSR, MBCT, and Breath~Body~Mind) Individual and Group Therapy
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Provided supervision and workplace team education and management
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Facilitated patient case planning meetings
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Wrote case notes and provide case management and treatment recommendations of inpatient/outpatient patient populations and their families
Nov. 2012 to Jan. 2015
Clinical Psychologist
Correctional Services of Canada (PS-03) Part-Time Fenbrook Institution & Beaver Creek Institution
Responsibilities:
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Crisis Intervention and Suicide Management
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Perform psychological/forensic psychometric testing
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Facilitate treatment groups
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Perform individual psychotherapy with a forensic population
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Attend supervision- patient case planning meetings
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Write case notes, offender treatment assessment reports
Oct. 2012 to present
Breath~Body~Mind Group Therapy Teaching Assistant
to present Teaching Assistant for Military Workshops at Fort Drum.
Work alongside with Dr. Richard Brown and Dr. Pat Gerbarg
Responsibilities:
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Assisting in teaching the Breath~Body~Mind Course for the Military population
Sept. 2002 to present
Breath~Body~Mind Group Therapy Teaching Assistant
New York City & Watertown, NY—Serving Those That Serve Us (STWS).
Work alongside Dr. Richard Brown and Dr. Pat Gerbarg
Responsibilities:
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Assisting/Co-Facilitating Breath~Body~Mind Course for 9/11 Responders in NYC and War Veterans populations.
Apr. 2008 to Oct.2014
Clinical Psychologist
Stress, Trauma, Anxiety, Rehabilitation and Treatment (START)
Clinic for Mood and Anxiety Disorders (Toronto)
Responsibilities:
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Administering the Structural Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-IV) to patients referred to the tertiary care center presenting with mood, anxiety, substance abuse, psychotic and somatoform disorders
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Performing Psychological Assessments: interviewing patients, note taking, administering, scoring & interpreting test protocols & writing assessment reports and relaying results to patients and relevant clientele
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Administrating Psychological, Vocational, Forensic & Neuropsychological psychometric tests/measures
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Providing individual and group psycho-educational training
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Counselling Individuals and Couple/Family Units
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Therapist: Providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to patients presenting with Panic Disorder (with or without Agoraphobia), Social Phobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Specific Phobia
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Training & Supervising Students/Volunteers
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Presenting clinical cases to clinic staff for supervision and discussion
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Supervising Research Coordinators on clinical research trials:
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Undertaking the initiation of the study
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Preparing protocols and ethics submission
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Financial management of clinical trials
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Designing advertisements
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Recruiting, screening & determining eligibility of subjects
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Addressing adverse events
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Completion of the clinical assessment packages
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Analyzing research data (using SPSS), interpreting results, and preparing manuscripts for publication
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Conducting literature searches & selecting research review articles
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Conducting research and writing clinical reports/papers for journal submissions
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Presenting data/research at conferences, symposia and research rounds
Jan. 2009 to Sept 2013
Adjunct Professor
Lakehead University - Faculty of Department of Psychology
Responsibilities:
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Co-facilitating Psychology Courses
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Supervising Students
Nov. 2008 to Jun. 2009
Adjunct Professor
Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning School of Social & Community Services
Faculty of Community and Justice Services Program
Responsibilities:
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Teaching Counselling Courses
Oct. 2003 to Apr. 2008
Therapist & Research Coordinator
Stress, Trauma, Anxiety, Rehabilitation and Treatment (START)
Clinic for Mood and Anxiety Disorders (Toronto)
Responsibilities:
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Administering the Structural Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-IV) to patients referred to the tertiary care center presenting with mood, anxiety, substance abuse, psychotic and somatoform disorders
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Administering the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y- BOCS) to thoroughly assess patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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Therapist: Providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to patients presenting with Panic Disorder (with or without Agoraphobia), Social Phobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Specific Phobia
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Presenting clinical cases to clinic staff for supervision and discussion
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Coordinating clinical research trials
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Analyzing research data (using SPSS), interpreting results, and preparing manuscripts for publication
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Conducting literature searches & selecting research articles for review
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Conducting research and writing clinical reports/papers for journal submissions
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Presenting data/research at conferences, symposia and research rounds
Jul. 2000 to June 2005
Research Coordinator/Psychometrist
Center for Addiction & Mental Health CAMH METFORS – Queen Street Site,
Clarke Institute of Psychiatry (Toronto) – Mood and Anxiety Disorders Clinic
Responsibilities:
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Administering the Structural Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-IV) to patients referred to the tertiary care center presenting with mood, anxiety, substance abuse, psychotic and somatoform disorders
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Administering the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y- BOCS) to thoroughly assess patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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Therapist: Providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to patients presenting with Panic Disorder (with or without Agoraphobia), Social Phobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Specific Phobia
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Presenting clinical cases to clinic staff for supervision and discussion
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Coordinating clinical research trials
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Analyzing research data (using SPSS), interpreting results, and preparing manuscripts for publication
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Conducting literature searches & selecting research articles for review
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Conducting research and writing clinical reports/papers for journal submissions
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Presenting data/research at conferences, symposia and research rounds
Dec. 1997 to Jul. 2002
Psychometrist
Dr. Giorgio E. Ilacqua, Clinical Psychologist
Responsibilities:
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Performing psychological assessments: note taking, administering & scoring test protocols & writing draft reports
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Administrating Psychological, Vocational, Forensic, & Neuropsychological psychometric tests/measures (see appendix for comprehensive list)
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Provided supervised individual and group psycho-educational groups
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Supervised Individual and Couple/Family Counselling
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Driving Desensitization Therapy sessions
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Providing assessment & treatment to Hindi & Punjabi speaking clients
Dec. 1997 to Sept. 1998
Treatment Group Facilitator
Vanier Centre for Women - Psychology Department Ministry of Correctional Services CSC
Responsibilities:
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Facilitated the Anti-Fraud and Substance Abuse treatment groups to the adult residents
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Evaluated and provided certificates to residents at the completion of course
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Wrote reference letters & brief reports to the parole board commenting on the resident’s motivation and performance
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Handled complex, emotional situations in a confident, empathetic manner
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Provided crisis intervention and counselling to residents
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Administered & scored psychological, vocational, forensic and neuropsychological psychometric tests
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Effectively worked with a diverse cultural spectrum of individuals Built trusting relationships, supporting residents
INTERNSHIP & PRACTICA
Sept. 2005 to Oct. 2007
Psychology Doctoral Internship Student (1200 Hours)
Stress, Trauma, Anxiety, Rehabilitation and Treatment (START)
Clinic for Mood and Anxiety Disorders (Toronto)
Supervisors: Dr. Henny Westra & Dr. Martin Katzman
Responsibilities:
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Administering the Structural Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-IV) to patients referred to the tertiary care center presenting with mood, anxiety, substance abuse, psychotic and somatoform disorders
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Administering the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y- BOCS) to thoroughly assess patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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Therapist: Providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to patients presenting with Panic Disorder (with or without Agoraphobia), Social Phobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Specific Phobia
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Presenting clinical cases to clinic staff for supervision and discussion
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Coordinating clinical research trials:
Undertaking the initiation of the study
Preparing protocols and ethics submission
Financial management of clinical trials
Designing advertisements
Recruiting, screening & determining eligibility of subjects
Completion of the clinical assessment packages.
Supervise medication dispensation -
Analyzing research data (using SPSS), interpreting results, and preparing manuscripts for publication
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Conducting literature searches & selecting research articles for review
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Conducting research and writing clinical reports/papers for journal submissions
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Presenting data/research at conferences, symposia and research rounds
Jul. 2004 to May 2005
Psychology Doctoral Internship Student (1200 Hours)
Correctional Services of Canada CSC
Supervisors: Dr. Jeff Abracen & Dr. Robin Wilson
Responsibilities:
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Performed psychological testing to resistant & difficult criminal offenders
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Administered and scored various computerized psychological tests to a forensic psychiatric inpatient/outpatient population
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Co-facilitate two Sex Offender Treatment Groups
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Performed Individual Psychotherapy with a forensic population
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Attended supervision - patient case planning meetings
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Wrote Case Notes, Sex Offender Treatment Assessment Reports, and Group Progress Reports
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Performed research assistant duties
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Researched and analyzed various articles for court purposes (included within a literature review for a research study)
Sept. 2003 to Jun. 2004
Psychology Doctoral Practicum Student (1200 Hours)
Lakeridge Mental Health Centre
Adult Outpatient Services & Child, Youth & Family Services Supervisors:
Dr. Deborah Azoulay & Dr. Lorne Sugar
Responsibilities:
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Performed psychological testing with Adult and Children Outpatients
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Administered and scored various psychological tests
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Performed Individual Counselling with adult patients with anxiety disorders
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Facilitated Child Anxiety Disorder Group Treatment Programs.
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Performed individual and family counselling
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Attended supervision - patient case planning meetings
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Facilitated an educational session teaching the basics of Anxiety Disorders
Sept. 1998 to Aug. 1999
Research Assistant/Psychology Extern (600 Hours)
Metropolitan Toronto Forensic Services METFORS - CAMH Center for Addictions and Mental Health – Queen Street Site Supervisors: Dr. David Nussbaum & Dr. Piercy Wright
Responsibilities:
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Dealt with and performed psychological testing to resistant & difficult criminal offenders
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Administered and scored various computerized psychological tests to a forensic psychiatric inpatient population
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Attended supervision - patient case planning meetings
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Designed SPSS database - Input METFORS patient information and test results into the SPSS database system
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Performed research assistant duties for Dr. David Nussbaum (Senior Psychologist)
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Researched and analyzed over 80 articles for court purposes (included within a literature review for a research study)
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Attended various seminars on assessment techniques (incl. Fitness to stand trial questionnaire, personality assessment inventory, etc.)
Sept. 1998 to Aug. 1999
Student Placement (600 Hours)
Vanier Centre for Women - Psychology Department Ministry of Correctional Services CSC
Responsibilities:
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Lead Anger Management, Anti-Fraud, Effective Problem Solving, and Substance Abuse Control treatment classes for adult residents and young offenders
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Conducted one-to-one counselling
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Administered psychometric tests under supervision
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Wrote letters and draft assessment reports to the parole board
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Devised ‘Stress Management’ and ‘Survivors of Abuse’ treatment programs for adult residents and young offenders
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Trained students and volunteers in the delivery of psychological treatment services to difficult residents
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Gained employment on a part-time contract to teach the Anti-Fraud and Substance Abuse Control treatment classes
VOLUNTEERING
Nov. 2012 to 2018
Health Care Provider/Crisis & Rehabilitation Worker
Team/Equipe Canada Healing Hands (Haiti) www.tchh.org
Responsibilities:
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Providing health/crisis/rehabilitation care to people in need
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Worked in a children’s orphanage, disabled school for children and patient outreach clinics
Jan 2005 To 2015
M.E.T.R.A.C. Board Member
Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women & Children
Responsibilities:
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The Board of Directors participates in making key decisions for METRAC and takes a lead role in setting the organization's direction
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Active in a variety of METRAC committees, working groups, and community events
May 1993 to 1999
Crisis Intervention Volunteer
Distress Centre Peel (United Way)
(Completed 460 Hours)
Responsibilities:
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Telephone be-friending & providing adequate care through identifying individual needs
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Provided referrals for professional assistance
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Involved in crisis intervention and suicide intervention
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Attended informative workshops and ongoing training seminars
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Trained & supervised new volunteers
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Participated in workshops for public education within the community
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Raised over $600 through various social activities and programs
Oct. 1997 7 to Jun. 1998
Steps Group Therapy Facilitator
Ontario Seventh Step Society
Vanier Centre for Women
Responsibilities:
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Lead a self-help, peer support program to assist people in conflict with the law become honest with themselves and enable them to successfully re-integrate back into the community
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Provided referrals and information
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Prepared informative sessions concerning topics of interest to the residents (topics included: financial aid, low-income housing, racism, discrimination, etc.)
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Helped others understand themselves by coming to terms with and facing their negative criminal behaviour
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Successfully provided encouragement to residents by focusing on their strengths and positive qualities
Sept. 1995 to Apr. 1998
Support Worker
Interim Place Women’s Shelter
Responsibilities:
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Organized social & recreational activities for the women and children
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Facilitated workshops on physical and emotional self-care
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Displayed compassion, support & encouragement to victims of abuse
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Assisted assaulted women with integrating themselves into the community as independent persons
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Provided information and referrals to women seeking further assistance
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Involved in the Violence Against Women campaign
Sept. 1996 to Aug. 1997
Peer Support Counselor
University of Toronto Women’s Centre
Responsibilities:
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Performed peer counselling and provided referrals when required
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Coordinated community projects
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Prepared and presented educational workshops on issues affecting students
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Provided support for students feeling isolated as they dealt with personal issues including family conflict, abuse, pregnancy, AIDS, disability, racism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination
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Organized training workshops on effective phone-line counselling for staff