Monthly Archives: July 2014

Amanda Malcolm M.Ed, MSW, RSW
Clinical Supervisor

Amanda Malcolm M.Ed, MSW, RSW is a registered therapist with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto. She also holds a Master of Education degree and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Psychology from Brock University.

Amanda joined The Social Work Consulting Group in 2010. She has worked in the mental health field providing crisis intervention for individuals living with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues assisting them with stabilization by maximizing their own internal coping strategies. Her other main focus has been in the provision of grief counselling, support and advocacy to family members whose loved ones have been diagnosed with a mental health issue. She currently specializes in counselling individuals who have sustained acquired brain injuries and their families and spent one year training at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute’s inpatient Neuro-Rehabilitation Program. She aims to provide a sense of hope and clarity for people adjusting to life after a traumatic injury.

Drawing from cognitive-behavioural, narrative, mindfulness and solution-focused approaches, Amanda seeks to draw on each individual’s strengths to achieve equilibrium and improve their quality of life.

Amy Goldberg BSW, MSW, RSW

Amy Goldberg BSW, MSW, RSW is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work degree from York University and Bachelor of Social Work degree from Ryerson University.

Amy is a Clinical Traumatologist through the Traumatology Institute (TITC-CT) and completed CBT Level 2: Advanced Practice in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy through ADLER Faculty of Continuing Education. Amy has and continues to attend professional development workshops in several areas of practice including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Trauma in the Mind’s Eye and Mindfulness Fundamentals.

Prior to joining The Social Work Consulting Group in 2013, Amy’s passion for working in the field of medical social work developed within her work with the Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) at York Central Hospital. Amy was responsible for the development and implementation of solution focused service plans and comprehensive and safe hospital discharges into the community. Throughout her work with CCAC, Amy was nominated in 2011 and 2012 for the Customer Service Award.

Amy is committed to providing client-centred counselling and draws upon numerous social work modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness, and Solution Focused Therapy. Amy is dedicated to fostering growth and independence within each individual and works collaboratively with her clients to promote empowerment and improve their quality of life.

Christine Moppett MSW, RSW

Christine Moppett MSW, RSW is a registered therapist with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto. She also holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, Psychology and Sociology from the University of Toronto. Christine has achieved a level two certification in Trauma counselling obtained through the Hinks Dellcrest Centre and has completed the EFT externship with The Ottawa Couple and Family Institute.

Prior to joining The Social Work Consulting Group in 2012, Christine focused her clinical work in supporting individuals, couples and families following trauma, brain injury, orthopaedic injury and stroke at The Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and in The Stroke and Cognition Clinic at Baycrest. In addition to her experience in rehabilitation she also has a range of clinical experience working in The Emergency department, Outpatient Women’s Health, Geriatrics, Obstetrics, and Complex care giving her a broad perspective on the challenges and crises people face throughout their lives.

Christine is dedicated to providing client-centered counselling, working together to form a collaborative working relationship and assisting clients to become strong self-advocates. Christine draws upon her experience using a combination of treatment modalities including psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, emotion focused therapy, mindfulness based stress reduction and strength based approaches. In practice she focuses on supporting clients through post-injury adjustment by providing education, community integration and counselling to maximize recovery in rehabilitation. She is committed to helping individuals understand and navigate our complex systems and guiding them to find choices that are right for them and their families.

Claire Montgomery BSW, MSW, RSW

Claire Montgomery BSW, MSW, RSW is a registered social worker with a Bachelor of Social Work from Ryerson University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto. She has extensive training related to the experience and impact of trauma.

Prior to joining The Social Work Consulting Group in 2009, Claire worked at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute’s Lyndhurst Centre providing counselling to individuals who sustained spinal cord injuries.

Claire has focused her career upon working with individuals and families who are living with the aftermath of trauma. She worked at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute’s Lyndhurst Centre providing counselling to individuals who sustained spinal cord injuries. While at Lyndhurst, Claire was active in the Patient Education and Community Integration Programs. Claire has also worked in the Chronic Pain and Functional Restoration Programs at Toronto Western Hospital. Other areas of specialization Claire has focused and devoted her practice to include working with survivors of childhood abuse and women and their children who have experienced domestic violence. Through her passion for and work in the field of trauma, Claire has developed an expertise in working with people experiencing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and anxiety. Her focus is to be a support, resource and an advocate for people who are in the process of rebuilding their lives.

“I am passionate about helping people discover their strength, resilience and capacity to heal after loss.  I believe in working collaboratively and empathically with people facing challenges around life-changing injury, trauma, loss, and grief. I have extensive experience supporting those who have experienced a sudden and unexpected loss of a significant person in their lives to help them face the often complex and overwhelming responses that can follow. Drawing from narrative therapy, mindfulness and trauma-informed practices, cognitive behavioral therapy and attachment theory, I aim to serve as a resource and support for those facing life-altering events.”

Liz Waisberg MSW, RSW, AccFM

Liz Waisberg MSW, RSW, AccFM is a registered therapist with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto. She also holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Ryerson University. Liz has achieved certification in Solution Focused Counseling and uses an eclectic client centered approach when working with clients. Liz is also an accredited family mediator with the Ontario Association for Family Mediation. As a family mediator she provides compassionate, helpful counselling, and effective conflict resolution to individuals, couples and/or families who are looking to improve their ability to address issues such as challenging life transitions, life stressors, and grief.

Liz has extensive clinical experience working in hospital-based settings since 2001. She has worked as a registered social worker in the Emergency Department and in Mental Health settings working with children, adults and families. Liz has also worked in the mental health field providing support and crisis intervention to individuals and families struggling with issues such as depression, anxiety, chronic pain and grief. Liz has worked with individuals and families to develop internal coping skills and achieve a better quality of life. She is committed to assisting and guiding individuals through the complex health care system to achieve outcomes that benefit them and their families.

Lynne Harford MSW, RSW
 Director of Pediatric Services

Lynne Harford MSW, RSW is a registered therapist with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Glendon College-York University. Prior to her university studies, Lynne pursued a career in business and received a Marketing Administration Diploma from Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology. In 2013, Lynne achieved her designation of Art Therapist graduating with an advanced diploma in Art Therapy from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute.

Lynne has had an extensive work history in both the private and public sectors. Prior to joining The Social Work Consulting Group in 2008, she was employed at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) where she spent five years providing clinical social work services to children and their families in the Trauma Program. Throughout her career, Lynne has been an active member in the larger community participating in various committees as well as presenting at a number of community based, insurance and legal conferences. Other areas of specialization in which Lynne has focused and devoted her practice to include, acquired brain injury in children and youth, acute and chronic illness, domestic violence, separation/divorce and issues related to grief and loss. Lynne is both a therapist and advocate who is committed to enriching the lives of children and adults in the aftermath of physical and emotional trauma.

Marissa Sylver MSW, RSW, DCHM

Marissa Sylver MSW, RSW is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto. She also earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Western Ontario. In addition, in 2013, Marissa received her Diploma from the Canadian College of Homeopathic Medicine.

Marissa began her career at The Catholic Children’s Aid Society in 1998. She has extensive experience working with adolescents and their families. She excels at conflict resolution and crisis management. She has also developed an expertise in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Marissa joined The Social Work Consulting Group in 2015. She has attended extensive trainings and workshops in the areas of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Trauma.

Marissa has a passion for helping others and is deeply committed to the well-being of her clients. She brings a strong understanding of and respect for a collaborative approach. In addition to working with her clients from a family systems perspective, she is skilled at working with a variety of support professionals in order to promote individualized solutions aimed at facilitating positive change.

“Helping people overcome their struggle is what attracted me to social work. Watching someone evolve and regain a piece of themselves is one of the most rewarding things you can experience, not just at work but in life. I learned this first-hand, growing up with a younger brother who has special needs. I saw how much of a difference I could make helping him navigate his day to day struggles all the while nurturing his overall confidence and well-being. Knowing that my work can have such an impact is what drives me every day as a Social Worker “