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 “

Nazia Hoque BSW, MSW, RSW completed both a Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from York University. She has had extensive experience working in the developmental disabilities sector and with the dual diagnosis population in various clinical and community-based settings. Prior to joining The Social Work Consulting Group in 2019, Nazia worked in the developmental sector and was deemed a Certified Assessor by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to conduct assessments for adults in Ontario’s Central East Region. Nazia also has a research publication present in an academic journal which has contributed to the topic of ethical navigation in social work practice.

Nazia comes from a strengths-based, client-centered perspective when supporting those in need, wanting to ultimately empower individuals to re-gain self-management and determination over their lives. She is certified in Brainspotting Therapy (BSP), a brain-body based treatment, an advanced psychotherapeutic neuroscience based approach processing a range of emotional and physical problems and trauma. Nazia draws from her knowledge pertaining to Somatic Therapy, Clinical Applications of Internal Family Systems, Cognitive-Behavioural therapy, Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy and Mindfulness. Nazia speaks Bengali and has connected with clients from various cultural and religious backgrounds, often providing a sense of cultural connection and understanding throughout their recovery.

“My interest in social work peaked at a young age as I became more cognizant of vulnerable populations in the community. I strongly believe that support is most influential through structural and psychoemotional practice. Social Work has allowed me to work with a multidisciplinary team while celebrating victories, big or small that come along with a client’s journey in recovery. The knowledge gained during practice has been significant in understanding human behavior, brain functioning and the impact that emotions have on our experiences and response to the world which has been a pleasure in helping individuals learn more about themselves while healing from traumatic experiences.”