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Holly Mathers

Registered Psychotherapist

I am passionate about working with you to address your concerns in the way that fits best for you. I specialize in working with individuals, young carers and other family members living with a chronic illness, disability or mental health issue, people dealing with issues related to being transgender or supporting a Trans family member. I also work with many people dealing with past trauma and abuse, postpartum mood disorders, infertility, parenting, bereavement, premarital couples, and a variety of other issues. I provide therapy through the NIHB (Non-Insured Health Benefits) Program as well for First Nations & Inuit clients.

I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. I have an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from York University in Toronto, Ontario and a Master of Theological Studies degree in Pastoral Counselling from Waterloo Lutheran Seminary at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario.

WORK EXPERIENCE

HOPE FOR FAMILIES COUNSELLING CENTRE

HOPE FOR FAMILIES COUNSELLING CENTRE

REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST & FOUNDER 2006 – PRESENT

Providing individual, couple and family therapy to teens and adults dealing with illness, mental health issues, grief, past trauma, gender dysphoria, postpartum mood disorders, and caregiving (including young carers).

Developing relevant information to speak to groups, as well as provide workshops and trainings.

Facilitating groups for caregivers, people dealing with chronic pain and other life issues.

ADJUNCT CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR

UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO SCHOOL OF OPTOMETRY & VISION SCIENCE

2018 – PRESENT

Providing supervision to students completing practicum placements at the Centre for Sight Enhancement

PROFESSOR

CONESTOGA COLLEGE

2010

Creating and teaching the course “Assisting Families Dealing with Chronic Illness” as an elective in the Applied Counselling Program.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

CHAIRPERSON OF COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE – YOUNG CARERS PROJECT OF WATERLOO REGION 2012-2018
 
YOUTH JUSTICE MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELLOR – CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION 2014-2016
 
HOME CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM FACILITATOR – ST. JOHN AMBULANCE & ORDER OF ST. LAZARUS 2011-2013
 
GROUP FACILITATOR – DIVORCE CONNECTIONS 2010-2013
 
MOBILE CRISIS TEAM WORKER – CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION 2005, 2006-2008, 2009-2014
 
SUPPORT SPACE GROUP FACILITATOR FOR TEENS – HOPESPRING CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE 2008-2010
 
SPIRITUAL LIFE CLINICIAN – LUTHERWOOD 2008-2009
 
YOUNG ADULT GRIEF GROUP FACILITATOR – COPING CENTRE 2007-2008, 2010
 
HOPE FOR FAMILIES RADIO SHOW HOST – FAITH FM 94.3 2007-2009
 
TEMPER TAMING & S.T.E.A.M. GROUP FACILITATOR – K-W COUNSELLING SERVICES INC. 2005-2010
 
VARIOUS ROLES INCLUDING INTAKE COORDINATOR – LUTHERWOOD FAMILY COUNSELLING SERVICES 2003-2005
 
COUNSELLING PRACTICUM & SUPERVISED COUNSELLING – LUTHERWOOD FAMILY COUNSELLING SERVICES 2003-2005

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

MTS COUNSELLING – WATERLOO LUTHERAN SEMINARY AT WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY 2007
BA (HONS.) PSYCHOLOGY – YORK UNIVERSITY 2003

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

INDIGENOUS CANADA COURSE 2020
 
INTENSIVE SEX THERAPY TRAINING PROGRAM 2020
 
SUICIDE BEREAVEMENT WORKSHOP 2020
 
TRANSFORMATION: CHALLENGING SYSTEMIC BARRIERS TO EQUITY WORKSHOP 2019
 
THERAPEUTIC ALLIANCE TRAINING 2018
 
SUPERVISION COURSE – WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY 2018
 
ONE DAY CBT FOR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION WORKSHOP – DR. RYAN VAN LIESHOUT 2018
 
INTRODUCTION TO CANINE ASSISTED INTERVENTIONS TWO DAY WORKSHOP – WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY 2017
 
MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING LEVEL 1 TWO DAY TRAINING – ELIZABETH FABIANO 2015
 
MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING LEVEL 2 TWO DAY TRAINING – ELIZABETH FABIANO 2015
 
HEALTH & SAFETY FOR SUPERVISORS & MANAGERS TRAINING – PUBLIC SERVICES HEALTH & SAFETY 2015
 
WORKING WITH GENDER VARIANT CHILDREN TRAINING – WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY 2014
 
COUNSELLING TRANS CLIENTS TRAINING – RAINBOW HEALTH ONTARIO 2013
 
COMPLEX TRAUMA WORKSHOP -NATALIE ZLORDRE 2013
 
TRAUMA INTERVENTIONS FOR FRONT LINE SERVICE WORKERS WORKSHOP – NATALIE ZLORDRE 2012
 
MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY TRAINING – CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION 2010
 
EXPLORING THE “SHADOWS OF THE GHOSTS OF GRIEF” TRAINING – DR. ALAN WOLFELT 2008
 
COMPREHENSIVE BEREAVEMENT SKILLS TRAINING – DR. ALAN WOLFELT 2008
 
ASIST APPLIED SUICIDE INTERVENTION SKILLS TRAINING – CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION 2008
 
CISM CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT: GROUP CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING 2005
 
CERTIFIED IN PREPARE/ENRICH ASSESSMENT FOR PREMARITAL & COUPLES THERAPY 2002