Shawnette Thompson
HBSc, HBSW, MSW, RSW
It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance!
My name is Shawnette Thompson. I am a Registered Social Worker,
Speaker, Group Facilitator and a dedicated Couples, Individual and
Family Therapist. I work with an accredited children's mental health
agency, as well as in private practice, located in downtown Toronto.
I am privileged to possess a wealth of experience working with
adolescents, children, families and adults of different gender identities,
ages and backgrounds. I have worked with individuals and families in
group home settings, treatment centres, legal environments and
community mental health agencies.
I approach therapy from a non-judgmental, anti-oppressive,
integrative clinical model of practice
, which embraces and respects
cultural, gender, sexual and class diversity, with an emphasis on
intersectionality.
I utilize a harm reduction based approach, that is trauma and
attachment informed. While we are working together you will notice
that sensitivity, playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy are
central components of my therapeutic style.
The therapeutic relationship that we will work to develop, will act as a
vehicle to help promote security, encourage exploration, support insight
and help create space for change in the form of growth.
In addition to the work that we will do together, I also put a great deal of
effort into my own personal and professional growth and development.
As such, I attend training seminars and workshops on a consistent basis
and engage in regular supervision and therapy for myself.
What is an integrative clinical model of practice?
This means that I acknowledge and understand that you and your
individual situation are unique. Together we will work collaboratively to
gain a better understanding of the concerns that prompted you to seek
support and the context surrounding them.
Some of the specific methods that I integrate in order to help facilitate
the exploration of problems and concerns include: solution focused brief
therapy, motivational counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy,
mindfulness based approaches, narrative therapy, emotion focused
coaching/therapy, attachment focused family therapy and components
of dialectical behavioural therapy. Most often various approaches are
integrated into a personalized, working treatment plan, that is tailored
to meet your individual needs.
Introduction to Using Dialectical Behavioural Therapy in Individual Sessions,
Hincks-Dellcrest Centre -Gail Appel Institute
Brief Narrative Therapy, Hincks-Dellcrest Centre – Gail Appel Institute
The Experience of Trauma among Racialized Youth, Safe Guards
Making Meaning of Relationships: Treatment Approaches for Young Children and Their Caregivers, Sick Kids Hospital
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Skills Training, Dr. Shelley McMain - Skylark Children, Youth and Families
LGBT Intersectionality and Anti-Blackness Training, reachOUT – Griffin Centre
Trauma Informing our Practice, Mary Rella - Skylark Children, Youth and Families
Advanced Brief Therapy Practice, Karen Young – What’s Up Walk-in Training
Advanced Training in the Treatment of Unresolved Psychological Trauma, Mount Sinai Psychotherapy Institute
Narrative Approaches to Traumatic Experiences, Narrative Therapy Institute
Collaborative Helping: A Practice Framework for Family-Centred Services, Oolagen Community Services
Back to Basics: Treatment of Psychological Trauma, Mount Sinai Psychotherapy Institute
Emotion Focused Family Therapy, York University Psychology Clinic
Solution Focused Brief Therapy, University of Toronto Continuing Education/Kids Help Phone
Family Therapy Training Seminar, The George Hull Centre for Children and Families
Children’s Mental Health Psychiatric Seminar, The George Hull Centre for Children and Families
Attachment Focused Family Therapy Training Seminar, Daniel Hughes
Equity & Diversity in Social Work, University of Toronto
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cedar Heights Residential Living
Understanding Dual Diagnosis, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Science
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Skills Training, Behavioral Tech – A Linehan Institute Training Company
Emotion-Focused Therapy: The Transforming Power of Affect, Hincks-Dellcrest Centre – Gail Appel Institute
Treating the invisible wounds of the Sociocultural Trauma: A Multicultural Relational Perspective, Dr.Kenneth Hardy/OAMFT
Practical Psychodynamics, Mount Sinai Psychotherapy Institute
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Living Works
- Specializing in Mental Health & Health
Honours Bachelor of Social Work (York University)
- with a focus on anti-oppressive practice
Honours Bachelor of Science (University of Toronto)
- Specializing in Psychology with minors in Women & Gender Studies and African Studies