Hi, my name is Heath.
If you have come to this website, you are likely looking for support with your mental health (even if you are not sure what that might look like).
I’m glad you’re here and that you have made another step in your healing journey (yes, if you are reading this, you have already made progress!).
I created this website with accessibility in mind specifically for children/youth, newcomers to therapy in Canada, and neurodivergent brains. Please take some time to explore.
I consider your input highly valuable, so if you have feedback that could help make this website more accessible, I would be happy to receive it. You can email me at: givingspacehealingco@gmail.com
Learn About Heath
Here you get to have an opportunity to understand who I am as a person. If you are looking for a therapist that matches pieces of your own identity, this is the section to see if we are a good fit.
Professional Designation
Registered Social Worker, Member in Good Standing, with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) #843785
Education
Master’s of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University
BA[H] Drama in Education and Community, Minor in Psychology, University of Windsor
Child and Youth Work Diploma, Humber College
Trauma Certificate, Wilfrid Laurier University
Who I am
I am a white, queer, non-binary/trans individual who uses they/them pronouns. I am descended from Prussian, English, Irish and Scottish settlers on Turtle Island.
My background
I was assigned female at birth, and I identify with my experiences moving through this world perceived as a woman for many years. I have lived experiences of complex trauma, homelessness, self-harm, and ADHD. I grew up in a small Ontario town in a lower-middle class environment.
Things I enjoy
I enjoy spending time outdoors, whether that’s hiking, camping, or swimming in bodies of water. I love animals and I have pet dogs. I enjoy recreational sports, creative writing and researching new topics of interest.
My healing journey
I have my own experiences of healing in a therapy setting, which I thoughtfully bring into my work when this can benefit the people I am working with. I continue to access personal therapy, to ensure I do not transfer my own experiences onto the people that I work with, and to continue my own personal healing journey.
Currently accepting clients for waitlist.
Services and Fees
Individual Therapy (ages 5+)
$150/55 min
Family Therapy
$200/85 min
Clinical Consultation
$160/55min
Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
NIHB is a Health Canada program that provides funding for psychotherapy to Registered First Nations and Inuit people. If you have a Status Number, you are eligible to access up to 20 sessions of psychotherapy per year with an Approved Provider. As an Approved Provider, I can offer access to my psychotherapy services through NIHB at no cost to you. If you have questions about accessing psychotherapy through this program, please reach out. I am happy to answer any questions and support you with navigating this funding.
Direct Billing
Direct Billing is available through the following insurance providers: Greenshield Canada, SSQ, Empire Life, Canada Life, Desjardins, First Canadian, and Medavie Blue Cross. Wondering if direct billing can be done with your insurance plan? Feel free to ask during the initial consultation.
Interim Federal Health Benefits (IFHP)
IFHP provides health coverage for resettled refugees, protected persons, refugee claimants, and victims of human trafficking. Therapy sessions can be provided by qualified professionals registered with the program. As an IFHP provider, I am able to provide this service. IFHP covers 4 hours for assessment and 10 one hour sessions. A doctor or nurse practitioner must provide a prescription for therapy services. Translation Services to access therapy can also be covered by IFHP. I am happy to answer any questions and support with navigating this program.
A 20 minute virtual or phone consultation is provided at no cost
Sliding Scale and Low-Cost Services are currently full.
Groups and Workshops
Current Groups
There are currently no groups running.
Please use the Contact Page to:
inquire about registering for a current workshop or group
request to be added to the mailing list to be informed when a new workshop or group is created from a specific series (ex. a new TTSC group)
request a custom group or workshop
Past Groups
TTSC Thrive with Yoga: 6 week Trauma- Informed Yoga Group
TTSC Spring Retreat: Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 12-4pm
Approaches and Modalities
My therapy practice is rooted in anti-oppressive and liberatory values. This means that I reflect on and acknowledge inherent power dynamics present in our sessions, and make space to navigate these dynamics as necessary. I work to accept feedback from the people I am working with constructively and gracefully.
Anti-Oppressive and Liberatory Values
Attachment-Based Family Therapy
ABFT is an empirically supported Family Therapy model which focuses on the relationship between the child and caregiver(s). This approach focuses on identifying places of hurt, or “relational ruptures” within the family, and helping to build up the necessary skills and self-reflection to repair these ruptures. This model is attachment focused and trauma informed.
Dramatic Arts and Play
I integrate dramatic arts, expressive arts and play into my therapy practice. These approaches can offer a more comfortable place to explore difficult topics and feelings, while encouraging growth in communication and self-reflection. I use art and play activities with people of all ages. This can look like improvisation activities, puppets, visual-arts activities and more.
Trauma-Informed
I recognize and understand the wide-spread impact of trauma, and the different ways people can experience trauma. I understand the influence of intergenerational and systemic trauma on a person’s mental health. I work to keep myself informed of best practices for trauma care, and to create a therapeutic atmosphere that is intentional.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR treats mental health conditions that happen because of memories from traumatic events in your past. It’s best known for its role in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but its use is expanding to include treatment of many other conditions. Learn more about EMDR here: What is EMDR?
Areas of Focus and Specializations
Complex Trauma
Family Conflict
Parenting
Gender and Sexual Identity
Mood Disorders
Suicidal Ideation
Systemic Barriers
Self-Harm
Dissociation/Dissociative Disorders
Grief
School Issues
Neurodivergence
Psychosis
Anxiety
Depression
*Schedule a free 20-minute virtual or phone consultation.
Equity and Indigenous Support Statement
I recognize that the institutions of Social Work and Therapy have a long history of causing colonial and systemic harm. Social Work’s role in Indian Residential Schools and the 60’s Scoop was integral in upholding and actively causing abuse, which created long-lasting, intergenerational impacts.
Social Work as a profession continues to exist in roles which uphold unequal power structures in our society, and therapy, as we now know it, has been built upon research which dehumanised many marginalised people. As I navigate my roles as a Social Worker and Therapist, I carry deep appreciation for the lives that have been harmed by these professions. I strive to create a space which honours the diversity of culture, knowledge, and community that exists. I am on a continuous learning journey to unpack my own biases inherent to my worldview, while curiously expanding my knowledge and understanding.
Land Acknowledgment
Giving Space Healing Co. is situated on the traditional lands of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, and the Wendat, and is the treaty territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. This land of Tkaronto (“Where the Trees Meet The Water”; “The Gathering Place”; Toronto) is now home to diverse Indigenous communities. I recognize Indigenous communities as the original and future caretakers of this land. I support Indigenous sovereignty and land defence, and recognize the knowledge held in Indigenous communities as vital to our world. I work to actively resist colonial violence towards indigenous communities by being vocal about the historic and ongoing harm that has been done to Indigenous communities on Turtle Island (Canada/North America) and globally.
If you would like to learn more about Indigenous History in Canada, you can explore this free webinar series: https://www.icscollaborative.com/about-the-series
Accountability Statement
As Giving Space Healing Co grows, I have set goals to provide low-cost services to equity deserving communities, as well as financially support equity-based initiatives. Giving Space Healing Co, the brand and website, have been created in collaboration with BIPOC Queer and Trans Individuals.
Branding: AQ Hui Linked In
Website: Sandra Mannila Linked In
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The Politics of Trauma by Staci K. Haines
Anti-Racist Psychotherapy: Confronting Racism and Healing Racial Trauma by David Archer
Decolonizing Trauma Work: Indigenous Stories and Strategies
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Centring Black Youth Wellbeing: A Certificate on Combating Anti Black Racism by YouthREX
Transformative Justice Principles and Practices by Rania El Muggamar
Deconstructing Resilience, Reconceptualizing Resistance in Clinical Practice by Dr. Roberta Timothy and Mercedes Umana Garcia
Indigenous Cultural Safety
Two Spirit and Indigiqueer cultural safety: Considerations for relational practice and policy by Dr. James Makokis and Dr. Karina Walters
Equity and Inclusion Training by Kike Ojo
Two Spirit Safety Training by Native Child and Family Services
Working with African Canadian Youth by Nene Kwasi Kafele
Indigenous Approaches to Mental Health Care by Elder Cynthia by the Society for Integrating of Traditional Healing in Counseling, Psychology, Psychotherapy and Psychiatry
Indigenous Cultural Competency Training by Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
Sexual Violence in Indigenous Communities by Native Women’s Resource Centre