Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION:

Sept. 94 - Aug. 98

McMaster University, M.S.W., (Clinical Research Program),
Research Thesis: Child Welfare Trend: From the Clinical to the Forensic.

Sept. 83 - May 85

University of Windsor, B.S.W.

Sept. 80 - May 83

University of Windsor, B.A. (Sociology)
Studies also included academic requirements for majors in Psychology and Criminology.

Sept. 79 - May 80

University of Western Ontario.

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS:

2004 – 2011 and 2016

Canadian Association of Social Work, Reg. #: 2016-1133.

1989 to present

A member in good standing of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (1989 to 1995 and 1997 to present), Reg #: 3471.

2000 to present

A member in good standing of the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, Reg #: 420908.

July 2008 to present

Registered to provide treatment for Veterans Affairs and the Department of National Defense, Medavie Blue Cross
Reg #: 420908 – Registered as Clinical Case Manager for VAC.
Reg #: 4209080 – Registered as Treatment Provider for The Recovery Centre and Baxter Antoniazzi & Associates for VAC and DND.

April 2005 to 2008

Canadian Society of Clinical Hypnosis - Ontario Division and Canadian Federation of Clinical Hypnosis.

2006 to present

International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies – Reg #: 17390.

March 2011 to present

Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists – Reg #: 3708.
Certified Trauma Responder – Reg #: 2012-R101.
Certified Trauma Treatment Specialist – Reg #: 2012 - 1001.

March 2013 to present

Registered Treatment Provider with Health Canada, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Ontario Region, Mental Health Crisis Intervention Counseling Program.

September 2014 to present

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board – Provider #: 980060222

May 2015 to present

International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation – Reg. #: 022790

CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS:

2021 - Certificate in Treating Trauma Master Series –National Institute for the Clincial Application of Behavioral Medicine

• The Neurobiology of Trauma – What’s Going On in the Brain When Someone Experiences Trauma
• The Neurobiology of Attachment
• How to Work with Traumatic Memory that is Embedded in the Nervous System
• How to Help Clients Tolerate Dysregulation and Come Back from Hypoarousal
• How to Work with the Limbic System to Reserve the Physiological Imprint of Trauma
• How Trauma Impacts the Major Brain Networks (and How This Affects Our Clients)
• How to Work with Emotional and Procedural Memory in the Case of Preverbal Truama
• How to Help Clients Who are Stuck in a Trauma Response

2020 - Certificate in Advanced Master Program on the Treatment of Trauma

National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine.
• Strategies to Treat Patients Trapped in the Freeze Response
• How to Identify and Treat Dissociation (Even When It’s Subdue)
• How to Work with Emerging Defense Responses to Trauma (Beyond the Fight/Flight/Freeze Model)
• How to Ease the Pain of Trauma-Induce Shame
• How to Work with Patients Whose Trauma Trigger Problems in Their Current Relationships
• How to Work with the Body to Address Your Patient’s Freeze Response

2015 - Certificate in Mental Health First Aid Canada

Mental Health Commission of Canada.

2008 - Certificates in Critical Incident Stress Management: Level 1 and Level 2

Completed training to response to crisis and trauma situations and to provide defusing and debriefing interventions.

2006 - Advanced Certificate Program for Trauma Treatment

The certificate course completed at the Hincks Dellcrest Centre focused on the development of core competencies in various treatment modalities for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and related co-morbid psychological sequelae of trauma and PTSD.

2006 - Clinical Hypnosis Training – Advanced Training in Clinical Hypnosis

Completed competency based training in the use of direct/indirect hypnosis for mood disorder, chronic pain, trauma and various other emotional concerns.

2006 - Clinical Hypnosis Training – Intermediate Training in Clinical Hypnosis

Completed competency based training in the use of direct/indirect hypnosis treatment.

2005 - Clinical Hypnosis Training - Introductory Training in Clinical Hypnosis

Completed the required training to actively apply hypnotherapy in clinical settings (according the standards of the Canadian and American Societies of Clinical Hypnosis), to treat issues such as phobias, anxiety, stress reduction, pain management and trauma.

2003 - Certificate Program for Trauma Counseling for Front-Line Workers

This program, completed at the Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, qualifies persons: to respond to crises where the victims are likely to experience Post-traumatic Stress Disorder or stress-related symptoms; to treat trauma and grief concerns; to treat Post-traumatic Stress Disorder; increase staff retention related to vicarious trauma in the work place with the use of defusing and debriefing interventions; and to treat persons with the symptoms of multiple traumas.

1998 - Dilemma in Practicum Instruction - Wilfred Laurier University.

Completed the course work required to provide field practicum instruction to Master’s and Baccalaureate level students of Social Work.

1995 and 1997 - Field Instructor Training, McMaster University, School of Social Work, Level 1 and Level 2.

Completed the courses to provide field practicum supervision to Master’s and Baccalaureate level students of Social Work.

Certificate in Critical Incident Stress Management – Level 1 & 2 from the Trauma Management Group, Ottawa.

Certificate in Trauma Treatment and Emergency Intervention from Hincks Dellcrest Institute.

Qualified as an expert witness for Child Protection matters in the Halton Family Court and the Hamilton Unified Family Court.

Community Mental Health Fund Committee

A short-term committee of community professionals created to develop funding proposals for the treatment of children's mental health issue.

EMPLOYMENT:

January 2014 to present
Executive Director – The Recovery Centre

Owner/Operator of a clinic for the treatment of abuse and trauma issues.

January 2014 to present
Baxter Antoniazzi & Associates

Employed as a Clinic Social Worker to treat trauma, mood disorders and pain management issues for various populations.

September 2014 to present
Baxter Antoniazzi & Associates

Employed part-time as a Clinical Social Worker to treat trauma, mood disorders and pain management issues for various populations.

September 2008 to June 2014
Clinical Social Worker

Employed with the Cambridge Psychology Centre to provide clinical assessment and treatment to adults and children, with a treatment focus in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, mood disorders, adjustment to workplace accidents and motor vehicle accidents, chronic pain management and marital therapy. Treatment with adults, couples, Veterans, adolescents and families.

December 2004 to September 2008
Clinical Social Worker

Employed with Gouws and Associates Psychologists to provide clinical assessment and treatment for various trauma-related concerns and mood disorders, as well as rehabilitation and pain management.

June 1992 - June 2005
Hamilton Children’s Aid Society

Various tasks as outlined below.

A. June 2003 - June 2005
Children’s Services Supervisor

Duties included: developing a Children’s Services Department; providing direct clinical supervision and case management to Children’s Services Workers to assist in the permanency planning for foster children; case conferencing with others to develop treatment plans to reduce family pathologies; staff training; assure compliance with Ministry of Community and Social Services standards; and participation in various committees, internal and external, that addressed policy and practice issues.

B. June 1998 - June 2003
Ongoing Family Supervisor

Duties included: providing direct clinical supervision and case management instruction to Family Service Workers and Children’s Services Workers; assisting workers in completing forensic investigation of child protection concerns; assisting staff to prepare for Court matters; testifying in Court; assisting staff in managing involuntary clients; and, participating in various committees that addressed contentious cases, as well as policy issues.

C. Feb. 1998 - June 1998
Intake Supervisor

Duties included: providing direct supervision and case management instruction to Intake Workers.

D. June 1994 - Feb. 1998
Ongoing Services

Duties included: completing psychosocial assessments of families; developing treatment plans; providing therapeutic interventions to families; forensic investigating of child abuse and neglect cases; preparation of material for and testifying in Family and Criminal Courts; maintaining complete and accurate records; and committee work.

E. June 1992 - June 1994
Front-line Intake Worker

Duties included: completing psychosocial assessments of families; completing forensic investigations on child protection matters; and preparation for and testifying in various Courts.

Aug. 1991 - May 1992
Sheridan College, Professor

Employed as a full-time, sessional instructor of various Sociology and Psychology courses for the Social Service Worker, Police Education, Law and Security and Child and Youth Worker Programs, at both the Oakville and Brampton campuses.

Sept. 1988 - Aug.1991
Halton Children’s Aid Society, Child Abuse Specialist.

Duties included: Lead investigator on physical and sexual abuse cases for latency aged children; completing psychosocial assessments of families; developing treatment plans for families; and, providing short-term treatment for families. Qualified as an expert witness in the Halton Family Court and the Hamilton Family Court.

Aug. 1985 - Sept. 1988
Chatham Kent Community and Family Services, Individual/Marital/Group Therapist.

Duties included: completing psychosocial assessments; providing clinical short-term solution-focused therapies to individuals, couples, families and groups; providing mediation services to separating and/or divorcing couples; active member of the Trinity Program (a domestic violence treatment program), and provided individual and group treatment to abusive men; and lead workshops in the community on various topics.

May 1985 - Aug. 1986
Adult Protective Service Worker.

Duties included: advocating and assisting developmentally challenged adults who resides in the community; being a Public Trustee for disability pensions; and, case planning in collaboration with various community resources.

June 1984 - Sept. 1984

Windsor Essex Children’s Aid Society, After Hours Emergency Worker.

Nov. 1983 - May 1985
Essex County Association for the Mentally Retarded, Supported Independence Program.

Duties included: assisting developmentally challenged adults to maintain a home and employment in the community, budget their funds; and, monitor their health issues.

May 1981 - Sept 1981
Southwestern Regional Centre, Training and Rehabilitation Workshop.

Duties included: assisting developmentally challenged patients to do crafts and wood working for public sale; assist with communication skills and social skills.

WORKSHOPS/GROUPS ADMINISTERED:

Trauma, Abuse and Addiction (July 11, 2017)

Presentation at the Addiction Studies Forum Inc. designed to highlight the lifelong connections between addictions and one’s susceptibility to abuse and trauma.

First Eyes – with Mr. Dan Bowers (October 15, 2016)

Presentation of training and 8 self-directed modules designed to be completed by couples to aid them in proactively cope with mental health issues.

Traumatic Stress Response and Peer Support Teams (June 28, 2016)

Training to Children’s Aid Society staff to aid them in recognizing traumatic stress responses, and how to develop a Peer Support Team.

Married to the Military: Tips to Making a Military Relationship Work (March & October 2015)

Training for military personnel and their partners about understanding how the demands of military life affect relationships and tips to solve possible issues. Sponsored by True Patriot Love, London Military Family Resource Centre and Military Family Service Program. Presented modified version that addressed First Responders to the Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists, Southern Ontario Networking Group.

The 1^st Anti-Oppressive Education (AOE) Student Forum (Mar. 6, 2009)

Presented “The Achievements and Challenges of AOE Practices.”

Introductory Workshop for the Canadian Society of Clinic Hypnosis – Ontario Division.

Training and mentoring registered clinicians in the use of hypnosis in clinical practice.

Trauma and Peer Support Team Training – for Front Line CAS Workers

Provide ongoing training regarding trauma/PTSD reactions and how to identify stress, trauma and anxiety reactions with peers, as well as the development and implementation of a Peer Support Team to minimize the effects of direct and vicarious trauma reactions in the workplace.

Admission to Care Training

Training for front-line child welfare staff to improve their clinical needs assessments when placing a child in foster care.

Peer Support Committee

Facilitated the creation and the implementation of a Peer Support Team at the Hamilton Children’s Aid Society to debrief and defuse staff following a traumatic event. Currently providing ongoing training for Peer Support Teams.

Safety Training

Provided Safety Training to the front line staff of the Hamilton Children's Aid Society and developed Staff Safety Manual.

Adult Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Group

Co-facilitated an Alliance for Sexual Abuse Program treatment group for adult male survivors of sexual abuse from 2000 to 2004.

Halton Sexual Abuse Program

Facilitated various therapy groups for: mothers of victim of sexual abuse; adult male survivors of sexual abuse; and, female survivors of sexual abuse.

Halton Children’s Aid Society

Facilitated a Children’s Safety Group to teach children under the age of six to protect themselves from abusive situations.

Anger Control Group

Facilitated therapy groups for men with histories of domestic violence partners, who were on Probation or Parole.

Reaching our Youth

Facilitated a full-day workshop aimed at increasing the awareness of service professionals of the problems of adolescents by utilizing a panel of youth who discussed their experiences with various community social services.

Marriage Preparation Course

Provided weekend-long marriage preparation courses for the Catholic Church.

MANAGERIAL AND SUPERVISORY EXPERIENCE:

• Provides supervision to starting social work clinicians, as well a peer support to more experienced clinical social workers.
• Supervisor, Children’s Service at the Hamilton Children’s Aid Society.
• Supervisor, Ongoing Family Services at the Hamilton-Wentworth Children’s Aid Society.
• Supervisor, Intake Services at the Hamilton-Wentworth Children’s Aid Society.
• Trained and Supervised new group leaders at the Alliance for Sexual Abuse Program.
• Supervised BSW/MSW students from McMaster University and Waterloo University for student placements.
• Supervised interns of the group therapy program at the Halton Sexual Abuse Program.
• Supervised and trained government job placements as an Adult Protective Service Worker.
• Supervised Children’s Programs at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Metropolitan Detroit and provided counseling when required.

TRAINING WORKSHOPS ATTENDED:

• The Advanced Master Program on the Treatment of Traum

  National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine – Video Workshop (December 2020)

  • Strategies to Treat Patients Trapped in the Freeze Response
  • How to Identify and Treat Dissociation (Even When It’s Subtle)
  • How to Work with Emerging Defense Responses to Trauma (Beyond the Fight/Flight/Freeze Model)
  • How to Ease the Pain of Trauma-Induced Shame
  • How to Work with Patients Whose Trauma Triggers Problems in Their Current Relationships
  • How to Work with the Body to Address Your Patient’s Freeze Response
  • Strategies to Boost Hope and Improve Coping in Families When a Parent Dissociates
  • How to Work with Dissociation in Couples
  • A Polyvagal-Based Perspective on Dissociation
  • A Polyvagal Approach to Working with Emerging Defense Respo
  • Strategies for Working with Shame in Survivors of Sex Trafficking
  • Practical Exercises to Help Bring a Client’s Social Engagement System Back Online
  • Strategies for Helping Families of Trauma Survivors Repair Ruptures
  • Why Focusing on Your Patient’s Nervous System Can Be So Effective in Trauma Treatment
  • Somatic Interventions to Help Repair Relationships After Trauma
  • Using IFS to Rewire Unhealthy Relationship Patterns in Trauma Survivors
• The Neurobiology of Trauma

  National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine – Video Workshop (January 2021)

  • The Neurobiology of Trauma
  • How Trauma Impacts the Major Brain Networks (and How this Affects our Clients)
  • Rethinking Trauma
  • The Fear-Driven Brain: How A New Intervention is Changing
  • Trauma Treatment
  • The Neurobiology of Trauma
  • The Neurobiology of Trauma
  • What is Going On In the Brain When Someone Experiences Trauma
• The Neurobiology of Attachment

  National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine – Video Workshop (January and February 2021)

  • The Neurobiology of Attachment
  • How to Work with Traumatic Memory that is Embedded in the Nervous System
  • How to Help Clients Tolerate Dysregulation and Come Back from Hypoarousal.
  • How to Work with the Limbic System to Reverse the Physiological Imprint of Trauma
  • How Trauma Impacts the Major Brain Networks (and How This Affects our Clients)
  • How to Work with Emotional and Procedural Memory in the Case of Preverbal Trauma
• New Developments in the Treatment of PTSD, Complex PTSD and Co-Occurring Disorders: Ways to Bolster Resilience

  (Nov. 22/19): Ananda Mental Health Workshops: Dr. Don Meichenbaum, Ph.D..

• Integrating EMDR into Your Clinical

  Practice: Five-Day Intensive Training (August 27 to August 31, 2018)
  Presented by Roy Kiessling, LISW to allow the participant to use a variety of EMDR based treatment modalities.

• Badge of Life Canada – Community Healing and Rebuilding

  (Apr. 17/18) Badge of Life Canada: Various presenters.

• Wounded Warriors - Trauma Resiliency Program Training

  (Apr. 6 thru Apr 8/18): Wounded Warriors Canada: Dr. Tim Black, Ph.D., Alex Sterling, MA, RCC, Chris Linford, Lt. Col (Ret’d)

• The Body Keeps the Score: New Frontiers in Trauma Treatment

  (Apr. 26 & Apr. 27/17: Leading Edge Seminars, Inc.: Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, MD)

• Surviving Trauma & Building Resilience in the Workplace

  (Oct. 3/16: Badge of Life: Various Presenters)

• Public Safety 411

  (Apr. 29/15: Public Safety 411: Mr. Ted Harris, Executive Director.)

• Mental Health First Aid

  (Apr. 24/15: Mental Health Commission of Canada, Ms. Robin Bender)

• Out of the Blue Workshop

  (Apr. 19/13: The Ontario Association of Social Workers, Hamilton and District Branch: Ms. Jan Wong)

• Education and Awareness: Human Trafficking in Hamilton

  (Mar. 27/13: Soroptimist International of Dundas, Ancaster and Flamborough: Ms. Jennifer Lucking, Walk With Me Program)

• From Victim to Survivor: Supporting & Promoting Resilience

  (Sept. 27 to 29, 2012: Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists: Various Presenters)

• Workshop on Cognitive Processing Therapy for Traumatic Stress

  (Mar. 21 and 22, 2012: Ryerson University in collaboration with U.S. VA National Center for PTSD: Dr. Candice M. Monson and Dr. Kate M. Chard, Psychologists)

• The Art of Living…Life After Brain Injury

  (Nov. 2 to Nov. 4. 2011: Ontario Brain Injury Association: Various Presenters)

• Partnering with International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies in 2010: Veterans Affairs Canada

  (Nov 4 to Nov. 6, 2010: International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies: Various Presenters – Keynote speakers included: L. Gen the Honourable Romeo A. Dallaire (Ret’d), Senator; Nontombi Naomi Tutu; and, Richard Bryant, PhD & Simon Westley, MD).

• Ontario Criminal Injuries Compensation Board

  (July 7, 2010: Hincks-Dellcrest Centre: Laurie Snowden, Paula Klien and Susan Double)

• Mental Health Services in Disaster Response: A Proactive Approach with Defined Populations

  (Oct. 19, 2009, Ontario Psychological Association, Disaster Response Network: Dr. Gerry Goldberg, PhD, C.Psych.)

• Alternative Dispute Resolution, Resolving Family Law Disputes Outside the Courtroom

  (Feb. 26, 2010: The Ontario Association of Social Workers: Milka Vujnovic, BA, LLB, LLM)

• Critical Incident Stress Management – Level One & Level 2

  (Nov. 17 to Nov. 20, 2008: Trauma Management Group)

• The Effects of War on Veterans and Their Families After Deployment

  (Oct. 23, 2008: Ontario Psychological Association, Disaster Response Network: Jacques J. Gouws, D. Phil., C. Psych.)

• Advanced Workshop on Energy Psychology, Hypnosis, and Chronic Pain

  (2009: Canadian Society of Clinical Hypnosis – Ontario Division: Dr. Maggie Phillips).

• Expanding Community Capacity for the Treatment of Military Stress

  (May 14, 2008: Parkwood Hospital, Operational Stress Injury Clinic: Various Presenters)

• Portals Into the Mind of Trauma

  (May 28 to May 30, 2007: Presented by the Hincks Dellcrest Institute: Dr. John P. Wilson, Ph.D.).

• Hypnosis in an Integrated Treatment Model of Adult-Onset PTSD

  (Mar. 31, 2007)

• Application of Hypnosis in Cancer Stress, Pain and Palliative Care

  (2007)

• Coping with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities/Environmental Hyper Sensitivities

  (Apr. 1, 2007)

• Pain Management in the Time of the Local Health Integrated Network
• Principles of Trauma Therapy

  (Nov. 16 & 17, 2006: Leading Edge Seminar: John Briere, Ph.D.)

• International Health Psychology Conference

  (Sept. 2006: Warsaw, Poland: Multiple Presenters)

• Clinical Hypnosis for the Relief of Symptoms in Advanced Cancer:

  Where, When and How (June 10, 2006: The Canadian Society of Clinical Hypnosis, Ontario Division: Dr. Syvain Neron.)

• Managing PTSD: A Focus on Military Trauma – Operational Stress Injury, Department of National Defense, Veterans Affairs Canada.
• Generation to Generation: Breaking the Intergenerational Cycle of Trauma

  (Mar. 27, 2006: Hincks Dellcrest Institute: Dr. Susan Yabsley, Ph.D.)

• The Posttraumatic Self: Restoring Meaning & Wholeness to Personality

  (Mar. 14, 2006: Hincks Dellcrest Institute: John P Wilson, Ph.D.)

• Empathy and Posttraumatic Psychotherapy
• Empathy: The Key to the Treatment of Trauma & PTSD

  (2005: John P Wilson, Ph.D.).

• Introductory Workshop on Clinical Hypnosis

  (Nov. 26 & 27, 2005: The Canadian Society of Clinical Hypnosis, Ontario Division: Various presenters)

• Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of PTSD Workshop
• Integrating Mindfulness-Based Interventions and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques in Front-Line Work
• Personality Assessment Inventory
• Attachment and Psychopathology
• Parasympathetic Pathways to Health
• Evaluating Children with Trauma-Attachment Disorders
• Attachment Disorder Training
• Institute for the Prevention of Child Abuse: Child Protection, Phase One; Child Protection, Phase Two; Sexual Abuse One; and, Sexual Abuse Two.
• Assessing Child Trauma.
• Investigating and Assessing Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse in Child Custody Disputes.
• Multiple Ministry of Community and Family Services workshops, which were child protection related.
• Risk Assessment Training.
• Family Re-organization through mediation.
• Winning - Negotiation for positive results.
• McMaster University - Clinical and Behavioural Sciences - Group Therapy, Level Three.
• Lotus Notes Training.
• Supervisory Training - Ministry of Community and Social Services, Sections 101, 102, 103, and 104.
• Interaction Management.
• Family Centred Practice Training.
• Solution Focused Therapy.
• Shaken Baby Syndrome.
• Mentoring and Coaching.
• High Risk Infant Training.
• Violence Against Women/Children’s Aid Society Collaboration Training.
• A Model for Assessing and Intervening with At-Risk Infants and their Parents.
• Learning Disabilities and the Development of Self.

COMMITTEES:

Canadian Society of Clinical Hypnosis- Ontario Division

Board of Directors 2006 to 2008, Chair of Publicity Committee and Mentorship Committee 2008.

Hamilton Children’s Aid Society - Anti-Racism Multicultural Organizational Change Committee

Committee focused on assisting child protection workers in developing an increased understanding of a multicultural practice and an awareness of issues for diverse populations.

Child and Youth Mental Health Fund Committee

Developed funding proposals for Hamilton agencies to submit to Ministry of Community and Social Services.

Halton Big Brothers

Board of Directors for four years and Chairperson of the Service Delivery Committee for two years.

Hand in Hand Family Resource Centre

Board of Directors, Chairperson of the Personnel Committee. Help found the grassroots organization until community members able to take over governing and organizational duties.

Halton Children’s Aid Society

Training and speaking to community groups about child abuse and neglect issues.

Abuse Co-ordination Committee - Halton Region.

Community Education Committee for Child Protection.

Hamilton-Wentworth Children’s Aid Society - Ethics Committee.

I.F.R. Recording Committee -1998 to present.

Focused on the development and implementation of documentation and recording package for child protection services in Ontario.

Child Abuse Support Team

Safety Manual Committee

Co-wrote the Safety Manual for the Hamilton Children’s Aid Society.

I.F.R. Provincial User Group Committee – 1999 to 2003.

Community Child Abuse Council, Alliance for Sexual Abuse Program, Services Committee - 1999 to 2004.

Health and Safety Committee - 2002 to 2005.

Legal Liaison Committee - 2003 to 2005.

Permanency Planning Committee - 2003 to 2005.

Family Services/Children’s Services Committee - 2003 to 2005.

Children’s Services Committee - 2003 to 2005.