Hi, I’m Colleen Risk and I offer social work, psychotherapy.
For the past decade I have had the honour of practicing as a registered Social Worker in Simcoe County. Operating through an anti-oppressive, and trauma informed lens, I have supported individuals through a variety of life experiences and challenges. My professional background includes palliative care, grief and bereavement, foster care and working with seniors.
While I have supported individuals navigating a wide range of life challenges, I have concentrated my studies and ongoing professional education and development in areas including grief and bereavement, trauma, intimate partner violence and domestic violence (IPV/DV), ADHD, and suicidal ideation and prevention.
Shifting into this new chapter of my career my practice will focus on youth (13+), young adults, and families. Through my practice I am committed to providing a safe, welcoming, compassionate and non-judgemental space where people can feel heard, respected, and valued as individuals. I truly believe that people are the experts in their own lives and will work collaboratively with clients to minimize traditional power imbalances within the therapeutic relationship.
Taking a person-centred and trauma informed approach, I recognize that every person brings their own experiences, strengths, identities, and wisdom – so my plan is to meet each person where they are at with each part of themselves. I will strive to create a space where you can show up as your authentic self, without judgement or the expectation that you need to have everything figured out.
I am passionate about supporting people in becoming reacquainted with their own strengths, power, and wisdom. Even through the most difficult and painful experiences, people possess valuable internal resources that can help them learn, grow, heal, and move forward. My role is not to tell you who you should be, but to walk alongside you as you reconnect with yourself and work toward becoming the best version of yourself.
As a professional I hold a diploma in Social Service Work (Georgian College), and a Bachelor of Social Work with Honours (Laurentian University), and have been committed to continued learning and professional growth. I bring warmth, compassion, curiosity, lived experience and genuine respect with every person I get the privilege to walk alongside. Please see below for the additional trainings and certifications I have obtained.
Some fun facts about me: I am a very humorous person, love axe throwing, concerts, have numerous random hobbies and am low key obsessed with the Golden Girls.
Trainings & Certifications:
Certificate in SAN’Y AS: Indigenous Cultural Safety Training (Provincial Health Services Authority, British Columbia)
Certificate in Children’s Grief & Bereavement (Sick Kids Centre for Community Mental Health)
Certificate in Trauma Counselling for Mental Health Professionals
Levels 1 & 2 (Sick Kids Centre for Community Mental Health)
Assisting Individuals & Groups in Crisis Training (Critical Incident Stress Management – Counter Stress Solutions)
Certificate in Assessing and Treating Suicidal Risk (CAMS-care, LLC)
Crisis Response Planning (Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute)
Certificate Advanced Trauma Informed Care Toolkit for Youth Workers
ASIST Training
Certificate in Processing Grief with Those You Support (The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities)
Disability and Grief Across the Lifespan (Laurier University)
Untangling Grief: Supporting Children Through Substance Related Loss (PESI)
Certified Youth Mental Health Specialist: Interventions for Anxiety, Depression, Toxic Stress, Self-Harm (PESI)
Certified ADHD Professional (ADHD-CCSP) Intensive Training Course: Evidence-Based Strategies for Managing ADHD Across the Lifespan (PESI)
2-Day Certificate Course: Group Therapy: Evidence-Based Strategies to Develop and Facilitate Dynamic, Purposeful and Effective Group Therapy (PESI)
Narcissistic Relationships, Emotional Abuse & Gaslighting: Treating and Empowering Survivors (PESI)
Family Therapy Training Program (George Hull Centre for Children & Families)
Bereaved Parents and Parents of Stillborn and Miscarried Children (Sick Kids Centre for Community Mental Health)
Domestic Violence Advocacy Training (Laura’s House)
Standard First Aid CPR/AED Level C (Action First Aid)
