On Psych: Presented by the Ontario Psychological Association

What happens when trauma changes not only your mental health, but your career, identity, relationships, and sense of purpose? 

In this episode, host Dr. Jonathan Douglas sits down with Natalie Harris, former paramedic, mental health advocate, and co-author of Growth After Trauma, for a deeply personal conversation about trauma, recovery, and what it means to build a life beyond survival.

Harris shares her experience developing PTSD as a paramedic, navigating treatment and the loss of a career she loved, and finding connection and purpose through peer support, writing, and advocacy. She and Dr. Douglas explore the powerful role of group support, the impact of trauma on identity, and why recovery does not necessarily mean returning to who you were before. They also discuss the evolution of mental health support for first responders, the importance of finding meaning in difficult experiences, and how gratitude and purpose may help counter the embitterment that can follow occupational stress and injury.

Key Topics Covered: 

• PTSD and First Responder Legislation: The impact of Ontario’s 2016 legislation recognizing PTSD among first responders, its significance, and where gaps remain.
• From Blog to Book: Natalie’s experience navigating day hospital treatment, writing Save-My-Life-School, and founding the Wings of Change Peer Support initiative.
• Reframing PTSD: Moving away from the damaging idea that psychological injury is a “life sentence” toward an evidence-informed understanding of post-traumatic growth.
• Embitterment and Gratitude: How gratitude, honour, and peer connection may help counter embitterment, sanctuary trauma, and system fatigue.
• Beyond Survival: Insights into their co-authored book, Growth After Trauma, and Harris’s latest initiative focused on finding purpose beyond survival.

About Natalie Harris:

Natalie Harris is an author, speaker, advocate, and retired Advanced Care Paramedic whose work explores what comes after survival. She is the founder of Beyond Survival with Natalie Harris™, a reflective framework for the space after the crisis has passed and functioning has returned, when questions of identity, meaning, and purpose remain. She also founded Wings of Change Peer Support, a national peer-support initiative for first responders, and wrote Save-My-Life School: A First Responder’s Mental Health Journey, with a foreword by Clara Hughes. She is co-author, with Dr. Jonathan Douglas, of Growth After Trauma: Beyond Save My Life School.

Her advocacy contributed to the passage of Ontario’s Bill 163 and Canada’s Bill C-211 on PTSD, and she testified before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health. A former Barrie City Councillor, she holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Victoria. Her recognitions include the King Charles III Coronation Medal, the John Graves Simcoe Medal of Excellence, and Canadian Woman of Impact.

What does it mean to know your own mind? And what happens when that mind is lying to you? In this episode, host Dr. Jonathan Douglas sits down with Orlando Da Silva, lawyer, former President of the Ontario Bar Association, and author of the newly released memoir, Thank God I Failed: A Lawyer's Suicide Attempt and the Case Against Trying, for a candid conversation about depression, hopelessness, and one of the most contested questions in Canadian mental health policy today.

Da Silva and Dr. Douglas bring nuanced views to Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) as it applies to mental illness. They explore how depression distorts a person’s perception of their own suffering, the equivalence between psychological and physical injury, and the critical role psychologists could play in MAID assessment for mental illness.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 988 – Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

About Orlando Da Silva:

Orlando Da Silva is an Ontario lawyer, a past President of the Ontario Bar Association, and a former elected Bencher of the Law Society of Ontario, where he received the Law Society Medal. As a litigator, including service as Crown counsel, he argued cases in court while living privately with severe depression. He survived a suicide attempt in 2008. His memoir, Thank God I Failed: A Lawyer’s Suicide Attempt and the Case Against Trying (Entrechat Press, 2026), tells that story and argues against extending medical assistance in dying to people whose sole underlying condition is mental illness, drawing on his own experience of being certain his suffering was permanent and being proven wrong. He writes and speaks about mental health and the law, and about why a person can be fully capable of making a decision and still be mistaken about it.

What does it truly mean to be empathetic in a clinical setting? In this episode, host Dr. Jonathan Douglas sits down with APA author Dr. Douglas Flemons, PhD, LMFT, Professor Emeritus of Family Therapy, to explore the nuance of empathy within psychotherapy.

Dr. Flemons discusses the concept of "feeling into" a client’s experience through curiosity and imagination. They dive into the practical application of these skills, the importance of clinical humility, and the powerful role of refraction over mirroring. This conversation offers a profound look at how we bridge the gap between two internal worlds, whether you are a seasoned clinician, a student in training, or simply interested in the mechanics of human connection.

Key Topics Covered:

• The etymological and practical differences between empathy, sympathy, and compassion.
• Why claiming to fully understand a client can actually hinder the therapeutic process.
• Using "clinical curiosity" to navigate difficult client histories.
• The role of the therapist’s own physical and emotional responses in informing treatment.
• Insights into Dr. Flemons’ latest book, Empathic Engagement in Clinical Practice – an APA published work.

About Dr. Douglas Flemons, PhD, LMFT

Douglas Flemons, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of Family Therapy at Nova Southeastern University, where he taught and supervised clinical graduate students for 30 years. During his academic career, Dr. Flemons directed his program’s training clinic, created and directed the university’s Student Counseling Center, and was co-director of the university’s Office of Suicide and Violence Prevention. He is the author of six books and sixty articles and book chapters that illuminate a relational approach to psychotherapy, clinical hypnosis, suicide assessment, and empathy. His most recent book, Empathic Engagement in Clinical Practice, and its companion video, Empathy in Therapy, were published in 2026 by the American Psychological Association. Douglas and his wife, with whom he co-edited three editions of Quickies: The Handbook of Brief Sex Therapy, currently co-direct their private practice and training institute, Context Consultants, from their home in North Carolina.

In this conversation, Dr. Jonathan Douglas and Dr. Diana Velikonya explore the evolving landscape of psychology in Ontario, particularly focusing on the proposed expansion of psychologists’ scope of practice to include prescribing psychotropic medications. They discuss the history of this initiative, the healthcare system challenges driving it, and the potential to improve access to care. The conversation highlights the integration of therapeutic and pharmacological approaches, the role of training and regulation, and the importance of maintaining distinction while increasing collaboration with psychiatry and primary care.

In this conversation, Dr. Diana Velikonya and Dr. Jonathan Douglas discuss the broader implications of this shift on the profession of psychology, including changes to training models, professional identity, and interdisciplinary care. They explore the impact on patient experience, system efficiency, and access across public and private settings, as well as the policy process currently underway in Ontario. The discussion also considers the future of psychology within a changing healthcare landscape and the opportunities for more integrated, patient-centered care.

In this conversation, Dr. Jonathan Douglas and Dr. David Joffe explore the profound impacts of COVID-19 on brain health, particularly focusing on long COVID and its associated cognitive impairments. They discuss the intersection of sleep medicine and neurocognition, highlighting the emergence of REM behavior disorder in younger populations. The conversation delves into the implications for driving safety, the psychological effects of PTSD, and the urgent need for education and awareness in the medical community regarding long COVID. They also consider the potential future implications of COVID on brain health and the role of AI in healthcare. In this conversation, David Joffe and Dr. Jonathan Douglas discuss the multifaceted impact of COVID-19 on public health, society, and individual mindsets. They explore the challenges of changing perceptions around health and vaccination, the role of government in public health, and the ongoing crisis of long COVID. The discussion also delves into the evolution of COVID variants, the importance of air quality, and the future of public health in a political context. They highlight the collaborative efforts of the World Health Network in addressing these issues and the need for a compassionate approach to public health education.

Physician

Bio

Research Interests and Collaborations:
● Sleep behaviour and impact on driving ability
● The genesis of respiratory failure in Motor Neuron Disease
● The Pathophysiology of sleep in Parkinson’s Disease
● PTSD and effects on sleepiness, Restless Legs Syndrome and REM Behaviour Disorder
● The role of GERD in Respiratory Disease
● Long Covid and Post Acute Sequelae of Covid-19
● Spinal Cord Injury and Sleep Disordered Breathing

World Health Network Long Covid Expert Advisory Group 

Vice-Chair

https://whn.global/expert/david-joffe-phd/

 Twitter @DavidJoffe64

Tune in to hear Dr. Robbie Campbell and Sara Bradbury share about Ontario’s newest Eating Disorders clinic: The Harbour.

Dr. Campbell is a dedicated psychiatrist with over 40 years of experience with eating disorder patients. He is the founder and president for the Eating Disorders Foundation of Canada. He is Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychiatry at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry for Western University, Consultant Psychiatrist at Fowler Kennedy Clinic, Fanshawe College, St. Joseph’s Family Medical Centre, and St. Joseph’s Health Care. Dr Campbell is also the visionary behind The Harbour pilot project. He is dedicated to providing more efficient care and early intervention to people with eating disorders. This project is the first of its kind in Canada.

Sara Bradbury: Registered nurse since 2013, specializing in mental health. Specialized further into eating disorders in 2015. Sara is interested in providing individualized care to the eating disorder population. Too much care in the healthcare system is generalized and this makes treatment minimally effective. Sara graduated from Western university in 2013 and began working at Grand River Hospital in their Specialized Mental Health Unit. Since then she has also worked at OTMH and Credit Valley Hospital.

Learn more about The Harbour below:

LinkedIn  

Instagram

Website

Jonathan A. Weiss, Ph.D., C.Psych. is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at York University, where he holds the York Research Chair in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. He leads research focused on mental health in autistic individuals and those with intellectual disabilities across the lifespan. Dr. Weiss is a Clinical Psychologist whose work explores access to care, service experiences, and family wellness. His research includes evaluating psychosocial interventions and the impact of programs like Special Olympics on psychological well-being.

Connect with Jonathan here

Laura Nichols, PhD is a clinical psychologist and a current board member and President of the Ontario Psychological Association. She is the founder and director of the Centre for Change in Ottawa, a large clinic offering evidenced based mental health assessment and treatment for adults in Ottawa and across Ontario. Dr. Nichols serves as a clinical supervisor affiliated with the University of Ottawa and offers clinical training rotations in general mental health and trauma streams for psychology doctoral students and residents. Dr. Nichols has focused her clinic work on the assessment and treatment of occupational stress injuries including PTSD with first responders and the Canadian Armed Forces. She also works with individuals with mood and anxiety disorders as well as occupational stress. Dr. Nichols is a member of several national and international professional associations and has presented her research findings at many of these conference proceedings. She has published her research findings in tier 1 peer reviewed publications. She has also held adjust professor positions at several universities on the east coast and in Ottawa. She has served as an ad-hoc reviewer for the Institute of Mental Health Research and for the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

Connect with Laura through the following platforms: Facebook, Instagram

Dr. Taube-Schiff has been a Registered Psychologist for almost 20 years and she has worked in a variety of academic institutions throughout Ontario. Currently, she is the Director and Founder of Forward Thinking Psychological Services, a multidisciplinary practice that delivers evidence-based assessment and treatment to adolescents and adults with symptoms of OCD and OCD related disorders as well as anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism and trauma. She is one of the founding professionals of the Sunnybrook Intensive Services Program for OCD and is still involved in research initiatives for the program. She has over 25 scientific publications, including book chapters, and has presented numerous workshops and symposiums both nationally and internationally. She is an Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and is a member of the previous Anxiety Canada Scientific Advisory Committee. She also holds Adjunct Faculty positions at York University and, previously, at Toronto Metropolitan University. Dr. Taube-Schiff is also engaged in a variety of teaching opportunities for healthcare professionals and trainees across Canada. Dr. Taube-Schiff is currently the Past President of the Ontario Psychological Association and the President-Elect for the Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behaviour Therapies.

Connect with Dr. Taube-Schiff on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn or head to her website.  

Dr. Brent Willock earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan. After serving on staff for several years in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan Medical Center, he relocated to Toronto, becoming Chief Psychologist at a clinical/teaching facility associated with the University of Toronto (C.M. Hincks Treatment Centre, now part of the Hospital for Sick Children). He was Adjunct Faculty, York University, and Associate Faculty Member, School of Graduate Studies, University of Toronto. 

He is Past President of the Toronto Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis and served on the Board of the Canadian Institute for Child & Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. He is a faculty member in the Postgraduate Program in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy at Adelphi University’s Derner School of Psychology, Writing Mentor for the Washington Psychoanalytic Foundation’s New Directions in Psychoanalytic Thinking Program,  Associate Editor for Psychoanalytic Dialogues, Editorial Board Member for the Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy, and has contributed many articles and book chapters. He is author of Comparative-Integrative Psychoanalysis, and The Wrongful Conviction of Oscar Pistorius, and edited several books that received Gradiva and Goethe Awards.

His many contributions have been honored by the Ontario Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association, the Canadian Psychological Association, the International Federation for Psychoanalytic Education, the University of Chicago, the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis, and the National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis. Last year, an article he wrote ("On Dreaming, Parasomnia, Dream Enactment, and Murder") for a journal of the American Psychological Association received the Gradiva Award for best article of the year.

Dr. Sandra Belfry is a Clinical Neuropsychologist and Psychologist with 30 years of experience providing psychological assessment and treatment for women and seniors, particularly during life transitions and health challenges. She focuses on improving Quality of Life, an approach she established early in her career by creating programs for seniors with mental health and neurodegenerative conditions residing in long-term care.

At Lifespan Psychology & Neuropsychology Services, Dr. Belfry leads the Healthy Aging & Dementia Clinic, where she supports seniors, couples, and families affected by dementias and related conditions. She also created a Women's Menopause & Brain Health Clinic to assist women navigating perimenopause and menopause symptoms and chronic health conditions; offering assessment, treatment, psycho-education, and cognitive compensatory strategies. She conducts psycho-educational talks and guest lectures in workplaces, communities, healthcare facilities, and universities along with professional consulting services.

Her qualifications include training in evidence-based therapies like IPT, CBT and more, as well as certification in Goal Management Training for cognitive rehabilitation. Dr. Belfry is launching a Menopause Psycho-educational Support group, MenoLink, to help women connect and better cope with mental health and cognitive symptoms during menopause. She advocates for a biopsychosocial approach to promote lifelong BRAIN HEALTH and to reduce dementia risk. Dr. Belfry volunteers as a board director for the Alzheimer Society BHNHH, EAPO, & EAPN Halton.

Connect with Sandra below:

Contact: [email protected]
Request an appointment: [email protected]

Instagram: @lifespan.psych