Social Work Me

On Episode 20, Matt chats with Robin Antone who is an Indigenous helper with decades of experience in the addictions and mental health field. Robin shares his story of growing up in the foster care system, his personal struggles with substances and how he started his healing journey and path to becoming an addictions and mental health counsellor.  Robin shares his passion about healing work for individuals, families and communities and some of the teachings he has learned throughout his life. On this episode we talk about some of his work including with the Fireweed Program that provides services for male sexual abuse survivors. On this episode we talk about:

-Healing the self + Helping others
-The Role of Ceremony, roles within ceremonies, types of ceremonies
-Cultural components of drumming, singing
-Lateral violence in Indigenous Communities
-Psychodrama
-Focusing Oriented Therapy
-Addiction Treatment Centres + Programming
-Male Socialization + Violence
-Tips for working with Indigenous populations

To connect with Robin- you can find him on Linkedin or Email: [email protected]

If you like the show- let us know, subscribe, give us a rating and check us out on Instagram!

Matt is back with a previous guest from Episode 5- Dr. Tatiana Zdyb. Tatiana is a Clinical Psychologist, Professor at Kings University College and has recently launched the first Psychedelic Enhanced Psychotherapy practice in London, Ontario called Mind Setting. On this episode we talk about:

-Psychedelics, altered states of consciousness and the Default Mode Network
-Personal experiences with psychedelics and the impact on trauma and wellbeing
-Ketamine + Ketamine Enhanced Psychotherapy
-An overview of how to set up a Psychedelic Psychotherapy Private Practice, Tatiana's unique and customized protocol as well as screening methods and session breakdown
-Tips for therapists who want to use psychedelics in combination with psychotherapy

For more information about Dr. Tatiana Zdyb check out here website HERE

To get in touch with Dr. Tatiana Zdyb for consultation, training or for more information: [email protected]

To follow us and behind the scenes content check us out on Instagram HERE

As always, if you like the show give us a rating or comment and thank you for listening!

On Episode 18 Matt speaks with guest Deborah Epstein who is a former teacher, guidance counsellor and now a psychotherapist in private practice in Toronto, Ontario. For 20 years, Deborah has worked with children and adolescents in the school system. She has extensive experience working with Middle School students and teenagers. Much of her career has focused on helping children and adolescents learn to problem-solve effectively and to enhance self-esteem and confidence. She is passionate about helping adolescents develop strong resiliency and coping skills and the ability to communicate effectively so they can successfully navigate through life’s challenges.

On this episode we cover: 

-School system- counselling, trauma, focus on behavior, emotions
-Counselling children, teens and their parents
-Failure to launch teens
-Struggles of working in the school system
-Anxiety in kids- role of social media, lack of coping skills, parents accommodating/lack of push
-Protecting children from failure, pain, stress
-Changing relationship from correcting to connecting
-Instructional parenting
-Routine and structure with teenagers
-How to balance therapeutic work with teens and their parents
-Running a private practice and the pressures of being a new therapist
-How to get teens to buy into therapy and making changes
-The tough positions teenagers put therapists in
-Consequencing and behavior management approaches
-Helping parents to identify and express emotions in healthy ways
-Emotion Focused Family Therapy
-Building self esteem and confidence and the impacts of social media
-Tips for balancing private practice and number of clients with your own self care and energy levels

Recommended book: Adele LaFrance- “What to say to kids when nothing seems to work”

For more information about Deborah Epstein check out her website 

On Episode 17 Matt interviews Michelle Young from London, Ontario. Michelle is the first and only Black/person of colour, Director of Service with the Children’s Aid Society of London & Middlesex (CASLM).  Her passion has always been using her voice to challenge oppression and the status quo in all areas of her life, so having the lead role in guiding the CASLM through a multi-year organizational change of embedding equity into the fabric of the agency, with a strong focus on addressing anti-Black racism is a natural fit.  

Michelle oversees the agency’s Indigenous Services Unit, which she feels privileged to do.  She was elected by her provincial peers to co-chair the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies’ Anti-Oppression Roundtable.  Michelle designs and delivers workshops and training sessions on equity, anti-racism and addressing anti-Black racism for the public and private sectors.  

On this episode we discuss:

-Child welfare practices and advancements
-The role of child protection workers
-How our individual views guide our assessments and work with families
-Cultural implications for assessing safety: co-sleeping, bathing, supervision of children, boundaries, car safety
-Equity, anti- oppression, anti-racism
-Black and indigenous children in care
-George Floyd, Black Lives Matter, Candace Owens
-Virtue Signaling & Slacktivism
-The importance of understanding trauma and history
-What can we do? Tips to be an ally, combat racism and continue these conversations
-Tips for managing burnout and vicarious trauma

On Episode 16 Matt interviews Greg Samuelson who is a Registered Nurse and Registered Psychotherapist from Toronto. Greg is one of the founding members of the Canadian Network for Compassion Focused Therapy and he runs a private practice called GPS Psychotherapy as well as works for the Mindfulness Clinic in Toronto.

On this episode we discuss:

-What is compassion focused therapy (CFT)
-Overview of psychoeducation, language and teaching from a CFT perspective
-The inner critic
-3 types of inner critics
-Using chair work with the inner critical voice
-3 flows of compassion and how to help clients build compassion
-Unique chair work interventions
-Breathing techniques and research
-Imagery work
-Compassionate colours
-Shame- three types from CFT perspective
-CFT for trauma
 -Burnout/vicarious trauma management and prevention
-Advice for new therapists

For more information about Greg Samuelson click HERE

For more information about CFT and the Canadian network click HERE

On Episode 15- Matt sits down with Social Worker and Sport Psychology and Performance Consultant- Brenley Shapiro about working with elite athletes and teams.

As the first female mental performance coach for the Arizona Coyotes in the NHL, Brenley brings a wealth of experience and insight in the areas of cognitive behavioural therapy, sports psychology and mental skills training on the show. In this action packed hour long interview we discuss;

-working with OHL and NHL players and teams
-her book: Fearless
-helping athletes who struggle with perfectionism and negative beliefs
-working with athlete's parents and advice for parents and coaches who want to support their athletes
-fixed vs growth mindset
-3 case studies from Fearless
-assessing draft prospects through psychological testing
-advice for athletes during the pandemic

For more information about Brenley, her services and her brand new training program- check out her WEBSITE

To see behind the scenes of the podcast- check us out on instagram 

We are back after a summer break with our guest- Michele McPherson for episode 14. Michele is a Clinical Social Worker, EMDR Therapist and certified Yoga Instructor. On this episode we cover:

-Basics and principles of yoga, meditation, mindfulness, trauma sensitive yoga
-Considerations and launguage when working with trauma survivors and clients who dissociate
-Introductory poses for clients new to yoga
-Crossover between yoga and EMDR
-How to weave yoga into the 8 phases of EMDR
-Practical and useful breathing exercises

Big shoutout to The Institute for Creative Mindfulness for their progressive and unique trainings and services. To learn more about them check out their WEBSITE

For behind the scenes content and photos of the podcast, check us out on Instagram

For more information about our guest- Michele McPherson check out her bio and services HERE

On Episode 13 we take a step back from the clinical aspects of social work and psychotherapy and talk about the back end of running a private practice and a small business with the founder and CEO of OWL Practice- Andrew Sloss. 

Andrew talks about his history in the tech and business field and how his skills helped to launch his wife’s private practice and take care of all of her administrative needs while simultaneously building the platform for OWL Practice.

We talk about OWL’s platform but in a general way we discuss an overview of the important aspects of running a practice including managing your calendar, invoicing, file storage, sliding fee scales, compliance and confidentiality and having conversations with clients about billing and payment. On this episode we discuss hiccups that add unnecessary time and resources as well as how the pandemic may impact running your businesses. 

Finally, Andrew outlines what to look for when choosing a video conferencing software and how it is determined if a platform is PHIPA or HIPAA compliant. 

If you want to learn more about OWL practice check out owlpractice.ca and use the promo code SocialWorkMe to get your first month free

Episode 12 is all about working with men in therapy with our guest Eric Pierni from Men’s Therapy Toronto. 

Eric discusses his path to private practice which began in the tech world and how he became a psychotherapist, sex addiction therapist and the founder of Men's Therapy Toronto.

On this episode we discuss the process of seeking out therapy as a man and some of the factors that lead to successful therapy with men including ways to get men to ‘buy into’ the therapeutic process. Eric dives into men’s mental health, healthy masculinity, sex addiction therapy, shame, anger, emotional awareness and the difference between toxic masculinity and patriarchy. 

Finally, Eric discusses his mission to promote psychotherapy as a valued profession for men and how he aims to build a welcoming and successful practice for both male clients and therapists. He also provides some wisdom for new male therapists and for anyone working with men. 

Compass of Shame: Nathanson 

For more information about Eric Pierni and Men’s Therapy Toronto click HERE

On Episode 11, Matt geeks out with Lisa Matlovich from Sarnia, Ontario about all things nutrition, genetics and microbiome. Lisa is an Orthomolecular and Nutritional Consultant with over 20 years experience working with individuals to improve their physical and mental health.

Lisa dives into how nutrition, microbiome, methylation and genetics interact with mental health, physical health and our overall wellbeing. On this episode we cover a wide range of areas including;

-depression, anxiety, schizophrenia + trauma
-antibiotics, prebiotics + probiotics
-B12
-vagus nerve + inflammation
-dairy, meat, caffeine
-skin, PH levels + acne
-First Nations populations + intergenerational trauma
-Methylation, genetics, epigenetics

Lisa talks about the Human Gut Project which you can check out HERE and for more information about Lisa Matlovich you can visit her website HERE