Shira Blake is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the CRPO who works with children, youth, and families. With a strong background in education, as a teacher, Shira understands the emotional, social, and developmental needs of young people and the unique challenges families face. She brings a compassionate, collaborative, and grounded approach, creating a safe space where children and parents feel heard, supported, and understood.

Shira’s work is rooted in evidence-based and restorative practices that help young people build emotional awareness, resilience, and healthy coping skills. Her therapeutic approach includes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and trauma-informed, nervous-system-based approaches such as Applied Polyvagal Theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and somatic interventions.

Shira is especially passionate about helping youths process big emotions, heal from stress or trauma, and strengthen their relationships with caregivers. She partners closely with parents, offering guidance and support to help families feel more confident and connected at home.

Parents often describe Shira as warm, attentive, and easy to talk to—someone who truly takes the time to understand their child and family’s needs. She is committed to helping families move forward with clarity, hope, and practical tools for lasting change.

Shira Blake is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the CRPO who works with children, y... Read More

MSW, BSW, DC, RSW

Mental Health Therapist, Psychotherapist, Trauma-Informed Therapist

Yvonne is a compassionate and experienced mental health therapist with over 17 years of dedicated service supporting children, youth, families, individuals, couples, and older adults through a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges.

She holds a Master of Social Work from Carleton University, Ottawa and has completed specialized training in clinical social work and mental health. Her professional journey has taken her through both clinical and community-based settings, including Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre, Karis children/adult homes, and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), where she completed a graduate placement in the Mental Health Department.

Throughout her career, Yvonne has helped clients navigate complex issues such as emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, low self-esteem, grief and bereavement, suicidal ideation, self-harm, family conflict, and social difficulties. She is also highly experienced in supporting individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use.

Yvonne’s therapeutic approach is flexible, integrative, and client centered. Drawing from a range of evidence-based modalities, she tailors each intervention to meet the unique needs of her clients. Her work is grounded in compassion, respect, empathy, collaboration, trauma-informed care, and anti-oppression practice. She is deeply committed to creating a safe, non-judgmental space where clients—especially children and families—can express themselves openly, build stronger relationships, and develop effective communication and coping strategies.

At the heart of Yvonne’s practice is a profound respect for the strength and resilience of those she supports. She brings warmth, insight, and a deep commitment to helping people navigate life’s challenges with compassion, clarity, and care.

Areas of Focus

I work with clients dealing with a wide range of concerns, including: • Anxiety & Depression • ADHD (attention deficit disorder) • Suicide thoughts and ideation • Bullying and aggression. • Behavioural Challenges • Conflict Management • Parental attachment struggles. • Impulsivity • Family Conflict • High conflict Separation • Life Transitions • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) • Self-Esteem • Trauma & PTSD • Grieve and bereavement

Therapeutic Approach

• CPS (Collaborative problem-solving approach) • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) • Eating Disorder Interventions • COS (Circle of security)

Philosophy

I believe that “everyone will do well if they can.” This belief guides my practice and my unwavering commitment to walk alongside clients—offering a space that is warm, affirming, and grounded in mutual trust.

MSW, BSW, DC, RSW Mental Health Therapist, Psychotherapist, Trauma-Informed Therapist Yvonne is... Read More

Shannon Havill - MSW, BSW, RSW Registered Social Worker-

Shannon holds a Master of Social Work from Carleton University in Ottawa, ON. Child, Youth & Family Therapist

Hello, I’m Shannon. I am a Registered Social Worker with over five years of experience dedicated to supporting children, youth, and families through some of life’s most challenging moments. My professional journey includes time at Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre, where I specialized in child and youth mental health and developed a deep understanding of the impact of trauma on emotional and psychological well-being. At the heart of my practice is a commitment to seeing the inherent strength, hope, and potential in every client, even during times of significant struggle.

I work with children and teens navigating a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, grief, bullying, and peer relationships. I have particular expertise in supporting those who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect, as well as youth involved with child welfare services, foster care, or the youth justice system. I also provide specialized support for families navigating high-conflict separation or divorce, substance use concerns, and self-harm or suicidal ideation. Whether your child is facing behavioural challenges and aggression or struggling with self-esteem and life transitions, I strive to create a space where they feel truly seen and respected.

In my work, I integrate a variety of evidence-based and collaborative approaches, including Exposure and Prevention Therapy (EAP), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Culturally-Adaptive CBT, and Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). I am also trained in Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS), a model that helps families move away from power struggles by addressing the “lagging skills” that often lead to challenging behaviours. By focusing on skill-building rather than just behavior management, I help children and parents develop the tools they need for long-term success and emotional regulation.

My therapeutic philosophy is grounded in the belief that no one chooses to struggle. When children appear “difficult,” they are often doing the best they can with the tools they currently have to cope with what they are experiencing. I take a trauma-informed, harm-reduction approach that recognizes you and your family as the true experts in your own lives. My role is not to direct or dictate, but to walk alongside you, offering guidance, support, and practical strategies that feel empowering and aligned with your family’s unique values and goals.

Above all, I strive to create a warm, compassionate, and respectful environment where children and families feel safe to explore challenges, build new skills, and move toward healing and growth together.

I has specialized training in child and youth mental health and the impact of trauma on emotional and psychological well-being. Shannon is deeply committed to seeing the strength, hope, and potential in every client she works with, even during times of significant struggle.

Shannon uses a harm-reduction and trauma-informed approach, with particular expertise in supporting children and youth who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect, involvement with child welfare services, high-conflict separation or divorce, time in foster care, youth justice involvement, and substance use concerns.

Areas of Focus

Shannon supports children, youth, and families experiencing a wide range of concerns, including:

Anxiety and depression ADHD Eating disorders Self-harm and suicidal ideation Behavioural challenges, aggression, and bullying Family conflict and attachment difficulties Life transitions Self-esteem concerns Grief and bereavement

Therapeutic Approach

Shannon draws from evidence-based and collaborative approaches, including:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Culturally-Adaptive CBT Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) Emotionally Focused Family Therapy Play Therapy Strength-Based Practice

Shannon Havill - MSW, BSW, RSW Registered Social Worker- Shannon holds a Master of Social Work ... Read More