Registered social worker providing virtual services during the Covid-19 pandemic
About Us
Emma here - I'm a registered social worker slash human being. I use they/them and she/her pronouns.
I have over 5 years of experience in the social work field, working primarily around intimate partner violence, trauma, and self-esteem. Social justice is an important part of my practice and I try to incorporate anti-racist, anti-colonial, anti-oppressive values into my work.
I identify as a feminist and I try to take an intersectional approach. I try to be an ally to marginalized communities I am not a member of, but I recognize that allyship is a process and not an identity and I welcome any feedback or critique.
I have lived experience of trauma and mental health struggles. I am a neurodivergent, non-binary queer human who is raising two queer kids with several other co-parents in downtown Hamilton. In my spare time, I enjoy being a huge nerd about pop culture, loudly defending maligned women in history and fiction, crafting things for the people I love, and listening to science and true crime podcasts. I also like to hang out with my dogs, Macaroni and Andromeda, and my 2 house bunnies, Penny and Leo.
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Mistie Lewis is a BSW student who will be joining me in my practice until April 2022. I'm super jazzed to have her here and she'll be seeing clients on a pay-what-you-can basis between $10-$50
Mistie says - my pronouns are she/her. I am a fourth-year Bachelor of Social Work Student at McMaster University and am excited to join Emma in her practice.
I have spent the past five years working within the shelter system, supporting women and children experiencing family violence and homelessness. I am also privileged to work with women for the past 10 years who are being challenged with postpartum depression and/or anxiety. I have also participated in research through McMaster University as both a group facilitator and research assistant.
These experiences have provided me with a unique outlook on how societal structures are built and maintained.
Reflecting on my own experiences with mental health, I have participated as a guest speaker for Kids Can Fly, a not-for-profit organization in Brantford, raising awareness about the stigma that accompanies postpartum depression and anxiety.
As we are often at our most vulnerable when attending therapy, I believe it is essential to provide a safe space for clients to explore their issues. My goals for the future are to be a private clinician, implementing an eclectic approach to therapy that takes into consideration where clients are in their recovery journey.
Outside of work and school, I enjoy reading fiction (especially Harry Potter and Outlander!), socializing, powerlifting, singing (dream job other than a social worker- Broadway singer!), and having games nights with my three boys and husband. A fun fact about me is that I LOVE Lego!