As a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist, I provide therapy for a wide variety of concerns including (but not limited to):
- Anxiety
- Attachment Concerns/Disruptions
- Behavioural Problems
- Depression
- Emotion regulation (e.g., anger)
- Parenting Support & Strategies
- Relationship difficulties
- School or Work Difficulties/Stressors
- Self-harm
- Trauma
- Youth Who Engage in Sexual Offending Behaviour (Sexual Behaviour Assessments)
Abby Doner, MSW, Registered Social Worker
APPROACH
For me, therapy is a safe place where two brains and two perspectives come together to process the difficulties that life throws our way (and there can be many at times!). I aim to provide a welcoming, safe, relaxed, and “free from judgement” therapeutic space where we can explore life’s good, bad, and ugly moments together. Therapy should be a place where you are met with empathy and understanding and where you feel heard. It is vital that our work together draws from your strengths, creating goals, processing hardships, and exploring your inner thoughts and feelings. I use an eclectic approach to therapy and can tailor different modalities/evidence-based practices to fit your unique needs. Some of the primary modalities I use in my practice are Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Strengths-Based Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I am looking forward to walking alongside you on this journey together.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
As an Ottawa Valley local, I am thankful to be providing mental health support to those in the community that I grew up in and continue to call home. I am registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and the Ontario Association of Social Workers. I completed my undergraduate degree in Social Work at Carleton University and graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours). During my undergraduate career, I completed two different practicums that provided me with hands-on learning and highlighted the impact that the Social Determinants of Health (Ex. Age, Gender, Economic Status, Education etc.) have on our lives.
After graduation, the Valley called me home, and I immediately began working as a Family and Child Therapist at the Phoenix Centre for Families and Children. I have worked for Phoenix for nine years, and in those years, I have gained invaluable training and frontline experience. My work at Phoenix includes therapy with children, youth, and families. We work in interdisciplinary team settings and collaborate with many community agencies and resources.
As ongoing education is essential to me, I recently completed a Master of Social Work Program at The University of Waterloo & Renison College University. During this program, I completed a practicum with the Petawawa Centennial Health Centre working alongside patients sixteen and older. Although my Phoenix Centre experience provided me with the privilege to work alongside adults/parents/caregivers, this practicum experience provided me with frontline experience to further deepen my practice with adults.