Therapeutic Approach

Gerald has compiled a therapeutically sound and compelling approach to private practice that is rooted in an array of academic and life-learned experiences. Grounded in both Developmental Attachment and Emotionally Focused Therapy, Gerald works with clients in processing through emotions to both enhance and/or maintain relationships; as well as securing a balance in life.

Mental Health / Grief

With over seven years of work experience in a psychiatric emergency/crisis setting, Gerald actively coaches clients struggling with anxiety, depression, and/or other mood related concerns. Presenting with strong assessment and evaluation skills coupled with a deep understanding of Developmental and Therapeutic processes, Gerald offers a clear and manageable process to healing and health.

Parenting

Specializing in parenting issues, Gerald pulls from a number of experiences, such as: the Children’s Aid Society, the public school system, the Office of the Children’s Lawyer; as well as being a father of two. Focusing on the Developmental Attachment approach of Dr. Gordon Neufeld (http://neufeldinstitute.com/), Gerald provides both parent consulting and a group psycho-educational experience for parents, foster parents, and professionals. Based in Attachment, emotion, and child development; as well as informed and supported by recent neuroscience discoveries; this approach has proven to be effecting and beneficial for parents, blended families, foster/adoptive parents, children suffering with attachment issues, and professionals.

Couple Therapy

Gerald is an active Emotionally Focused Therapist (EFT), receiving advanced training and supervision in this area for a number of years. EFT is a short-term (8-20 sessions) structured approach to working with individuals, couples and families. Couples who undergoing EFT are helped to better identify, experience, explore, make sense of, transform and flexibly manage their emotional experiences.

Restorative Practice (RP) (http://www.iirp.edu/)

The fundamental premise of restorative practices is that people are happier, more cooperative and productive, and more likely to make positive changes when those in authority do things with them, rather than to them or for them. RP has significant implications for all aspects of society — from families, schools and prisons to workplaces, associations, and governments — because RP can develop better relationships among these organizations’ constituents and help the overall organization function more effectively.  Gerald is a trained RP facilitator and Trainer.

Professional Memberships:

• Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (RSW).
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (RMFT).
• Restorative Practice Facilitator and Trainer (IIRP)

Education:

• Master of Social Work, Carleton University
• Bachelor of Arts in Social Development Studies, University of Waterloo
• Certificate in Couple and Family Therapy Studies, Guelph University
• Core Skills Advanced Training, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Advanced Training with the Neufeld Institute; a Developmental Attachment approach to parenting.

(Note:

Gerald has guest lectured in both the Social Work and Psychology Departments at Carleton University, on the topics of “Developmental Attachment” and “Restorative Practice”.)