Gwen Wellington, MSW, RSW, CTS :

Education/Certification:

• 2010 Certified Trauma Specialist, Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists
• 1998 Master of Social Work, University of Calgary
• 1991 Bachelor of Social Work, University of Calgary
• 1971 Associate in Music, University of Manitoba
• 1970 Bachelor of Sacred Music, Canadian Mennonite Bible College
• 2000-present: registered as a social worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, Registration Number 324281
• 1999-present: member in good standing with the Ontario Association of Social Workers
• 1991-2000: member in good standing with the Council of the Alberta Association of Registered Social Workers, Registration Number 1561

Supervised Training Experiences:

• 1996-present: ongoing peer consultation.
• 1995-1996: eight months at the Anderson and Mayes Sexual Abuse Treatment Program, Calgary, Alberta
• 1990-1991: four months at Crossroads Counselling Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta
• 1989-1990: four months at Alberta Family and Social Services

Professional Experiences:

• 2000-present: Clinical Social Worker in private practice in Markham, Ontario, providing counselling services to individuals, couples, families, and groups, and providing presentations and consultation to the public and professionals on various topics.
• 1996-1999: Clinical Social Worker in private practice in Lethbridge, Alberta, providing counselling services to individuals, couples, families, and groups, and providing presentations and consultation to the public and professionals on various topics.
• 1991-1996: counsellor with a non-profit counselling center in Lethbridge, Alberta, providing individual, marriage, family and group counselling.
• 1985-1987: member of a lay ministry team that pastored Springridge Mennonite Church, Alberta.
• 1980-1984: development work under Mennonite Central Committee at Cape Croker Indian Reserve, Wiarton, Ontario.
• 1972-1976: established and ran a Christian Education Resource Centre for the Conference of Mennonites in Canada, at the head offices in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
• 1971-1987: musician providing instruction in keyboard instruments and music theory.

Mission Statement:

I would sum up my practice approach by saying that I am adaptation-focused. By this, I mean that I work together with my clients to see how they have been adapting, or coping, in their life experience. We endeavor to strengthen any coping methods that are beneficial and to replace less helpful adaptations with new ways of responding that will enhance their life experience. In my efforts to assist clients in understanding and enhancing their adaptation to life, I use a wide range of therapeutic modalities such as cognitive, Gestalt, solution-focused, abuse-focused, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprogramming, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, etc.

As a Christian, I believe that the key aspect in a person’s adaptation is to discover and grow in his or her identity as a child of God. In my work, I seek to be an instrument in God’s hands to enable clients to take steps in that direction.

To learn more about me and the counselling work I do with people, I invite you to visit my website at www.gwenwellington.com .