Kristen Dormer
(Registered Social Worker)
Kristen is a Registered Social Worker at Family TLC. Kristen holds her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Windsor and Bachelor of Social Work degree from Trent University – with a focus on Indigenous and Gendered Studies, and a Diploma in Social Service Work from Durham College. Kristen is registered with the OCSWSSW and OASW.
Kristen brings an abundance of lived experience to her work, as she identifies as being a Queer Mi’kmaw Indigenous woman. She has 10 years of experience working with youth and adults in various mental health settings, such as the Gender-Based Violence sector, Child Wellbeing, grassroots community mental health organizations, and more. Kristen also sits as a co-chair of an anti-human trafficking coalition.
Kristen draws on an eclectic range of perspectives and her approach is (w)holistic, as she believes there is not a one-size-fits-all. Kristen utilizes an array of modalities from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Indigenous Healing, Play Therapy, Mindfulness, and more. Kristen believes it’s about the journey and is here to assist you reach balance and healing.
Kristen works with children, teens, and adult individuals, and assists them with finding their strengths and capabilities. Some strategies Kristen specializes in addressing (but is not limited to) are complex trauma and post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, substance use, self-esteem, self-image, sexual violence and domestic violence.
Kristen enjoys sitting down with folks and creating a collaborative environment that helps you feel safe and accepted. Kristen draws on the 7 Grandfather teachings while in practice to help you identify bravery, truth, wisdom, honesty, humility, love, and respect within yourself.
Outside of work, Kristen is an active person who spends most of her time rock climbing, camping, having her feet on the earth and connecting to nature. She loves baking regularly and sharing delicious food with her friends and family. Kristen is a huge music lover and will never turn down a song recommendation.
With over 10 years of experience practicing in various sectors of mental health, I have been providing a safe and supportive environment to individuals, couples, and families to create change. I use a client-centered approach, starting with where my client is at to find one small change we can create together. Sometimes the hardest step is reaching out to another person.
If you are struggling with grief and loss, work-related stress, difficult life situations, symptoms of anxiety, depression or stress, chronic pain, or relationship concerns; please take the first step and reach out for support.
I draw on evidence-based approaches including: Grief Counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Single Session Counselling, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Brief Action Planning, Mindfulness-Based Interventions, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
I provide virtual services to residents of Ontario and look forward to working with you. Please call or email to set up a complimentary 15-minute phone consult.