Discovering a New Path: Susie’s Journey into Becoming a Psychotherapist

In the realm of mental health, the journey of a professional often shapes their unique approach to therapy. Our psychotherapist (qualifying), Susie, is a testament to the enriching paths that can lead one to this caring profession. Her journey into psychology is a compelling narrative of passion, collaboration, and an unyielding desire to make a difference in the lives of those she serves.

A Different Beginning

For twelve years, Susie dedicated herself to the field of recreation therapy working at Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital with children with traumatic brain injuries, children coping with specialized orthopedic and developmental needs, kids staying in complex and continuing care and teens working through chronic pain. She spent a decade working  closely with adolescents with chronic pain and complex mental health challenges where she worked with the ministry of health to develop Canada's first inpatient rehabilitation program for kids with chronic pain and built the therapeutic recreation program that she spent ten years working in. 

Susie also worked closely with families, helping them navigate parenthood, developing skills for coping and learning about how to care for their own wellness. As a certified therapeutic recreation specialist, she collaborated extensively with the mental health team consisting of psychiatry, psychology and social work, gaining invaluable insights into the intricate dynamics and impact of high quality mental health care. Her experience in this field laid a robust foundation for her subsequent transition into psychotherapy.

The Turning Point

Susie’s work in recreation therapy was deeply fulfilling, but it was the evolving nature of her clientele that sparked a profound shift in her professional aspirations. She explained, "For a long time I was sort of completely immersed in that world, however, as time went on and our clientele got to be a little bit more complex with regards to various mental health challenges that we were seeing in our rehab program, there was a lot of collaboration happening with psychology and social work, and I started to really want to be more a part of that."

The increasing complexity of the mental health issues presented by her clients required closer collaboration with mental health professionals. It was through this interdisciplinary teamwork that Susie began to see the immense value and impact of mental health interventions. She became acutely aware of the profound connections between mental and physical well-being, and how crucial it was to address both to truly support her clients.

A New Calling

The drive to further explore the mental health aspects of her work became undeniable. Susie vividly recalls, "I was seeing the value of really getting to know these clients and what was meaningful to them, and how impactful it was to be able to reconnect them with those areas of their life that had been sort of put on the back burner."

Susie’s realization was the turning point towards obtaining her masters in counselling psychology and diving further into her professional development. The transformative shift she had seen through years of reconnecting clients with recreational activities that sparked joy and meaning in their lives was just a glimpse of the potential impact she could have as a psychotherapist. She realized that she wanted to be a part of the client's whole therapeutic journey instead of having segregation within the scope of recreation.

Embracing the Journey

Susie’s transition from a recreation therapist to a psychotherapist is a powerful reminder that the journey to finding one’s true calling can be winding and multifaceted. Her story underscores the importance of being open to change and recognizing the moments that steer us toward our passions. Today, Susie brings a unique blend of empathy, experience, and holistic understanding to her role as a psychotherapist, enriching the lives of her clients in ways she had always hoped to.

We are incredibly fortunate to have Susie as part of our team, and her journey continues to inspire both her colleagues and the many individuals she supports. Her dedication and passion for mental health care are evident in every interaction, and her story serves as one of resilience for all those navigating their own paths towards finding meaning and drive towards work that they love.