Ruth Simmonds (Elle/Homme)

Ruth Simmonds is a Registered Social Worker with over 20 years’ experience and specialized training in Family Systems Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Triple P Parenting, and Collaborative Problem Solving. Ruth’s experience includes: Interviewing, assessing and providing ongoing individual therapy to adolescents dealing with anxiety, depression, sexual identity issues, self-harming behaviour, and suicidal ideation; Providing crisis intervention to adolescents who had made a suicide attempt; Counselling and supporting parents of young people on domestic violence, separation and divorce, and bereavement; Advocating for clients within and outside the organization when appropriate; Co-facilitating two adolescent girls’ groups that dealt with issues of sexuality and body image; Co-leading Problem Solving Group; Serving as liaison between family members of forty patients in a maximum security mental health facility and other professionals on staff. Qualifications: Masters in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University with concentration in Individuals, Families and Groups; Bachelor of Arts Degree from Trent University with specialization in Psychology and Sociology; Certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Triple P Parenting Programs; Training as facilitator in Facing Your Fears – Anxiety Group for Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder; Continuous training and workshops on self-harming and suicidal behaviour, bereavement, and other issues.