My name is Brenda Atkin.

I am a mother and grandmother. I am a country girl with my bare feet in the grass. Nature is one of the places that keeps me centered and balanced. I live in a rural area and enjoy my community. I have come to learn that I am capable, I matter and I do make a difference.  I learned that we are not the sum of all of our shortcomings and mistakes and that I have the power every day to make my life the best it can be. You have that power too!

I have an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Guelph, am a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and a Certified Addiction Counselor with the Canadian Addiction Counselors Certification Federation. I have worked throughout my life helping others put their lives back together. I love to plant the seeds of change using a blend of treatment modalities and my personal understanding and experience. Often I do not see the outcomes of my work however  there are times when a past client stops me in the community to tell me how their life has changed for the better – how they continue to be clean and sober, how they have regained custody of their children or their relationship has improved. This is why I continue to love the work I do.

Registered Social Worker (RSW) is a protected title and shows that I am a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. This is protection for you as this means that I have to adhere to the College’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. I am a certified addiction counselor and certified in medically assistance in addiction treatment with The Canadian Addiction Counselors Certification Federation (CACCF) where I am part of the Community of Practice and also the Professional Conduct Committee. CACCF also has a Code of Ethics that I must adhere to.

I also belong to CADDRA and have completed their education units on ADHD. I have also completed numerous other trainings on ADHD.

I am also a member of the Canadian Association of Social Worker and the Ontario Association of Social Work.

I have training in a variety of other areas including CBT, DBT, CPT. MI, SRP, MAAT, Adult ADHD, grief and insomnia.