A Little About the Practitioners
Beth Toomey is a Clinical Social Worker with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers and is a licensed private practitioner. She established the practice in 2014 and currently acts as Practice Lead.
Beth received her Masters of Social Work Degree in 2003 from Dalhousie University. Her undergraduate credentials include a Bachelor of Social Work Degree with High Honours from Carleton University in 1999 and a Bachelor of Arts Degree with an Advanced Major in Psychology from St. Francis Xavier University in 1996 . Her clinical background includes over 20 years of experience in the fields of child welfare, mental health and addiction assessment/treatment.
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PROFESSIONAL LICENSES
Registered Social Worker, NS College of Social Workers (#1515)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
EMDR Canada EMDR International Association International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation
International Association of Yoga Therapists
CERTIFICATIONS
Certified EMDR Therapist
Overcome Anxiety Clinic: A Natural & Holistic Approach - Certified and Licensed Facilitator
Certified in Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy (TIYT)
LifeForce Yoga Practitioner - Level 1 Certified LFYP
Opioid Dependence Treatment Certification
Community Reinforcement Approach Certification (CRA - Addiction Treatment)
SPECIALIZED TRAINING
EMDRIA-Approved Consultant in Training
Somatic Experiencing (SE) Method of Trauma Resolution
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training
LifeForce Yoga Practitioner Training for Mood Management
Concurrent Disorders in Primary Care
Medications and Drugs of Abuse Interactions in Opioid Dependence
Opioid Dependence Treatment
Advanced Skills in Motivational Interviewing
Foundations in Motivational Interviewing
Beth has worked in a variety of clinical settings including community-based outpatient mental health and addiction treatment, emergency mental health crisis services, opioid substitution and recovery treatment, residential addiction treatment, and First Nations mental health and addiction treatment. She relies on best practices and empirically validated interventions in her work with clients. Beth's current areas of professional interest and specialties include work with:
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Canadian Armed Forces, Department of National Defense, Veterans Affairs Canada, and RCMP
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Paramedics and other First Responders
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Injured Workers / Operational Stress Injuries (OSI)
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Indian Residential School Survivors and their descendants
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Complex Trauma (CPTSD)
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Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders
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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Addiction Recovery
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Adult Children of Addicted Persons / Others Affected by Addiction
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Family of Origin/Attachment
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Grief and Loss
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Adjusting to transitions across the lifespan (i.e., Life Happens!)
Beth is deeply committed to continuing education and the expansion of her clinical skill set. She's adopted an integrative therapeutic approach whereby interventions are drawn from a number of cutting-edge therapeutic approaches including EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, mindfulness-based therapies, and a neurobiologically informed understanding of trauma, dissociation and attachment. New and exciting insights in neurophysiology highlight connections between trauma and its impact on the brain and physical body. She can periodically be found teaching yoga and meditation classes for mood-management and regularly incorporates such practices into her individual work with clients. Beth's therapeutic approach to clinical practice is collaborative and promotes a sense of holistic well being.
Beth has been a member of the Nova Scotia College of Social workers (www.nscsw.org) since 1999 and was granted a license to practice as a private practitioner in 2004. Beth is a member of EMDR Canada (https://emdrcanada.org) and the EMDR International Association (www.emdria.org). Other professional memberships include the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (www.isst-d.org) and a general membership with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (http://iayt.site-ym.com/).
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES
Registered Social Worker, NS College of Social Workers (#2856)
SPECIALIZED TRAINING
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
EMDR Canada EMDR International Association
Carrie Evely is a Clinical Social Worker with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers as well as a licensed private practitioner. She joined the practice in early 2021 on a part-time basis as she also works as Wellness Coordinator for the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. She previously worked as a clinical therapist at a local women’s shelter for domestic violence and a community-based counselling agency. Carrie is dedicated to working with people who have experienced trauma and specializes in intimate partner violence and first responders injured in the line of duty.
Carrie received her Masters of Social Work Degree in 2012 from Wilfrid Laurier University. Her undergraduate credentials include a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from the University of Maine at Presque Isle that was received in 2000. In addition, Carrie completed a Bachelor of Human Ecology (Family Studies) from Mount Saint Vincent University in 1992 and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in psychology from the University College of Cape Breton in 1989. Her background includes over 20 years of experience in the fields of child welfare, fostering, working with children and adults with various disabilities. Carrie is a registered Social Worker with NSCSW (#2856) and is also a member of the EMDR International Association. She also practiced social work in the United Kingdom for several years and returned to Cape Breton in 2012 .
Since her return from the United Kingdom, Carrie has been working in the field of mental health treatment. In 2015, she began specializing in the area of trauma and PTSD. In 2016, she became trained in EMDR Therapy and regularly participates in ongoing professional training and clinical consultation. Carrie has an interest in trauma and has completed training on integrating EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology. She is also trained in other therapeutic modalities including Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, and Solution Focused Therapy.
Carrie is committed to ongoing education in the area of trauma and practices from an anti-oppressive approach. She has worked with a diverse client group and believes in using a client-centered approach to therapy. In her spare time, Carrie enjoys spending time with her family and her 2 dogs. She also enjoys travelling and experiencing other cultures.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES
Registered Social Worker, NS College of Social Workers (#7802)
Tess Carrigan is a licensed Clinical Social Worker offering individual therapy for children and adolescents (ages 7+), their families, and individual adults. She uses client-centred, best practice therapies when working with people who are struggling with various mental health and emotional concerns including trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, depression and stress. Tess is formally trained in EMDR Therapy, an evidence-based treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and is dedicated to helping people resolve issues from their past that hold them back from living life fully in the present.
Growing up on beautiful Cape Breton Island allowed Tess to experience the natural riches of the area which contributed to her desire to become a Social Worker and to work with individuals who are facing challenges in their lives. Tess' educational and clinical training includes a Masters of Social Work Degree (Wilfrid Laurier University), a Bachelor of Social Work Degree (Dalhousie University), a Bachelor of Community Studies with Honours in Psychology (Cape Breton University), and a Diploma in Human Services, Disability Supports and Services (NS Community College).
Tess enjoys working with diverse groups of people including different genders, sexual orientations or identities, and cultural backgrounds. Tess joined the practice in early 2021 and works part-time. For the last several years Tess has worked in the First Nation community of Eskasoni and is dedicated to offering culturally safe clinical services. She is also a WPATH trained clinician and is able to complete transgender assessments for hormone and surgical readiness.
Specialized Training
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training
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Client Services Coordinator
Jeannine Paul is the most recent addition to our team and brings with her over a decade of experience working in the fields of community-based mental health and enhanced supportive services. In her previous role as Mental Health Intake Coordinator, Jeannine was the first point of contact for clients, conducting intake assessments in order to connect people to the most appropriate services for their situation. She is knowledgeable and trained in suicide risk prevention, Mental Health First Aid, addiction issues, and basic counselling skills. Jeannine is compassionate and dedicated in her work to help people obtain relevant and timely access to services.
As the Client Services Coordinator in this practice, Jeannine is available on weekday evenings to speak directly with all new referrals to collect relevant information and answer any questions people may have about our services. Then in collaboration with our Practice Lead, a decision is made to match new clients with one of our Associate therapists who is the best fit for that person.