Samantha is a registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She is also a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. Samantha has been providing counselling to individuals, couples, families and groups since 2003. Her current practice includes children, teens and adults. Samantha enjoys working with teens and adults who are dealing with issues of depression, anxiety, self-harming behaviours, self-esteem, body image, eating disorders, and addictions, as well as helping families cope with separation and divorce. Her creative styles of counselling have aided in making her a well-liked counsellor by her clients and their families.
In addition to her private practice, Samantha is also a part-time Social Worker at Homewood Health Centre in the Inpatient Eating Disorders Program. Her passion for working with individuals with mental health concerns began when she completed her internship at the renowned Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto. At CAMH Samantha worked in the Youth Addiction Service and the Eating Disorders and Substance Use Program. Samantha's interest in mental health continues to this day.
Samantha began actively pursuing this interest in mental health and social services during her academic career. She completed her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Toronto. She also has a Master of Arts degree from the University of Waterloo, and completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Samantha is very active in the social work community. She is an energetic member of the Eating Disorders Awareness Coalition of Waterloo Region and plans annual professional development conferences for the coalition. She is also a member of the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Eating Disorders Coalition. In addition to this work, she speaks regularly at community events on teen-related issues, with a particular focus on self-harming behaviours, healthy relationships, and the parent-teen relationship.
Samantha's interest in working with teens allows her to engage her whimsical, and fun side, which her clients particularly appreciate. She regularly connects with her inner teenage girl while running self-esteem based groups for teen girls. Samantha enjoys staying well versed in the popular culture of teens and young adults, and has extensive knowledge of the most popular trends in books, TV shows, music, and teen idols, which helps her to engage shy and uncomfortable teens in conversation, as well as keeping her hip and young at heart.
Email: SamanthaDurfy@gmail.com