Gillian MacPherson

MSW, Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist (Children & Teens)

Gillian MacPherson is a registered social worker and holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto. She completed a certificate in adoption, and received training in several areas of psychotherapy. As an enthusiastic professional, she engages in ongoing professional development.

Gillian brings over 25 years of experience supporting and counselling children, youth, adults, and families. She works in the public education system as a school-based social worker and has held a supervisory position. She also worked as a Clinical Investigator with the Office of the Children's Lawyer, conducting custody and access assessments.

Gillian uses a wide range of evidence-based interventions, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), motivational counselling, solution-focused and brief solution-focused therapies. She counsels through a strength-based, anti-oppressive lens and works with her clients to leverage their own strengths to help them achieve what they want and need.

Gillian provides counselling services to young children and teenagers, and works with parents to address parental issues, for a wide range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and stress management. She has extensive experience supporting individuals through crisis situations, grief / loss, life stresses, mental health challenges, and traumatic life events.

She easily develops rapport with clients of all ages, and is known not just for her compassion and empathy, but also for her ability to help her clients arrive at their own solutions while providing them with practical tools and life skills.

In her spare time, Gillian enjoys going to the theatre, cooking, gardening and travelling. She is a mother of three children and enjoys spending time with them. Gillian was born in Trinidad and moved to Canada in 1986.

Licensing Body: Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

Education: Master of Social Work (University of Toronto)

Professional Associations: Ontario Association of Social Workers