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MY APPROACH

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DEBB
BERTAZZON, MA CYC, RP

I am a children's mental health professional with over 40 years of experience supporting parents, grandparents, children and youth from infancy to 21 years as well as helping professionals and teachers.

I use a non-judgmental, relational approach and have a flair for creativity.

I have earned a reputation for building rapport, creating safe, trusting relationships and simplifying the complex. I believe that developing a co-created relationship is foundational to the work I do with others.

As a psychotherapist and child and youth care (CYC) practitioner, I work within an anti-oppressive, collaborative, client-centered and strength-based framework.  In other words, I believe that “you are the expert on you” and together we can identify your strengths and needs to determine new ways of coping that are meaningful for you.  I will meet you “where you are at” with curiosity and an open mind and heart as we co-author a plan.

Although I have been trained over the years in numerous evidence-based and evidence-informed practices, I believe in using an individualized approach during individual therapy– one size does not fit all.  I also draw from practice-based evidence and wisdom gained from working directly with numerous children, youth, families and helping professionals over time.

I practice an integrated form of therapy and will tailor our work together based on your needs. This may be informed by one or more of the following therapy models and theories that I have been trained in:

  • Attachment Theory

  • Characteristics of Relational Child and Youth Care

  • Child developmental theory

  • Emotionally-focused therapy

  • Narrative therapy

  • Interpersonal Neurobiology

  • Solution focused therapy

  • Trauma Theory

As a parent group and workshop facilitator and as a trainer for helping practitioners, my focus is on teaching how to understand and manage stress and anxiety for everyone involved.  I draw from many sources and from the constructs noted above as well as:

  • Group Theory

  • Milieu Theory

  • Systems Theory

  • Adult Education/ Andragogy  

My practice is 2SLGBTQ2+ positive        

I have enjoyed taking Improv classes at Second City – Toronto.  I also take pleasure in attending folk music festivals and engaging in expressive arts and other playful, creative and spiritual practices.  All of this strengthens my ability to be present with you.

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"Door knobs represent openings and new opportunities”

MY CREDENTIALS

I hold an MA in Child and Youth Care from Ryerson University, am a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and I am a Certified Theraplay ™ Therapist through the Theraplay Institute in Chicago.   I am also a certified trainer for child and youth care (CYC) practitioners in The Purposeful Use of Daily Life Events.

I have co-developed and delivered a number of innovative children’s groups, parent groups, parenting workshops as well as training programs for practitioners based on current trauma, attachment and neuroscience literature.  I have also facilitated adult coming-out groups.

My MA research paper entitled “Putting Your Oxygen Mask on First: CYC Practitioner Self-regulation” has become required reading for CYC graduate students at Ryerson University.

I am member of OAMHP (Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals) and of the OACYC (Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care).

  

Debb Interview Clips

Debb Interview Clips

Play Video
Clips from an  interview with Debb about her practice (4 min.)
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