Deena Ginsberg BSW, MSW, RSW is a registered therapist with a Master of Social Work degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. She also earned an Honours Bachelor of Social Work degree from York University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario. She has worked in the field of medical social work and rehabilitation since 1993, specifically working with individuals, families and groups who have sustained significant and traumatic injuries such as brain injury, spinal cord injuries and orthopedic injuries. She has had the opportunity to offer her services and support in a variety of settings, working with people in acute care, community-based programs and private practice.

Deena began her career in community-based rehabilitation programs and hospital settings where she developed a strong commitment to client-centered practice and advocacy to ensure the individuals and families she worked with had the support, skills, education and resources they required. Deena later established a private practice with the goal of providing timely and specialized psychotherapeutic support throughout the neuro-rehabilitation process. Deena began to envision the creation of an expanded social work service that could be accessed by a greater number of clients and would join together therapists with a shared determination to provide the highest quality of client care to individuals in their own environments. This vision was transformed into reality with the development of The Social Work Consulting Group in 2006.

Laura Derry MSW, RSW is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Toronto. Her Master’s Degree included specializations in both mental health and gerontology.  Since 2010, Laura has worked with adults and families affected by stroke and orthopedic injuries. She worked in both geriatric and stroke rehabilitation at Providence Healthcare for nine years, where she was also the Professional Practice Lead for Social Work from 2017 to 2019. She worked as a Research Coordinator at the Aphasia Institute for three years prior to becoming a Social Worker.

While at Providence Healthcare, she conducted comprehensive psychosocial assessments and provided counselling to adults and their families. She developed an expertise in supporting families and helping to instill hope for those adjusting to a new disability, using a variety of strengths-based therapeutic approaches. In 2018, Laura was awarded a Mission and Values Award for Compassionate Service at Providence Healthcare.

Laura joined The Social Work Consulting Group in 2019. She has attended extensive trainings and workshops in the areas of Trauma, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Meditation. Laura is a strong advocate for her clients and works from a strengths-based approach when supporting individuals and families.

“Being a Social Worker means having the immense privilege of bearing witness to people’s pain but also their resiliency and joy at meeting hard-fought goals. It is very meaningful to be able to help clients to see their own strengths, allowing them to move forward in a meaningful way. I work from a strengths-based, evidence-informed, empathic approach, tailoring interventions to each unique individual.”

Sarah Warren MSW, RSW is a Registered Social Worker and Clinical Supervisor with The Social Work Consulting Group. She holds a Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Toronto. Her Master’s Degree included a specialization in working with children and families. Sarah received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology at Queen’s University with a focus on social and health psychology.

Since 2002, Sarah has worked with children, adolescents, adults and families affected by an acquired brain injury (ABI) and orthopaedic injuries. She worked in the Stroke Program at The Hospital for Sick Children as a Psychometrist prior to becoming a Social Worker. After the completion of her Masters of Social Work Degree, Sarah practiced clinical social work with the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Team at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital for over 8 years.

While at Holland Bloorview, she conducted evidence-based psychotherapeutic assessments and interventions with children and adolescents with an ABI and their families, across the continuum of care (inpatient, day patient and outpatient). She developed an expertise in supporting families experiencing grief and trauma as well as adjustment to a new disability, using a wide variety of therapeutic approaches and ABI psychoeducation.

Sarah joined The Social Work Consulting Group in 2014. She has attended extensive trainings and workshops in the areas of Trauma, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Internal Family Systems and Play Therapy. Sarah is a strong advocate for her clients and works from a systemic and strengths-based approach when supporting individuals and families. Sarah has a keen interest in research and life-long learning. She has published articles and presented in the fields of social work and psychology, including disability and transition to adulthood, working with families experiencing grief and trauma, and the transition from hospital to home after an ABI.

“As a Social Worker, I believe in the power of connection and resilience. I work from a collaborative and non-judgemental approach, highlighting the unique strengths of my clients. It is extremely meaningful to be a part of the recovery journey for my clients and their families.”

Amanda Malcolm M.Ed, MSW, RSW is a registered therapist with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto. She also holds a Master of Education degree and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Psychology from Brock University.

Amanda joined The Social Work Consulting Group in 2010. She has worked in the mental health field providing crisis intervention for individuals living with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues assisting them with stabilization by maximizing their own internal coping strategies. Her other main focus has been in the provision of grief counselling, support and advocacy to family members whose loved ones have been diagnosed with a mental health issue. She currently specializes in counselling individuals who have sustained acquired brain injuries and their families and spent one year training at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute’s inpatient Neuro-Rehabilitation Program. She aims to provide a sense of hope and clarity for people adjusting to life after a traumatic injury.

Drawing from cognitive-behavioural, narrative, mindfulness and solution-focused approaches, Amanda seeks to draw on each individual’s strengths to achieve equilibrium and improve their quality of life.

Allison Tedesco, MSW, RSW is a registered social worker with a Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Toronto. Her Master’s degree included a specialization in Gerontology. Additionally, Allison holds a Combined Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Gerontology and Sociology. Since 2001, Allison has worked in both hospital and community settings in the areas of Gerontology, Grief Counseling, Caregiver Support, Stroke, Aphasia, and Dementia. She completed a post-graduate certificate in Bereavement Education and Grief Counseling and has pursued continuing education in the areas of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy, Anxiety and Depression, Trauma Counseling and Acceptance Commitment Therapy.

Prior to joining the Social Work Consulting Group, Allison worked as a Manager at the Aphasia Institute, where she supported a multi-disciplinary team to provide programs and services for people impacted by aphasia, post-rehabilitation. In this role, Allison provided psycho-social assessments, working collaboratively with Speech Language Pathologists, facilitated caregiver support and education groups, and provided individual counseling to people with aphasia, using ‘Supported Conversation’ techniques, and to family members of those living with aphasia. During her time at the Aphasia Institute, Allison designed a provincial support and education workshop for family members of individuals with aphasia called, ‘Path to Resilience’, provided professional education to Health Care Professionals in counselling for individuals with aphasia, and played a pivotal role in the organization’s successful accreditation process. Before becoming a social worker, Allison worked as a Research Assistant at Baycrest Hospital and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. Allison is co-author and presenter of various academic papers and presentations on topics including ‘having therapeutic conversations with people with aphasia’, ‘supporting emotion for people with aphasia’, and ‘use of self’.

Allison works from a strength-based, client-centered, eclectic approach, incorporating grief and trauma counselling, Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance Commitment Therapy.

Amy Goldberg BSW, MSW, RSW is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work degree from York University and Bachelor of Social Work degree from Ryerson University.

Amy is a Clinical Traumatologist through the Traumatology Institute (TITC-CT) and completed CBT Level 2: Advanced Practice in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy through ADLER Faculty of Continuing Education. Amy has and continues to attend professional development workshops in several areas of practice including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Trauma in the Mind’s Eye and Mindfulness Fundamentals.

Prior to joining The Social Work Consulting Group in 2013, Amy’s passion for working in the field of medical social work developed within her work with the Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) at York Central Hospital. Amy was responsible for the development and implementation of solution focused service plans and comprehensive and safe hospital discharges into the community. Throughout her work with CCAC, Amy was nominated in 2011 and 2012 for the Customer Service Award.

Amy is committed to providing client-centred counselling and draws upon numerous social work modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness, and Solution Focused Therapy. Amy is dedicated to fostering growth and independence within each individual and works collaboratively with her clients to promote empowerment and improve their quality of life.

Amy Stone, MSW, RSW is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. She also received a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Psychology and Sociology from Western University.

Amy has extensive clinical experience working with individuals with severe and persistent mental health concerns, as well as concurrent physical health concerns, both in hospital settings and in the community. She has supported and led various mental health programs, ensuring evidence-based care and high-quality service, while maintaining an empathic and individualized approach. Since joining The Social Work Consulting Group in 2022, she has been providing counselling to children, adolescents, adults, and their families who experience mood and anxiety disorders, addiction, trauma, and acquired brain injury. Amy utilizes a range of therapeutic modalities in an effort to tailor care to the specific needs of each individual she supports, including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), strengths-based approach, and mindfulness. Additionally, Amy is passionate about supporting adolescents and adults in navigating significant life transitions, working through the challenges these present while highlighting the strength and resilience that each individual has within themselves.
“As a social worker, I believe that each person I meet has unique strengths, perspectives, and beliefs that shape their everyday experience. I strive to meet each individual with an open and non-judgmental approach, and explore together how we can take steps towards achieving their personal goals. I feel so grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside my clients on their journey, celebrating each accomplishment together – big or small.”

Angela Croft MSW, RSW is a registered therapist with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Toronto. Angela has significant training and experience working with trauma and is also a Certified Life Coach.

Angela has been practicing as a therapist since 1997 and has been passionately focused on working with individuals, families, couples, and groups across the age span dealing with physical and emotional trauma, as well as neuropsychological and mental health issues.

Angela has provided medically-based social work services in the Four Villages Community Health Centre where she counselled clients living with physical and mental health challenges in addition to facing a variety of social and economic barriers. She has additionally worked with the Baycrest inpatient rehabilitation program where she supported individuals and families to address issues related to trauma, loss, grief, altered functioning, and the transition to assisted living while they were recovering from significant physical and neurological injuries.

Angela also has specialized experience in child and adolescent mental health. In her role as a Child and Family Clinician with Peel Children’s Centre, she has provided individual, family, and group therapy for clients in a variety of programs ranging from residential and day treatment services to the outpatient and brief counseling programs. Prior to joining The Social Work Consulting Group, Angela was the clinician for the adolescent residential program where she was working with high needs adolescent girls struggling with trauma-based mental health issues as well as neurologically-based challenges such as ADD/HD and learning disabilities.

Angela draws upon in-depth training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Trauma Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, and Strengths-Based Narrative Therapy to support and empower individuals and families to heal from trauma and develop a greater sense of resiliency, purpose, and well-being as they rebuild their lives.