Cierra Garrow, RP, RMFT

Experience

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  FIREFLY NW

  Oct 2013 - Jan 2016

  Early Childhood Educator

  • Providing a safe and nurturing environment that encourages healthy development for preschool, toddler and school aged children. • Allowing children, the independence and support in toileting, eating and socializing. • Playing with and supervising children while encouraging activities that promote fine and gross motor skill development, along with being mentally stimulating. • Creating and planning educational and age appropriate activities to engage children mentally, physically and socially. • Providing documentation of daily events and relaying this information to parents, guardians and supervisors. Show less

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  WJS Canada

  May 2015 - Nov 2017

  Youth Counsellor

  •Supported, supervised, and engaged with open custody and detention youth admitted to NYC from a trauma-informed lens.•Identified, managed, and diffused crisis situations and dangerous/aggressive behaviors with nonviolent crisis intervention techniques from Prevention and Management of Aggressive Behavior (PMAB) and Crisis Intervention and Prevention Training (CPI).•Empowered youth to tackle challenging situations with better and more diverse coping skills while bolstering their pre-existing strengths.•Collaborated with probation officers, school representatives, and other key stakeholders to support youth and their families.•Connected youth with community resources and supports across Ontario. Show less

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  Children’s Centre Thunder Bay

  Sept 2016 - May 2017

  Program Evaluator

  • Conducted program evaluation within a community-based children’s mental health treatment centre.• Analyzed and reported on clinical profiles for youth receiving services a CCTB.• Performed literature reviews of various treatment models within children’s mental health.• Collected and analyzed demographic data using SPSS.• Created a formal program evaluation report for CCTB in APA Format.• Effectively communicated findings at poster/oral presentations to health care service providers. Show less

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  Canadain Mental Health Assocation Kenora Branch

  May 2017 - Aug 2017

  Administrative Assistant

  • Provided administrative support to Manager of Finance and Executive Director of CMHAK.• Conducted literature reviews of best practices and efficacy in counselling.• Created a formal program evaluation reports for CMHAK in APA format.• Completed an external assessment using PEST Analysis for CMHAK.• Responsible for the Ride Don’t Hide Kenora event with administrative duties, advertising, and facilitating the event.• Worked as a team to ensure the highest quality of care and service to all clients of CMHAK. Show less

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  Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office

  Jul 2017 - Aug 2022

  Community Based Rights Advisor

  To visit inpatients in a Schedule 1 hospital who have been admitted on an involuntary basis and those who have been found incompetent to either examine or disclose their clinical record, or have been found incapable to make decisions regarding finances or treatment of a psychiatric disorder to explain their rights and assist them to exercise these rights in accordance with related legislation. • Meeting with client in a timely manner and explaining to clients how the doctors' determination will affect them and the actions they can take if they wish to challenge the doctor's findings.• Explain to clients the significance of the rights advice situation and their rights when their doctor changes their legal status under the Mental Health Act.• Assist clients in applying to the Consent and Capacity Board and in obtaining legal services and legal aid, if necessary.• Describing the processes, legislative and procedural, that will be followed by the hospital, the Board and the courts if the finding is challenged and the Board's decision is appealed.• Helping patients apply for legal aid by completing the application, attesting to the authenticity of the application and forwarding it to legal aid; assisting client with legal aid processes (e.g. payment of services).• Describing and clarifying the role and responsibilities of the rights adviser to hospital staff either through rounds or through special unit meetings, as approved, meeting with other interested parties external to the hospital to explain the rights advice functions; also providing education and information with family members as well as community groups.• Ability to work with and explain complex legislation to a variety of persons with varying educational and cultural backgrounds; ability to communicate effectively and empathically with persons with mental discords and to evaluate their degree of understanding and accurately interpret their instructions in an impartial manner. Show less

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  Child & Community Resources

  Jul 2017 - Feb 2018

  IBI Instructor Therapist

  • Administered one on one Intensive Behavioural Instruction (IBI) therapy to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in a school-based setting. • Implemented program modifications, administered drills, and conducted probes.• Collected data on child’s progress and transferred into graphs.• Maintained and organized program notebooks to document all interactions with the client.• Provided information to the clinical supervisor, reviewed client data, reported concerns, and evaluated progress collaboratively. • Maintained a variety of records and files that were PHIPHA compliant, including confidential student records and information. • Performed routine clerical and supportive activities for instructional personnel, such as typing, computer operation, filing, and photocopying. Show less

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  FIREFLY NW

  Feb 2018 - now

  The Senior Clinician (SC) is a key member of the FIREFLY clinical services team. Working closely withfront-line clinicians, the SC is a role model, mentor, and leader for clinicians in their own profession,demonstrating and promoting excellence in evidence-based practice, ethical behavior, organizationalpractices, and current knowledge of professional standards. The SC promotes the mission, vision andvalues of FIREFLY and supports the implementation of FIREFLY strategies, goals, objectives while abidingby policies and procedures and any applicable legislation.• The (SC) maintains a clinical caseload, and provides clinical supervision, mentorship, and support to assigned clinicians while consistently practicing at college standards in all performance areas and commonly exceeding standards in several areas of performance.• Adheres to college standards and keeps current with legislative changes pertinent to the profession.• Models evidence-informed practices.• Supports waitlist management activities in conjunction with Clinical Manager.• Responds to general intake, waitlist, and program inquiries as required.• Shares knowledge by mentoring and coaching clinicians regarding clinical reasoning, professionalpractice, and ethical issues. This includes the provision of college mentorship as required.• Participates in the interview process and supports recruitment and retention activities.• Promotes and cultivates a collaborative team culture; encourages work/life balance; stimulates andsupports creative thinking and problem-solving.• Contributes to the development of best practice guidelines in conjunction with Clinical Manager (s).• Leads orientation process for new staff and students as assigned.• Facilitates student placement and observation requests within the discipline. Show less •Accurately document all observations, assessments, interventions, case conceptualizations, and contact in client’s electronic chart.•Evaluate clients' interests, abilities, strengths, and needs alongside clinical presentations leading to client-centered treatment plans.•Incorporate different treatment methodologies and evidence-based practices to clients, groups, and families using a Solution-Focused and Trauma-Informed lens.•Respond to emergency situations and provide crisis support, suicide risk assessment, and safety planning to clients, hospitals, and the community.•Educate clients, families, the public on diagnosis, treatment, and illness management, equipping them with tools and strategies to achieve and maintain optimal mental health while reducing the stigma of mental illness. •Record comprehensive client histories and coordinate treatment plans with multi-disciplinary team members from across different agencies and roles.•Participate in ongoing professional development and acquisition of new knowledge, skills, and interventions relevant to psychotherapy and mental health to maintain up to date on best practices in the field. Show less

  • Child And Family Therapist

    Aug 2022 - now

  • Senior Clinician

    Feb 2022 - Jul 2022

  • Children's Mental Health Therapist

    Feb 2018 - Feb 2022
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  Seven Generations Education Institute

  Jul 2020 - Aug 2022

  Post-Secondary Instructor

  • Deliver post-secondary curriculum for the Social Service Worker and Mental Health & Addictions program, reflecting Anishinaabe and regional knowledge.•Based on local and provincial knowledge of mental health services, developed college courses leading to students having a contemporary understanding of systems, processes, and service provision in Northwestern Ontario.•Developed and teaches "Trauma-Informed Practice and Crisis Intervention", "Introduction to Social Service Work Practice", and "Fieldwork/Placement Preparation". •Built relationships with students of all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.•Attended workshops on learning goals, classroom management, student motivation, and engaging learning activities.•Supervised, supported, and prepared students in professional settings during practicum resulting in all students securing and passing placement. Show less

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  Couples Counselling Centre

  May 2022 - Feb 2023

  Independent Contractor (Psychotherapist)
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  Yorkville University

  May 2022 - now

  Approved Supervisor for Yorkville University MACP Practicum Students

  Approved Supervisor for students completing their Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program and entering their Practicum at Yorkville University.

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  Brightshores Health System

  Aug 2022 - now

  • Implementing services meeting the needs of individuals with symptoms of a mental health and addiction illness utilizing Recovery Principles in an acute hospital-based setting.• Working independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team, while working collaboratively with multiple service partners.• Conducts risk/safety assessments and mental status examinations while giving support and assisting in developing follow-up plans for patients upon leaving the hospital. • Advocating and supporting a culture of patient safety. Show less

  • Mental Health Clinician

    Jul 2023 - now

  • Mental Health Clinician

    Aug 2022 - Jul 2023
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  Cambrian Counselling and Wellness

  Feb 2023 - now

  Clinic Director & Registered Psychotherapist
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  Durham College

  Jan 2024 - now

  Approved Placement Supervisor for Durham College Social Service Work Students