Sheila is a warm and friendly person. When she is not working at the job she loves, she loves to travel & garden with her husband, and loves playing with her Bernedoodle. If you would like to know more about Sheila’s credentials, education, training and experience, please read on.
Sheila McDonough is a Registered Social Worker and a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and a member of the Ontario Association of Social Work. She was called to social Work very early in her career. She is passionate about her work and is thrilled when people make steps towards their goals. Sheila also likes to help people learn how to be kinder to themselves when they make mistakes or fall back into dysfunctional patterns of behaviour by cultivating self-compassion.
Sheila is warm and friendly and provides the opportunity for people to look at themselves in a non-judgmental environment. She believes her role is to provide guidance, information, support and encouragement to reach the goals set out by the person (people) seeking counsel. Sheila realizes each person is the expert of their own life.
She works collaboratively and will ask clarifying questions and reflect back what is being said to make sure she understands people’s perspectives. She will ask if her suggestions make sense or is she is understanding correctly. Sheila welcomes feedback from her clients so that she can provide the best service possible.She feels honoured to be present with people as they make meaningful changes in the way they greet and interpret their life.
Sheila earned her undergraduate degree from Renison College at the University of Waterloo with a Major in Social Development Studies and a Certificate in Social Work. Sheila is Master in Social Work and earned her degree from Wilfrid Laurier University in the Individual, Couples and Family stream.
Sheila has worked in several counselling settings and has 10+ years experience in working in a community mental health clinic in a community hospital. She also worked as an Emergency Psychiatric Clinician in the Emergency Department.
Sheila works well with people who struggle with their mental health and uses a holistic approach. Sheila helps people explore aspects of their life that may need to change in order to live a happier life. For example, helping people find enjoyable exercise outlets, improve their sleep routines and explore leisure activities as a part of a mental health recovery plan.
Sheila works effectively with people who are diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder BPD and/or struggle with emotional dysregulation. She is trained in DBT and has experience helping people learn and apply DBT skills (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy). Sheila helps people gain insight and skills so they can learn to surf the waves of life and overcome the wipeouts we all face in life.
Sheila is a lifelong learner. She has completed several mindfulness courses and this is a strong component in her work with others and in her life. Present moment awareness is important in order to effectively make changes in life.
Sheila completed ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) training. She finds this intervention effective for people who recognize who and what are important to the them. ACT helps clients to recognize when they are moving away or towards their goals and values. Sheila finds ACT provides a framework for people to effectively works towards their goals in a thoughtful and compassionate way.
While Sheila has always worked in a sex positive way with clients, in 2023 she completed Intensive Sex Therapy Training at Guelph University. Last year, Sheila completed the ECHO Ontario Mental Health: Trans and Gender Diverse Healthcare offer through the Centre for Additions and Mental Health and Temerty Faculty of Medicine University of Toronto Continuing Professional Development. Sheila loves reading and podcasts to learn more about different types of therapy.
Sheila is a happy morning person and offers 8am virtual counselling sessions. She typically offers a therapeutic hour (50 minutes) however; longer session times are available. For example, 80-minute sessions in couples and adult therapy can be helpful.
Many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and extended health care plans cover the services delivered by Registered Social Workers.
