Gillian lamariana msw, rsw
About Me
It is a privilege to be the one you choose to share and open up to. This is not a responsibility I take lightly. It is my passion to help and connect with my clients. For me, "meeting clients where they’re at" is more than just a figure of speech. I have been practicing psychotherapy for over 15 years; working with individuals and families to address distressing issues. I take an integrative approach to practice. This means that I prefer to pull and apply the most up-to-date, relevant and evidence-based psychodynamic approaches on an as needed basis based on my client’s unique circumstances. My goal is to provide a space where you can feel safe and secure to delve deep into your past and present. It is my job to ensure you get the most out of the therapeutic process. To be attuned to you and hear both what you say and don't say as we explore the issues in your life that are causing you pain.
I specialize in attachment-based therapy and trauma-informed approaches, including EMDR and polyvagal theory. This means I pay close attention to how early relationships, nervous system patterns, and past experiences shape the way you feel, cope, and connect today. When we can see ourselves from these perspectives we can see how it all makes perfect sense. Our work is guided by an understanding of trauma and the body, and is always paced with care and collaboration, helping you build safety, resilience, and more secure ways of relating to yourself and others.
I completed my undergraduate degree in Social Work at York University. Following this I completed the Master’s of Social Work program in at Wurzweiler School of Social Work in New York City in 2010.
While completing my master’s degree, I worked as an intern on an almost full-time basis at Bronx Lab High School under the supervision of my advisor, Dr. Nancy Beckerman, who at the time, was the foremost expert in family system theory and a tenured professor at Yeshiva University. During the same time frame, I gained clinical knowledge and experience i.e., psychological assessments for inner city youth involved in gang violence and histories of childhood trauma, returning from inpatient units; providing treatment plans, weekly tracking, cognitive reprocessing and psychoeducation.
Upon completion of my Master’s degree, I gained full-time employment providing vocational support and counselling to individuals with barriers to employment. Following this, I began working with the York Region District School Board providing mental health services to students and families.
Following a decade of working in various mental health settings, I set up my private practice in 2015. My interests have always been in childhood trauma, relationship and attachment issues, child and youth counselling, depression and anxiety disorders. My interest in brain functioning, neuroscience, and attachment principles has persisted and motivated every aspect of my therapeutic work.
TRAININGS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Grief Counselling Specialist (CGCS)
-Center for Greif Therapy and Education
Evidence-Based Approaches to Greif and Bereavement Across the Life Span
- Alissa Drescher, Ph.D
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
- National Center for PTSD
EMDR, CBT, and Somatic-Based Interventions for Trauma
- Jennifer Sweeton, Psy.D, M.S.
Polyvagal Informed Therapy
- Deb Dana, Ph.D
Transformative Approaches to Couples Therapy
- Esther Perel, Ph.D
Talking About Sex in Therapy
- Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST
Comprehensive Course, Interpersonal Neurobiology
- Dan Siegel, Ph.D
Its Not Me It’s My Amygdala, Advanced Training
- Therapist Uncensored University
Advanced Attachment Regulation Training
- The Trauma Centre
Working with the Neurobiological Legacy of Trauma, Level 1
- Janina Fisher, Ph.D
Training on the Neurobiological Effects of Anxiety, Depression, and Stress
- Michael Howard, Ph.D
Emotion Focused Therapy for Anxiety and Depression
- Les Greenberg, Ph.D
BDSM & Intimate Partner Violence Training
- Ashley Haymond, Ph.D
Non-Violent Crisis Prevention Intervention Certification
- York Region District School Board
Registered Vocational Practitioner Certification
- Careerspro