Lydia Bloemendal
SSW | BSW | MSW | RSW
(SHE/HER)
A firm advocate in the importance of speaking one's story and truth, Lydia believes that everyone has a right to be heard, and considers it an honour to walk alongside those seeking healing and hope.
Lydia holds a Social Service Worker Diploma, a Bachelor of Social Work from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is a Masters of Social Work candidate through Wilfrid Laurier University. Lydia has worked for years within the London-Middlesex and greater Niagara region walking alongside those facing trauma, poverty, mental health difficulties, depression, self harm, and suicidal ideation, addiction, intimate partner violence, relationship struggles, school and/or work related stress and anxiety, among others.
Lydia's career has focused on working with children, youth, young adults and their families, with experiences working for Youth Opportunities Unlimited in London, where she provided crisis counselling and facilitated life-skills programming for disadvantaged youth. She also has experience working as an Ontario Works Trustee. As a former child protection worker with Family and Children Services Niagara, Lydia has also come to understand the trauma faced by those involved in the child welfare system, and the profound impact this has on one's life, family, and mental health.
Lydia's current focus has been supporting individuals who struggle with symptoms of depression, anxiety, grief, loss, self-esteem, interpersonal and relationship concerns. Her practice stems from a number of frameworks, including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), solution focused approaches, motivational interviewing, narrative therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches.
Lydia is committed to ongoing professional development and continuous learning and training.
Professional Memberships & Associations
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
Ontario Association of Social Work (OASW)