Shawna Hamilton

BA | BED | MSW | RSW
(SHE/HER)

Shawna is a warm and compassionate clinician who brings more than 20 years of experience to her clinical practice. After receiving her degree in Sociology from McMaster University, Shawna completed her Masters of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University with a focus on clinical treatment with individuals, families, and groups. She furthered her learning with a Bachelor of Education specializing in the intermediate and senior grades.

Shawna has enjoyed a diverse career including opportunities to provide counselling to adults, emerging adults and postsecondary students, and youth in a variety of settings. During her roles at the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board and McMaster University, Shawna gained experience conducting psychosocial assessments and developing evidence-based treatments. These settings allowed Shawna the opportunity to receive formal and intensive training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) with an emphasis on the treatment of anxiety and depression. Through her work with the Bariatric Clinic at Hamilton Health Sciences, Shawna facilitated groups utilizing a Motivational Interviewing (MI) approach with the goal of achieving sustained behavioural change, and with individuals often exploring trauma, shame, and addiction concerns.

Shawna currently holds a clinical social work position at Hamilton Health Sciences where she provides assessment, treatment and case management to patients with illness. In the context of this work, Shawna has developed specialized skills supporting patients and their families in the areas of grief, loss, adjustment to illness, and crisis intervention.

Shawna works from a feminist and anti-oppressive lens and enjoys building strong therapeutic relationships with her clients. She feels privileged to bear witness to clients’ stories and to help them embrace their own intrinsic strengths and capacities.

Continued Professional Development

Shawna has received post-graduate training in the modalities of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Brief Solution-Focused Therapy, and more. She takes part in training through the Wilfrid Laurier Continuing Education program to remain current with emerging evidence-based practice, and engages in regular clinical supervision to maintain and improve her clinical practice.

Professional Memberships & Associations

• The Ontario College of Social Service Workers and Social Workers (OCSSWSW)

• The Ontario Association of Social Work (OASW)

• Ontario College of Teachers (OCT)