Charlotte Shipley [she/they]

M.S.W. R.S.W.
Registered Social Worker
Practice Owner & Clinical Director

Charlotte founded Positive Space Consulting in 2018 and she brings a passion for social justice and over ten years of experience in the social work field. Charlotte felt she could make an impact through founding PSC and using her dynamic presence, knowledge and passion for mental health, spiritual connectedness and LGBTQ2S+ wellbeing. 

Some areas Charlotte enjoys working through with people include sex, sexuality & gender, self-harm, chronic pain and illness management, crisis responding, relationship breakdowns, workplace stress, emotional dysregulation, child development and issues of parenting. 

Being an openly Queer Woman living with an invisible disability and chronic pain, Charlotte practices through the lens of lived experience and uses a very collaborative approach with clients. Charlotte believes that all experiences are teachers and she's here to help support you in uncovering your lessons and fulfilling your soul's journey in this lifetime. Emotional safety and trust are at the forefront of every session with Charlotte as she encourages you to use self-compassion, curiosity and your own intuition to live a meaningful and intentional life. 

Throughout her career, Charlotte has remained a steadfast advocate for diversity; but more specifically an advocate for removing barriers and challenging stigma that prevent marginalized people from fully participating and thriving in our society. 

Charlotte has been consulted by individuals, mental health practitioners, non-profits organizations, social workers, health care providers, business owners, parents, teachers, real estate professionals, families as well as many others to provide relevant education, training, counselling and consulting.

Charlotte is grateful for the convergence of her life’s purpose and greatest passion and looks forward to supporting you on your journey.

 She received her Master of Social Work in April 2019, and currently resides with her Fiancé and fur babies in Barrie Ontario.

M. Ed. M.S.W. R.S.W.

Social Worker 

Associate

Jenny establishes a calm sense of grounding to help individuals come into the present moment in ways that feel authentic, accessible, and safe. She collaborates with clients to create new understandings of themselves, their nervous system, and their purpose.

As a neurodivergent soul herself, Jenny loves working with other creative, spiritual, neurodivergent clients who find themselves searching for empowerment and belonging. Jenny employs a trauma informed and sensitive lens in her work with people experiencing emotional dysregulation, relationship breakdowns, parenting challenges, and grief. She has a special interest in working with helping professionals, young adults, those experiencing anxiety, and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

Over the past six years, Jenny has gained extensive experience supporting the mental health and wellbeing of clients of all ages and social backgrounds. Jenny has worked as a crisis and clinical counsellor in several capacities, including at an employee assistance program, and at a major Canadian university. Jenny has also conducted assessments at an ADHD clinic; engaged in research exploring ADHD and mindfulness, ecotherapy, and addictions; and, has recently begun to provide leadership and clinical supervision to other Social Workers in the field.

Jenny holds a Master of Education in Developmental Psychology in Education, and a Master of Social work from the University of Toronto. Her practice is informed by past work as an Early Childhood Educator, as well as through additional training in cybercounselling, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness meditation. When she’s not working, Jenny can probably be found painting, practicing tarot, or cycling with her husband somewhere in Toronto’s green spac

M.S.W. R.S.W.

Registered Social Worker

Associate

Lucas brings his whole self into his therapeutic work. He works collaboratively with clients and puts building a strong, open and trusting therapeutic relationship at the centre of his work. 

His work experience includes individual, couple and family counselling work and developing innovative group programming. Lucas also has experience managing crisis intervention and supportive response programs. He has worked with neurodivergent folks, including those on the autism spectrum and those with ADHD diagnoses, in a variety of contexts. Additionally, Lucas is a passionate educator and has trained professionals and students from across the province on justice-oriented mental health response, anti-oppression, equity, diversity and inclusion.

Lucas is especially inspired when working with couples and families who want to learn to communicate better, who feel stuck in the same arguments and who feel disconnected. As a queer, neurodivergent and mixed race practitioner, Lucas also is passionate about working with folks who feel their identities have been disempowered or who feel stuck in “middle spaces” without a sense of belonging.

Lucas has training in narrative therapy, emotionally focused therapy, crisis intervention, providing virtual counselling and justice-oriented approaches.

In 2018, Lucas received his Bachelor of Social Work from York University and in 2019 received his Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto. He is a registered social worker. 

Lucas lives in rural Elgin County in Ontario and can be found playing music, wood working, spending time with his spouse and cooking in his spare time.

M.S.W. R.S.W 

Registered Social Worker 

Associate

**Jenna will be opening her case load in Fall 2022 after returning from parental leave.**

Jenna strives to build authentic relationships where the knowledge and experience of clients is respected and upheld during sessions. She works to create a therapeutic space where sensitivity and vulnerable are celebrated. Jenna is dedicated to anti-oppression and believes in the importance of conversations about power, oppression and justice.

Jenna has particular interest working with young adults and folks who identify as being highly sensitive. She loves supporting fellow perfectionists, people pleasers and people looking to find their voice in systems or situations that have not empowered them to embrace their own needs. 

Jenna joined the Positive Space Consulting team as a graduate student in 2020 and officially became an associate after finishing her degree in 2021. In addition to providing clinical support to individuals, she has been involved in ecotherapy program and resource development with PSC. 

Other work experience includes providing walk-in crisis assessment and counselling to individuals in a variety of settings including a crisis centre, stabilization spaces and post-secondary campuses. She also has worked in engagement and advocacy through partnering with local youth and parent/caregivers to develop community projects that further child, youth and family wellness at organizational and community levels. Jenna additionally has experience in employment counselling, youth work and as the Program Manager of a youth centre. 

Jenna has training in narrative therapy, mindful self-compassion, using mindfulness through play, risk assessment and providing virtual support/counselling to both groups and individuals. Jenna has completed a certificate in ecotherapy and partners with nature and the natural world to provide support both virtually and through outdoor sessions. In 2021, Jenna completed her Emotionally-Focused Therapy externship that provides a framework for working with couples, families and individuals through an attachment lens. 

In 2018, Jenna received her Bachelor of Social Work from York University and obtained her Masters of Social Work from McMaster University, focused on Critical Leadership, in 2021. She is a Registered Social Worker.

Jenna resides among wildflowers, trees and vegetable plants on her farm in rural Elgin County with her family.

Workshop Facilitator & Community Educator

Rachael  was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario. Rachael completed a Recreation Management (B.Sc. B.Mgmt) degree at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia while playing varsity basketball for 5 years. After her undergraduate degree, Rachael pursued her dream  of being an elementary physical education teacher and completed her B.Ed at St. Francis Xavier (St.FX) University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Since  graduating from St. FX, Rachael moved home to Ontario to pursue teaching and to be closer to family and friends. Aside from teaching in the classroom, Rachael is an active member of the LGBTQ community who promotes equality and inclusion. Her passion for social  justice has helped develop her into a proud LGBTQ advocate and public speaker. Rachael  has also completed her Master of Education degree this past summer and is now a newly published author.  Rachael is thrilled to be a part of the PSC family and is excited to promote respect, empathy and understanding in the workplace