Catholic Family Services - Peel Dufferin // Training & Resources

Catholic Family Services is proud to be a recognized training facility. Initiated in 2000, the Practicum Training Program is designed for those working towards clinical membership with AAMFT, Master’s of Social Work students requiring a field placement that offers clinical and agency experience and Master’s level students in counselling programs requiring a field placement or clinical experience. Course requirements must be completed at the commencement of the training or be completed concurrently.

The Program

The Practicum Training Program in Couple and Family Therapy is designed to provide participants with an opportunity to integrate theory with practice. It differs from other training program in that interns spend half of their time in direct client contact. Participants will gain clinical training and experience through direct client contact, instruction, and supervision by a trained Couple and Family Therapist and Approved Supervisor with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).

Both individual and group supervision will be provided.

Every other week, Interns will spend 2 hours together in group supervision and training. During this time there will be a discussion of assigned reading related to post-modern approaches to therapy. There will also be a case presentation by an Intern. This will be an opportunity to explore how theory informs practice and how our practice informs our clinical models.

The training program will be held on Fridays, a full day, from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, and one evening a week from 5:00 - 9:00 PM in both the Brampton and Mississauga offices from September to April. There are 8 positions available, 4 in each office. Interns are asked to make a commitment of eleven hours a week for the duration of the program.

Interns that require a placement of two to four days a week can negotiate additional hours and participate in a broader range of agency services and activities such as staff and committee meetings, agency planning processes, etc.

As part of the training program, interns will also have opportunities to participate in a number of agency programs: Quick Access, Brief Intervention and Individual, Couple and Family Therapy.

The Agency

Catholic Family Services of Peel-Dufferin is an accredited member of Family Service Ontario and a member agency of Catholic Charities. The agency serves the communities in the region of Peel and Dufferin County. Offices are located in Brampton, Mississauga, Orangeville and Bolton. Some services are available in 9 different languages. The agency offers individual, couple and family therapy and as well as comprehensive services to families experiencing woman abuse and to those adults who have experienced childhood trauma.

Supervision and Training in Couple & Family Therapy

In addition to the practicum training program there are also four spaces available for those who do not require client contact but wish to pursue training and supervision in couple and family therapy. Clinicians can participate in the group supervision and training at a cost of $75.00 an hour. Those interested will be asked to commit to a minimum of 6 biweekly meetings.

Program Coordinator & Supervisor

Sharon Ramsay MDiv., RMFT, is a Clinical Member and Approved Supervisor with AAMFT and is the Mississauga office supervisor for Catholic Family Services. Sharon has worked in private practice, agency and educational settings providing therapy, supervision, workshops, seminars and teaching graduate level courses in couple and family therapy. Sharon's preferred style of working with individuals, couples and families is informed by emotion-focused, narrative and brief therapies.

Program Administrator

Paulina Szota, is the Practicum Training Program Administrator, and Polish speaking Intake Worker at the Mississauga office. She has been with Catholic Family Services since February 2006. Paulina is a SSW Humber College Graduate who believes in working with people from a strength perspective. Paulina has previous experience working with women who have encountered spousal abuse, consumer survivors as well as individuals with developmental disabilities. She also has experience in working in collaboration with shelters in the Peel-Dufferin area.

For more information contact: pszota@cfspd.com