About Hazel…
I believe that every individual follows a unique life path, symbolized by the unalome, where challenges and experiences lead us toward enlightenment/growth. As an all-in-one practitioner, I facilitate change by addressing various aspects of well-being, including wellness, relationships, personal growth, career development, mental health, addictions, and trauma.
With knowledge, we can begin the journey of working on ourselves. I use a psychoeducation therapy style rooted in kindness and compassion. Person-centered, strength-based, and trauma-responsive, all designed to understand the root cause of suffering. These intuitive and gentle practices empower clients to heal from past traumas, embrace new perspectives, and cultivate self-awareness.
My personal journey of recovery and healing began in 2016 and has profoundly shaped my professional path. I have continued to learn and understand my trauma, which led me to where I am now. Each milestones achieved in my healing journey contributes to my purpose in life—a purpose I find in sharing these experiences with others. Grounded in the twelve-step program, my practice incorporates teachings from Buddhism, Taoism, and Indigenous wisdom into daily life, enriching my approach to supporting others on their paths to wellness and recovery.
As a professional deeply committed to supporting individuals and communities in their recovery journeys, I have acquired a diverse set of credentials, skills and training that allow me to provide effective and culturally sensitive support.
Education:
- Registered Social Worker with the Manitoba Social Work Association – University of Manitoba
- Applied Counselling Certification (addictions specialist) – University of Manitoba
Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT):
CRAFT is an evidence-based program designed to help families support a loved one struggling with substance use. It educates families on effective communication strategies that avoid nagging, pleading, or threatening, empowering them to improve their quality of life and assist their loved one in adopting a healthier lifestyle. CRAFT enhances the mental health and well-being of both the individual and their family members by promoting patience, preparedness, and positive interactions.
Motivational Interviewing (MI):
Motivational Interviewing is a counseling method that helps individuals resolve ambivalence and find the motivation to change their behavior. This approach is empathetic and practical, acknowledging the complexities involved in making life-changing decisions. MI supports clients in navigating these challenges and making meaningful progress toward their goals.
Compassionate Inquiry:
Compassionate Inquiry, developed by Dr. Gabor Maté, is a psychotherapeutic approach that helps clients uncover unconscious dynamics and core narratives that influence their lives. This method guides individuals toward greater self-understanding and liberation from limiting beliefs, fostering personal growth and healing.
Body-Oriented Trauma Counseling Strategies:
Body-oriented trauma counseling focuses on the physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual impacts of trauma. Through somatic techniques, this approach helps clients monitor and reduce traumatic arousal, promoting a holistic form of healing that enhances vitality and resilience.
Root Cause Therapy and Embodied Processing (candidate)
Root Cause Therapy is a method used to identify and address the underlying causes of emotional, mental, and physical issues. Embodied Processing complements this approach by integrating emotional and psychological experiences, acknowledging the mind-body connection in trauma and stress, and facilitating deep healing.
RE/ACT Facilitator:
The RE/ACT program offers a comprehensive recovery education for individuals dealing with addictions and complex trauma. This 12-week program, influenced by Dr. Gabor Maté’s philosophies and the 12-step approach, helps participants process trauma and develop effective decision-making skills, leading to healthier and more informed life choices.
SMART Recovery:
SMART Recovery is a science-based, self-empowering program that assists individuals in overcoming addiction through cognitive-behavioral techniques. It focuses on self-management, building motivation, personal responsibility, goal setting, and developing healthy coping strategies.
SMART Family & Friends:
SMART Family & Friends is a program designed to support those affected by a loved one’s addiction. It provides tools and strategies to improve communication, set healthy boundaries, and encourage positive change. This program also emphasizes self-care and emotional well-being for the supporters themselves.
Red Road to Healing:
The Red Road to Healing program is a 10-week course designed for women who have experienced violence. It combines informational sessions with healing practices, incorporating traditional teachings to empower women and promote healthier choices for themselves and their families.
Thunderbird Partnership Foundation:
Through various programs offered by the Thunderbird Partnership Foundation, such as Buffalo Riders, First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum, Pharmacology, and Trauma-Informed Approach, participants gain valuable knowledge to support First Nations communities in addressing substance use and addiction with a holistic and culturally respectful approach.
Wellbriety Movement Facilitator:
The Wellbriety Movement integrates the Twelve Step Medicine Wheel with the spiritual and cultural principles of Indigenous Peoples of Canada. Facilitators of this program promote spiritual growth, community support, and cultural identity, providing a holistic path to healing and recovery.
Red Road to Wellbriety Sharing Circle for Women:
Since February 2024, weekly Red Road to Wellbriety meetings have been organized for women in Winnipeg. These meetings provide a culturally relevant environment for Indigenous women in recovery, fostering community, empowerment, and holistic healing.
Mending Broken Hearts:
The Mending Broken Hearts curriculum helps First Nations communities heal from unresolved grief and the losses caused by historical and intergenerational trauma, particularly the effects of the Residential School system. This program provides tools and techniques for guiding individuals and groups through the healing process, fostering resilience and communal support.
Warrior Down:
The Warrior Down program is designed to support individuals in recovery from substance use disorders, with a focus on building resilience, coping skills, and community support. It addresses the unique needs of Indigenous communities, empowering participants to maintain sobriety and reintegrate into their communities with practical tools and strategies.