Nancy Reeves, PHDc, MSW BSW, RSW

Bio of Nancy Reeves (PhDc, MSW, BSW, RSW) My name is Nancy Eleanor Reeves, and I am a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers Association. I bring over sixteen years of experience to this role, having worked as a mental health therapist, clinical social worker, college professor, university lecturer, and human rights advocate. My therapeutic practice is grounded in a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, immigrants and refugees, Indigenous, and spiritually integrative approach that respects and celebrates the complexities of individuals and their collective identities. I believe healing begins with being seen, heard, and understood, without judgment. As someone who lived as a refugee for ten years and later immigrated to Canada, I bring a unique perspective to my work that deepens my compassion and ability to connect with clients from diverse backgrounds. I work from a place of humility and cultural sensitivity, guided by social justice, equity, and intersectionality. I hold bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, specializing in gerontology, social service administration, policy analysis, and program evaluation. I am currently completing my Ph.D. in Social Work Education, focusing on the long-term impact of trauma and war-related displacement on survivors. My academic background supports a deep clinical understanding of how trauma manifests in the body, mind, and spirit—especially for those from marginalized or oppressed communities. In my practice, I serve individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds—Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC), newcomers, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, those with disabilities, and people navigating intergenerational trauma and systemic oppression. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief, family conflict, life transitions, racism-related stress, identity issues, and complex trauma. I use a variety of therapeutic modalities, including: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy I also integrate spiritually informed practices for clients who wish to explore meaning, faith, and healing through spirituality. My work is deeply rooted in intersectionality—the understanding that identities are interconnected and that oppression and privilege overlap. Healing requires not only personal insight but also social transformation. Beyond clinical work, I have taught for over a decade as a college and university educator in social work, mental health, and human services, emphasizing equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonizing practices. I also served as Interim Executive Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism at one of Canada’s top universities. In the mid-1990s, while living in Ghana as a refugee, I spoke on national radio defending the rights of Liberian refugees. Later, as President of the Federation of Liberian Associations in Canada, I led efforts to send medical supplies to Liberia and advocate for a Liberian consulate in Canada. These experiences taught me that advocacy and therapy are both acts of care. I strive to bring warmth, humility, and unwavering support in my sessions. My care philosophy is holistic—healing occurs on multiple levels: mind, body, spirit, and community. For clients who incorporate spirituality, I honour all belief systems and traditions, from prayer and meditation to ancestral wisdom. I continually learn through research, professional development, and my clients, attending regular training in trauma recovery, anti-oppressive practice, cultural safety, and somatic approaches to healing. I remain deeply committed to decolonizing therapy and supporting clients with authenticity and compassion. Outside of my professional life, I am a mother and grandmother, grounded in love and real-life wisdom. I understand how hard it can be to ask for help and how brave it is to begin therapy. If you choose to work with me, I will meet you where you are—with no judgment, and deep respect for your strength and story. Thank you for taking the time to learn about me. Healing is possible—and you are not alone.