Our first Member Spotlight features Rosetta Racco, RP. She works with neurodivergent children, adolescents (3-22 years of age), and Autistics of all ages, and their families. She’s accepting new clients at the moment and offers sessions both online and in person.
I had a fascinating conversation with her about her life/work experience that spans over three decades. She has worked in various professional roles such as an Early Childhood Educator, Resource Consultant for Ministry of Children & Youth, Behaviour Therapist, Infant Mental Health & Family Counsellor etc. She’s also lived and worked in Africa and the UAE and brings this rich diversity to her practice with clients.
She realized her own neurodivergence when pursuing her education in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. It helped her make sense of her life-long passion, deepened her practice in the way she supports not only her clients, but also their families.
Fortunately, Neurodivergnece has started to become a more positive movement with neuro affirming aspects and she feels lucky to be a part of this age of inclusivity. Brava Rosetta!
Outside of work, she enjoys long walks in nature, reading and self study through books, podcasts and articles.
Find Rosetta at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/rosetta-racco-oakville-on/407986
Would you like to be featured in the next Member Spotlight? Just fill in our quick survey and tell us about yourself.
I look forward to learning and sharing about members all over Ontario, especially the ones working in the more remote regions, and ones with diverse approaches, or serving diverse and marginalized populations.
Just fill in our quick survey and tell us about yourself. If chosen, your spotlight will also be shared on OSRP's social media platforms.
If chosen, your spotlight will also be shared on OSRP's social media platforms.
With love,
Mahshad Aryafar, RP
Connect Committee Chair
The Connect Committee is launching a new feature called Member Spotlight. The purpose is for our members to get to know each other, and to bring a sense of community to our Central e-blasts.
Are you interested in sharing a bit about yourself and your practice with other members and contacts?
Maybe some members have the right client for you or would like to collaborate with you.
We all win when we feel less alone and more in community with other like-minded humans.
Imagine hearing about members all over Ontario, especially in the more remote regions, learning about the diversity of approaches and the population that our members serve. We want to tap into this rich community of practitioners. We want to hear from you.
I have always had mixed feelings about Black History Month (it being the shortest, coldest month of the year and all) but I cannot be silent about the opportunity it gives me to revel in the Beauty & Excellence of my Blackness, as seen on the social media pages of SO many people, other than just myself.
I AM GENUINELY GRATEFUL!
“Yes I’m Black, I’m proud of it, I’m Black and Beautiful!” as heralded by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I hold this declaration as my badge of truth but not just for the 28 days of February –– these words are my heart’s cry 365 days of every single year.
The month is short, but the momentum is tremendous with new daily discoveries of heroic, innovative, revolutionary achievements of Black People whose contributions to the betterment of humanity are often unknown, buried, and invisible –– by design. The first week or two of February, I am usually just blessed by the things I learn about my Blackness and the contributions of my people, but by the third week of February, I am irritated at best and highly agitated. I question how it is possible, year after year, that there remains more to learn about our greatness and how these lessons of Black Excellence are not taught as common curricula in classrooms or universities. Our stories –– which are too often secretly shared and inevitably challenged, debated, and argued as inciting shame, discomfort, and harm toward those sitting comfortably as the status quo –– must be intentionally sought.
By the end of February, I am inevitably exhausted and in desperate need of grounding, community, and restoration.
With increased awareness of my tendency to spiral in despair because of BHM, I proactively engage in activities that speak directly to issues related to Black Mental Health. TAIBU Community Health Centre is a multidisciplinary, non-for-profit, community led organization established to serve the Black Community across the Greater Toronto Area as its priority population. TAIBU CHC celebrates Black Mental Health Week in March with events designed to raise awareness, eradicate stigma of Black Mental Health, confront Anti-Black Racism, and build community.
This year, TAIBU CHC has many events planned in honour of Black Mental Health Week that may be of interest to anyone engaged or invested in the work of Black Liberation and Mental Health.
The OSRP is growing and developing as an organization, representing a diverse group of over 1,000 RPs across Ontario. To do so, we need your voices.
The function of the Board of Directors is to formulate policy on matters relating to the implementation of the objectives of the Society and to oversee the implementation of such policies. Please let us know what we can do to make joining our Board a good fit for you.
Live outside of the GTA?
Clinical, Qualifying, Student and Honorary members in good standing are eligible to be nominated as Officers of the Board of Directors or the Chair of any committee. All Board members shall be elected for a period of two years. The positions currently open are:
Click on the links below to view the list of Board positions and responsibilities. To submit your nomination, simply fill out our online nomination form.
Click here to view the Board roles and responsibilities.
Click here to view Board member expectations
Click here to submit your nomination for the Board.
The Minister of Finance introduced legislation on November 29, 2023 in the House of Commons which included the GST/HST exemption.
Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland tabled the 2023 Fall Economic Statement on November 21, announcing the government’s plans to make psychotherapy and counselling services exempt from GST/HST.
Once this announcement becomes legislation, it will impact everyone across Canada who requires psychotherapy services.
Congratulations to all therapists and their clients in Canada, and thanks all OSRP members for their hard work in getting this done!
Click here for campaign updates
–by Christina Forde, RP(Q)
“Within DOSE you find the keys to resilience, purpose, and authentic well-being” stated Dr. Krissy Doyle-Thomas during the November 26 PS: Protect Seminar, “Stay Safe and Effective: Neurobiology, Self-Regulation and DOSE (Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphins).”
I was intrigued to learn more about the mind-body connection and how DOSE impacts our mental health. Dr. Doyle-Thomas, a Medical Neuroscientist, used her expertise in brain health to teach attendees so much about how to improve mental resilience and avoid burnout. She highlighted the importance of Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins (DOSE) for all people, including Psychotherapists.
The speaker provided an overview of these neuro-chemicals’ role in the brain and also gave us opportunities to try out activities that can increase production of DOSE.
Dr. Doyle-Thomas introduced Dopamine and how it is “intricately tied to our experiences of motivation, pleasure, and the pursuit of rewards.” She explained that Dopamine can be increased through anticipation and achievement of goals. She then asked us to think of a win we have experienced. I did find it encouraging to reflect on the dopamine boosts I have received from past successes and to also celebrate with other attendees as they shared their own wins.
Next, the love and connection hormone, Oxytocin, was spotlighted. Dr. Doyle-Thomas explained that gratitude is a great way to boost our moods. She said that it is “so very powerful in shaping your brain, activating oxytocin as well as other happy brain chemicals and really being protective to our wellbeing [and] your brian.” She then gave us a few minutes to do some gratitude reflection. During this time, I could feel my mood lift a bit as I focused on my blessings instead of what I came into the seminar worried about.
Next up was the mood regulating neurotransmitter, Serotonin. Dr. Doyle-Thomas explained that serotonin boosting activities “really enhance our sense of inner peace and contentment.” A Singing Bowl Sound Meditation video was played during the seminar. I was not sure what to expect, as I have not done this type of activity before. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how I pretty much immediately felt calmer as it started playing.
Finally, Dr. Doyle-Thomas focused on our body’s natural pain killers, Endorphins. Exercise is of course a great option for producing endorphins. She shared that research shows how exercise has an impact “not only in promoting resilience, but on protecting our brain.” I definitely agree with her explanation of the benefits of endorphins. Exercise, laughter and creativity have been some of my favourite stress relievers throughout my life.
I found it really helpful to gain more understanding of how brain chemistry impacts mental health. It was also empowering to learn practical tips I can incorporate into my daily life to improve my well-being. I plan on taking what I have learned and applying it as a Safe and Effective Use of Self strategy because, as Dr. Doyle-Thoman reminded the group: “Deliberately activating DOSE is a valuable self-regulation strategy, helping you navigate your emotional work with resilience and authenticity.”
OSRP’s office will be closed from 5 p.m. ET on Friday, December 22, 2023, until 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, which means we won’t be returning phone calls or emails until January 3 or 4, 2024.
We wish you all the best for a healthy and prosperous new year!
The month of December is filled with various festivals, religious events, national days and a multitude of celebrations that bring people together for food, fun, and frolicking. This may include Festivus, Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, Independence Days for Kenya, Qatar, Bahrain, Libya, Mongolia, Finland, Tanzania, Portugal, and many more.
Though these are just a few significant dates people may celebrate or take time off to take care of themselves, friends or family, there are many different traditions associated with each holiday or significant day. Learning about the significance, stories and histories of various holidays can help broaden our perspective beyond the holidays we celebrate year after year.
As active, retired and student psychotherapists, we know that there are many for whom this time of year is uncomfortable, lonely, isolating or riddled with thoughts of traumatic experiences, grief and loss. We are aware of the tumultuous emotional rollercoaster of this season for many. As we continue through this month of December, we may wish to use inclusive language in how we greet each other and not make assumptions about how people are getting through this time. In addition, we might consider providing our clients and loved ones with a crisis line number/website and other culturally responsive community resources to help get through this time safely.
We might practise asking open-ended questions of each other first, so we are not making assumptions. For example, “What are you doing over these next few weeks?” This question does not assume someone will be on holidays because they may choose to or must work; it doesn’t assume they will be with family members; and it doesn’t assume they celebrate a specific holiday.
Another open-ended question might be, “How do you spend your time in these winter months?” This example invites discussion without imposing a specific belief, expectation, mood, or pattern of behaviour. Once we’ve learned more about the person we’re talking to, we can then decide how to wish them well.
May all OSRP Members find showers of positivity, pockets of joy and prosperity in HEALTH, WEALTH, and WISDOM in 2024!!!
We’re kicking off a new feature in this newsletter to cheer and clap for OSRP members who are doing great things for the profession and in the community. Please submit suggestions about yourself or other OSRPers to mail@psychotherapyontario.org. Don’t be shy!
We’re starting with a note from our surprised Board Chair, Kimberly Cato, who was nominated without her knowledge for the Charity Village (Canada’s top not-for-profit clearinghouse/resource site) Best Individual Contribution to DEI in the workplace award. This is for the Race-Based Data Collection Initiative. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Kimberly and the EDI Committee, and to everyone who participated by providing their data, OSRP is on the finalist list.
As our final seminar of an inaugural year to which we have attracted 170 individuals to join us and learn together, we are thrilled to share with you the wisdom of the delightful Dr. Krissy Thomas-Doyle for a special, Zoom-only, interactive event on November 26 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. To find out more, or to register, please click here.
Dr. Thomas-Doyle, a Medical Neuroscientist, is not only an expert in brain-related medical conditions and mental health, she is also a sparkling communicator who has a way of explaining the nuts and bolts of self-care from a brain health perspective, and making it fun and relaxing to learn more.
The Protect Subcommittee, chaired by Alethia Cadore, with members Kusum Dole, Rachel Fulford and Maria Wallis, has been working with Dr. Thomas-Doyle to create a unique, experiential and unforgettable trip through your own brain. We know you will find it invigorating.
Participants on Sunday, November 26 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Zoom will learn how to generate a daily D.O.S.E. – Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin and Endorphins – from our own experiences and worlds, and how to help our clients do this as well.
The focus is on you, the therapist, retiring therapist or therapist-in-training, and how to enhance your own brain health, vitality, and longevity in this demanding profession.
Three previous PS Videos are also available to members till the end of 2023. All videos are $20 each for members; those who purchased a “Flex Pass” prior to June 1 already have access to all materials and live/online seminars.
We look forward to sharing this experience with you at a comfortable, insightful and bonding event for all members.
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