“This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness…
Treat each guest honorably.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.”
Welcome to Guesthouse Therapy!
The above excerpts from a poem by Rumi help articulate the underlying philosophies of my practice – mindfulness, curiosity, emotions as information, self-compassion, and hope.
My hope is that by engaging in therapy at Guesthouse you will leave each session with a new perspective, a new skill or idea, or simply feeling lighter for having spoken from your heart in a safe place. With time, small changes can be transformative.
Meet Anna!
Anna is a Registered Social Worker and Clinical Therapist, and the founder of Guesthouse Therapy. Throughout her career Anna has explored many paths that eventually brought her to clinical therapy. She attended the University of Guelph (2011-2016) for her undergraduate degree in Studio Art and Psychology, and eventually went on to pursue her Master of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University (2018-2020). Some of her first experiences in this line of work came from running horticultural and outdoor education programs at Homewood Health Centre and The Julien Project (Guelph) during her undergrad.
Anna finished her Master of Social Work in 2020 and began her position at the Centre for Family Medicine, Family Health Team (CFFM FHT) in Kitchener, Ontario shortly after. There she developed and delivered a virtual group program for people experiencing anxiety during COVID, as well as providing 1 on 1 psychotherapy.
At the CFFM FHT, Anna’s work has included programs such as “Anxiety during COVID”/“Anxiety 101”, “Boundaries for Improving Relationships”, “Emotional First Aid”, “Better Sleep” and supported the delivery of a 9-week “Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy” program.
She has also delivered a 6-week Safe Steps Program for women and their children who have experienced domestic abuse (Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region).
In 2023, Anna took a contract position at Toward Common Ground in Guelph, Ontario, a research and social planning organization, supporting research and development of the ACEs & Resilience Training offered through the Community Resilience Coalition.
To deepen her practice, Anna takes part in regular supervision with Sue Gallager (MSW, RSW), a clinical social worker and faculty at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Faculty of Social Work.
In her free time, Anna loves to walk her dog, do yoga, sing and play guitar, and cook. In the warmer weather she loves to garden and do backcountry camping trips. She is drawn to nature, music, and art. Some of her past jobs have included organic farming and Staff Coordinator at a beloved summer camp.
LICENSE & CERTIFICATIONS
Registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
TRAININGS & WORKSHOPS
2024
Becoming an Adult Attachment Focused Therapist with Annette Kussin, MSW, RSW
2023
Clinical Conversations: Exploring Polyvagal Theory, Interpersonal Neurobiology and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), with Dr. Stephen Porges and Dr. Tina Bryson.
Deb Dana’s Putting Polyvagal Theory into Practice: Nervous System-Based Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and More, Webinar through PESI (Professional Education Systems Institute)
2022
Treating Complex Trauma with Internal Family Systems Training with Dr. Frank Anderson through PESI (Professional Education Systems Institute)
2021 - beyond
Healing Trauma with Psychedelics Webinar - A conversation with Gabor Mate
Counseling Strategies on Healing and Resilience through the Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute
Collaborative Approach to Managing Suicidality with David Jobes
EDUCATION
Master of Social Work | Wilfrid Laurier University, 2020
Bachelor of Arts, Studio Art and Psychology | University of Guelph, 2016