Laurier expert alert: Bell Let’s Talk

Jan. 25, 2022
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – Bell Let’s Talk Day, taking place Jan. 26, is an annual event designed to raise awareness and encourage conversations about mental health. Wilfrid Laurier University has many experts available to comment about topics related to mental health.

Heidi Ahonen is a professor of music therapy, the director of the Manfred and Penny Conrad Institute for Music Therapy Research, a registered psychotherapist and accredited music therapist. She is an expert on music therapy and its potential to support those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), burnout and other psychological trauma. She has worked with traumatized individuals, including refugees, using clinical improvisation, guided imagery and music. Read more about her work. Contact: hahonen@wlu.ca

Olena Darewych, adjunct faculty member at Martin Luther University College, is an expert in art therapy, particularly for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). As a registered art therapist and psychotherapist, she has 20 years of experience working with individuals of all ages and from culturally diverse backgrounds in a variety of settings such as hospitals, child and family services, schools and long term-care facilities in Australia, Canada, the United States and Ukraine. Her current research investigates imagination in adults with ASD using arts-based assessments and digital technology. Contact: odarewych@luther.wlu.ca or 647.889.7753 (cell)

Carolyn FitzGerald, assistant professor in Laurier’s Faculty of Education, is an expert on mental health in education. FitzGerald’s research focuses on the mental health of pre-service teachers, teachers and school administrators, as well as ways in which educators can offer effective programs to respond to the mental health needs of Ontario’s children and youth. She is the coordinator of Laurier’s Mental Health Issues in the Classroom certificate and has provided training on how to support the mental health of students and faculty in remote learning environments. She is also available to speak about how the COVID-19 outbreak may impact the mental well-being of children and youth and what parents can do to help their children. Read more about her work. Contact: cafitzgerald@wlu.ca

Kate Harper is an assistant professor in the Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy program at Martin Luther University College and a registered psychotherapist and clinical supervisor at the Delton Glebe Counselling Centre in Waterloo. Her expertise is in the area of neurodynamic psychotherapy (how the brain changes with psychotherapy), spiritually integrated psychotherapy, neurotheology (the integration of neuroscience and theology or spirituality), neuropsychoanalysis, and the history of psychoanalysis and neuroscience. Contact: kharper@luther.wlu.ca

Maritt Kirst is an associate professor in the Community Psychology program and co-director of the Centre for Community Research, Learning and Action at Laurier. She is an expert on mental health, addictions and homelessness, with a particular interest in making community-based health care and social services more accessible to marginalized populations. Contact: mkirst@wlu.ca

Danielle Law, associate professor in Laurier’s Youth and Children’s Studies and Psychology programs, is an expert on how children and adolescents develop cognitively and socio-emotionally as they interact and socialize using technologies. Read more about her research. Contact: dlaw@wlu.ca

Kristine Lund is a professor, the principal-dean of Martin Luther University College and the clinical director at the Delton Glebe Counselling Centre. She is an expert on pet-assisted therapy and has been studying university students’ interactions with dogs during final exams. She has also studied and written about professional ethics, and teaching and learning in graduate education. She has worked with individuals and couples addressing grief and loss, anxiety and depression and relationship concerns with a particular interest in making meaning of the experience. Contact: klund@luther.wlu.ca

Magnus Mfoafo-M’Carthy is an associate professor in the Faculty of Social Work. He is an expert on community mental health, especially mental health and stigma in immigrant communities and treatment options for individuals with mental illness in the community. Prior to joining Laurier, Mfoafo-M’Carthy served as community treatment order coordinator at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health assisting individuals with serious mental illness. Contact: mmfoafomcarthy@wlu.ca

Michael Woodford, professor in Laurier’s Faculty of Social Work, is an expert on the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ2S+ youth. Woodford’s research explores how bullying and other forms of discrimination can increase LGBTQ2S+ youth's risk for poor mental health and other negative outcomes, as well as the factors that can foster resilience. Woodford is leading the Thriving on Campus Study, a province-wide study exploring the experiences, mental health and academic success of LGBTQ2S+ university students in Ontario. Read more about his work. Contact: mwoodford@wlu.ca