My Mission
Life is full of challenges and sometimes we feel stuck and unsure of how to support ourselves or our children. Whether it is social, emotional, or developmental, there comes a time when we need to ask for help…
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My goal is to help children, adolescents, young adults and parents better understand themselves, their feelings, each other, and the world around them. We’ll work together to build a toolbox of skills to help manage the big feelings and challenging circumstances you may face when moving through life.
My Experience
Hi, I’m Madelaine Shane, a registered Social Worker with a passion for working with and supporting children, youth and families. I have worked with children, adolescents, young adults and families from diverse backgrounds for over eight years; all of whom were facing unique challenges and situations. Since so much of who we become as adults is shaped by our early childhood experiences, I’m a firm believer in early intervention whenever possible.
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I also have experience working as an elementary school teacher at alternative schools, where I worked with children affected by a variety of learning differences including ADHD, autism and other learning and behavioural challenges. Being a teacher, I have first hand experience of the different stressors and expectations that children experience, which helps me as a therapist to best support and provide strategies for children and their parents.
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Whether you are looking for an opportunity to gain insight into your own experiences or set yourself or your child up for success in the future, please reach out. I’d love to help! My goal is to support individuals and families build solid foundations, through the development of healthy emotional regulation strategies, a powerful sense of self and strong relationships with others.
My Services
All sessions are 50 minutes long and are offered by both secure video (use your laptop or mobile device) or by phone.
Individual Therapy
Family Therapy
Caregiver Support
To determine if my services are right for you, I offer free 15-minute phone or video consultations to answer any questions you may have and provide further information.
My Approach
Everyone has unique personal experiences, personalities, strengths, needs and goals. As such, I use an integrated approach guided by evidence-based methodologies to provide treatment to children, adolescents and young adults with a variety of clinical needs. I am guided by modalities that include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Behavioural Therapy (SFBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Trauma Informed Therapy utilizing components of Attachment Theory, Mindfulness, Play and Art Therapy. Good therapeutic outcomes are based on trust and I’d love to earn yours.
I support my clients as they work through challenges that may include:
Anxiety
Relationships
Emotional Regulation
Depression
Self-Esteem
Life Transitions
Parenting
Bullying
Behaviour Management
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What are your qualifications?I have a Masters Degree in Social Work and am a registered Social Worker (MSW, RSW). I am registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and the Ontario Association of Social Workers. Prior to qualifying as a Social Worker, I earned my Bachelor of Education from McGill University and worked as an Elementary School Teacher at an alternative school for children with learning differences, ADHD and other learning or behavioural challenges.
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How do I make an appointment?A referral is not required to set up an appointment. Sign up for a free 15-minute consultation. You can also fill out the Contact Form and I will be in touch with you, generally within 24-48 hours.
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What if I need to cancel an appointment?When you make an appointment, I set aside a specific time slot just for you. If you must cancel or change your appointment, it is important to contact me at least 24 hours in advance so that I can offer your time slot to someone else. If you do not cancel your appointment 24 hours in advance, you will be charged the full hourly rate for your missed appointment. Under certain extenuating circumstances (e.g. medical illness, family emergency, etc.), fees for missed or cancelled sessions may be waived. These situations are handled on a case-by-case basis.
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Are your services covered by OHIP?No, unfortunately psychotherapy and social work services are not covered by OHIP. However, services offered by registered psychotherapists are typically reimbursed partially, or in full by extended health care providers. I provide all clients with a detailed invoice of their appointments, which they may submit to their insurance company for reimbursement. Please reach out to your service provider prior to beginning therapy to determine eligibility and rate of coverage of services with a Registered Social Worker.
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How do I pay for therapy sessions?All major credit cards are accepted as forms of payment. For your convenience, payment can be made directly online through a secure platform. You will receive a receipt after every session that you can then share with your insurance provider for reimbursement.
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Are therapy sessions tax deductible?Yes. Revenue Canada recognizes psychotherapy services provided by a Registered Social Worker as an income tax deductible medical expense.
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Where can I get help immediately?​If you are currently experiencing an emergency or in need of 24/7 support, please contact Toronto Distress Centre 416-408- 4357, Gerstein Crisis Centre 416-929-5200, Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868, call 911, or access your nearest walk-in clinic or hospital emergency department.
Land Acknowledgment
I am living in Tkaronto ("where there are trees in the water" in Mohawk), the traditional territories of the Huron-Wendat, the Ojibway, the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee, and Mississauga’s of the New Credit. This land is governed by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant between the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Confederacy of Ojibway and Allied Nations. This covenant is an agreement to share, work and protect this land together in harmony.
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As a settler, a guest on this land, I am working, and continue to work on how my words and actions, thoughts and assumptions have impacted indigenous peoples and how my inherent biases can cloud and skew how I treat clients. I work with the intention to decolonize the white, male therapy traditions, to treat this land and the people living on it with care, and to hold myself and my peers accountable to the internalized and racist beliefs I have of the indigenous community.
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