Monica van Shaik
BA, MSW, RSW
Relationship Development Intervention® Certified Consultant
Registered Spelling to Communicate (S2C) Practitioner
Hi there, I’m Monica. I’m a registered social worker and therapist, with over fifteen years of experience supporting neurodivergent and LGBTQ2S+ folks. I offer a compassionate and accepting space for people to navigate their way to greater wellbeing.
I grew up in rural Ontario, before moving to Montreal to pursue a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Gender Studies at Concordia University. In Montreal, I grew to understand myself as a dyslexic, queer, survivor of sexual assault and guest on the Indigenous lands that I call home. I found healing and understanding through participating in counselling, activism and community. Inspired, I returned to Kitchener to complete my Master of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University, to support others in their own journeys of healing, self-acceptance and self-celebration.
In my clinical practice, I value collaboration and taking a therapeutic approach that resonantes with your healing journey. I often integrate narrative and mindfulness therapies, and draw from skills rooted in trauma-informed, attachment, and solution-based approaches. My approach is warm, relational, and explorative. I also have specialized training in Spelling to Communicate (S2C) and Relationship Development Intervention (RDI®) services.
I am able to support you with issues related to:
- Learning disabilities & school-related stress
- Nurturing acceptance and pride in your neurodiversity
- Parenting neurodivergent kids
- Trauma
- Shame and self-worth
- Anxiety & depression
- Emotional dysregulation
- Grief
- Relationship issues
- Consensual non-monogamy
- Gender & sexuality
When we work together, I will meet you with curiosity and care. It’s important to me that you feel safe and secure in our relationship, so that you can use your sessions as a space to truly heal and grow.
I meet with individual clients (children 8+ and adults) and parents looking to focus on parenting-related concerns. I also offer S2C sessions and RDI® consulting. At this time, I am NOT accepting new clients, and am taking a waitlist for in-person and virtual sessions.
If you feel that we may be a good fit, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I look forward to hearing from you.