Judith MacKinnon

Judith is available for virtual therapy some evenings.

To book an appointment, click HERE.

Judith MacKinnon 

CCT, CCC 

(She/Her/Hers)

Judith has a passion for developing leadership skills in the individual. She is an innovative and creative thinker who is warm and caring. Judith is experienced in working with diverse populations and social justice. She uses a solution - focused approach in assisting individuals. She has vast experience, spanning multiple provinces, age groups, populations and cultures. Judy is very knowledgeable regarding diversity, disability Issues, and social justice. She is excited to join Red Sands Therapy Inc.

EXPERIENCE:

Sheridan College

Career Counsellor, Career Education: Sep 2013 - Present 

Using a solution-focused approach, assists students with career selection, determining a "good fit "which considers career interests, personality styles, and values of the client.

Knowledgeable regarding Educational Pathways to further studies including transfer credits and direct entry options to numerous post-secondary institutions.

Faculty sponsor of the Sheridan Davis Bruins Toastmasters Club and Duke of Edinburgh Award program.

Workshop presenter to regional, provincial, and national conferences including Cannexus, OCC Counsellors, and upcoming OSCA, 2014!

Career Counsellor, Peer Mentor Trainer: Jan 1998 to Present 

Engaging workshop facilitator, passionate about working with Sheridan students. Highly interested in developing the "leader within".

Specializes in educational pathways and transfer agreements from college to university.

Career Counsellor/Peer Mentor Coordinator: 1998 to 2009

Coordinated all training and administrative aspects of the Peer Mentor Leadership program at Sheridan. Annually orchestrated 120 students over 2 campuses, 20 staff supervisors, 8 Student Services managers, and liaised with senior executive. (2001-2009)

Success Counsellor, Student Services: Sep 2001 to Sep 2003

Provided personal and academic counselling, worked extensively with first year students, coordinated Mature student group, coordinated Davis campus Counselling Peer Mentors, provided wide variety of workshops ranging from Time and Stress Management to Academic Success.

Co-op Advisor, Job Developer, Sheridan College Cooperative Education: Feb 1998 to Feb 2000 ·

Successfully marketed and job developed two new Co-op programs: Quality Assurance and Corporate Communications.

Delivered Co-op Education course to 14 programs in Sheridan Business and Technology fields.

Conducted student employment monitors and site visits, liaised with hundreds of GTA businesses, employers and Boards of Trade.

Teacher: Cole Harbour District High, Halifax County School Board: 1988 to Jun 1996 

Taught wide variety of classroom subjects, 1992-1996. 

Worked with Student Services team and "at-risk" youth, 1989-1992.

Coordinated high school to college career development projects with Nova Scotia Community College.

Coordinated experiential education placements through Student Services "Alternative Education" program.

Peer Helper team leader.

Guidance Counsellor, Elementary, Jr and Sr High, District 15, Moncton NB: Sep 1986 to Jun 1988 

Delivered Guidance Services at three levels-Elementary, Junior and Harrison Trimble Senior High

Guidance Counsellor/ Classroom Teacher: Hernewood Junior High School: Aug 1978 to May 1985

Hernewood Junior High school is perhaps the best junior high school in all of Canada. What a blessing to work there, the best 7 years of my teaching career.

Education

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto

Education: Doctoral, Social Justice, Education, EDI and Social Justice: Sept 2019 - Apr 2024

Activities and societies: All doctoral course work has been completed. An additional requirement was my Social Justice field placement which provided incredible experience working with Newcomers to Canada. The final phase is completing my Education Doctoral action-oriented dissertation which involves a combination of career and equity issues that are (currently) occurring within the federal government with recommendations as to actions which could reduce barriers for applicants, (and so forth). Kind of interesting to say the least!

Teaching English as a second Language.

The Peel District School Board's TESOL Diploma & Certificate training program, Jan 2017 - Jun 2017

Post Graduate Certificate: Achieved Level One certification with

York University: MA, Critical Disability Studies-Social Justice 2010 - 2013

Critical Disability Studies focusses on the economic, geographic, legal, and sociological forces which create disabling environments for individuals. There is heavy emphasis on diversity and social justice for all people with an emphasis on the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

University of New Brunswick: M.Ed., Counselling, Career Development, Disability Studies 1989 - 1991

Activities and societies: 1991-2011

MBTI Certification, Personality Dimensions Certification, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution Focused Counselling strategies

PROFESSIONAL & VOLUNTEER AFFILIATIONS

• Certified Counselling Therapist (CCT) with the College of Counseling Therapy, PEI.

• Certified Canadian Counselor (CCC) with the Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association .

• Personality Dimensions works facilitator.

• MBTI Practitioner.

• Award recipient for college excellence and dedication to students.

Special projects include:

• Canadian Citizenship State Ceremony, 2011

• Sheridan's first multicultural campus celebration: SHERIBANA!

• Canadian International Development (CIDA) Speakers Series, 2013 

Volunteers with:

• One Million Trees Project, City of Mississauga, Sep 2000 - Present 

Ongoing volunteer for Tree Planting projects in Mississauga.

• Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, Apr 2015 - Present 

Introduced Guest Speakers; solicited door prizes ; assisted with packaging conference program materials.

• Area Director, District 86: TMI International, Jun 2020 - Jun 2021 

Responsible for communicating training and leadership development opportunities within 5 Area Clubs. Provided support for executive teams ; attended club meetings on regular basis; participated in meeting roles; delivered keynote presentations; and assisted with issues as required. Coordinated team of twelve volunteers to manage highly successful Area contest.