Brittany Courteau

My name is Brittany Courteau, I am a registered social worker with the OCSWSSW and CASW. I completed my master’s in social work through the University of Windsor and my undergraduate degree in criminology with honours through Wilfrid Laurier University. I finished my EMDR level 1 and level 2 training and am a member of EMDR Canada and the EMDR International Association. I have spent the past seven years working with children, adolescents, and adults struggling with complex special needs. Spending this front-line time in social services allowed me to see the connection between unresolved trauma and maladaptive behaviours firsthand.

Making the decision to obtain my master’s and shift my career towards counselling was largely fuelled by my personal and professional experiences. Working in the community I could see the service gaps that existed and understood that one size fits all approaches were not cutting it. My hope was to further my understanding of trauma and how it manifests so that I could work with others in meaningful ways. Personally, I have had my share of challenges to overcome, and it was only through receiving counselling myself that I could begin my healing journey.

A quote that has always resonated with me is “Instead of saying “I’m damaged, I’m broken, I have trust issues.” I say, “I’m healing, I’m rediscovering myself, I’m starting over.”- Horacio Jones. Your difficulties don’t have to be a life sentence. With the right guidance you can turn the page and begin anew.