91ÑÇÉ«

Community Scholar, Meditation, Wellness, and Selfcare

Community Scholar

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Susan (pronouns she/her) has an Honours BA in Psychology from the University of Windsor, and a MSW from the University of Toronto. Susan has worked with issues of mental health, abuse, and trauma for over 40 years at various levels from front-line to directorship. Over her social work career, Susan provided individual, family and group therapy, supervised and managed staff at all levels, developed, implemented, and evaluated programs, secured partnerships, lead community collaborations, and advocated for systems change. 

Susan is an avid meditator and has been cultivating her meditation practice for over 30 years through retreats, daily practice, and study.  She co-developed the Mindfulness Based Trauma Counselling Group Program for people who have experienced abuse and trauma. Susan completed the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification training program led by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. She also completed the Community Dharma Teacher Training through True North Insight. Currently, she leads a monthly 3-hour sangha in the GTA, as well as teaching weekly mindfulness and compassion sessions. 

Much of Susan’s current energy is channeled into eco activism and supporting those doing this work. She is keen to bring the teachings on mindfulness and compassion to meeting the distress caused by environmental disruption and climate chaos.  With a Community Fellow appointment, Susan co-leads the Wellness Impact Lab at the Dahdaleh Global Health Institute at 91ÑÇÉ«.  For fun, she performs with the Red Rebels Toronto.

As a white bodied person, Susan has particular interest in combatting white supremacy by engaging in the inner work of racial healing. Susan is grateful to make her home on Turtle Island, whose lands, waters, and ecological communities have been cared for by many Indigenous nations. She is a proud mother, grandmother, partner, friend, and dog person.

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