Joanna LaCaprara is a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist with an office located in Oshawa, Ontario. In 2007, I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree after studying Criminology at Simon Fraser University and completed a Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Windsor in 2010. I am a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and the Canadian Association of Social Workers.

I have over 9 years of working experience in the field of social work. I began my career facilitating groups for the Partner Assault Response Program in the Region of Peel. I transitioned to supporting youth and their families in an accredited children’s mental health agency in Oshawa where for 5 years I conducted family assessments, completed case management, and led individual, family, and parent support counselling sessions. I have been working on a school board for the past 4 years and continue in my position as a Mental Health Clinician where I focus my skills on student mental health and attendance. I also started my own private practice in the Durham Region in September 2019.

I ground my social work practice in strengths-based and client-centred approaches while I incorporate evidence-based treatment modalities that I have been trained in. I believe clients are their own experts of themselves, and together we create a therapeutic plan that meets their needs and comfort levels. I have received training in various treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Solutions-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed care, and I continue to participate in professional learning courses and workshops.

Throughout my working experience, I have helped adults, children, and youth as they have encountered anxiety, depression, suicidality, stress, lack of work/school motivation, non-suicidal self-injury, family strain and communication difficulties, major life transitions, grief, and other complex mental health challenges.

With everyone I work with, I commit to establishing an authentic and genuine therapeutic relationship. While listening with empathy and compassion, I strive to learn about my clients and their personal experiences. I value clients feeling heard and empowered, and continually ask my clients for feedback to ensure that we are collaboratively meeting their personal goals.