About Merrill
When working with individuals and families, Merrill’s focus is to ensure that a safe, healthy and respectful space is provided to her clients of all ages, social backgrounds and cultural beliefs. She is committed to maintaining a practice that is anti-racist, anti-oppressive, 2SLGBTQ+ friendly and accessible to a broad range of clients. When mediating, her practice approach is solution-focused, collaborative and family-centred.
Merrill is an MSW, BSW, RSW, psychotherapist and accredited family mediator with over fifteen years of experience working with children and families. Merrill earned her Master of Social Work at the University of Toronto, specializing in children and their families. She completed her Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Victoria, Bachelor of Arts at York University, and Therapeutic Family Mediation certification at the University of Toronto.
Ongoing professional development is important to Merrill. She is certified in attachment focused adult psychotherapy, grief and bereavement and trauma therapy from The Hincks-Dellcrest Institute, The Hospital for Sick Kids. Merrill has also completed the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
As an active volunteer, Merrill has provided telephone support and training at the Toronto Distress Centre for two years, and offered pro bono mediation services to low-income families through the Willow Tree Community Mediation Association. At the community level she has worked with such charities as The Terry Fox Run and Scouts Canada.
Merrill is a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW) and Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM).
