MERRILL BARBER, MSW, RSW, ACCR. FM

PROFILE

Professional Family Mediator and Social Worker with over 15 years clinical experience
Mediation Practitioner with Dr. Howard Irving, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto
Boomerang Health, SickKids Hospital, Clinical Social Worker
Master of Social Work, University of Toronto
Bachelor of Social Work, University of Victoria
Bachelor of Arts, York University
Registered Social Worker (RSW) (Registered under the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers - OASWSSW)
Registered Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW)
Accredited Family Mediator, Ontario Association of Family Mediators (OAFM)
Certified CBT Therapist - The Hincks Dellcrest Institute, The Hospital for Sick Kids
Certified Trauma Counsellor - The Hincks Dellcrest Institute, The Hospital for Sick Kids
Specialize in Attachment-focused adult psychotherapy.

EDUCATION

Master of Social Work (MSW), Field of study - Children and Families, University of Toronto

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), University of Victoria

Bachelor of Arts (BA), York University

RECENT EXPERIENCE

Social Worker, Psychotherapist and Family Mediator (MSW, RSW, Accr FM) Private Practice, Toronto, ON

Provide individual therapy for children, youth and adults; couples and family therapy
Provide evidence based therapeutic interventions for anxiety and depression, emotion dysregulation, behavioural difficulties, family conflict, grief and bereavement, trauma, suicidal ideation, self harm, OCD and attachment
Provide family mediation services for families going through separation and divorce. This includes dispute resolution and creating a parenting plan.

Social Worker, Psychotherapist and Family Mediator (MSW, RSW, Accr FM) Boomerang Health (Powered by Sick Kids Hospital), Vaughan, ON

Treat common behavioural and socio-emotional issues presented in children, adolescents and families
Provide individual, family and parent-supported therapies for children and teens
Provide consultation and recommendations to families, and liaise with referring physicians, Boomerang Health clinicians, school staff and other relevant agencies
Provide evidence based therapeutic interventions for childhood anxiety and depression, emotion dysregulation, behavioural difficulties and family conflict
Provide interventions to enhance coping and reduce distress in referred population
Provide family mediation services for families going through separation and divorce. This includes dispute resolution and creating a parenting plan
Provide parent consultation regarding parenting challenges, social-emotional and behavioural concerns and treatment planning
Work with multidisciplinary team of health care professionals.

Accredited Family Mediator, OAFM

Howard Irving and Associates, Toronto, ON

Co-mediate families with Dr. Howard Irving, specializing in parents and children experiencing separation and divorce. The practice focuses on the Therapeutic Family Mediation (TFM) method. Clients range from low to high conflict
Contribute in areas of expertise, including: preparing parenting plans; addendums; marital mediation; parent-child mediation and individual counselling
Practice therapeutic approaches including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Emotion-Centred Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Brief Strategic Therapy, Structural Therapy and Couple Therapy for partner aggression, stepfamilies and intercultural relationships
Assist with preparation and editing of articles and papers
Assisted with Dr. Howard Irving’s published book, Children Come First: Mediation, Not Litigation When Marriage Ends (Dundurn Publishers, 2011)

CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING

Professional certifications, awards, courses, and workshops include:

Secure parent, secure child: How a parent’s adult attachment influences the attachment of the child. SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health Learning Institute.
ADHD in children and adolescents. SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health Learning Institute.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Children and Teens; Evidence informed treatment strategies for kids and their families. SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health
Family-based treatment for adolescent eating disorders. SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health
Certificate in attachment-focused adult psychotherapy: Advanced course. SickKids CCMH Learning Institute
Children's grief and bereavement certificate program. The Hincks Dellcrest Institute, The Hospital for SickKids
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Certificate, Level 1. The Hincks Dellcrest Institute, The Hospital for SickKids
Creative CBT Interventions for Children with Anxiety. The Hincks Dellcrest Institute, The Hospital for SickKids
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Basics. University of Toronto, School of Continuing Studies
Trauma Certificate, Level 1: Trauma Counselling for Front-Line Workers. The Hincks Dellcrest Institute, The Hospital for SickKids
Infant and Early Mental Health: Understanding How Early Mental Health Influences Wellness Throughout Life – Workshop – The Hospital for Sick Kids / University of Toronto
Tri-Council Policy Statement 2: CORE (TCPS 2: CORE) Certificate of Completion, Panel on Research Ethics, Government of Canada
Practicing Alliance In Social Work Certification, University of Toronto – Workshop
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training – ASIST
Practice Seminar on Assessment and Interviewing Skills, University of Toronto
Childhood Traumatic Grief (CTG) Web Course, Medical University of South Carolina
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Web Course, Medical University of South Carolina
Diversity and Equity, Master of Social Work (MSW) Student Workshop – University of Toronto
Advanced Parenting Coordination Family Solutions, Barbara Fiddler, Ph.D.
Family Law Certificate Workshop, Riverdale Mediation
Solution-focused Counselling, University of Toronto
Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM)
Certificate Program in Therapeutic Family Mediation, University of Toronto
Screening for Family Violence, Abuse, and Power Imbalances, University of Toronto
Cummings Family Scholarship Merit Award