INTERACTION
CONSULTANTS
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INTERACTION CONSULTANTS |
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A strength-guided, goal-oriented approach to the positive growth and
development of people and services.
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When
people ask Gary what he does for a living he says pretty matter of fact
that he helps people get along or helps them feel better about themselves,
but truth be told, Gary is an accomplished Social Worker. Since graduating
with a Masters degree from the University of Toronto in 1985, Gary has not
only helped people get along or feel better about themselves, but has also
enjoyed an extensive career in public speaking. His workshop, Raising Kids
Without Raising Cane, led him to present to parents groups and social
service agencies across Canada and into the US. Unable to meet the demand
for his workshop, he published a book by the same title, which in turn led
him to numerous radio talk shows and television appearances. Helping
families of young children grow their children, he then turned to teenage
issues as these children got older. He concentrated on helping parents
understand teens through another workshop entitled, “Adolescence Is Not
A Disease”. Gary’s social work career and interests seem to also
follow the development of his own family. It make sense then that his
attention has been drawn to teen driver safety given that his own son has
entered the age of independent driving. As such, Gary developed the I
Promise Program to promote teen driver safety and reduce the risk of his
own son’s involvement in a car crash. The I Promise Program has gone
from conception to launch to the international stage in just two years.
www.ipromiseprogram.com
In addition to his private clinical practice, Courts in Ontario, Canada, consider Gary an expert on child development, parent-child relations, marital and family therapy, custody and access recommendations, social work and an expert for the purpose of giving a critique on a Section 112 (social work) report. His opinion helps resolve child custody and access matters. Gary enjoys public speaking. He is just as comfortable talking with a group of 5 people as with an audience of 500 people; whether the group is comprised of young persons, parents or business leaders. Just make sure you give him a wireless clip-on microphone. He likes to talk with his hands his hands and walk around as he engages the audience. If only one word were used to describe Gary, you will remember him for his passion. His belief in human dignity runs deep, as does his caring for children and families.
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For more information and printable copy see: RESUME
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Education |
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1985 |
Master
of Social Work / University of Toronto
Course
work concentrating on: Child
and family – Clinical Individual
psychopathology Systemic
approaches to assessment and treatment Functional
and dysfunctional families Sexual
abuse Alcohol
and substance abuse Family
violence Social
welfare Casework First
year placement – Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Metro Toronto Second
year placement – Scarborough Youth Services |
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1982 |
Specialized
Honours B.A. / Psychology / York University Course
work concentrating on: Abnormal
psychology Child
development Adult
life Cognitive
development Educational
psychology Human
Neuropsychology Language
development Neurodevelopment
of language Learning
and behaviour Motivation Personality
development Statistics |
Selected
Achievements
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Superior Court of Justice, Family Court, Hamilton |
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Invited
Keynote Speaker / 13th Annual Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault
Conference, Enhancing Victim and Child Safety, Bismarck, North Dakota |
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Deemed expert for the purpose of giving a critique on a Section 112 (social work) report Superior Court of Justice, Family Court, Hamilton |
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Deemed
an expert in Social Work with regard to Parent-Child Relations, Superior
Court of Justice, Family Court, Hamilton, Ontario
/ The Honourable Mr. Justice Randolph J. Mazza |
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Deemed
an Expert in Social Work, Child Development and recommendations with
respect to Custody and Access Assessment, / Superior Court of Justice -
Family Court, Hamilton,
Ontario / Her Honour Judge Bain |
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Deemed
an Expert in Social Work / Unified Family Court, Hamilton, Ontario / His
Honour Judge Van Duzer |
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Deemed
an Expert in Marital and Family Therapy / Ontario Provincial Court /
Family Division / His Honour Judge Main |
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First
non-physician to present at Family Practice Rounds / Managing The
Treatment Process With Adult Survivors Of Sexual Abuse / Chedoke-McMaster
Hospitals (was invited back for a second presentation) |
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Recommendation
of Sexual Abuse Treatment Manual: Sexual Abuse Counselling by Family
Practitioners - "I
recommend Direnfeld's learning kit to family physicians whether they have
little or extensive experience with survivors of childhood sexual
abuse." Dr. S. Rechner, Journal of Canadian Family Physician |
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Consulted
on the developmental needs of students with special needs to 12 different
Boards of Education in Ontario |
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Presented
at Medical Rounds in 12 Ontario hospitals / Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
and Rehabilitation Needs |
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Examiner
/ Ontario College Of Certified Social Workers |
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Published
book - Raising Kids Without Raising Cane |
Clinical
experience
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Dec.
1989 - present |
Social
Worker - private practice o
Providing
social work services to individuals, couples, families and children for
matters pertaining to abuse, child rearing and development, adjustment,
relationships, alcohol and substance abuse, vocational and academic
performance, behaviour problems, and marital and family life. o
Providing
assessment services for matters pertaining to custody and access. Included are
issues of wife abuse, child abuse, child witnessing mother-abuse, sexual
abuse, alcohol-substance abuse, criminal behaviour, new partners, blended
families, learning disabilities, relocation, co-morbidity, etc. o
Providing
mediation services for matters pertaining to custody and access. |
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Feb.
1990 - June 1992 |
Social
Worker / part time / E.A.P. / Family Services Association, Hamilton o
Providing social work services to individuals, couples,
families and children for matters pertaining to abuse, child rearing and
development, adjustment, relationships,
vocational performance, alcohol and substance abuse and behaviour
problems. |
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Sept.
1989 - Dec. 1989 |
Social
Worker / Behavioral unit / Acquired Brain Injury Program / Chedoke
McMaster Hospitals o
Providing social work services to aid in the assessment,
treatment and rehabilitation of persons affected by traumatic brain
injury. |
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Sept.
1985 - July 1989 |
Social
Worker / Adolescent Services / Thistletown Regional Centre o
Providing
social work services to individuals, couples, families and children for
matters pertaining to abuse, child rearing and development, adjustment,
relationships, alcohol and substance abuse, behaviour and psychiatric
problems. o
Providing
collaborative services with sexual abuse program, young offender, secure
treatment as treatment team member and full privileges for staff
development |
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April
1985 - Sept 1985 |
Family
Service Worker / Catholic Children's Aid Society Of Toronto o
Providing
ongoing social work services as mandated under the Child and Family
Services Act |
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June
1982 - Sept 1983 |
Instructor
Therapist / Primary Worker / TRE ADD / Thistletown Regional Centre o
Providing
direct care and psycho-social treatment to youth with serious
developmental disorders |
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Training
in |
Family
Arbitration Mediation Screening
for Domestic Violence and Power Imbalance Family
Law Collaborative
law Family
therapy Individual
therapy Group
therapy Sexual
abuse assessment and treatment – child, adolescent, family and adult Assessment
and treatment of adult sexual offenders Assessment
and treatment of spousal assault / family violence Assessment
and treatment of individuals, couples and families Family
dynamics – functional and dysfunctional in relation to physical abuse,
sexual abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, psychiatric and behavioural problems Psychiatric
diagnosis and classification Assessment
and treatment of co-existing disorders – co-morbidity Psychotropic
medication related to psychiatric disorders, sexual aggression Assessment
and treatment of alcohol/substance abuse Multi-disciplinary
approaches to assessment and treatment Cross
professional collaboration Elements
of psychology, speech language pathology, psychiatry, neurology, special
education Applied
Behavioural Analysis – assessment, treatment planning and intervention Psychotropic
medication Physical
intervention |
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Continuous
education: Reading
journals, books, periodicals related to matters of clinical practice Meet
and consult with colleagues Research
matters pertaining to particular issues as they arise Research
in preparation for presentations and conferences Collaborative
Law Arbitration |
| Memberships | |
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Current Current Current 1983
– 1995 1991
– 1993 1990
– 1994 1990
– 1994 2006
– 2008 2007
- 2008 |
Ontario
Association Of Social Workers Ontario
College Of Social Workers and Social Service Workers Ontario
Psychiatric Association Ontario
Association For Autistic Citizens Board
Of Directors /O.A.P.S.W. - Hamilton Branch Community
Sexual Abuse Network Of Hamilton Wentworth Hamilton
Prevention Network Hamilton/Halton
Collaborative Practice Group (Board of Directors) Ontario
Collaborative Law Federation (Board of Directors)
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| For more information and printable copy see: RESUME |
