Amy Parsons (she/her)
BA, BSW, MSW, RSW, RCSW-S
Owner & Therapist
Raised on the ancestral homeland of the Mi'kmaq and Beothuk, Amy calls the island of Ktaqmkuk [ook-da-hum-gook], colonially known as Newfoundland, her first home. Since 2012, she has resided on Treaty 8 Territory, the traditional meeting ground, gathering place, and travelling route to the Cree, Dene, Dane-zaa (Beaver), and Metis. Acknowledging her identity as a white settler, Amy is committed to enacting to the Calls to Action outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. In the pursuit of a more socially just and equitable country, Amy encourages all settlers to engage in the Calls to Action with care, humility, and intention.
Amy received her Certificate in Criminology, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Social Work from Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) in 2012. In 2017, Amy graduated from MUN with her Master of Social Work. In 2021, Amy began pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work and is now a doctoral candidate at MUN.
Amy has been fortunate to spend the entirety of her social work career supporting folks within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. From 2012-2016, Amy coordinated and directed programming to support children and youth exposed to family violence. From 2017-2022, Amy provided therapeutic services to children, youth, and adults accessing mental health care in both community and hospital settings. In July 2022, recognizing the need for increased mental health support in our community, Amy launched Boreal Therapy Collective.
Amy is passionate about mental health care and reducing the stigma and scrutiny that people often experience when seeking mental health support. She has received training in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) skills, motivational interviewing (MI), narrative therapy (NT), solution-focused therapy (SFT), and collaborative problem-solving (CPS).
Amy is committed to practicing from a place that is person-centred, strengths-based, and trauma-informed. In her work, she prioritizes social justice, inclusion, and respect. She offers in-person and virtual therapy services to children, teens, adults, and families throughout Fort McMurray and the greater Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
Education
Doctoral Candidate, Memorial University of Newfoundland (May 2021-Present)
Master of Social Work, Memorial University of Newfoundland (June 2017)
Bachelor of Social Work, Memorial University of Newfoundland (May 2012)
Bachelor of Arts, Memorial University of Newfoundland (May 2012)
Certificate in Criminology, Memorial University of Newfoundland (May 2012)
Achievements
Therapy and Counselling Platinum Award, CommunityVotes (September 2024)
Community Organization Platinum Award, CommunityVotes (September 2024)
Therapy and Counselling Bronze Award, CommunityVotes (September 2023)
Pride Leadership Award (Professional Category), PrideYMM (June 2023)
Dean’s Excellence Award, Memorial University of Newfoundland (April 2023)
Doctoral Fellowship, Social Science and Humanities Research Council (April 2023)
Woman of Inspiration, Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta (October 2022)
Champion of the Community, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (January 2018)
Fellow of the School of Graduate Studies, Memorial University of Newfoundland (May 2017)
Registration
Amy is a Registered Social Worker (Registration Number: 10845), a Registered Clinical Social Worker (Registration Number: 20913), and a Registered Clinical Social Work Supervisor with the Alberta College of Social Workers.
Amy practices in accordance with the Canadian Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics, Values, and Guiding Principles (2024) and the Alberta College of Social Workers Standards of Practice (March 2023). Per the Government Organization Act (RSA 2000), Schedule 7.1, Amy is authorized to perform the restricted activity of psychosocial intervention.
Publications and Media
Magazine Articles
Parsons, A., Smith, B., & Hickman, J. (2020). The Power of Connection. The Advocate, 45(2): 25-27.
Media Mentions
Cordeau-Hilliard, N. (2022, October 14). Amy Parsons Named Third Woman of Inspiration. Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta.
Franchuk, L. (2022, April 6). Practicum Students Receive Warm Welcome from Rural Communities. Rural Health Beat.
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. (2018, January 26). Citizen Recognition Program - Support Through Housing Team. YouTube.
Wood, P. (2022, October 17). Third Addition to Local Women of Inspiration Series. My McMurray.
Presentations
Parsons, A. (2022, March 24). Understanding the Field Education Landscape: Exploring the Perspectives of Social Work Field Education Coordinators and Field Instructors in Atlantic Canada [Research Presentation]. Transforming the Field Education Landscape, Field Education Scholar Seminar, Calgary, AB, Canada.
