About Darlene...
Darlene Denis-Friske is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Darlene is a certified member and Validated Supervisor with The Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals, a professional member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, and a leadership member of the Indigenous Circle of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Darlene is also part of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.
Darlene holds a Doctorate in Counselling and Psychotherapy, a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, a diploma of studies in parent consultation work along with two years of internship with foremost Canadian expert on attachment Dr. Gordon Neufeld, an honours degree in psychology (focused in personality development), and three years of study and supervision in child and youth work. She has also completed studies in Wholistic Healing Practices and Indigenous Research Methodology with the Centre for Indigegogy with Wilfred Laurier University.
Darlene has worked with children, youth and adults in a variety of rewarding settings since 1988 including psychiatric hospital (child & youth crisis intervention/assessment), two Renfrew County school boards (elementary, secondary and alternative education), community practice (family health team setting), and private practice (since 2005: please note Darlene's private practice is now closed).
Darlene is currently a Registered Psychotherapist with the West Champlain Family Health Team in Pembroke, Ontario and works with the Walk-in Counselling Clinic of Renfrew County. She is also currently an adjunct faculty member of the Neufeld Institute and has taken an active role in organizing and facilitating community talks and professional development geared towards understanding the emotional, developmental, and attachment needs of children. This is an area of advocacy work for which Darlene is both passionate and dedicated.
Darlene holds a Doctorate in Counselling and Psychotherapy, a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, a diploma of studies in parent consultation work along with two years of internship with foremost Canadian expert on attachment Dr. Gordon Neufeld, an honours degree in psychology (focused in personality development), and three years of study and supervision in child and youth work. She has also completed studies in Wholistic Healing Practices and Indigenous Research Methodology with the Centre for Indigegogy with Wilfred Laurier University.
Darlene has worked with children, youth and adults in a variety of rewarding settings since 1988 including psychiatric hospital (child & youth crisis intervention/assessment), two Renfrew County school boards (elementary, secondary and alternative education), community practice (family health team setting), and private practice (since 2005: please note Darlene's private practice is now closed).
Darlene is currently a Registered Psychotherapist with the West Champlain Family Health Team in Pembroke, Ontario and works with the Walk-in Counselling Clinic of Renfrew County. She is also currently an adjunct faculty member of the Neufeld Institute and has taken an active role in organizing and facilitating community talks and professional development geared towards understanding the emotional, developmental, and attachment needs of children. This is an area of advocacy work for which Darlene is both passionate and dedicated.
Darlene's doctoral focus, research, and advocacy centers around the deeper understanding of Indigenous wholistic theory, ethics, and philosophy in counselling and psychotherapy work. As an Algonquin Anishinaabe from the Kipawa Temiscaming area of Quebec (Mongrain and Pariseau families), she is passionate about honouring the deeper cultural wisdom in her ways of being, as well as her work and approach to individuals.
Darlene draws upon the profound teachings of the Gichidibaakonigewenan as she has come to know them through teachings (debwewan, gwayakawa-adizin, nibwaaka-awin , dabasendizowin, maanaji’idiwin, zaagi’idiwin, zoongide’ewin) in all aspects of her life, work, and research focus. She engages in circle work, study with Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and consultation in Indigenous wholistic theory. She also draws upon the stories, teachings, and examples of her mother, grandparents, and extended family who live their relational values and larger ethics as present in their everyday lives.
Darlene draws upon the profound teachings of the Gichidibaakonigewenan as she has come to know them through teachings (debwewan, gwayakawa-adizin, nibwaaka-awin , dabasendizowin, maanaji’idiwin, zaagi’idiwin, zoongide’ewin) in all aspects of her life, work, and research focus. She engages in circle work, study with Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and consultation in Indigenous wholistic theory. She also draws upon the stories, teachings, and examples of her mother, grandparents, and extended family who live their relational values and larger ethics as present in their everyday lives.
Darlene’s work has been honoured with nominations for two provincial awards; Professional Support Person of the Year: Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario (presented in 2003), and the Krista Sepp Memorial Award for Mentoring (2004). She has been invited to present her work in two provincial forums: The Ontario Principals’ Council (2005) and the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Counsellors (2007), and also with the Continuing Medical Education program of the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (2013-2014); Pediatrics Refresher Symposium (University of Ottawa, 2014), Pediatrics Department (CHEO, 2015), and the Ontario Association of Nurse Practitioners (2018).
Darlene has also represented Neufeld's work in a national forum (Family Resource Programs of Canada, 2007), and has organized and overseen six annual conferences bringing Dr. Neufeld to Ottawa (2009-2014). More recently (2016-2018), Darlene has been involved in developing and implementing staff training for an Ontario funded childrens' mental health agency, leading professional development to deepen understanding of an attachment-based developmental approach in therapeutic work.
Darlene has also represented Neufeld's work in a national forum (Family Resource Programs of Canada, 2007), and has organized and overseen six annual conferences bringing Dr. Neufeld to Ottawa (2009-2014). More recently (2016-2018), Darlene has been involved in developing and implementing staff training for an Ontario funded childrens' mental health agency, leading professional development to deepen understanding of an attachment-based developmental approach in therapeutic work.