About

Hello, I would like to introduce myself!

From a very young age, I knew that I wanted to work in some kind of helping profession. It wasn't until high school that someone suggested social work. I quickly discovered the diversity available in the social work profession and realized that this was my calling. I was raised in the Dufferin Community and have been involved in a variety of groups, sports and community events over the years.

I graduated with a Hons. Bachelor degree of Social Work from Lakehead University in 2007. It was at Lakehead that I began to gravitate toward the addiction/mental health field. I completed my third-year placement at the Thunder Bay Youth Correctional Centre and my fourth-year field placement was completed with the Children's Centre Thunder Bay in their Youth Substance Use program. After graduating, I worked for a year with the YMCA Youth Substance Abuse Program (YSAP) in Mississauga and Brampton, ON. This program allowed me to work with youth 14-24 with a variety of substance use concerns. During this time I began the Addiction Careworker Diploma through McMaster University and completed this diploma in 2010.

In 2008 I began my Masters Degree in Social Work at Carleton University and graduated in May 2009. After graduating with this degree, I began working as a Clinical Case Manager at Ontario Addiction Treatment Centre (OATC) in Brampton. While in this role I completed the Opioid Dependence Treatment Certificate Program through the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). I have also completed a certificate in Training Enhancement in Applied Cessation Counselling and Health (TEACH) and a Certificate in Harm Reduction from York University.

In 2013, I moved into the role of Addiction Outreach Counsellor at Family Transition Place in Orangeville, ON where I initated the Women Changing Paths program. I was involved in the programs inception, creation and delivery for almost eight years. This role also lead me to co-found the Dufferin-Caledon Overdose Awareness Committee which has been raising awareness about substance use and mental health concerns in our community since 2017.

Throughout my career I have worked with people from all walks of life, from youth to adults. Doing work in the addiction and mental health fields has helped me understand the stigma and challenges that those using, loving someone who uses or losing someone who used can face. I strive to work from a harm reduction, client centered, non-judgmental, trauma informed and solution-focused frame work with everyone. I always tell clients that they are in the driver seat. It is their story and their journey. I am there to help and guide where I can.

I look forward to speaking with you,

Kristy Fearon, MSW, RSW