Mary Gallagher, M.S.W., RSW Pronouns: She/Her

Welcome! My name is Mary Gallagher and I am a Master’s level Registered Social Worker, a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers, and the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. I have over 30 years experience in providing clinical services in a variety of settings and agencies in the Ottawa community including: Youth Services Bureau, Carlington Community and Health Services, Parent Resource Centre to name a few. In addition, I was a past part-time professor at Algonquin College in the Social Service Worker Program. For more than 21 years, I was a social worker with Ottawa Catholic School Board, where I provided counselling services and clinical support to children, youth and their families. The last 9 years of my tenure with the School Board was spent as Chief Social Worker and clinical supervisor to a team of social workers, addiction counsellors and behaviour consultants.  My focus is to build a positive rapport and a trusting relationship with my clients. I strive to create a supportive environment, and to encourage the skills building processes needed to support confidence and to help bolster self-esteem. I provide parenting support, individual therapy for children and youth aged 12 and up, and individual and couples counselling for adults.  With regards to a therapeutic approach, I incorporate cognitive behavioural therapy strategies, mindfulness, solution focused techniques, motivational interviewing, as well as collaborative problem solving within my trauma-informed practice. Areas of practice expertise would include support and counselling for self-regulations issues, stress and anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss - including death, divorce, moves, loss of relationships, etc. I provide support around peer relationships, bullying, gender-based violence and school refusal challenges. My practice is open, inclusive and sensitive to the needs of those who have been marginalized.  Please email me for a confidential telephone conversation to see if my services would meet your, your family or your loved one’s needs.