Stacey Fernandes

Stacey Fernandes (Harris) is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and the Ontario Association of Social Workers. She earner her Bachelors of Social Work degree from the University of Windsor along with her Masters of Social Work.

Stacey offers individual therapy (18+) and believes the most important part of forming a collaborative therapeutic relationship is having a good fit. Stacey integrates the following strategies into her clinical practice when it can help the therapeutic process.

Stacey is passionate about teaching mindfulness perspectives by speaking and listening with an open and compassionate mind. It is important to slow down for self-reflection to tap into your innate authenticity, cherished values’ and intuition to create change. Stacey practices mindfulness daily by creating space to be still to meditate or spending time in nature with her dog. Her dog is her favourite mindfulness teacher, she greets her with excitement whether she has been gone for 5 minutes or 5 hours. There is no judgment, she is fully present valuing and savouring the preciousness of the moment.

Stacey specialises in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a powerful psychotherapeutic approach that has been extremely helpful to process traumatic events or life experiences that have caused stress. EMDR helps the brain resume its natural healing process by shifting limiting beliefs, anxiety, stress, depression, trauma and grief. Stacey is dedicated to understanding each persons’ unique story with genuine empathy and building trust one step at a time. Stacey uses a developmental attachment lens to understand what childhood events need healing. Stacey integrates ego state interventions to help folks increase emotional regulation, strength, resilience, self worth, calmness, relief, acceptance and hope.

Stacey strengthened her meditation practice travelling to Costa Rica to complete a course in Clinical Hypnotherapy in 2018. She describes it as a deep meditation diving into your inner world to explore, heal, change and grow. She tailers her guided scripts based on each person’s unique goals and uses metaphors and imagery to help shift patterns in our subconscious mind. Stacey was inspired to continue training after observing incredible transformations. She decided to return to Costa Rica in 2019 and obtained her Master Clinician Hypnotherapist Certificate. Hypnotherapy can help find ease in discomfort, declutter your mind, tame your inner critic, release anxiety and let go of guilt and shame. Hypnotherapy taps into your subconscious, your wisdom and creative consciousness. Gaining more self compassion, appreciation, rejuvenation and liberation to live a fulfilling life.

Stacey thrives when she gets to travel and explore different diverse cultures. A risk taker at heart, she loves pushing herself outside of her comfort zone for fresh perspectives. She travelled to the Himalayas in India to obtain her certificate to teach holistic Akhanda yoga. She honours the roots of yoga and encourages others to dive deeper in their inner world to find liberation. Stacey also completed training in Trauma Sensitive Yoga at Kripalu Centre for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts. The two styles of yoga are different however they both include embodiment strategies. She integrates breathing exercises, meditation, visualizations, and yoga related therapy to help others strengthen their mind, body, heart and soul connection. Yoga related therapy can help calm your nervous system, release stress, increase peace and lead to more restful sleep.

Incorporating an ecological, anti-oppressive, strengths-based practice is a core part of Stacey’s work. Stacey attended the Intensive Sex Therapy Course at the University of Guelph. She provides an open environment for folks interested and curious about discussing their sexuality. An inviting space to explore sexual desires, relationships and fertility challenges. Exploring barriers, discovering communication strategies and making love maps along the journey. Stacey encourages folks to recognize their autonomy to make decisions, pursue their dreams and become a powerful leader in their life.

Many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and extended health care plans will cover services rendered by a Registered Social Worker.