Mental health is one of the most important aspects to our quality of life. In this series, hear from professionals in the psychotherapy and counseling field and learn about how you can access mental health resources that are tailored to seniors and people with physical disabilities.
Features from Episode 2
Swati
Dr. Swati Mehta is a registered pyschotherapist, interested in improving access to evidence-based mental health services for those undergoing rehabilitation through online health programs.
Randy
Randy Upper is a Registered Social Worker with Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Randy has experience in providing psychoeducation and counseling to individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities and he is currently working as a Health Educator and Clinical Research Assistant in the RehabPsych Lab. He also brings with him (or brings to this project) life experience as he sustained an SCI over 30 years ago.
CFS
Catholic Family Services in Barrie hosts a program called Mature Minds. Tory visits their office to learn more.
Featured Guests
Swati Mehta PhD
Swati is a Scientist at Parkwood Institute Research, Lawson Research Institute and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She is a registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Her research interest is in improving access to evidence based mental health services for those undergoing rehabilitation through online health programs.
Dr. Mehta completed a Masters of Art in Counselling Psychology and PhD in Health Services and Rehabilitation. She recently completed her Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Regina in the Department of Psychology. She has authored over 60 peer-reviewed articles. She has been awarded the Lawson Impact Leadership Award in 2016, the Royal Society of Canada Alice Wilson Award in 2017 and the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation Excellence Award in 2017.
Randy Upper
Randy is a Registered Social Worker with Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. He has completed a Masters of Social Work from Wilfred Laurier University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Brock University. Randy has experience in providing psychoeducation and counseling to individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities. He is currently working as a Health Educator and Clinical research Associate and in the RehabPsych Lab at St. Joseph’s hospital in London, Ontario. He also brings with him life experience as he sustained a spinal cord injury over 30 years ago. He was a member of the Canadian National Cycling team, representing our country in handcycling, from 2001-2003. During this time he placed fifth at World Championships, third at the New York City Marathon, and an incredible first place at the Boston Marathon. You can learn more about Randy at t6talk.com.
Jenna Wickens, BRLS
Mature Minds Coordinator, Community Development
Catholic Family Services of Sincoe County
t. (705) 726.2503 x 140 | Toll Free (888) 726.2503 | www.cfssc.ca
Prior to working with Catholic Family Services as the Mature Minds Coordinator, Jenna engaged older adults through virtual platforms, worked in family ministry, and directed a youth centre. Her educational background is in Community Recreation from Brock University and Niagara College. For over a decade, Jenna has been a “storyteller” for those whose voices often get lost in the shuffle. Through both poetry and prose, she has advocated for the encouragement and resiliency found in others. In recent years, Jenna has become a spokesperson against ageism, recognizing that a cultural shift needs to occur if we are to see “growing old” as an opportunity not a liability. Jenna is passionate about her faith, puns, and people. She wants people to know that they are valued and firmly believes that the greatest superpower is hope.
