Kintsu Comes From the Word Kintsukuroi

Kintsukuroi is a method of repairing broken ceramics which treats the breakage and repair as part of the history of an object instead of something to hide. Because the ceramic is rejoined with gold lacquer, the object is considered to be more beautiful for having been flawed.

Mission Statement

The mission of Kintsu Counselling Services is to support people in strengthening their quality of life through individual and group psychotherapy. Your therapy will have a personal mission which will be respected. It may grow or transform throughout the healing process.

Values

At Kintsu Counselling Services, Dawn believes that imperfection is what makes us human. She recognizes that a warm and trusting relationship is essential to the change process. Dawn values diversity and acknowledges and celebrates the strengths and fragility of the human spirit. She values continuous personal and professional development. Dawn is committed to providing services that respect the dignity and value of all people.

Dawn acknowledges the significant inequalities that exist for Black people, Indigenous peoples, and People(s) of Colour seeking support in the mental health system. She acknowledges that her formal training and the history of therapy is heavily biased (whitewashed). As Dawn deepens her understanding of oppression and liberation, she continues her journey towards anti-racism. She is aware she won’t ever be an anti-racist, however, she remains on the path because she understands it is a practice not a final destination.

Services

Kintsu Counselling Services offers individual and group psychotherapy.

Focusing on your strengths, you can be supported with the following:

• anxiety & depression

• codependency/boundaries

• self-worth/perfectionism

• substance abuse

• trauma

  • childhood trauma, vicarious trauma, sexual assault, religious trauma, & adverse religious experiences

Kintsu Counselling Services is a SAFE SPACE. A place where human rights are respected and where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, queer people, and their friends and allies are welcomed and supported.

Dawn Godfrey M.A., RP

She/Her

Experience

Dawn began her career working in community mental health and addiction programs serving marginalized members of our community. She supported those who have experienced personal, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural oppression. Her past experience includes case management, crisis intervention, and counselling people who were facing homelessness, were experiencing severe mental health concerns, were health care professionals experiencing addiction, and were substance-involved women who were parenting and/or pregnant. She considers herself fortunate to have worked with many diverse populations as it taught her a lot about human suffering and resilience. She quickly learned the importance of creating a safe space for all.

Throughout the past several years, Dawn has built a private practice where she has the honour of witnessing transformation and healing. She provides trauma-informed, harm-reduction, and strength-based practices aimed to empower her clients. Dawn provides an environment of compassion and creativity which helps guide exploration of personal issues. She explores maladaptive behaviours with curiosity instead of judgment. She believes that the client-therapist relationship is the most important therapeutic tool. Dawn believes that having the courage to allow oneself to be vulnerable by sharing their story, and being open to learn new ways of coping, can lead to a more balanced self with lasting change. Dawn is passionate about supporting first responders and professionals in the medical/helping field.

Credentials

Dawn is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.  She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). Dawn holds an Applied Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioural Psychology and a Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology.  She is a member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP) (formerly the OACCPP). Dawn has received specialized training and supervision in addiction, trauma, and group therapy. She has been an advisory committee member at the Sexual Assault Centre Kingston.

“Of all my credentials as a therapist, my most significant is that I am a card carrying member of the human race!” -Lori Gottlieb

All cultural and ethnic backgrounds are accepted and welcomed.

As a visitor on the territory traditionally known as Katarokwi, situated on the unceded land of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples, Dawn is grateful to live and work on this land. She recognizes the direct result of systemic racism that has significantly impacted the mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health of Métis, First Nations, and Inuit peoples. Dawn works with individuals who access services through Non-Insured Health Benefits.