Stephanie Hanna
Whitby,Ontario
Summary
Counseling professional specializing in advocacy and community engagement, with experience facilitating adult mental health groups and mentoring children. Currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. Proven ability to create supportive environments that promote personal growth and successful transitions for individuals facing mental health challenges.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Family Education & Autism Advocate
Independent Family Support
10.2024 - Current
- Advocated for inclusive education and coordinated educational and community supports, ensuring safe and successful transition into public school system.
- Tailored routines, learning methods, expectations, and environmental supports based on child's strengths, needs, and sensory profile to enhance engagement and development.
- Delivered individualized home-based learning and developmental support for autistic child utilizing research-informed behavioral, communication, emotional-regulation, and accommodation strategies to foster growth and learning.
COPE Group Facilitator (Volunteer)
Community Care Durham
05.2024 - 05.2025
- Led and co-facilitated one to two weekly, two-hour life-skills, wellness, coping, and support groups for approximately 812 adults experiencing mental health and emotional challenges.
- Fostered calm, inclusive, and nonjudgmental group environments that promoted honest discussion, peer connection, practical learning, and recovery-focused progress.
- Conducted confidential intake and progress assessments to evaluate emotional well-being, isolation, life changes, personal goals, strengths, values, and preferred future outcomes.
- Managed case notes, attendance records, and participant information efficiently using WeConnect Mental Health and Wellness system.
- Provided relevant community resources and referred participants to staff for additional support.
- Completed six weeks of formal facilitator training from March to April 2024 and applied program policies, boundaries, confidentiality, and documentation standards.
In-School Mentor (Volunteer)
Big Brothers Big Sisters
09.2023 - 05.2025
- Provided weekly one-to-one mentoring to seven children ages 7-12 across two periods of service, supporting confidence, goal achievement, social-emotional growth, and resilience.
- Employed empathy, active listening, and encouragement to guide mentees in goal identification and self-recognition of progress.
- Partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters supervisor and school SERT to ensure consistent, appropriate, child-centered support for mentees.
Youth Mentor (Volunteer)
Future Possibilities for Kids
09.2022 - 05.2023
- Facilitated structured programs on leadership, resilience, growth mindset, possibility thinking, goal setting, and community engagement, empowering youth to develop crucial life skills.
- Fostered a supportive learning environment, enabling participants to identify strengths, address challenges, and pursue personal goals effectively.
- Mentored youth to develop life skills and personal goals.
- Facilitated group discussions to enhance communication and teamwork.
- Organized engaging workshops to promote creativity and critical thinking.
Administrative Assistant
Imperial Coffee
12.2013 - 09.2019
- Prepared and maintained accurate reports, spreadsheets, invoices, and schedules to support business operations.
- Coordinated travel, meetings, and special events while managing competing priorities to ensure timely and effective service delivery.
- Managed office correspondence and maintained organized filing systems.
- Coordinated schedules and arranged meetings for team members.
- Assisted in processing orders and inventory management tasks.
Education
Master of Arts - Counselling Psychology
Yorkville University
12-2027
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Sociology
Trent University
06-2025
Advertising & Marketing Communications Diploma -
Durham College
06-2017
Skills
- Autism advocacy
- Psychoeducation
- Client engagement
- Community outreach
- Resource navigation
- Goal setting
- Group facilitation
- Solution-focused approach
- Cognitive behavioural techniques
- Active listening
- Youth mentoring
- Mental health advocacy
- Strengths-based practice
- Relationship building
- Case documentation
Additional Information
Valid Ontario G driver's licence and reliable vehicle, Available for weekday, evening, weekend, and holiday shifts, Comfortable with frequent local travel and occasional province-wide travel, English
Additional Professional Experience
Administrative Assistant, Imperial Coffee, 12/01/13, 09/01/19, Prepared, proofread, and maintained accurate reports, spreadsheets, invoices, schedules, and other confidential business records., Coordinated travel, meetings, special events, and client requirements while balancing competing priorities and delivering responsive customer service.
Timeline
Family Education & Autism Advocate
Independent Family Support
10.2024 - Current
COPE Group Facilitator (Volunteer)
Community Care Durham
05.2024 - 05.2025
In-School Mentor (Volunteer)
Big Brothers Big Sisters
09.2023 - 05.2025
Youth Mentor (Volunteer)
Future Possibilities for Kids
09.2022 - 05.2023
Administrative Assistant
Imperial Coffee
12.2013 - 09.2019
Master of Arts - Counselling Psychology
Yorkville University
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Sociology
Trent University
Advertising & Marketing Communications Diploma -
Durham College