SANDRA DANIAL
Mississauga,ON
Summary
Accomplished and compassionate social work leader with 10+ years' experience advancing equity through strategic leadership, trauma-informed counseling, and program innovation. Proven success in improving outcomes for marginalized communities through anti-oppressive practices, inter-agency collaboration, and evidence-based interventions. Skilled at fostering inclusive environments, leading organizational change, and guiding diverse teams in delivering impactful services.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Confronting Anti-Black Racism Facilitator
Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies (OACAS)
01.2022 - Current
- Facilitate provincial training workshops on confronting Anti-Black Racism for child welfare professionals, particularly leaders reaching over 500 participants across Ontario.
- Developed and delivered interactive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive curriculum tailored to the lived experiences of Black children, youth, and families involved in child welfare systems.
- Co-led transformative learning sessions that fostered critical reflection on systemic anti-Black racism and supported agencies in implementing equity-focused organizational change.
- Partnering with Black community leaders, child welfare agencies, and stakeholders to ensure content aligned with provincial directives and grassroots advocacy.
- Conduct pre- and post-assessment evaluations to measure impact, showing increased participant awareness and commitment to anti-Black racist practice.
- Built rapport with diverse groups of stakeholders by demonstrating empathy, active listening skills, and cultural competence during facilitated sessions.
- Fostered an inclusive learning environment by addressing diverse needs and adapting facilitation techniques as needed.
- Delivered high-quality training sessions, ensuring participants developed a thorough understanding of the subject matter.
- Increased participant engagement by incorporating interactive activities and group discussions into sessions.
- Identified areas in need of improvement and implemented solutions.
- Promoted continuous learning within the organization by sharing best practices and lessons learned from various facilitation experiences.
- Provided constructive feedback to participants during debriefing sessions, fostering personal growth and skill development.
- Led virtual training sessions using web-based platforms while maintaining high levels of participant interaction and engagement throughout the event duration.
Couples, Family, & Individual Therapist
Reestablishing Connections Therapy
01.2020 - Current
- Established and scaled a private therapy practice, delivering culturally responsive, person-centered, and Christian-integrated counseling to over 100 clients annually.
- Achieved an 85% client success rate through individualized, evidence-based treatment plans using DBT, CBT, Narrative Therapy, and the Gottman Method.
- Enhanced community mental health literacy by 40% through the creation and facilitation of trauma-informed psychoeducational workshops.
- Conducted in-depth clinical assessments and neuropsychological evaluations, guiding targeted interventions for issues including anxiety, depression, and relational distress.
- Provided crisis support within an anti-oppressive and intersectional framework, ensuring clients' cultural, systemic, and spiritual realities were central to therapeutic care.
- Developed comprehensive treatment plans for clients, resulting in improved mental health and wellbeing.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to provide holistic care for clients with complex needs.
- Engaged in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in the field of mental health counseling.
- Established a trusting rapport with clients, fostering open communication and facilitating effective therapy sessions.
- Served as a liaison between clients, families, and other professionals to promote coordinated care and clear communication among all stakeholders.
- Utilized diverse therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy, to meet the unique needs of each client.
- Demonstrated cultural competence in working with diverse populations, delivering culturally sensitive care that promoted understanding and acceptance among all parties involved.
- Advocated for clients'' needs within various systems, helping them navigate barriers to accessing necessary resources and services.
- Improved client outcomes by regularly reviewing and updating treatment goals based on progress and feedback.
- Provided psychoeducation to clients on various mental health topics, empowering them to make informed decisions about their care.
- Document patient information, treatment plans, and patient responses.
- Maintained strong relationships with referral sources, leading to a consistent influx of new clients seeking treatment.
- Coordinated with insurance providers to secure coverage for clients'' mental health services, increasing accessibility to high-quality care.
- Conducted thorough assessments of new clients to accurately identify presenting issues and develop appropriate interventions.
Family Counsellor
Holy Family Coptic Catholic Church
01.2017 - Current
- Reduced family conflict by 50% through strategic counseling and conflict resolution interventions tailored to client needs.
- Pioneered a culturally sensitive, family-focused therapy model, increasing engagement by 70% and improving long-term relationship outcomes.
- Led mental health education initiatives, reaching over 300 parishioners and increasing community access to mental health resources and awareness.
- Designed individualized treatment and behavioral modification plans, supporting family reunification, emotional regulation, and sustained personal growth.
- Provided crisis support and coordinated care with external professionals to ensure timely access to specialized services and long-term client stability.
- Conducted intake and needs assessments to set therapeutic goals and establish professional relationships with clients.
- Maintained accurate and thoroughly documented notes and client records in accordance with licensing standards.
- Facilitated on-going assessment of patient and family needs and implementation of interdisciplinary team care plan.
- Improved family communication by utilizing evidence-based therapeutic techniques.
- Empowered clients by teaching effective problem-solving strategies and building resilience within the family unit.
- Led workshops focused on topics such as communication skills, conflict resolution, and stress management, enhancing participants'' overall wellbeing.
Case Management Coordinator
Native Child & Family Services
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Spearheaded anti-human trafficking support initiatives, supporting over 150 clients with culturally safe care.
- Led anti-human trafficking initiatives that provided trauma-informed, culturally grounded support to over 150 Indigenous clients, improving safety and access to essential services.
- Developed and implemented peer mentorship programs, three of which were adopted by partner agencies, strengthening community leadership and support networks.
- Facilitated 20+ community workshops and professional trainings, raising awareness of colonialism and systemic racism's impact on trafficking and social marginalization.
- Integrated Western and Indigenous healing models in treatment planning, using Narrative Therapy, Critical Race Theory, and wraparound supports to enhance client stability.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams and external agencies, advancing equitable service coordination and policy advocacy rooted in anti-oppressive frameworks.
- Fostered professional networks and relationships with service and resource providers to promote continuity and quality of care for clients.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities, staying current with industry best practices and emerging trends in case management.
- Collaborated with insurance companies to obtain authorizations for needed services while minimizing out-of-pocket costs for patients.
- Streamlined case management processes for improved efficiency and patient satisfaction.
Ongoing Child Protection Worker (Intern)
Peel Children's Aid Society
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Streamlined access to critical services such as housing, education, and domestic violence support, significantly reducing wait times for at-risk families.
- Developed and implemented family improvement plans that contributed to reunification and enhanced child safety in complex, high-risk cases.
- Conducted home assessments and prepared legal documentation, playing a key role in court proceedings and child welfare planning.
- Led parenting workshops and student support initiatives, boosting academic success and emotional well-being for children involved in protection services.
- Established rapport with clients quickly, fostering trust and creating a supportive environment conducive to open dialogue about sensitive issues affecting their lives.
- Provided crisis intervention services to protect children from harm or abuse in emergency situations.
- Enhanced family functioning through the development and implementation of tailored case plans.
- Facilitated supportive services and counseling for family members to address special concerns.
- Strengthened communication among team members through regular meetings, case reviews, and information sharing sessions.
Program Coordinator
H.E.A.L Network
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Designed and implemented school-based inclusion programs that reduced disciplinary incidents among BIPOC students by 35%, fostering safer and more equitable learning environments.
- Mentored and counseled over 300 students, resulting in measurable improvements in academic performance, emotional well-being, and behavioral outcomes.
- Developed cross-cultural education and mental health initiatives, increasing student awareness of identity, oppression, and resilience through an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed lens.
- Led targeted crisis interventions and personalized support plans, addressing systemic barriers and improving outcomes for high-needs youth.
- Collaborated with educators and families to implement consistent behavioral strategies, strengthening the school-home support network and promoting holistic student development.
Settlement Family Counsellor (Intern)
Newcomer Centre of Peel
09.2018 - 12.2018
- Provided culturally responsive, CBT-informed counseling to newcomer families, addressing trauma, reunification, and emotional adjustment during the settlement process.
- Facilitated access to critical services by supporting over 100 applications for housing, financial aid, and transit, improving clients' stability and integration.
- Developed individualized treatment plans that enhanced family cohesion, mental wellness, and successful adaptation to new environments.
- Collaborated with legal, housing, and health agencies, delivering holistic, wraparound support for families facing immigration and child protection challenges.
- Identified and acted on child protection concerns, ensuring client safety and legal compliance through timely reporting and intervention.
Child & Youth Case Manager
Calvary Child and Family Services
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Coordinated over 80 individualized care plans with a 90% family satisfaction rate, delivering trauma-informed, client-centered support to children and youth.
- Introduced culturally relevant programming that significantly boosted client engagement and fostered inclusive service environments.
- Forged partnerships with five local agencies, expanding wraparound service delivery and improving access to mental health, education, and housing support.
- Organized a citywide anti-oppressive practice conference, engaging over 500 professionals and driving equity-focused collaboration in youth care.
- Developed holistic activity plans that addressed the physical, emotional, and educational needs of residents, enhancing well-being and developmental outcomes.
Program Coordinator
Dufferin Peel District School Board
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Designed and launched the “Sisters of Substance” program, empowering over 300 Black and racialized girls across multiple schools and earning widespread recognition for improving student well-being.
- Developed therapeutic frameworks and program toolkits grounded in anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and CBT-based principles, ensuring culturally responsive mental health support.
- Built collaborative partnerships with school leaders, families, and clinicians to ensure program sustainability and holistic student support.
- Facilitated impactful individual and group sessions, enhancing students' emotional regulation, peer relationships, and self-esteem.
- Led continuous program evaluation and refinement, driving long-term success through data-informed improvements and stakeholder feedback.
Social and Community Outreach Coordinator
University of Toronto Mississauga Women's Resource Centre
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Led supervision and professional development of a multidisciplinary team, overseeing performance evaluation, case consultations, and inclusive service delivery for a diverse student population.
- Developed and executed campus-wide outreach strategies, significantly increasing student awareness and engagement with counseling and support services.
- Built and strengthened partnerships with campus and community organizations, including Indigenous student services, student unions, and safety networks, enhancing collaborative support pathways.
- Planned and facilitated public forums, school outreach programs, and community events, raising awareness of gender-based issues and equity-focused resources.
- Created and delivered mental health training and resource materials for students, faculty, and staff, advancing trauma-informed, anti-oppressive practices across campus.
Youth Director
Holy Family Coptic Catholic Church
01.2006 - 01.2013
- Developed and led faith-based youth programs that served over 200 children annually, promoting spiritual growth, leadership, and social responsibility.
- Forged partnerships with community agencies and city departments, expanding access to cultural and recreational experiences that enriched youth development.
- Created inclusive, accessible curricula that engaged diverse learners and increased participation across all youth demographics.
- Recruited, trained, and supervised 50+ volunteers, building sustainable program capacity through strong team leadership and coordination.
- Boosted youth engagement by 30% through targeted outreach initiatives and dynamic weekly spiritual meetings and peer support sessions.
Education
Master of Social Work -
University of Windsor
Windsor, ON05.2020
Honors Bachelor of Arts - Social Science, Political Science, Psychology
University of Toronto
Toronto, ON06.2013
Skills
- Leadership in clinical and community settings
- Program development & strategic planning
- Trauma-informed & culturally competent care
- Stakeholder engagement & collaboration
- Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) implementation
- Policy interpretation and risk management
- Strategic planning
- Facilitation techniques
- Staff management
Certification
- Solution Focused Brief Therapy, 2018
- Internal Family Systems Theory, 2010
- Internal Family Systems, 2021
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, 2018
- Clinical Foundations in Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 1 & 2), 2021
- Trauma Counseling for Mental Health Professionals (Level 1 & 2)
- Child Protection Standards & Eligibility Criteria, 2020
Timeline
Confronting Anti-Black Racism Facilitator
Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies (OACAS)
01.2022 - Current
Couples, Family, & Individual Therapist
Reestablishing Connections Therapy
01.2020 - Current
Case Management Coordinator
Native Child & Family Services
01.2019 - 01.2021
Ongoing Child Protection Worker (Intern)
Peel Children's Aid Society
01.2019 - 01.2020
Settlement Family Counsellor (Intern)
Newcomer Centre of Peel
09.2018 - 12.2018
Family Counsellor
Holy Family Coptic Catholic Church
01.2017 - Current
Program Coordinator
H.E.A.L Network
01.2016 - 01.2019
Child & Youth Case Manager
Calvary Child and Family Services
01.2012 - 01.2016
Program Coordinator
Dufferin Peel District School Board
01.2012 - 01.2015
Social and Community Outreach Coordinator
University of Toronto Mississauga Women's Resource Centre
01.2008 - 01.2013
Youth Director
Holy Family Coptic Catholic Church
01.2006 - 01.2013
Master of Social Work -
University of Windsor
Honors Bachelor of Arts - Social Science, Political Science, Psychology
University of Toronto
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