Mindfulness Meditation Leader
Susan Harris MSW, RSW
Susan has a BA in Psychology from the University of Windsor, an MSW from the University of Toronto and is a registered social worker in Ontario. Susan has worked with issues of mental health, abuse and trauma for over 40 years at various levels from front-line to directorship. Most recently she served as Director of Programs at Catholic Family Services Peel Dufferin (now retired). Susan co-developed the Mindfulness Based Trauma Counselling Group Program with people who have experienced abuse and trauma. She has been cultivating her meditation practice for over 25 years through retreats, daily practice and study, primarily in the Vipassana tradition. Susan has completed the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification training program led by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. Currently, she is leading a monthly 3-hour sangha group in the GTA, as well as leading weekly mindfulness sessions for staff from social and community agencies in the GTA.
As white bodied person, Susan has a particular interest in combatting white supremacy and engaging in the inner work of racial healing. She has participated in several programs to support this effort including courses through White Awake, British Columbia Insight Meditation Society, and Resmaa Menakem’s Foundations in Somatic Abolitionism. Susan also completed the yearlong Racial Affinity Group Development Program offered through Ruth King’s Mindful of Race Institute. Email: susanharris1951@icloud.com
Capacitar Canada Leadership Team
Linda Feldy
Linda Feldy Linda has a BA from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, USA. She is a retired teacher who has taught classes from Grade 13 to Junior Kindergarten and Special Education in Ontario. Currently she works as a Special Education Tutor. She attended the second cohort of the Capacitar Trauma Healing and Transformation course. Email: lindafeldy@me.com
Susan Harris MSW,RSW
Susan has a BA in Psychology from the University of Windsor, an MSW from the University of Toronto and is a registered social worker in Ontario. Susan has worked with issues of mental health, abuse and trauma for over 40 years at various levels from front-line to directorship. Most recently she served as Director of Programs at Catholic Family Services Peel Dufferin (now retired). Susan co-developed the Mindfulness Based Trauma Counselling Group Program with people who have experienced abuse and trauma. She has been cultivating her meditation practice for over 25 years through retreats, daily practice and study, primarily in the Vipassana tradition. Susan has completed the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification training program led by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. Currently, she is leading a monthly 3-hour sangha group in the GTA, as well as leading weekly mindfulness sessions for staff from social and community agencies in the GTA.
As white bodied person, Susan has a particular interest in combatting white supremacy and engaging in the inner work of racial healing. She has participated in several programs to support this effort including courses through White Awake, British Columbia Insight Meditation Society, and Resmaa Menakem’s Foundations in Somatic Abolitionism. Susan also completed the yearlong Racial Affinity Group Development Program offered through Ruth King’s Mindful of Race Institute. Email: susanharris1951@icloud.com
Natasha Hoyte, RP
Natasha is a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist. She has done extensive work in the VAW sector in frontline capacities with underserved disadvantaged populations, experiencing trauma, grief and loss. Natasha’s therapeutic approach is Anti-Racist Anti-Oppressive, client-centered and strengths-based. With a focus on the mind and body connection. She is committed to helping individuals identify their challenges, unmet needs and explore choices available to them to make adequate changes. Natasha is the founder of Beyond Seasons; “Where Memories Make Meaning”. Where she helps people give themselves permission to live a big life after great loss and leave a lasting legacy. Email: nhoyte@live.ca
Joan Silcox-Smith
Joan has a BA in Psychology from Western University in London, a MDiv from Queen’s University in Kingston, is a Spiritual Director, and a registered Psychotherapist. Joan has worked in the areas of spirituality and healthcare for many years. Currently Joan is the Spiritual Care Manager for 11 hospitals, and hospice care in Grey and Bruce counties. Joan took the Capacitar Trauma Healing and Transformation in 2003 -2004 and has used these healing practices in all aspects of her work. Currently she is supporting healthcare staff and patients as they deal with the uncertainties of COVID. Email: jsilcoxsmith@gmail.com
Deborah Sinclair, PhD, RSW
Deborah Sinclair is a social worker in independent practice in Toronto, Ontario. For the past four decades, she has worked in Canada to change the systemic patterns and structures that are at the root of violence against women and children. She has served in many different capacities
– clinician, writer, public speaker, trainer, policy advisor, researcher, community organizer and expert witness. Deborah is a founding member of the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC), an expert advisory committee of the Ontario Chief Coroner’s office that reviews all intimate partner homicides in Ontario. Deborah is equally committed to protecting the mental, physical and spiritual health of high-risk professionals and advocates who courageously face unspeakable human atrocities in their everyday work situations. She assists them to address individual and systemic issues in order to mitigate vicarious trauma (VT) and strengthen resilience and professional excellence in their work settings.
Email: deborah@dasinclair.com
Harvey Skinner PhD, CPsych, FCAHS
Harvey has an honors BA in Psychology from McMaster University and a MA and PhD in Psychology from the University of Western Ontario. He is a Professor of Psychology & Global Health and was Founding Dean (2006-2016) of the Faculty of Health, York University. Harvey is a Registered Psychologist in Ontario and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. The main focus of his work is on Integrative Health – in particular, promoting global mental health drawing on diverse worldviews and practices. Currently, he is teaching a 4th year undergraduate course on Global Mental Health: Eastern, Indigenous and Western Perspectives, and he is leading online (Zoom) wellness sessions called ‘Stress Busting: 30 Minutes of Magical Practices’. Harvey’s daily wellness routine includes: Qi Gong energy and movement practices, mindfulness meditation and body work exercises. Email: harvey.skinner@yorku.ca
Margaret Szuleka SSW, RSW, MSW Candidate
Margaret is a Registered Social Worker and currently is pursuing a Masters of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University. In the last fourteen years, while she was working for non-profit agencies, she supported women dealing with the aftermath of traumatic circumstances. Margaret’s focus was to provide them with a place of security and comfort in a supportive therapeutic atmosphere in group and mentorship settings. Margaret’s passion is to cultivate the well-being of those who have decided to step onto a path of healing. This passion for well-being was amplified in 2003 when Margaret needed to apply all the healing modalities while recovering from cancer treatment. Ever since she understands that nurturing peace and practicing gratitude is how to live through life’s ebbs and flows. Through using Capacitar techniques, mindfulness meditation, self-compassion, and awareness of breath, we are on a journey to discover that All is One and One is All. Email: marg.szuleka@gmail.com
