I am a woman, a body of culture, an immigrant and a student of life. I believe in deep, nourishing and holistic change that brings health and wellness for individuals. I was born in Romania and moved to Canada over ten years ago. Blending and assimilating my culture of origin with the Canadian culture has been an integral part of my story. It has shaped my ability to assist others in reclaiming their identities as multi-dimensional and complex human beings. My own life experiences have given me the ability to approach all people with openness, patience and in a non-judgment way. I truly believe that “everyone has the right to feel good about who they are” (Jim Dumont).
I have worked in the Social Work field in both Romania and Canada. In addition to the education I gained in my home country, I completed my BSW and MSW programs at Dalhousie University, a school with a strong anti-oppressive approach. I learned not only to recognize oppression, but also how these practices affect people’s lives. To support my clients better, I have continued to expand my knowledge and skills. I am trained in Brainspotting (Level 1), CBT for anxiety, mood disorders, insomnia, DBT, Narrative Therapy, and I am IFS informed. I have held roles within government and non - profit community-based agencies and I have had the privilege of supporting clients with an array of mental health challenges. I support clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, insomnia, relationship concerns and survivors of narcissistic abuse.
My practice is integrative and collaborative, regarding the client as the expert to their experience, and building towards their goals with that deep respect always in mind. My greatest strengths lie in creating strong rapport and trust in the therapeutic relationship, as well as being well-informed and constantly learning. I love to cultivate relationships, connectedness and create a space that fosters belonging and well-being.
I chose to name my practice Elpis Therapy because in Greek mythology “Elpis” is the personification of hope. Hope is a powerful survivor mechanism and continues to be one of my teachers every day. There is no single person who doesn’t need healing. We just have to find our path on the healing journey. With the right support, tools and strategy, you begin to see that your past doesn’t have to be your life sentence. We can all find hope and light for a better future with more peace, kindness, and positive self-energy.
Education:
Master of Social Work (Dalhousie University)
Bachelor of Social Work (Dalhousie University)
Master of Social Work (Ovidius University)
Master of Management in Human Resources (Dunarea de Jos University)
Bachelor of Arts: History and English language (Dunarea de Jos University)
Professional membership:
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
Hana Mazare: MSW, BSW, RSW
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