Mrs. Nicole Belina is passionate about and specializes in working with individuals and families who are struggling with addiction and/or concurrent disorders (such as a mental health diagnosis or experience(s) of trauma), whether their own or someone else’s. She has worked in the field of addictions and mental health for over 10 years; she has experience with the entire treatment continuum from withdrawal management (detox), to community outpatient treatment, to long-term residential treatment and has worked at every level of an organization including part and full time frontline work as well as leadership/management.
Operating from the belief that addiction is the symptom of underlying issues and not the problem itself, Mrs. Belina helps individuals explore substance use as a coping mechanism used to manage a multitude of underlying root causes such as trauma, mental health, poverty, and loss that lead to dysfunction in all aspects of life. Together, she works with the client to find new ways of coping and supporting them on their journey to recovery. Additionally, Ms. Belina has a passion for sex therapy and, if the client is interested, in integrating this into a client’s treatment journey especially in relation to exploring sex and intimacy after experiences of trauma and/or substance use.
Mrs. Belina works from a non-judgmental, strengths-based, trauma-informed, client-centered perspective that is flexible and adaptive to the needs of the client. She utilizes an integrative approach, which means using a variety of approaches and interventions as they fit for the client (ie. experiential modalities, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing) but ultimately works under the philosophy that you are the expert in your own life- you have the knowledge and the power to change. Mrs. Belina works to develop a strong therapeutic relationship with you, in order to support you on your path.
Mrs. Belina is a Registered Social Worker in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW). She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Waterloo and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto with a specialization in Health & Mental Health and a collaborative program in Addiction Studies. She completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Criminal Psychology and Behaviour through Conestoga College and in Positive Psychology and Health & Wellness Coaching through the College of Executive Coaching. She has also completed the Intensive Sex Therapy Training Program at the University of Guelph.
Mrs. Belina is a lifelong learner; in addition to taking continuing education courses/workshops, she loves to learn about new cultures and how people connect with each other. When not working, she loves to travel and has visited over 20 countries in the last decade. She lives with her partner and two young daughters.
Many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and extended health care plans will cover services rendered by a Registered Social Worker.
