Social Work

Erica Pryde, Social Worker

Prior to working at the Psychology and Wellness Centre I have worked in many areas, such as a women’s shelter, a residential facility for young adults, a family resource centre, and in a university disability services office.  I love working in private practice, and hope to do this for the remainder of my career.

Social work differs from clinical psychology in that it focuses less on diagnosis, and more on empowerment of the individual, in providing holistic solutions to mental health, social, behavioural, economic, or other health problems.  Advocacy is a core part of social work, as considering the environment of the client.  Many client problems can be understood in the context of their environment, past and present, as opposed to within the individual.

I am passionate about mental health and helping my clients achieve greater well-being, by helping them remove roadblocks to their goals and get in touch with their values.  I enjoy using a blend of cognitive-behavioural, mindfulness, and solution-focused approaches to therapy; tailored to the needs of the client.  I value helping my clients to become more self-compassionate and assertive.  

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Evidence Based Therapy
• Solution-Focused

• Adults (individual therapy)
• Children (individual therapy)
• Teens (individual therapy)

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Professional burnout
• Work-related issues
• Relationship and communication issues
• Intimate partner violence
• Discrimination
• School issues, including bullying
• Stress management
• Adjustment difficulties (serious illness, separation, divorce, retirement, etc.)
• LGBTQ issues; including gender issues
• Assertiveness and self-esteem