"Caring for an older adult can be a journey".
Caring for an older adult can be a journey. Roles in the family change and sometimes spouses can feel more like a caregiver, or adult children can feel like they are parenting their parents. Often siblings who have gone off and formed their independent lives with different values are forced to work together to make decisions for ageing family members. Many walk the fine line between safety and independence, knowing when to get help, and how, can be daunting.
My role as a clinician is to support you on this journey creating a non-judgemental space to discuss your unique situation. Sometimes the people we care for are loved ones and this phase in life can feel like a painful privilege. For others, a history of trauma and pain may resurface and combine with feelings of obligation. Whatever your situation or history, I offer my experience, compassion and knowledge to support you.
My Background
My name is Brittan Williams and I am a Registered Social Worker (RSW) practising virtually based out of London, Ontario. I completed my Bachelors of Social Work and Bachelors of Arts (Thanatology) in 2015 at King’s University College. I went on to complete my Masters of Social Work in 2021 at the University of Windsor. I have worked with older adults for 10 years in a variety of capacities including; in home care, retirement living, long term care, memory clinics and community care settings. I specialise in supporting families navigating the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, maintaining safety and independence in the home, advanced care planning and navigating both private and public care options in Ontario for older adults.
I am trained in several models of therapy including CBT, DBT and PST and trained in several dementia specific models of care including GPA, P.I.E.C.E.S, Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care Consultant training, and Primary Care Memory Clinic specialised training by Dr. Linda Lee.
I am pleased to offer individual and family counselling, along with a collaborative approach that may involve others in the circle of support for treatment and care plans.
Common Challenges
This list of common challenges is a small sample of some of the things that frequently come up in my work with clients. Every situation is different and will result in different recommendations. I hope to offer guidance, education and support in collaboration with your experience and knowledge to explore what is a priority to you.
Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias
Living Safely in the Community
Communication
Role Changes in the family
Discussions about Safe Driving
Advanced Care Planning
Questions about Long Term Care
Assisted Living options and Retirement Living
Respite Services
Changes to Hygiene and Diet
Medication Adherence
Capacity and Consent
Grief
Ambiguous Loss
Guilt
Caregiver Burnout
Professional Trainings
Formal Education
Master of Social Work (MSW), University of Windsor | 2021
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), King’s University College | 2015
Bachelor of Arts Majoring in Thanatology (BA), King’s University College | 2015
Credentials
Registered Social Worker (RSW)- Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (# 826807)
Professional Development
Equine Facilitated Wellness: Exploration (2021) with Sue Mcintosh, Foundations (2021) & Focus (2022) with Deborah Marshall
● Introduction to DBT, Wilfred Laurier University 2022
● CBT Essentials from the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 2019
● Problem Solving Treatment Practitioner Certified by the University of Washington 2017
● Positive Approach to Care Consultant training- trained by Teepa Snow 2017
● Primary Care Memory Clinic specialised training by Dr. Linda Lee
● Ageing with Pride- supporting LGBTQ seniors by KW Counselling, Spectrum and Hospice Waterloo Region 2017
● GPA and P.E.I.C.E.S trained 2015
● Aboriginal Awareness and Cross Cultural Understanding Online Training by Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. 2014
● Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASSIST) certified 2014
● Facilitation Training by the Alzheimer Society Ontario 2015