What is Dynamic Change?
Dynamic Change is a style of counselling that is active and moving. It requires and expects the ongoing participation of clients at all times.
You can expect flexibility from Dynamic Change counsellors who are familiar with various treatment protocols, which include, but are not limited to
- Cognitive Processing Therapy
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (Brief Counselling)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Seeking Safety
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
The most appropriate protocol is used as required, but elements may be utilized from various protocols so as to provide treatment that is most beneficial to the client.
SERVICE RATES
Individual Sessions are $150.00/hour on a sliding scale based on ability to pay.
Couples' Sessions are $180.00/hour on a sliding scale based on ability to pay.
Please use the form at above right to inquire about rates for other programs offered.
BIO, TRAINING AND WORK HISTORY
![Tony Black, Dynamic Change Counselling](https://dynamicchangecc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/tonyface2-246x300.jpg)
CREDENTIALS:
- Bachelor of Arts-English, York University
- Bachelor of Social Work, York University
- Registered Social Worker
- Business Writing Course, George Brown College
- Master of Social Work Program, York University (in progress)
Experience 1990 to present:
- Fred Victor Centre
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
- Street Outreach Services
- Covenant House
- Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship/Pioneer Camps
Insured by: CASW
FRIENDS
SERVICES OFFERED
Dynamic Change is currently providing counselling and consulting services to the following organizations :
![services4 services4](https://dynamicchangecc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/services4b.jpg)
COUNSELLING FOR INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES & GROUPS:
Relapse Prevention/Maintenance
To assist those who have achieved their substance use goals to maintain and continue to make progress in their recovery by uncovering and processing issues connected to, or that may have contributed to, the individual’s unhealthy substance use. Counsellors will utilize facets of various modes of substance use intervention including, but not restricted to:...and other abstinence-based models. Please note that this treatment is not appropriate for those using daily and/or heavily but rather for those who have arrived at their identified goals and are seeking to explore deeper issues.(Offered individually. Waiting list is kept for those interested in ongoing group sessions. Minimum of six participants / maximum of 10 participants).
- Structured Relapse Prevention
- Biopsychosocial model of recovery
- 12 Step model
- Harm Reduction
Seeking Safety
This stage one trauma intervention aims to assist those living with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) symptoms in reducing their harmful coping mechanisms (substance use, self-harm, etc.) and replacing them with healthier ones. The goal of these sessions is to assist the client in arriving at a place where they are ready to explore their trauma in depth without the fear of major relapses. While complete abstinence is not required, reduction in overall unhealthy use of substances is expected and abstinence on the day of treatment is required.(Offered individually, to couples and groups. Waiting list is kept for those interested in group sessions. This program lasts for twelve sessions. Minimum of six participants/maximum of 10 participants. No PTSD diagnosis required.)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
This stage two trauma intervention provides PTSD treatment that addresses the client’s trauma directly so as to reduce symptoms and help the client to move towards a healthier life, with significant reduction in the constant and painful intrusions being experienced. This protocol assists individuals in uncovering patterns of negative thinking relating to self, others and the world and seeks to replace these with more objective, healthier ways of seeing self and relating to others.(Individual sessions only: PTSD diagnosis required to pursue this treatment. Due to the nature of this therapy, some sessions are done in person.)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for PTSD
Childhood abuse survivors with PTSD benefit from DBT-PTSD and CPT therapies. For those for whom 12 weeks of CPT intervention is deemed to be insufficient, a combination of CPT and DBT are offered over a significantly longer period of 20-24 weeks.(Individual sessions only: PTSD diagnosis required to pursue this treatment. Due to the nature of this therapy, some sessions are done in person.)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Offering twelve sessions to treat: low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, panic, phobias (including agoraphobia and social phobia), stress, bulimia, obsessive compulsive disorder and emotional dis-regulation.(Offered individually. Waiting list is kept for those interested in ongoing group sessions around specific topics. Program is comprised of 12 group sessions with a minimum of six/maximum of 10 participants.)
Solution-Focused, Strength Based, Brief Counseling
Uses client’s strengths to address a singular issue over a limited number of sessions. Number of sessions to be determined in consultation with client.(Individual, couple or family sessions offered.)
SESSIONS, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS:
Assertiveness Training
This half-day seminar will explore the four major communications styles: passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive and assertive. The session’s goals are to assist the participant in identifying their preferred way of getting their needs met and for participants to strategize ways in which they could move towards healthier ways of communication.
The Freedom of Healthy Anger
Many of us were raised to believe that all expressions of anger are wrong, sinful or unhealthy. This session aims to assist the participant in accepting that anger is not a negative emotion. We will explore ways in which our anger, when expressed in healthy ways, can be used to bring about necessary change in our personal lives and on a societal level.
What Does Anti-Racist/Anti-Oppressive Practice Mean on the Front Lines?
The term anti-racist/anti-oppressive (ARAO) has become commonplace in social work theory and vernacular. This session will assist the practitioner in understanding how this term can be incarnated in everyday practice. The participant will leave the session having identified practical ways in which this philosophy can benefit their clients and significantly impact their practice.
Finding My Social Location
This session takes participants through honest self-exploration in order to uncover all the aspects of themselves that they bring into their work, including their histories, beliefs, biases, etc. In doing so, participants will then be able to identify possible issues that could have a negative impact on their clients and colleagues and to strategize to ensure that this does not happen.
Effects of Chronic Depression on Daily Functioning
The goal of this session is to explore, together with participants, the ways in which an individual’s ability to navigate through daily life is significantly hampered by ongoing or recurring depression. The session aims to provide a fuller understanding of interventions/strategies that could be helpful and those that could be more harmful. This session is of most benefit to frontline workers.
Effects of Chronic Low Self-Esteem on Daily Functioning
Many of us know people who are extremely talented but are constantly putting themselves down and seem unable to appreciate their many strengths. This session aims to assist the frontline worker in understanding this often debilitating condition and its impacts. Participants will discuss the efficacy of current techniques and identify the most helpful ways of working with individuals with this diagnosis.
Effective, Strength-Based Case Management
We often hear of/speak about clients who are resistant to being involved in the process that would lead to the achieving of their goals. This session explores ways of working within the client's strengths and preferences rather than working in opposition to the client, labelling them as uncooperative.
Principles of Group Facilitation
Are you interested in discovering ways to increase the participation of group members? This session will identify best ways to structure and facilitate groups in order to foster appropriate member participation that is of benefit to all.
What Does Trauma Informed Care (TIC) Look Like on the Front Lines
This session looks to demystify this popular term and assist practitioners in strategizing ways in which they can alter their practices so as to increase access of programs to all, regardless of the clients' potential histories of trauma history.
Harm Reduction: A Philosophy of Practice
The term harm reduction has been used specifically in relation to substance use and, more generally, to other behaviours considered to be harmful in nature or in how it is commonly practiced. This session explores harm reduction as an overall philosophy of practice rather than lists of do’s and don’ts or distribution of clean equipment.
Substance Use – A Symptom of PTSD
Over the years, substance use and addictions have been viewed in various ways. As increasing evidence shows that a majority of clients that come through the doors of our agencies have experienced trauma at some point in their lives, we are realizing that many have been coping with the emotional pain by using substances and/or other behaviours that cause harm to the individual. This session explores ways of addressing substance use from this perspective rather than as a separate diagnosis.
Seeking Safety
Seeking Safety is a stage one PTSD intervention protocol. Stage one involves a period of stabilization where participants explore the negative consequences of current unhealthy coping mechanisms, including self-harm (e.g. cutting), risky behaviours and substance use and begin to discover healthier alternatives. The goal of these sessions is to prepare the client for stage two where the trauma is recounted in detail and specific symptoms and unhealthy thought patterns are delved into. This session provides training to staff in delivering this protocol to groups or individuals.
Researching and Writing:
Formal Reports
Researching and writing official reports containing detailed information, research, and data necessary to make program/business decisions.
Proposals
Producing business proposal reports that propose an idea or an approach to solving a problem or issue. This could be anything from an idea to solve excessive spending within your agency to a strategy for working out the details of a new program.