MEET GORDIE
Gordie Spraklin (he/him) Practicum Student
External Supervisor:
Natalya Austin, MSW, RSW
On site Supervisor:
Paula Hennessey, B.A. (Hons.), CCC, CPT
My name is Gordie and I'm a Practicum Student of the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program at Yorkville University.
My approach to care is strength-based, person-centered, and trauma-aware. I draw upon a blend of Cognitive-Behavioral, Humanistic, and Solution-Focused modalities to cater to individualized needs. My aim is to empower clients through non-judgment, empathy, and skills-building opportunities.
Throughout my undergraduate career, I studied nursing, psychology, and genetics at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Afterward, I spent 4 years as a child and youth care worker designing and executing behavioral programs for youth and their families. Currently, I enjoy expressing my love of learning and teaching through tutoring students of all ages. As you work with me, you will find that these experiences bring a well-rounded perspective to our counseling sessions.
Notably, I'm an advocate for the neurodiverse and LGBTQIA+ communities. I aspire to provide tailored support by promoting our inclusivity and well-being. Indeed, much of my graduate-level work has involved Autism, ADHD, gender non-conformity, and vulnerable populations. I'm particularly attentive to the experiences of individuals from lower socioeconomic groups.
I often help individuals who are struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship conflict, neurodevelopmental conditions, stress, health concerns, attachment, learning, coping, and/or parenting.
I'm currently accepting clients aged 16+ for individual counseling via single sessions, short-term follow-up, or longer-term support. If you feel that my background, values, and counseling approach might be a great fit for you, I invite you to reach out to myself or my on-site supervisor Paula. Likewise, if you are a professional who believes that I might be a great fit for a client, we also welcome referrals.
Outside of counseling and teaching, I enjoy traveling, knitting, and practicing my language skills in French and Spanish. As well, I'm an avid listener of podcasts and audiobooks - I'm always seeking new knowledge and perspectives. My favorite topics often involve fantasy, philosophy, technology, and science. It's always a happy bonus when I find something that weaves all four areas together. I also love hearing about the topics that others are excited about and welcome listening/reading recommendations.