Courtney Sambray
Registered Social Worker
RSW
Here's what I believe.
I understand that being a Registered Social Worker puts me in a position of power and privilege but when it comes to any of the clients I work with, I believe they deserve 100% of my compassion and I take steps to ensure they are the most important and valued person in the room. By giving my clients a safe place, they are able to explore what is happening in their thoughts, emotions, behaviours and body. They learn to understand themselves better, express their needs, access information and tools and continue to move forward with a new found confidence.
“The greatest predictor of meaningful change in clients with relation trauma is the quality of the therapeutic alliance”- (Courtois & Pearlman, 2005)
Why I Care.
Every individual, including children, has the right to a safe place and a person that they can trust and rely on in their life. As someone who has been passionate about working in mental health for over the last 10 years, I understand that there is a lack of services available for children, youth, adults and families especially in their challenging moments and in the times where they feel most alone. The experiences I have had professionally and personally are the reasons I want to support my clients any way that I can, which often means getting to the root of the cause and fostering an emotional language and communication skills. By doing this, cycles, including generational trauma, can be broken and a sense of connection to themselves and community can be developed.
In my early years, I worked as a social worker in child protection and my heart broke for the lack of support many children received. As a result, one of my main goals is to work with our children and youth so they can process their traumas, learn effective communication skills, and understand healthy relationships. A passion of mine is the learning I am devoting to training as a Play Therapist. Play Therapy helps children cope with big emotions, change the way they think, feel, and solve their concerns, and learn social and relationship skills. It can be very impactful from an early age; as young as 4 years old.
PLAY is the language of children and toys are their words.” (Landreth, 2002)
My Education & Credentials.
I completed my Bachelor of Social Work in 2017 from University of Fraser Valley and became registered with British Columbia College of Social Workers. While completing my university degree, I volunteered for the Crisis Line in Surrey BC. I also worked for a year at Kids Help Phone providing support for children, youth and young adults. Before entering counseling, I was a Child Protection Social Worker. I worked with families and children aged 0 to 12; specializing in Intimate Partner Violence, Mental Health, and Substance Use.
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One part of my career led me to work with Anxiety, Depression, Stress, burnout, suicide risk assessment, and addictions, which fuelled my understanding of mental health and the importance of recognizing how to take care of it. The other part of my career led me to work with people who have gone through childhood trauma, intimate partner violence, generational trauma, parenting difficulties, and grief and loss. This affected me in ways I could have never known, leading me to grow as a person and a helper who is aware of the various parts of life that cause us to stop living the way we want to.
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Recent Education.
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PLAY THERAPY​
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Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy (Nov 2023)
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The Neuroception of Integrating Safety in Playroom
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Sand Tray Work in Your Play Therapy Practice
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Adverse Childhood Experiences in Play Therapy
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Introduction and History of Play Therapy
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Play Therapy in the Context of High Conflict Divorce: Promoting Meaningful Therapy
ADHD
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Breaking The ADHD Code
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Childhood ADHD: From Struggling to ThrivingChild
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ADHD Coach- IPHM and CMA Accredited
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TRAUMA
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Introduction to Working with Children and Youth Experiencing Violence
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Vicarious Trauma
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How a Polyvagal Perspective Can Enhance the Treatment of Trauma and Anxiety
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Polyvagal Theory for Embodied Trauma Recovery | Part I, Part II
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Racial Trauma and the Polyvagal Response: Mind-Body Healing for African American Clients
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Applied Polyvagal Theory in Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery
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When Love Hurts - Facilitator
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Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) - in progress
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Why People Work With Me?
I believe in the collaborative aspects of counselling sessions where clients are able release, share, and receive guidance through difficult parts of the journey. I provide a safe and respectful environment for clients to share their struggles and face obstacles without feeling like they are being judged, dismissed or unheard are key aspects of my approach. I am honoured to witness the journey that all my clients go through.
I also know that it is important for me to continue to learn and develop as a counsellor so that I can continue to help guide my clients on their journey and ensure that they continue to have confidence in me. I would rather say that I do not know something and do the research or learning than just give an answer to I think they want to hear. People work with me because they can count on me - no matter the age, to show up for them and to be present while I support them to tackle whatever is getting in their way!
“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.” (Brené Brown)​