Heather MacKenzie

Client-focused social worker with over two decades of experience in child and youth mental health. Social work experience in child welfare, education and private practice settings focused on case management, advocacy, individual and family therapy and group work. Director of the All Out Collective grassroots organization.

Specialized training in the areas of suicide prevention, cognitive behavioural therapy and 2SLGBTQ+ and anti-oppressive practice. Member in good standing with the OCSWSSW and OASW.

School Social worker; Attendance Counsellor at HAMILTON-WENTWORTH DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (2024 – Present)

Elementary, secondary, and alternative education settings

• Engage students in therapeutic work focused on anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, family, and peer conflict.
• Facilitate training for staff on ADHD, 2SLGBTQ+ and anxiety.
• Psychoeducation for parents and caregivers
• Community connections and resource referrals

Director, Social Worker at ALL OUT COLLECTIVE (2024 – Present)

Founder, All Out Collective; a grassroots organization for 2SLGBTQ+ children, youth and families

• Create, develop and deliver programming such as the True Colours Club and Summer Camp for gender diverse children, and True Colours Caregivers and Families in Transition for parents of trans youth
• Fundraising, Grant writing, Board of Directors Chair, Event Planning

Trainer at Ontario association of children’s aid societies (2021 – Present)

• Facilitate the SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression) Training for child welfare workers and foster parents across the province.

Registered Social Worker/Counsellor at NOVA PHOENIX COUNSELLING SERVICES (2022 – 2026)

• Provide private, one-to-one counselling sessions for children and youth.
• Specialize in 2SLGBTQ+ identities, anxiety, and ADHD.
• Modalities include CBT, DBT, ACT, IFS and Crisis Intervention
• Practice using creative arts, play and talk therapy.

SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender identity and Expression) LEAD at catholic children’s aid society of hamilton (2022 – 2024)

• Develop and implement safe and inclusive programming and services for 2SLGBTQ+ children, youth, and families.
• Create policies relating to 2SLGBTQ+ issues in Child Welfare
• Develop and facilitate training and professional development opportunities for staff, volunteers, and community.
• Guide and assist in case planning for 2SLGBTQ+ service users.
• Build community partnerships.

Child Protection Worker, Children’s Services at catholic children’s aid society of hamilton (2005 – 2022)

• Conduct assessments of the physical, mental, emotional, and social needs of children and youth in foster care and ensure that goals are met.
• Develop and implement long and short-term treatment plans and goals.
• Provide counselling and initiate and participate in support linkages to community organizations and resources.
• Facilitate ongoing access with children and youth and family members.
• Provide ongoing support and respond to and intervene in crisis situations.
• Appear as a witness in both family and criminal court matters.
• Prepare recordings of case information including affidavits, case notes, social histories, and assessments
• Manage and facilitate re-integrations home, placement changes, or transitions to independence and aging out of care.

GUEST LECTURER at McMaster University School of Social Work

Topics: 2SLGBTQ+ 101, Social Work and Activism, Adolescence, and trauma

GUEST LECTURER at Brock University (Child and Youth Program)

Topics: Safe Spaces and 2SLGBTQ+ Parenting.

trainer/workshop leader

• 2SLGBTQ+ 101, Gender 101, ADHD, Safe Spaces
• FIT (Families in Transition) Facilitator
• Ontario Association of Social Work (OASW) Provincial Conference
• 3Voices McMaster University Child Welfare Conference

MSW and BSW Field Instructor at McMaster University (2008 – Present)

Leadership

• Develop and facilitate a group for 2SLGBTQ+ youth in foster care (2016-2024)
• Chair of the 2SLGBTQ+ CCAS Hamilton Employee Resource Group (2016-2024)
• Develop, fund, and implement program for Trans Youth Leaving Care (2017)
• Co-chair of Hamilton Queer and Trans Youth Collaborative (2014-2017)
• Director, All Out Collective

Volunteer (2019 – 2021)

• Kid Help Phone, Crisis Text Line

Master of Social Work – Dalhousie university, Halifax NS (2018)

Bachelor of Social Work (summa cum laude) – Mcmaster university, hamilton on (2006)

Bachelor of Arts – Mcmaster university, hamilton on (2000)