Katherine Vriend

MSW, RSW

Katherine is an experienced social worker with over 30 years of experience in therapy with adults, children and families.  She has an undergraduate degree in psychology and a Master of Social Work from Wilfred Laurier.

Katherine has worked extensively with the Children’s Mental Health System treating ADHD, Tourette’s Syndrome, OCD, anxiety and depression.  She also has training and experience in family systems therapy and has run many family groups as well to help families support their loved ones.

Her interest in treating OCD originated when working with children with OCD and seeing how life-changing it can be to help individuals understand that you are not your symptoms and thoughts.  When working closely with individuals challenged with symptoms of OCD, Katherine will help people to realize that their authentic self is something they can recognize and separate from the thoughts and behaviours associated with their OCD.

Katherine works with youth and adults with a wide variety of OCD presentations, including obsessions concerning contamination, over responsibility/fear of harming others, doubting, perfectionism, and sexuality and compulsions that focus on mental review, checking, reassurance seeking and cleaning. She has also worked with individuals with a wide range of severity in terms of presenting symptoms.

Katherine has also worked as a therapist within the Addiction field and has extension training in treating alcohol, drug and gambling addiction from CAMH. She is passionate about helping people understand how addiction and mental health are connected. In doing so, she is able to help people reduce the shame they feel, increase self-awareness and move towards a life that is manageable and meaningful.

Katherine has also spent time as a Clinician, and as a Clinical Supervisor of staff at Niagara Region Mental Health continuing her work in multi-disciplinary teams. As a result, Katherine has an understanding of the medical system and is comfortable working alongside other disciplines including psychiatry.  

 Katherine has extensive training in evidence-based CBT therapy from a variety of trainers including the Beck Institute, Dr. Martin Antony, and Dr. Aureen Pinto Wagner.  She has also had comprehensive training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy from Dr. Shari Manning and attended consultation groups over a number of years.  She also has a special interest in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and has read extensively within this field as well as taking courses by Russ Harris.

Evidence-based treatment is important to Katherine and she understands that your time is valuable and works in an efficient way to help you meet your goals for therapy.  She will be respectful of your time and move forward at a collaborative pace that will allow you to clearly understand your treatment plan.

Katherine enjoys getting to know people and wants to understand what is important to them and what they want their life to look like.  She uses humour and values collaboration, respect and kindness. She wants to help her clients build skills, and gain insight so they move forward in building a life worth living!

When Katherine is not working she enjoys spending time with her family (which of course includes her dog Louis), hiking, kayaking and yoga. She enjoys reading and researching the concept of self, mimetic theory and consciousness. She is passionate about meditation and is excited to attend her first meditation retreat with renowned teacher Loch Kelly in Fall 2024!