Our Team
Keith Adamson
Social Worker
Philosophy
I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is the cornerstone of effective psychotherapy. To build this relationship, I focus on three essential qualities: trust, caring, and respect. As your therapist, I care about what you want to accomplish in your life. My primary commitment is to help you achieve your life goals and become the best version of yourself. I am willing to start wherever you are at and work with you to make practical changes that will lead to a more fulfilling life. Ultimately, I aim to empower you, at whatever age or stage of life you are, to actively participate in your own growth and fulfillment.
My approach focuses on a strengths-based, client-centred, anti-oppressive, and critical queer theory perspective. I draw from emotion-focused therapy (EFT), psychodynamic, cognitive behaviour therapy, solution-focused and motivational interviewing approaches. My specialty focuses on queer issues, anxiety, depression, post-trauma symptoms, work-related stress, and post-separation parental counselling.
Qualifications
Registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
Bachelor of Social Work, School of Social Work, University of Montreal, Montreal
Master of Social Work, School of Social Work, University of Montreal, Montreal
Ph.D. in Psychology, Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo
Various academic appointments since 2004 in the Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto and the Faculty of Science, Department of Psychology, Wilfred Laurier University, Waterloo
Currently Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, in the Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto with responsibilities spanning from teaching, research, and publications in scientific journals, books and conferences, as well as practicum and dissertation supervision of master's and doctoral students
Several hospital leadership positions since 1993, including Manager of Interprofessional Practice at St. Joseph’s Health Centre; Director of Health Disciplines and Quality at Women’s College Hospital; Senior Director, Collaborative Practice at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
Social Worker and clinical investigator at the Office of the Children’s Lawyer since Sept 2011
President (May 2014 - May 2018) and Past President (May 2018 - 2020) of the Ontario Association of Social Workers
Therapy Approaches
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI) approaches. Anti-oppressive and critical queer theory perspectives
Client Groups
Individuals: children, adolescents, and adults
Parents: post-separation co-parenting coaching
Languages
English
Memberships
Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW)