Shelagh Macdonald, MSW, RSW

E-Mail:

33 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, ON K2P 0H3

I have been working with and advocating for families for over 20 years – as senior program staff with Amnesty International, and since 1994 as a family mediator and psychotherapist.

As an accredited parenting mediator with the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM), I have worked with hundreds of families to assist them in making the often difficult transitions through a separation in ways which minimize harm to the children and support their well-being. Above all, it is the needs of the children which must be kept in focus. I see that my role is to assist parents in both understanding what their children’s needs are, given their unique circumstances as they separate (or years later when new issues arise), and helping them maximize their parenting effectiveness during challenging times. 

I have taught family mediation in many venues, and am a frequent guest speaker regarding the impact of separation and divorce on children and adults. As a mental health professional (clinical social worker), I was a member of the original team providing Collaborative Family Law training to Ottawa area lawyers in 2001 and 2002. I have been on the Board of the OAFM (Ottawa region) since 1997, and am currently vice-president. I am presently serving on a Department of Justice committee to develop a booklet for children who are experiencing their parents’ separation and divorce. 

As a psychotherapist, I provide counseling to adults, adolescents, parents and children to help them work through issues which limit their self-growth, and interfere with their relationships, work, schooling, and capacity to experience joy in their lives. With an approach based on respect, empathy, and dignity, I assist my clients in resolving emotional issues related to separation and divorce, making the transition to a blended family, coping with loss and grief, improving interpersonal relationships, and dealing constructively with adolescent and parental conflict.

The CFL process, with a cooperative, humane, and respectful approach, is supportive of the well-being of families. I am delighted to be a part of this process and to be able to offer my particular expertise, either as parenting mediator or psychotherapist/counsellor. I invite you to contact me to learn more about how I may be of assistance to you and your family.