With over 20 years of experience, I am dedicated to supporting children and adolescents as they navigate life’s challenges. My background spans various roles in education, including as a school teacher, EAL teacher, Resource teacher, and Learning Centre teacher across Ontario, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia. Through these diverse experiences, I have come to understand the vital role mental health plays in the development and well-being of young individuals.
Specializing in counselling therapy, I hold a Masters of Education in Supporting Learners with Diverse Needs and Exceptionalities as well as a Masters of Education in Counselling from Acadia University. Central to my therapeutic approach is the recognition of parents and guardians as integral partners in a child’s healing journey. Collaborating closely with families, I strive to support children in reaching their treatment goals and fostering positive outcomes.
My methodology emphasizes play-based strategies, recognizing play as the natural language of children. By engaging in play, I create a safe and supportive environment where children can express their thoughts and feelings freely. Additionally, I tailor my therapeutic techniques to meet the unique needs and personalities of each individual client, ensuring a personalized and effective approach to counselling.
With over 20 years of experience, I am dedicated to supporting children and adolescents as they n...
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My name is Cynthia Manley and I am the owner of Shifting Tides Play Therapy in Bedford, Nova Scotia. I am a Certified Play Therapist through the Canadian Association for Play Therapy and a Certified Synergetic Play Therapist through the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute in Colorado, USA. I am a nationally certified counsellor through the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association and a Registered Counselling Therapist here in Nova Scotia. I got my Master of Arts in Professional Mental Health Counselling from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. My training has continued with a focus on integrating EMDR and SSP in Play Therapy. I wrote a chapter titled, “ Less Zoom More Zen: Blending Mindfulness and Yoga into Virtual Group Therapies for the book Using Teleplay in Virtual Care. My play therapy space was featured in the Spring/Summer 2021 edition of Playground magazine. I recently completed the counselling supervision course through the Maritime Play Therapy Centre and am a Supervisor in Training for CAPT.
All of my training in counselling therapy came later in my life and has been heavily informed by immigration and an awareness of my own life experience and privilege. I was a Special Education teacher in California, British Columbia, and Oregon before becoming a counsellor. In California, the majority of my students with special needs were the children of migrant farm workers from Mexico. Some of them were indigenous people from the state of Oaxaca. My students had diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, various processing disorders, and intellectual disabilities. Through working with families in various settings, I have seen the complexities involved with social locations and the intersections of people’s lives: culture, race, class, gender, and on and on. For me, as a therapist, my work is always to follow the lead of the client, to meet them where they are, and to offer integrated approaches to support them in healing and growth.
My name is Cynthia Manley and I am the owner of Shifting Tides Play Therapy in Bedford, Nova Scot...
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I am a Registered Counselling Therapist Candidate with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling
Therapists. I am in my third year of Play Therapy Training in a recognized program of the
Canadian Association for Play Therapy, a national certification. I am a member of Canadian
Counselling and Psychological Association.
I have been in the helping profession for over forty years. I began my career as a Registered
Nurse working with a variety of age groups and in a variety of settings including hospital, public
health, home care and long-term care for children. I became a teacher working in the North for
10 years teaching upper elementary before returning to school to complete my Med in
Counselling at Acadia University currently working as a school counsellor.
I practice from a trauma informed, client centered approach and have specialty training in
Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Theraplay-Sunshine Circles, Mindfulness and ASSIST.
I have a passion for health, wellness and education. My methodology utilizes play-based
strategies, recognizing that play as the natural language of children. I foster a strength-based
approach and strive to create an environment that fosters a safe and supportive environment. I
believe in providing tailoring therapeutic approaches to meet the individual and unique needs of
each client. I recognize the vital role parents and guardians play in a child healing journey. I
work collaboratively with families.
I hold a Master of Education in Counselling degree from Acadia University, as well as a Master
in Education with a focus in Mental Health from St Francis Xavier University and a Bachelor of
Education and Science in Nursing from the University of Victoria.
I have two young adult children, I was a single parent for many years. I understand the financial
and emotional struggles that can be a part of parenting. I have made fitness a part of my daily
practice including activities such as running, swimming, cycling, yoga and walking. I believe it is
important to practice self-care.
I am a Registered Counselling Therapist Candidate with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling
The...
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