Danielle Rider
RSW, MACP, RP (qualifying)
The most important element of Dorset Pier Mental Health is comfort; ensuring that you feel safe and supported is the top priority of our space. One of the things that I have come to realize is that mental health services are often shrouded in mystery and designed in a way that sets the therapist up as ‘the expert’. Being a good therapist, in my opinion, means that you are honoring that the client has the capacity within themselves to make change; the therapist’s job is to help them access this strength. After working for a number of years in child welfare and crisis response, it became evident to me that access to mental health services continues to be a barrier for a number of people in our community. Additionally, access to services specifically designed to maximize comfortability and offer alternative therapeutic interventions, such as animal therapy, was a missing piece altogether.
My passion is, and has always been, meaningful connection with people. Being given the privilege to hear and share in someone’s story has always been the most impactful part of my previous jobs. Too often we take the very act of sharing with one another for granted. Recognizing this, I decided, years ago, that ‘one day’ I would take a leap of faith and create a space that would honor this; that day has come.
My focus lies in trauma work. As a survivor myself, I know the power that can come with feeling heard, understood and validated; my hope is that you are able to feel these things when you access our space.
Great things cannot be accomplished alone. Missing gaps in service cannot be eradicated by one individual alone. I am blessed to have a team beside me who are passionate about the same gaps in service. By combining our collective education, passion and new and innovative interventions such as animal therapy, we hope that Dorset Pier Mental Health becomes a safe haven for you in the same way it has for us.
Designation: Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP), Registered Social Worker (RSW)
Theoretical Approach: Trauma focused, Narrative
Populations: Individuals
Danielle is currently on maternity leave.
