Dawn Therapy & Wellness Centre (Port Perry)

Location:

22250 Island Rd, Port Perry, ON, Canada, L9L 1B6

Description of the practicum site and student activities:

At Dawn Therapy & Wellness Centre, we believe in showing up as our full, human selves and making space for others to do the same. We provide psychotherapy that’s approachable, honest, and grounded in relationships. No stuffy office vibes, no therapist clichés – just a down-to-earth space for clients to feel heard, seen, and supported. We specialize in working with youth. One of the Co-Directors, Jesse, works primarily with boys and young men who may not feel like traditional therapy is for them. The other Co-Director, Hailey, has spent years working with children, teens, and young adults navigating anxiety, trauma and PTSD, self-harm, peer relationships, and family stress. Hailey has always believed in showing up with equal parts empathy and practicality. Hailey focuses on strategies that actually work in the real world, not just in a therapy office. At Dawn, our approach is shaped by personal experience, cultural connection, and a belief in the power of storytelling to create change. Dawn Therapy & Wellness Centre is Indigenous-owned and located on the territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. We are committed to providing accessible, culturally safe mental health care – especially for youth and families who may not feel represented or understood in traditional spaces.

Format Details

Opportunities to join team meetings, shadow telehealth therapy sessions; supervisor will be available via phone, messaging apps, and email. Jane telehealth sessions, Google video calls, email, messaging apps (WhatsApp, Signal) if desired by student. No business email address or work phone provided to the student, but they are encouraged to make a professional email address for the purpose of their placement – e.g., “janebrownsocialwork@gmail.com”. Regular check-ins are provided beyond supervision to support connection and informal conversation. Virtual team touchpoints, including case discussions and informal meetups, help foster a sense of belonging. The student will have the opportunity to shadow any / all clinicians at the practice, whenever appropriate. Students are provided with access to necessary resources through secure digital platforms, including documentation systems, policies, and relevant materials. We walk through key information during onboarding and continue to support learning through regular check-ins and supervision. Students are expected to use their school library login to access research articles when research is required.

Practicum Requirements:

☒ Police Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

☒ Evening attendance

Other requirements: Being First Nations / Indigenous is an asset, given the location of the clinic (on reservation land) and population served. However, it is not a requirement, and all applicants will be considered. Advanced Standing MSW students only / ITR applicants are welcome.

Please select Fields(s) of Study:

☒ Children and their Families

☒ Mental Health and Health

☒ ITR

Does your practicum require any previous experience?

Preference to applicants who have had some type of direct experience working with clients (can be any capacity – e.g., volunteering for crisis line, working with children with behavioural and / or mental health concerns, etc.)

Is this practicum in-person, remote or hybrid?

Hybrid

Will this practicum involve direct work or a mix of direct and indirect?

Mixed

Number of practicums offered:

Field Instructor name and credentials:

Hailey Dale, MSW, RSW & TBD

Application deadline:

April 10, 2026 @ 4pm (extended deadline)

Do you require a resume? Or resume and cover letter?

Both

Accessibility Considerations:

Will the student have access to a private space for notes or computer use? Yes

Are there breaks between clients/patients/meetings? Sometimes

Is the practicum considered fast-paced? Medium

Is there a high noise level in the practicum? Low

Is the site wheelchair accessible? No

What are the physical demands of the practicum? Able to sit with clients for 50 minutes at a time; it can be arranged to have breaks in between clients if needed

Are there any other accessibility considerations that potential applicants with disabilities should be aware of? –

If you are interested in this practicum, please send a cover letter and resume to samar.hossain@utoronto.ca by April 20, 2026 @ 4pm. Applications will be sent to the site.