Hi, I'm Ellyn, a Registered Social Worker specializing in athlete mental health.
For more than a decade, I've worked in clinical settings ranging from community mental health and addictions to youth justice, corrections, education, and private practice. I've supported children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of mental health concerns, often in complex clinical settings. My focus is always on understanding the person in front of me, not just the problem or diagnosis.
My connection to sport started long before I became a therapist. I competed in synchronized swimming at the national level, later performed professionally, and spent 10 years coaching athletes from the recreational to national level. Those experiences continue to influence the way I work with athletes today.
Since 2020, I've intentionally focused my education and professional development on athlete mental health and performance. My training includes a Certificate in Sport Social Work and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Diploma in Mental Health in Elite Sport, which I completed as part of the first 66 graduates worldwide. I’m also currently completing a Graduate Certificate in Applied Sport Psychology through the University of Western States.This gives me a strong clinical mental health foundation alongside specialized training in sport and performance.
I started Mind Body Sport because I saw a gap. Athletes often have access to coaches, trainers, and medical professionals, but finding a mental health clinician with extensive clinical experience and specialized training in athlete mental health isn’t always easy. That’s the space I created Mind Body Sport to fill.
My approach is authentic, down-to-earth, and collaborative. Therapy isn't one-size-fits-all. I help you make sense of what's going on, ask the hard questions when they're needed, and find an approach that actually fits.
Why Mind Body Sport?
Education & Credentials
Education
Master of Social Work
Wilfrid Laurier University · 2018
Graduate Certificate in Applied Sport Psychology
University of Western States · In Progress
IOC Diploma in Mental Health in Elite Sport
International Olympic Committee · 2024
Certificate in Sport Social Work
Alliance of Social Workers in Sports · 2022
Honours Bachelor of Arts (Criminology)
Wilfrid Laurier University · 2012
Additional Training
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
Trauma-informed care
Clinical supervision
Crisis intervention
Professional Affiliations
Registered Social Worker
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
Alliance of Social Workers in Sports (ASWIS)
Member
Association for Applied Sports Psychology (AASP)
Member
