COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
& MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY

Creating Spaces For Connection, Awareness, & Healing Beyond the Therapy Room.

I’m deeply committed to connecting with communities, sharing insights on mental health, and advocating for awareness, understanding, and compassion. My work as a mental health speaker in Ontario and psychotherapy podcast guest allows me to share experiences that inspire connection, resilience, and growth.

Speaking Engagements & Community Events | Writing & Community Contributions | Podcast Appearances

Speaking Engagements & Community Events

Volunteering with Diabetes Canada – Camp Huronda

One of my proudest volunteer experiences has been with D-Camp’s Camp Huronda, an overnight camp for youth living with Type 1 Diabetes, sponsored by Diabetes Canada. As a Type 1 Diabetic, I attended Camp Huronda every summer from ages 9–14 and felt safe to simply enjoy being a kid—not defined by my diagnosis.

Since 2024, I’ve been invited back by my childhood camp counsellor, now Camp Director Lauren Linklater, to speak at their Summer Family Camp. I share insights with parents on the connection between mental health and Type 1 Diabetes, and it is a privilege to give back to the magical little corner of Huntsville, Ontario that shaped my childhood.

Kayla’s Wings – Advocating for Men’s Mental Health

In the autumn of 2025, I was invited to be the keynote speaker at the annual Kayla’s Wings Softball Tournament, founded by Colleen Petruk to raise awareness for suicide prevention and mental health. The event focused on men’s mental health, and I spoke about a simple truth I see every day as a psychotherapist: vulnerability is a man’s greatest superpower. Saying “I can’t carry this alone” opens the door to connection, healing, and growth. It was incredibly rewarding to show that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s heroic.

Erin Hill Acres Wellness Market & Retreat

On the Summer Solstice of 2025, I had the heartfelt honour of participating in Erin Hill Acres’ Wellness Market and Retreat as a panelist and vendor. Alongside Kasia Sitarz – Transformational Wellness Coach, Dr. Michelle Peris – Naturopathic Doctor, and Ravi Gandi – Poet, I spoke about authenticity, the difference between joy and happiness, and the power of meaningful connection. Surrounded by a supportive community, it was a day full of warmth, depth, and gratitude—a beautiful reminder of how healing comes from coming together in shared purpose.

Diabetes Hope Foundation Webinar

In March 2026, it was my pleasure to serve as a volunteer panel speaker for the Working in the World of Diabetes webinar hosted by the Diabetes Hope Foundation. As a Registered Psychotherapist living with Type 1 Diabetes, I spoke alongside medical professionals and students about the importance of integrating compassionate, person-centred care into traditional medical models of T1D. Being in conversation with a community that understands this lived experience firsthand was deeply meaningful, and a powerful reminder of the connection and support that can shape the journey.

Diabetes Hope Foundation – Scholarships & Peer Mentorship

In my adolescent years, my family helped establish the Kirsten Davidson Scholarship Fund through the Diabetes Hope Foundation, supporting university-bound students living with Type 1 Diabetes. From 2009–2015, this scholarship helped alleviate financial barriers and celebrate achievement for students navigating life with T1D.

In 2023, I facilitated DHF’s HOPE Connects Peer Mentor Training for university students supporting peers with T1D. I am grateful to DHF Founder Barbara Pasternak and Executive Director Heather Miller for the opportunity to educate young adults on self-care, compassion, and boundary-setting.

Writing Contributions & Authorship

Author for Psychology Today

As of 2026, I have had the privilege of contributing to broader conversations in mental health as an author for Psychology Today . My monthly articles translate psychological theory and research into accessible insights on emotional well-being. Offering a mindful lens to the human experience, I explore the spaces between who we are and who we’re becoming.

DHF Community Blog Contribution

In February 2026, I contributed a reflection to the Diabetes Hope Foundation community blog titled When T1D Meets Mindfulness. In this piece, I explore how mindfulness has shaped my relationship with Type 1 Diabetes, offering gentle ways to stay grounded, present, and connected to life beyond the numbers. Drawing from both lived experience and my work in psychotherapy, the reflection highlights how moments of awareness can nurture resilience, self-trust, and a deeper sense of balance while living with T1D.

Podcast Appearances

I’m grateful to be hosted as a podcast guest by fellow wellness experts; sharing both personal and professional perspectives on emotional well-being