About
Hello!
My name is Carrie Becker, and I am the founder of Connective Care. Let me tell you a bit about myself and how my journey has brought me to where I am today.
How to Contact Me?
I graduated from college with a diploma in Social Service Work with academic honours followed by university with a degree in Social Welfare and Sociology, with high distinction. Early in my career, I worked as an Advocate for women who had experienced domestic violence and a Case Manager for Ontario Works. I earned the opportunity to be mentored and trained as a Psychotherapist at an employee and family assistance program, named EFAP North, this experience was very fulfilling, and I later assumed the role of Director of the agency. I am lucky enough to have spent the last 18 years, serving clients within the mental health sector, and have become well versed in supporting individuals and families through very challenging life circumstances. My specialty has been forensic mental health, mental health housing, and intensive case management. Above all, I consider myself to be a very effective advocate and systems navigator. I am a member of several professional associations, including the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals.
At the age of 29, I was informed that my estranged father's health deteriorated. Health Care, End-of-Life planning, and the disposition of his estate, were among the things I had to become responsible for on his behalf. This was a very emotionally overwhelming experience, and I would have given the world to have the support of an End-of-Life Doula. This is where my interest in end-of-life education was born as well as my interest in attaining further training on dementia care, as my father had advanced dementia at the time of his passing. I have since attained many certifications connected to this area of interest.
At 31, another life-changing event occurred in which I was asked to take my brother's children in as they had been apprehended by the child welfare system. Suddenly taking a parenting role with no preparation (specifically for children with complex needs) is an experience that cannot be described. Especially considering the other complicated systems involved, such as legal, education, and child welfare. Like many caregivers, I had lost my entire identity while being thrust into this caregiving role, while ensuring the childrens best interest was always being met. This experience has brought forward my passion to support caregivers as well as to educate others about the significance of the caregiver role within our society. I am a part of Ontario Cangrands and Adopt4Life, both of whom serve kinship caregivers. I have also functioned as an Advisor for the Ontario Caregiver Organization and participated in the development of published resources meant to support working caregivers.
These experiences, among many others, have resulted in much grief and loss in my life. Grief and loss is something we all have in common, and I was driven to turn my own grief experiences into something positive. As a result, I also focussed on learning more about grief education and received training via the Grief Recovery Institute® as an Advanced Grief Recovery Method Specialist®. This training involved me facing my own experiences head-on to become certified. The Grief Recovery Method® process was life-altering, and I cannot recommend it more. In addition, I have received training in Acceptance and Committment Therapy for grief and loss.
As a member of the Ontario Association for Family Mediation, my next goal is to bring Intergenerational Mediation to Connective Care.
I look forward to using my personal and my professional expertise to help you and your loved ones on your journey!
Thank you,
Carrie Becker BA, RSSW, OCSWSSW, OAMHP
Founder of Connective Care
Behind the Scenes
Rubinda (aka- Ruby)
Ruby hails from All Heart Pet Rescue, her day revolves around thinking about food and how to get it. She is very independent and sassy.
Her role is guarding all of your personal information and considers herself to be an expert in PIPEDA.
Franklin (aka- Frankie)
Frankie was adopted from All Heart Pet Rescue. He loves watching the TV, ripping things up, basically a bad boy. But he is sweet and goofy.
His role is to fetch resources that he thinks will be useful to you. Sweet eh?
Credentials
Education
Canadore College
Social Service Worker Diploma, Honours
Nipissing University
Degree in Social Welfare and Sociology with High Distinction
Douglas College
End-of-Life Doula program
Professional Associations
- Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, Registered Member #814877
- Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals, General Member #4152-G
- Ontario Social Service Worker Association, Practicing Member #68032866
- Ontario Association for Family Mediation
- End of Life Doula Association of Canada, Registered Member #2022.20
- Member of the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce
- Death Doula Ontario Network
- Professional Organizers in Canada, Association
- Ontario Personal Support Workers Association
- Death Doula Network International
Certifications
- U First®- Alzheimers Society of Ontario
- Psychwire - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - ACT for Grief and Loss
- National Certificate in Palliative Care - Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association
- Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute - Walking with Grief - Helping Others Deal with Loss
- Grief Recovery Institute® - Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist®
- Dementia Foundations Program- McMaster University
- Caregiving Essentials- McMaster University
- Advocacy for Patients and Families- Lambton College
- Douglas College - End of Life Doula
-
Training in Action / Youth Advocacy- Youth Advocacy Training Instutute
- Gentle Persuasive Approach® in Dementia Care - Advanced Gerontological Education
- Psychological First Aid- Johns Hopkins University
- Dementia Solutions - Certified Dementia Care Provider®
- Mental Health First Aid- Mental Health Commission of Canada
- Canadian Remote Access for Dementia Learning Experiences (CRADLE) - Conestoga College
- Advance Care Planning, Goals of Care, and Health Consent- Hospice Palliative Care Ontario
- Learning Essentials Approaches to Palliative Care (LEAP)- Pallium Canada
- Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute - Narrative Therapy,, Brief Focused Couselling Skills, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy
- Age Friendly Business Academy - Certified Professional Aging Consultant®
- Brain Story Certification - University of Oxford/ Alberta Family Wellness Initiative
- Short Term Treatment of Risk and Treatability (START)- Concept Professional Training-, Palo Alto University
- Historical Clinical and Risk Management (HCR 20) Concept Professional Training, Palo Alto University
- Age Safe Canada - Senior Home Safety Consultant™
- Geriatric Training Program (eGTP)- McMaster University
- David Kessler on Grief and Loss- PESI