Events Calendar

Mental Health and Wellness for Caregivers
Tuesday 04 February 2025, 12:00pm - 01:00pm
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SCALE Program (Supporting Caregiver Awareness, Learning and Empowerment)

A newly designed SCALE program is being launched this year. Register now to get new content and resources.  Webinars are weekly from February 4 - March 25. All live webinars are from 12 p.m - 1 p.m. Eastern Time.

REGISTER HERE

A zoom link to join live will be emailed to those who register.

The SCALE Program aims to empower caregivers with practical information and skills to focus on their own mental health and well-being. Participants will receive strategies, tools, and resources to better cope with difficult caregiving emotions.

The Program involves weekly psychoeducational webinars & workbooks. You can sign up for the entire session or individual weeks, depending on your availability and/or interest. Watch them live or recorded. You must register for recordings as well.  Registered participants will be emailed a link after the webinar. Download or print a weekly workbook that provides strategies, tools, resources and personal reflections based on the webinar topic.

Online Group and Individual Counselling: Counselling is free and confidential. Registration for this is optional. Spaces are limited, and registration is based on a first-come, first-served basis.To receive the maximum benefit from the group and individual counselling, it is highly encouraged to also take part in the weekly webinars.


For more information, please visit The SCALE Program on our website.

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions about participating.
Do you require any accommodations that would make this program accessible to you? If yes, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to tell us a little bit more so that we can best support you.

The following topics will be explored:

Week 1: “I feel burned out”: Resetting within your Caregiving Journey (February 4th 2025) Caregivers often step into their caregiving role with good intentions, but may not anticipate the long-term challenges and emotional toll that can lead to burnout. The first week of the SCALE webinar series will support caregivers in developing the tools to manage their feelings of burnout and re-set themselves to the meaning behind the role they fill.

Week 2: “I feel like I am not doing enough”: Challenging Feelings of Guilt and Failure. (February 11th 2025) Caregivers often experience feelings of guilt and feeling like a failure, as their struggle within their caregiving role. The second week of the SCALE webinar series will focus on the thoughts that contribute to these feelings and the skills that can help caregivers feel more confident and supported in their role.

Week 3: “I feel overwhelmed”: Managing Caregiving Stress through the Power of Noticing (February 18th 2025) Caregivers are under continuous ongoing stress within their caregiving role, which makes problem solving and managing anxiety very challenging. The third week of the SCALE webinar series will focus on skills to support caregivers in enhancing their quality of life and joy, despite the presence of challenges.

Week 4: “I don’t know how to change things”: Navigating Grief and Helplessness in Caregiving Relationships. (February 25th 2025) Caregivers often feel significant grief over the disconnection and loss within their caregiving relationships. Navigating this relationship can often feel frustrating and disappointing. The fourth week of the SCALE webinar series will provide caregivers with the skills they need to re-focus these relationships and find fulfilment within them.

Week 5: “I feel angry and resentful”: Navigating Difficult Emotions within Caregiving Relationships (March 4th 2025) Caregiving relationships often fall short of our expectations, leading to feelings of guilt, resentment, and anger. The fifth week of the SCALE webinar series will look at how these emotions impact caregivers. Participants will be supported in learning to recognize and address these emotions, enabling them to shift towards more fulfilling relationships with their care recipient.

Week 6: “Who am I aside from being a caregiver?”: Rediscovering Yourself by Embracing Self-Compassion (March 11th 2025) Caregivers often struggle to maintain their sense of self and to find self-compassion within their caregiving role. In week 6 of the SCALE webinar series, caregivers will learn practical exercises to incorporate self-compassion into their daily lives. By recognizing personal strengths and areas for growth, participants will learn how compassion can enhance their relationships with themselves and others.

Week 7: “I feel like nobody appreciates me”: Setting Boundaries within the Caregiver Relationship. (March 18th 2025) Balancing your needs with those of your care recipient is often a significant challenge in caregiving relationships. In week 7 of the SCALE webinar series, caregivers will learn to establish and maintain healthy boundaries to prevent the blurring of roles and responsibilities. This webinar will discuss the emotions involved in boundary-setting and will support caregivers in establishing healthier, more balanced, relationships.

Week 8: “I feel alone”: Creating Meaningful Connections (March 25th 2025) Relationships and connection are woven into the fabric of the human experience and are one of our basic needs. The responsibilities of a caregiver often leave them feeling isolated from their friends and community. The final week of the SCALE webinar series will support caregivers in addressing their feelings of loneliness, and will provide tools that can help caregivers rediscover and maintain their important connections.

The Speakers & Counsellors:

Michal Goldstein is a clinical social worker and therapist with over 15 years of experience in supporting individuals, couples and families to build stronger, healthier and more meaningful relationships. She is also the owner and founder of Creating Connections Counselling Services a virtual therapy practice, based out of Toronto, where she and her team of therapists help individuals and families to re-connect and thrive, even within their challenging life experiences. Michal’s professional understanding of the impact of caregiving on one’s health and well-being and her personal caregiving experiences led to her extensive work with the Ontario Caregiver Organization and fuels her passion to supporting caregivers to navigate their challenging circumstances. Michal holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees. She is registered with both the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).

Gabriela Rosenblum Gabriella is a Psychotherapist registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). With a background in Psychological Science from the University of Toronto, she strives to integrate strength-based techniques tailored to each individual's needs. Drawing from her diverse experiences, including working with clients with dementia and their caregivers at One Kenton Place and supporting individuals struggling with addictions, and their family members at JACS Toronto, Gabriela creates a safe and inclusive space for healing and growth. Aside from her psychology and counselling based skill set Gabriela is a highly sought after speaker and group leader for a number of human rights organizations where through her educational workshops, she empowers students to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. She holds highly the value within each individual client she sees and strongly believes in their ability for growth and personal development. Gabriella embodies a compassionate and culturally sensitive approach to therapy.

Ariella English is a dedicated and experienced Registered Social Worker (RSW) with both Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees and 20 years of experience in caregiver support and in the field of social work. In 2017, Ariella founded Better Together an agency focused on providing marriage communication workshops and training couples to communicate effectively through varied and challenging life circumstances. This skill set will be of great value to the OCO’s clientele while they learn to navigate the barriers to connection in their personal and caregiving relationships. She utilized these innate communication skills in her previous work experience working at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, where she focused on connecting caregivers to the resources they needed to manage their loved ones care within the community setting. Ariella painstakingly worked to ensure her clients left her care supported and confident in their abilities. The commitment she demonstrated was further developed in her work at the Family Resource Centre in Vaughn where she provided crucial counseling to caregivers dealing with marriage, child-rearing, and financial challenges Ariella’s blend of professional expertise and personal dedication makes her a compassionate and skilled advocate for caregivers, she is passionate about providing caregivers with the support and resources they need to thrive within their role.

Shalheves Merzel holds a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) and is registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers (OCSWSSW). Through her extensive experience supporting individuals and families facing complex challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief, Shalheves has developed a deep understanding of the unique struggles caregivers encounter. Her work has focused on providing holistic, strength-based support to caregivers who often feel overwhelmed and isolated by the demands of their roles. Shalheves has worked closely with caregivers navigating the complexities of supporting loved ones with various needs, including those facing addiction, mental health issues, and significant life transitions. She has provided not only therapeutic support but also practical tools to help caregivers balance their needs with those of the individuals they care for. Her compassionate and non-judgmental approach ensures that caregivers feel seen and supported throughout their therapeutic journey. Shalheves is passionate about empowering caregivers to find a sense of balance and well-being, helping them to reclaim hope and resilience in their lives.

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