My name is Liv Noël Dakkak (they/them) and I’m a Registered Social Worker, AuDHDer, animal lover, farmer, and a goofball.

I’m a Registered Social Worker in Ontario with a Master of Social Work from McGill University, and a Bachelor of Social Work from McGill University.

I’m a white, Egyptian, queer, non-binary, chronically ill, autistic and ADHDer, living on the unceded ancestral lands of the Mohawk peoples of Akwesasne. Shaped by my social location, identities, and trauma, I aim to show up authentically and truly value the relationship between myself and the folks I support. This has shaped my desire to actively work towards decolonizing my practice, with a focus on trauma-informed care. I strive to create a space where you feel seen, heard, and valued, to support you in addressing your needs and feel empowered.

I don’t shy away from talking about the broader systems of oppression and how politics impact the marginalized folks I work with. My practice aims to be trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and deeply affirming of neurodivergent, queer, and trans identities.

I’m passionate about working with folks who have grown up feeling misunderstood, and are seeking a place where they don’t have to mask.

I aim to support youth and adults, individuals and couples who are wanting to feel truly heard and understood without shame, from an affirming, trauma informed, anti-oppressive and sex-positive lens.

My lived experiences and political commitments:

My philosophy as a therapist is that lived experiences and political commitments are a big part of how I think about our work and show up for you in our relationship. I aim to show up in community and action with these same values I uphold in clinical practice. 

My goal is to continue learning how liberation-based politics can be centred in this work, and how whiteness can be de-centred. This may start with recognizing my own privilege and colonial harm I and my profession caused and causes.

I aim to listen and defer to folks with lived oppressions that I don’t experience; and, I aim to take initiative and ownership of my own actions and ideas, so that I’m not imposing extra labour and responsibility on the very folks I’m trying to have solidarity with.

I am committed to trying and to action over just words.

Liberation work I have been committed to learning about and/or participating in recently include:

• non-carceral systems of care and alternatives to current carceral systems

• Palestine solidarity through Ottawa Therapists 4 Palestine

• grassroots initiatives that prioritize harm reduction

• Land Bank and Free Palestine movements

• Liberation anti-racism work through de-centering whiteness

There is a lot more to talk about on this subject. You can always ask me about politics.

Career path:

I worked in various backgrounds at the beginning of my career, mainly in the Quebec public health system: adult mental health sector (mainly anxiety, depression and personality disorders, DBT approaches); work with youth and their families living in difficult situations where neglect was present; work with seniors experiencing high levels of anxiety due to the pandemic.

I returned to complete my Masters in 2023, but this was delayed due to needing two back surgeries, an experience that taught me much about myself, my relationships, disability and my resilience. Since my Masters, I have worked in group practices and in community settings offering drop-in counselling and group therapy to queer folks.

When I’m not in session, you can find me:

Tending to my little orchard and picking fruits, hanging out with my seven animals and wife, exploring witchy things like crystals and tarot, playing Dungeons & Dragons and board games with friends,

Or napping.

Education and trainings:

Masters of Social Work (McGill university)

Bachelors of Social work (McGill university)

EMDR Basic training (TICTI)

Zootherapy certification (Au bout du museau)

Non-violent communication for couples (Group Conscientia)

Somatic work with neurodivergent folks (Knowledge tree)

Working with Trauma and the Body- Fundamentals of Somatic Therapy
Stephanie Baker

Queering Mental Health (Our Landing Place)

Ongoing consultation/supervision (at least twice a month),