Graeme Richardson, MSW, RSW

Graeme Richardson is a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist who completed his Master's of Social Work at the University of Waterloo. Graeme has over ten years of experience working in various mental health settings, including hospitals, addiction treatment centres, and psychotherapy practices.

Currently, in addition to his role at Richardson Counselling, Graeme works full-time at St.Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, providing individual and group counselling to adults in Ontario and Nunavut through the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program and the Iqaluit Virtual Mental Health Service. He works primarily with people who have concerns with anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, chronic illnesses and chronic pain.

Graeme uses a nonjudgmental and inquisitive approach to support his clients while recognizing the importance of self-care and personal reflection. Graeme is trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) but will incorporate other forms of therapy into his sessions to ensure a personalized approach. CBT is an evidence-based form of counselling with decades of research supporting its effectiveness. You can expect the examination of how your thoughts and behaviours impact your emotions, mental health, and life.

Graeme hopes to empower his clients and improve their mental health and quality of life. Working together, Graeme hopes that you can live the life that you want to live!

    • Currently working for St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton as a CBT Therapist and Mental Health Consultant providing psychotherapy to adults in Ontario and Nunavut.

    • From 2018 to 2021 I worked as a Harm Reduction Counsellor with Toronto Public Health providing harm reduction and addiction services to people in Toronto, whether this was for people who came to our clinic or meeting them out in the streets.

    • From 2014 to 2018 I worked with the Northern Health Authority in Northern British Columbia as a Mental Health Clinician. Up north you are expected to provide a wide range of services. I worked within a Mental Health Clinic providing counselling services, as well as crisis services. I also worked within the Emergency Department providing mental health assessments. I also provided outreach services, which means that I would meet people in the shelters, hospital, or out on the streets.

    • In 2020, I completed training at the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) working in the inpatient psychiatry clinic as a Social Work student helping people with severe substance use concerns.

    • I began my career in 2012 working for a residential addiction treatment centre, St. Michael’s Homes supporting people with addiction and mental health concerns.

    • Masters of Social Work, University of Waterloo (2020).

    • Bachelor of Social Work, University of Manitoba (2019).

    • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Acadia University (2012).

    • CBT Anxiety Level 2 for Social Anxiety, Health Anxiety, and Phobias through the University of Toronto (2024).

    • CBT for Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain at Laurier University (2024).

    • Mental Health and Diabetes Training Program through Diabetes Canada (2024).

    • CBT Anxiety Level 3 for PTSD and OCD through the University of Toronto (2024).

    • Inuit Cultural Safety Training (2023).

    • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Personality Disorders through the Beck Institute (2022).

    • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Depression Certificate through the Beck Institute (2022).

    • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety Disorders Certificate through the Beck Institute (2022).

    • Essentials of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Training Certificate through the Beck Institute (2021).

    • Indigenous Cultural Safety Training (2021).

    • Clinical Practice in Mental Health Course through the University of Waterloo (2020).

    • Supervision and Leadership Roles for Social Workers through the University of Waterloo (2020).

    • Knowledge Exchange and Evidence-Based Practice through the University of Waterloo (2020).

    • Health Policy through the University of Waterloo (2020).

    • Interviewing and Counseling Skills Course through the University of Manitoba (2017).

    • Addiction Medicine Diploma provided through the BC Centre of Substance Abuse (2017).

    • Brief Action Planning Training through the Northern Health Authority (2016).

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training through the University of Northern British Columbia (2015).

    • Indigenous Cultural Competency Training (2014).

    • McMaster University - Concurrent Disorders in Addiction Practice (2014).

    • McMaster University - Concepts and Dimensions of Group Work Practice (2014).

    • Trauma-Informed Practise Training through the University of Northern British Columbia (2014).