Credentials and Professional Affiliations:
Triena graduated from Ryerson University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a minor in Public Administration. She began her career working across a range of systems, including Children’s Aid Societies (2000–2012), Toronto Police Victim Services (1998–2000), and community-based organizations supporting individuals with dual diagnoses (1997–2001).
In 2004, she earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from York University and was awarded the Gerry Erickson Book Prize for Best Research for her study, “The Role of the Protection Worker in Recidivism in Child Welfare.” From 2006 to 2023, Triena served on the Clinical Panel of the Office of the Children’s Lawyer (OCL), where she conducted Section 112 Assessments, completed Voice of the Child reports, and provided clinical consultation and support to OCL counsel.
Alongside her clinical and legal work, Triena built a long-standing career in education. She worked as an Attendance Counsellor with the Separate School Board (2006–2007) and as a School Social Worker with the Public School Board (2007–2023). In these roles, she supported children and youth facing a wide range of learning, behavioural, and social-emotional challenges, collaborating closely with families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams to promote student well-being, engagement, and success.
In 2015, Triena completed specialized training as a Family Neutral/Professional within the Collaborative Law process. Since then, she has worked as both a Child Consultant and Mental Health Professional in family law matters, supporting families navigating separation and divorce through collaborative, litigation, and mediation/arbitration processes. She has extensive experience working within high-conflict family dynamics and has provided expert testimony in both criminal and family law proceedings. Triena has presented at conferences and professional workshops hosted by the Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario (FDRIO), the Ontario Association of Family Mediators (OAFM), Ontario Collaborative Law Professionals (OACP), and the Law Society of Ontario. She has also been a guest speaker on numerous podcasts and at conferences and workshops, frequently addressing topics such as emotional harm to children, strengthening family connection, navigating separation and divorce with children, duty to report, stress management, and mindfulness.
In 2021–2022, Triena developed an evidence-informed Well at Work program designed to foster workplace connection and enhance personal well-being. She has since adapted this curriculum for use within her private practice under the name Empowered Wellness.
In 2023, Triena transitioned fully into private counselling, integrating her extensive background in child welfare, education, and family law to provide compassionate, informed, and solution-focused clinical support. Her specialized training includes Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence Safety Training, Trauma-Informed Care, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT/Tapping), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness and Interpersonal Neurobiology, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). She has also completed training to support individuals and families navigating Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and communication and learning disorders. Triena remains committed to ongoing professional development to ensure she provides the highest standard of care.
Currently, Triena works with individuals, children, youth, and couples. She has a particular focus on supporting individuals and couples to improve communication, manage conflict, and navigate complex relational dynamics. Drawing on her extensive experience in high-conflict situations, she helps individuals and families manage life stressors and emotional distress using evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
Outside of her professional work, Triena enjoys spending time with her family, children, grandchildren, and even her chickens, who bring joy, grounding, and balance to her life.
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Triena is a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers and the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
In 2004, she earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from York University and was awarded the Gerry Erickson Book Prize for Best Research for her study, “The Role of the Protection Worker in Recidivism in Child Welfare.” From 2006 to 2023, Triena served on the Clinical Panel of the Office of the Children’s Lawyer (OCL), where she conducted Section 112 Assessments, completed Voice of the Child reports, and provided clinical consultation and support to OCL counsel.
Alongside her clinical and legal work, Triena built a long-standing career in education. She worked as an Attendance Counsellor with the Separate School Board (2006–2007) and as a School Social Worker with the Public School Board (2007–2023). In these roles, she supported children and youth facing a wide range of learning, behavioural, and social-emotional challenges, collaborating closely with families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams to promote student well-being, engagement, and success.
In 2015, Triena completed specialized training as a Family Neutral/Professional within the Collaborative Law process. Since then, she has worked as both a Child Consultant and Mental Health Professional in family law matters, supporting families navigating separation and divorce through collaborative, litigation, and mediation/arbitration processes. She has extensive experience working within high-conflict family dynamics and has provided expert testimony in both criminal and family law proceedings. Triena has presented at conferences and professional workshops hosted by the Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario (FDRIO), the Ontario Association of Family Mediators (OAFM), Ontario Collaborative Law Professionals (OACP), and the Law Society of Ontario. She has also been a guest speaker on numerous podcasts and at conferences and workshops, frequently addressing topics such as emotional harm to children, strengthening family connection, navigating separation and divorce with children, duty to report, stress management, and mindfulness.
In 2021–2022, Triena developed an evidence-informed Well at Work program designed to foster workplace connection and enhance personal well-being. She has since adapted this curriculum for use within her private practice under the name Empowered Wellness.
In 2023, Triena transitioned fully into private counselling, integrating her extensive background in child welfare, education, and family law to provide compassionate, informed, and solution-focused clinical support. Her specialized training includes Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence Safety Training, Trauma-Informed Care, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT/Tapping), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness and Interpersonal Neurobiology, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). She has also completed training to support individuals and families navigating Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and communication and learning disorders. Triena remains committed to ongoing professional development to ensure she provides the highest standard of care.
Currently, Triena works with individuals, children, youth, and couples. She has a particular focus on supporting individuals and couples to improve communication, manage conflict, and navigate complex relational dynamics. Drawing on her extensive experience in high-conflict situations, she helps individuals and families manage life stressors and emotional distress using evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
Outside of her professional work, Triena enjoys spending time with her family, children, grandchildren, and even her chickens, who bring joy, grounding, and balance to her life.
______________________________________________________________
Triena is a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers and the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
