Post-Graduate Training & Professional Development
About.
Couples Psychotherapist. Mother. Writer. Artist.
Shalyn Isaacs is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto and ten years of experience in the mental health field spanning psychotherapy, mental health program management for non-profits, psychology research, educational presentations and consulting, and facilitating women's mental health support groups. These experiences helped her in developing a deep appreciation for how individual suffering is shaped not only by personal experiences, but also by relationships, culture, and broader social systems.
Early in her career, Shalyn served as a Research Assistant with the Psychologys Feminist Voices Project at York University under the supervision of Dr. Alexandra Rutherford, contributing to research exploring how systemic inequities influence the mental health and professional experiences of women and women of colour in psychology.
She also founded Women's Mental Health Talks, a grassroots organization at York University that created mental health support groups for women and survivors of sexual violence while developing research-informed workshops, conferences, and educational trainings focused on psychological wellbeing and social justice.
From 2018 to 2020, Shalyn served on the Board of Trustees at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), where she gained experience examining mental health from a systems and governance perspective, with particular attention to the needs of marginalized communities.
As Program Manager at Bereaved Families of Ontario, she developed the organization's first research-informed training programs exploring how grief, loss, systemic inequities, and experiences of marginalization influence mental health among racialized and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
Since 2017, Shalyn has designed and facilitated research-based workshops examining how systemic inequities, cultural values, and gender norms shape psychological wellbeing, identity, and relationship dynamics. She has presented for organizations including the University of Toronto, York University, the Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists, Accelerate Her Future, Dress for Success Toronto, and other community organizations.
These experiences continue to inform her approach to psychotherapy, which is grounded in the belief that many of our relational struggles cannot be understood apart from the cultural, familial, and social worlds in which they develop. Her work supports couples in exploring how these broader influences become woven into intimate relationships, creating opportunities for greater awareness, compassion, and more intentional ways of relating.
Education & Training
B.A Honors in Psychology, York University
Masters (M.Ed) in Counselling Psychology, University of Toronto
Intensive Course in Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy - Dr. Susan Johnson
Integrative Sex & Couples Therapy Certification Training - Dr. Tammy Nelson
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Training - Dr. Janina Fischer
Essentials of Sex Therapy, Dr. Tammy Nelson
'Transforming Relationships in Stage 2 of Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy,
Dr. Susan Johnson (workshop training)
Using Attachment Science to Create Bonding & Satisfying Relationships,
Dr. Susan Johnson (workshop training)
Applying Attachment Theory in Therapy, Anne Power (workshop training)
Embodiment (Mind-Body) 2-Day Training, Trauma and Embodiment Association
Certified Trauma of Money Facilitator Program - Trauma of Money Institute
Racialized Trauma Course - Cultural Somatics, Dr. Resmaa Menakem
Yoga Teacher Training (200Hr) - Samadhi Yoga Ashram
Embodied Social Justice Summit & Somatic Trauma Healing Summit, The Embody Lab