Our Team
Connections In Counselling was founded on the belief that everyone deserves a safe space to explore their thoughts and emotions. With over 30 years of combined experience in the field of mental health and counselling, our dedicated team has a genuine desire to help others and we strive to create meaningful connections with our clients to foster growth and healing.
Shirley Hurley MSW, RSW (she, her)
Shirley is deeply passionate about helping others. Her approach is client-centered, collaborative and rooted in trauma-informed care; this means she takes into consideration your unique circumstances, personal strengths and goals, as well as your level of comfort to encourage exploration and work toward healing in the areas of life that challenge you most. Shirley is skilled at using a wide range of therapeutic modalities and draws on the approaches that are best suited to your needs. She specializes in addressing a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, grief, emotional dysregulation, low self-esteem, destructive behavior patterns, relationship difficulties, life transitions and other complex life experiences. Shirley is also experienced in working with people who are struggling with perinatal mental health challenges, infertility and loss, and Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ASR). Having gone through her own personal struggles with infertility and loss, Shirley offers a deep understanding of the emotional and social complexities that can arise when faced with family building challenges.
Shirley has her Masters Degree in Social Work and is registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) in good standing. She is also a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW), the Canadian Fertility & Andrology Society (CFAS) and the Counselling Special Interest Group (CSIG). Shirley is dedicated to life-long learning and is consistently seeking new opportunities for professional development. In her spare time, Shirley enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening, reading and simply enjoying nature.
Andrea Speziale BSW, RSW (she, her)
With over 16 years of experience in the field of mental health, Andrea values creating a comfortable and supportive environment for clients to feel heard and respected. She is committed to empowering individuals to play an important role in their emotional well-being, providing tools and strategies that can lead to lasting positive change.
Her approach is client-centered and solution-focused, pulling from a variety of evidence-based modalities. She specializes in working with adults, families and adolescents regarding a wide range of concerns such as anxiety and stress management, depression and mood disorders, relationship and family issues, life transitions, self-esteem and personal growth, habit breaking and forming, and interpersonal skills. She also offers parenting support to parents of children that are under the age of 14.
Andrea is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) in good standing, and a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).
In her free time, Andrea enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and taking her dog for walks.
Ready to take the first step towards healing?
Contact us today to schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation and start your journey towards a richer and more meaningful life.