Sydney Nelson

MA Candidate in Counselling Psychology | Mental Health Specialist

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

About

Sydney is passionate about holistic mental health and the ways people heal and grow. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from McGill University and is currently pursuing graduate studies in counselling psychology, with an interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Experience

  • Dialogue (Permanent Full-time · 1 yr 5 mos)
    • Mental Health Specialist
      Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

      CORE program: - Provide single-session, goal-oriented interventions focused on evaluation, risk assessment, and brief mental health coaching - Develop individualized plans of care to support mental health and wellness goals - Assess member needs and navigate patients to appropriate internal and external resources across Canada, as needed

    • Mental Health Case Manager
      Sep 2025 - Dec 2025 · 4 mos

    • Mental Health Specialist Dispatch
      Feb 2025 - Sep 2025 · 8 mos

      - Conduct brief assessments via video or phone to determine patients’(14+) mental health needs and requests - Triage patients to the most appropriate professional within Dialogue’s mental health team by applying clinical judgment to assess presenting concerns and ensure alignment with scope of practice - Accurately document intake notes in the electronic medical record system

  • CIUSSS de l'Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal (Permanent Full-time · 1 yr)
    • HRA @ JED (Jeunes en Difficultés)
      Apr 2024 - Feb 2025 · 11 mos

      - Offer short-term psychosocial interventions to youth (6-17), parents and families struggling with dysfunctional family dynamics, interpersonal relationships, emotional regulation, symptoms of anxiety / depression, suicide ideation, issues related to peer victimization, etc.

    • HRA @ CAFE (Crise-Ado-Famille-Enfant)
      Mar 2024 - Feb 2025 · 1 yr

      - On call to intervene in crisis situations by de-escalating tensions, conducting risk assessments, and creating safety plans - Perform observations, clinical analysis, and write reports to support interventions - Signal cases to youth protection when necessary

    • HRA @ Guichet d’Accès Jeunesse
      Mar 2024 - Feb 2025 · 1 yr

      - Conduct in-depth psychosocial assessments for youth (6-17), parents and families seeking services at the CLSC - Identify needs and assess risk - Draft comprehensive reports and refer families to appropriate services

  • Educator at AMCAL Family Services
    Sep 2023 - Aug 2024 · 1 yr

    AMCAL’s Residential Program offers 14 weeks of family counselling for families experiencing difficulties with their adolescents. This includes an 8 week structured therapeutic program of respite, residential care for the youth (aged 12-17 years). Responsibilities include: - Plan and facilitate psycho-educational workshops - Create tailored intervention plans for clients - Maintain a safe and therapeutic environment for adolescents residing in the residence, ensuring their well-being and security - Intervene in crisis situations - Collaborate closely with other mental health professionals

  • ABC Solutions inc. (Montreal, Quebec, Canada · On-site)
    • Social and Motor Skills Therapist
      Sep 2023 - Dec 2023 · 4 mos

      Co-facilitate the Social and Motor Skills Groups in the clinic with kids aged 5-12 years old Sessions work on strategies to enhance self-awareness, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, conversation, perspective taking, gross motor, fine motor, friendship, etc.

    • Behavioral Therapist
      Mar 2022 - Aug 2023 · 1 yr 6 mos

      - 40+ hours of training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy - Help children with Autistic spectrum disorder between the ages of 3-5 develop social and emotional regulation skills - Aid children integrate into their environment and teach functional communication in a daycare setting - Assist in creating intervention plans for each client

  • Research Assistant at Douglas Research Centre | Centre de recherche
    May 2023 - Sep 2023 · 5 mos

    Youth Suicide Prevention Research Directed by Dr. Marie-Claude Geoffroy - Assist in Coordinating a large-scale intervention study project: École à Ciel Ouvert, a nature-based intervention in elementary schools that combines evidence-based strategies from positive psychology, including mindfulness and art therapy, within the context of outdoor education - Analyze data in a doctoral student's scoping review of training programs for youth suicide prevention