Choose Your Path
3-Day Becoming Method® Intensive Training
RN-Psychotherapist Program
🕒 6–8 Months
On-line + Live 3-Day Intensive
For Registered Nurses including NPs, CNSs & PSWs
Apply NowTrauma Recovery Certificate Program
🕒 6–8 Months
On-line + Live 3-Day Intensive
For Registered Nurses including NPs, CNSs & PSWs
Apply Now
See Register
$1249
CEC-Eligible
36
In-person | Hands - on Training
Next Cohort: Jun 20-Jun 22
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🔄 Mastery of the Becoming Method™
Learn 8 core trauma recovery modalities that move clients from coping to healing.
🎯 Confidence to Lead Transformational Sessions
Know how to open, guide, and close sessions that create real, lasting change.
🧠 Advanced Assessment & Follow-Up Tools
Accurately identify trauma-related symptoms and structure powerful treatment plans.
👐 Hands-On Experience with Expert Feedback
Practice with real-time support in live faculty-led demonstrations.
💫 Personal Renewal
Reignite your passion for the work. Walk away with a deeper connection to your purpose—and yourself.
🎓 36 Continuing Education Credits
Designed to reflect key psychotherapy competencies, including Safe and Effective Use of Self (SEUS).
This intensive 3-Day Training Retreat will do more than just expand your practice toolkit; it will transform your approach to psychotherapy. You’ll engage deeply with holistic trauma recovery methods that resonate on a personal level, enhancing your ability to guide clients through their healing and trauma recovery journeys. Equipped with new knowledge and practical skills, you’ll be ready to meet the intricate needs of your clients, helping them navigate and heal from their trauma with compassion and expertise.
Our retreat is designed to be an Objective-Driven Learning Experience with clear, heartfelt goals in mind. First, we aim to build a close-knit community of professionals who are as passionate as you about holistic healing. Together, you’ll forge connections that enrich your professional and personal life. Second, we dive deep into the eight core modalities of the Becoming Method™, which are pivotal for a thorough understanding and practical application across diverse therapeutic scenarios.
Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into the heart of the Becoming Method™. During our live demonstrations led by experienced faculty you’ll be given multiple opportunity to develop Hands-On Skills. These sessions are interactive and designed to provide you with practical experience and immediate feedback. You’ll have the chance to practice and refine your skills in real time, ensuring you leave the retreat not just knowledgeable, but truly proficient.
Seeking deeper, faster outcomes and a more intuitive trauma framework.
Looking to integrate holistic psychotherapy into clinical care.
Ready to expand their practice with advanced trauma recovery tools.
Who want a practical, transformative method grounded in compassion and results.
🧭 No Matter Where You’re Starting From:
This retreat will give you the skills and structure to confidently guide clients through every stage of trauma recovery—while transforming how you show up in the room.
Learn how to apply each core component—from truth-telling to emotional processing—to end trauma at its source.
Master the 8 Modalities of the Becoming Method™
Deepen your emotional intelligence—critical for trauma work, leadership, and your own healing journey.
In just 12 Months, start your new career as a Certified Trauma Recovery Specialist.
Meet Your Instructors—Global Experts Bringing Depth, Insight, and Practical Experience
Sophia Ali, MBA, BSW, RSW
Faculty, Becoming Institute | Executive Director, Manitoba Alliance of Health Regulatory Colleges
Specialization: Equity-Informed Leadership, Trauma-Informed Systems Design
Born and raised in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 Territory, Sophia Ali is a dynamic second-generation immigrant, social work leader, and strategic systems thinker. As Executive Director of the Manitoba Alliance of Health Regulatory Colleges, she plays a key role in advancing interprofessional collaboration, policy innovation, and culturally responsive regulation across Manitoba’s health sector.
With a career spanning community health, psychotherapy, and systems leadership, Sophia has held impactful roles at Aulneau Renewal Centre, Klinic Community Health Centre, and Youville Centre. She also operates a private practice, Wisdom Speaks Counselling & Consulting, where she integrates trauma-informed care, clinical social work, and organizational consulting.
Sophia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Bachelor of Social Work, and a Master of Business Administration—reflecting her rare blend of clinical insight and executive acumen. She shares her knowledge widely as a faculty member at the University of Winnipeg, Mohawk College, and the University of Manitoba, where she teaches with a focus on equity, ethics, and leadership.
A dedicated community advocate, Sophia serves on several boards, including the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, the Manitoba Islamic Association Mental Health Initiative, and the Institute of Corporate Directors (Manitoba Chapter). Her work reflects a deep commitment to systems change that empowers practitioners and promotes healing across sectors and communities.
Dr. Afsheen Anwar, Ph.D., C.Psych
Faculty, Becoming Institute | Clinical & Counselling Psychologist
Specialization: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Faith-Informed Practice, Relational & Systemic Therapy
Dr. Afsheen Anwar is a Clinical and Counselling Psychologist with over 23 years of experience providing psychological assessment and therapy to individuals, couples, and families in both individual and group settings. Originally from Pakistan and now based in Ontario, she brings a deeply multicultural lens to her practice, drawing from her Southeast Asian and Muslim roots and her years of work across national and international contexts since 2000.
Dr. Anwar is known for her warm, compassionate presence and her ability to meet clients with both professionalism and deep empathy. Her integrative approach to therapy draws from a variety of evidence-based modalities, including cognitive behavioural therapy, emotion-focused therapy, mindfulness, and relational/systemic models. She tailors each treatment plan to the unique needs and worldviews of her clients—including those seeking faith-informed support from major religious traditions.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Anwar has been an educator, consultant, and public speaker across diverse cultural and academic settings. She also brings a unique specialization in aviation-related care, offering contextualized services for individuals experiencing flying phobia and for aviation professionals—drawing on her experience as a trained private pilot.
With a lifelong commitment to human growth, resilience, and culturally attuned care, Dr. Anwar continues to make a profound impact in the field of psychotherapy, both in Canada and internationally.
Jenn Cardoso, M.A., RP
Faculty, Becoming Institute | Somatic Coach & Registered Psychotherapist
Specialization: Relational Psychotherapy, Somatic Healing, Trauma-Responsive Care
Jenn Cardoso is a psychotherapist, somatic coach, and educator devoted to helping individuals and couples navigate the complexities of connection, healing, and inner transformation. With a deep respect for both science and soul, she blends somatic and relational approaches to support clients in cultivating clarity, confidence, and intimacy—in their relationships with themselves, others, and the world around them.
Jenn holds a Master’s in Counselling Psychology and is a certified yoga teacher with advanced training in trauma-informed movement and trauma-responsive care. Her therapeutic approach is rooted in presence—body to body, heart to heart—where healing becomes both a clinical process and a sacred invitation to be seen, felt, and heard.
Whether working with individuals, couples, or significant others, Jenn creates an empowering and judgment-free space where clients can safely explore their emotions, identities, and aspirations. She honours each person’s story, while helping them build the practical skills to communicate needs, deepen intimacy, and move toward more fulfilling relationships.
As a faculty member and lecturer with the Becoming Institute, Jenn brings a grounded, heartfelt energy to her teaching. She is known for her embodied presence, clinical integrity, and deep love for the healing journey. Outside of her professional work, she’s a devoted mom to her beloved four-legged companions and a quiet champion of the More-Than-Human world, always guided by a deep belief in interconnection and reverence.
Jacklyn Chung, M.Ed., RP, CCC
Faculty, Becoming Institute | Founder, Karkiu Psychotherapy and Counselling
Specialization: Culturally Sensitive Psychotherapy, Trauma-Informed Care, Feminist & Relational Practice
Jacklyn Chung is a Registered Psychotherapist, educator, and the founder of Karkiu Psychotherapy and Counselling. With over a decade of experience in mental health and education, she brings a grounded, client-centered approach to healing—one that honours identity, lived experience, and the complexity of being human.
Jacklyn holds a Master of Teaching from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) and a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of Ottawa. Her career spans clinical work in post-secondary institutions, community organizations, private group practice, and corporate wellness settings. At the heart of her practice is a deep respect for the healing power of relationships and the courage it takes to live authentically.
Drawing on trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and feminist frameworks, Jacklyn helps clients navigate issues related to anxiety, depression, trauma, identity, grief, and relationships. Her therapeutic style is intuitive, compassionate, and focused on helping individuals unpack their past, regulate their inner experience, and create lives aligned with their values.
As Clinical Director at Karkiu Psychotherapy, Jacklyn is committed to building a practice that centers safety, authenticity, and empowerment. As a faculty member at the Becoming Institute, she shares that same vision with students—encouraging future therapists to lead with humility, curiosity, and a deep belief in collective healing.
Whether in the therapy room or the classroom, Jacklyn creates spaces where people can rediscover themselves, build resilience, and embrace the healing possibilities of community and connection.
Jamieson Eakin, MACP, BFA, RP
Faculty, Becoming Institute | Registered Psychotherapist
Specialization: LGBTQ+ Mental Health, Narrative Therapy, Somatic & Creative Approaches
Jamieson Eakin is a Registered Psychotherapist, artist, and educator dedicated to creating inclusive, affirming spaces for healing and growth. He specializes in working with members of the 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities, neurodivergent individuals, and those navigating trauma, identity, and relationship challenges. His approach is rooted in compassion, curiosity, and a deep belief in the power of meaning-making to transform lives.
Jamieson’s practice blends Narrative, Cognitive, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy with Internal Family Systems, somatic strategies, and social-constructivist frameworks. He fosters a person-centered, strengths-based environment that supports self-efficacy, mindfulness, and creative expression as tools for emotional regulation and personal empowerment.
A graduate of Yorkville University’s Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program, Jamieson also holds a B.A. in Counselling Psychology and a B.F.A. with honours in Music from York University. His journey into psychotherapy began through community outreach and the arts—where he witnessed firsthand the role of creativity in processing emotion, accessing inner wisdom, and building supportive networks.
As a faculty member at the Becoming Institute, Jamieson brings his interdisciplinary lens and lived experience into the classroom, inspiring students to cultivate clinical intuition, cultural humility, and authenticity. His work reflects a commitment to accessibility, liberation, and healing that is both personal and collective.
Chantal Gray, MSW, RSW
Faculty, Becoming Institute | Co-Founder & Clinical Director, Winrose Oasis Counselling Services
Specialization: Trauma-Informed Practice, Child & Family Therapy, Cultural Healing & Intergenerational Care
Chantal Gray is a Registered Social Worker, clinical leader, and community healer with a decade of experience supporting individuals and families through trauma-informed, culturally responsive care. She is the Co-Founder and Clinical Director of Winrose Oasis Counselling Services, a private practice dedicated to holistic wellness, intergenerational healing, and mental health empowerment.
Chantal’s practice is rooted in the belief that every individual carries innate strengths that, when nurtured in the right environment, can guide their healing and growth. She works with children, youth, adults, and families, drawing on a diverse toolkit that includes cognitive behavioural therapy, trauma counselling, play therapy, and EMDR. Whether supporting clients through anxiety, grief, life transitions, or systemic stressors, she brings gentleness, clinical depth, and unwavering compassion.
A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Master of Social Work program and a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, Chantal integrates over a decade of experience in schools, healthcare, nonprofit, and private practice settings. She is also a skilled group facilitator, program developer, and clinical supervisor.
As a faculty member with the Becoming Institute, Chantal is passionate about mentoring emerging practitioners. Her teaching emphasizes empathy, advocacy, and cultural humility as foundational to ethical and effective care. Outside of her clinical and academic work, she is an author of children’s literature and a speaker on community wellness, mental health equity, and the power of culturally rooted healing.
Dr. Joan Samuels-Dennis, Ph.D., RN
Founder, The Becoming Institute | Creator of The Becoming Method®
Specialization: Trauma Recovery, Epigenetics, Systems Change, and Holistic Mental Health
Dr. Joan Samuels-Dennis is a visionary nurse–psychotherapist, educator, and thought leader transforming the landscape of mental health and trauma recovery in Canada. With over 25 years of experience spanning public health, psychotherapy, and systems design, she brings a uniquely integrative approach to healing—one that bridges science, spirituality, and social justice.
As the founder of The Becoming Institute and the developer of The Becoming Method®, Dr. Joan has created Canada’s first RN–Psychotherapist Credentialing Program and a full suite of trauma-informed training programs that equip nurses and allied professionals with the tools to lead in clinical practice, community mental health, and intergenerational healing.
Her work centers on uncovering the roots of trauma—biological, psychological, generational, and spiritual—and developing pathways to healing that are evidence-based, culturally responsive, and soul-aligned. She is known for translating complex clinical concepts into accessible, compassionate frameworks that empower both practitioners and clients to reclaim their voice, their wholeness, and their place in community.
Dr. Joan is a powerful advocate for interprofessional collaboration, regulatory clarity, and educational equity within nursing and psychotherapy. Her approach is grounded, bridge-building, and driven by a deep belief in the potential of every individual to heal and lead. She is widely recognized for her ability to create programs and systems that not only transform lives, but reshape the future of care in Canada.
Ruth Bingham, MSW, RSW
Faculty, Becoming Institute | Co-Founder, Winrose Oasis Counselling Services
Specialization: Intergenerational Trauma, Faith-Integrated Healing, Women’s Emotional Wellness
Ruth Bingham is a Registered Social Worker, wellness advocate, and co-founder of Winrose Oasis Counselling Services. With over a decade of experience supporting individuals, families, and communities, Ruth is known for her spiritually grounded, culturally affirming approach to trauma recovery and emotional healing.
Her work focuses on helping clients navigate the impacts of intergenerational trauma, spiritual disconnection, life transitions, and relational challenges. Ruth blends mainstream clinical methods—including cognitive behavioural therapy, brief solution-focused therapy, and narrative approaches—with holistic and faith-integrated healing traditions. Her practice is deeply person-centered and strengths-based, emphasizing the restoration of dignity, self-worth, and inner peace.
Ruth holds a Master of Social Work degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and brings expertise in anxiety, depression, grief, parenting, self-esteem, and Christian counselling. She has a special passion for supporting midlife women and individuals seeking meaning, purpose, and authentic connection.
In her role as faculty at the Becoming Institute, Ruth offers students a rare blend of clinical wisdom, spiritual insight, and cultural responsiveness. Whether teaching, counselling, or speaking publicly, she is dedicated to restoring hope and cultivating wholeness—body, mind, and spirit—through grounded, compassionate care.
This isn’t just training—it’s transformation.
🏅 Transcend Traditional Talk Therapy
Move beyond symptom management and guide clients through lasting trauma resolution.
🧰 Expand Your Treatment Toolkit
Offer more than insight and coping skills—bring powerful modalities that unlock healing at the root.
📈 Improve Client Outcomes
Help clients shift deeply held patterns, reconnect with self-worth, and sustain meaningful change.
💡 Gain Confidence in Complex Sessions
Navigate emotional intensity with clarity, presence, and attunement.
🧠 Faster Relief from Trauma Symptoms
Clients often experience breakthrough results in 3–7 sessions.
🪞 Freedom from Shame, Fear & False Beliefs
Help clients uncover root causes—and rewrite their internal narrative.
🧭 Stronger Sense of Self & Purpose
Support clients in reclaiming their identity, intuition, and inner peace.
🔗 A Safer, More Trusting Therapeutic Relationship
Ground your sessions in authenticity, empathy, and deep listening.
🔥 Renew Your Passion
Rediscover the heart of your calling—and fall in love with your work again.
🤝 Build a Like-Minded Community
Join a network of compassionate professionals committed to holistic healing and social change.
🛡️ Strengthen Your Resilience
Develop the self-awareness and tools to sustain this work without burning out.
🌍 Expand Your Reach and Impact
Position yourself as a trauma recovery leader in your workplace, community—and beyond.
🎓 3-Day Trauma Recovery Training
Aug. 20–22, 2025 | Brampton, ON
Total Tuition:
💰 $1,249 CAD
Includes:
✅36 Continuing Education Credits
✅In-Person Faculty-Led Training
✅All Training Materials
✅ Certificate of Completion
✅ Breakfast & Lunch
Enroll now✅ Register by May 31, 2025
Your registration fee will be waived—Only $1,100 CAD total investment.
Use code EARLYBIRD149 to get early bird discount
This 3-day intensive is designed to deepen clinical insight and expand your therapeutic toolkit with evidence-informed, trauma-responsive practices. The course explores key elements of psychotherapeutic care—such as Safe and Effective Use of Self (SEUS), emotional presence, and ethical attunement—through hands-on training, guided reflection, and community learning.
Whether you’re building capacity for trauma recovery, pursuing a deeper connection to your work, or preparing for future credentialing, the Becoming Method® offers a clear, structured approach to healing and client support.
Join Us: Aug. 20–22, 2025 | Brampton, ON
Early Bird Tuition: $1,100 until May 31
36 Professional Development Hours
Certificate Awarded: Upon Successful Completion
Use code EARLYBIRD149 to get early bird discount
The 3-Day Retreat does not grant CRPO registration or insurance billing privileges. However, it offers foundational training in reflective practice and emotional presence—skills commonly associated with Safe and Effective Use of Self (SEUS), a principle emphasized in psychotherapy regulation.
The 12-month certification program builds on this foundation with structured courses and clinical practicum hours designed to support regulated professionals in advancing their trauma-informed care practice. While the program is not currently recognized by CRPO, we are engaged in ongoing dialogue with regulators to explore appropriate pathways for future alignment.
Next Cohort: Aug. 20-22
Use code EARLYBIRD149 to get early bird discount
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Introduction to Psychotherapy
Mindful Fitness: SelfHealing Practices for Psychotherapists
Forgiveness & Holistic Trauma Recovery
Ubuntu: African & Indigenous Ways of Knowing & Being
Introduction to Psychotherapy
Mindful Fitness: SelfHealing Practices for Psychotherapists
Forgiveness & Holistic Trauma Recovery
Ubuntu: African & Indigenous Ways of Knowing & Being
Every contribution makes a difference! Your support helps provide scholarships, resources, and opportunities for students to succeed. Together, we can transform lives and create a future of healing and empowerment.
Dr. Joan Samuels-Dennis,
Dean, School of Psychotherapeutic Innovations
Becoming Institute Inc
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