"From Passion to Profession: Embracing my Social Work"

Hello!

I am so happy you are here with me as I embark on this new endeavor. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Stephanie DiBiase and I am a Registered Social Worker. If I am being honest, my journey to get here has not been linear, but one thing I know for sure is that I am appreciative of everything I have learned and the people I have met along the way.

My fascination with all things mental health started just over ten years ago when I began my studies in Psychology. After I finished my degree I was determined to land myself a job in the field, so I pursued a certificate in Concurrent Disorders. This is where my career began. Over the next 10 years I gained frontline experience working in numerous roles from detox facilities, to crisis centres and for a long time, community case management. This work was fulfilling and a huge part of my professional journey, but ultimately, I knew my heart was set on clinical work. I wanted to be a therapist and I was not going to give up. I applied and completed my Master of Social Work in 2021 and have been a practicing psychotherapist ever since.

To say the past five years have been "busy" would be an understatement. Along with completing my graduate degree, I entered motherhood. I am sure some of you can relate when I say that this chapter of my life has been undoubtedly the most rewarding and challenging. For me, this transition was beyond difficult. I experienced firsthand the gaps in services related to maternal mental health (not to mention becoming a new mom at the height of a global pandemic).

As I move into this new year, my goal is to combine my love for mental health and motherhood. In honor of my commitment to continuing competency, I am going to invest my efforts into learning more about perinatal mental health and wellbeing. I am confident that learning more about maternal mental health will benefit me, both personally and professionally.

If you have read this far, thanks for following along!

Stay well,

Stephanie