Why Us?

Shawna Paris-Hoyte

O.N.S., QC, MSW, RSW

Shawna is in the business of changing and shaping lives. The service she provides to her clients is aimed at providing a holistic approach to solving some of the most significant challenges in family-related matters for children, youth, adults, and families.

 

Qualifications

  • Degrees include: B.A., B.SW, LLB (JD), and MSW 

  • Master in Social Work ( Family and Children)

  • Law degree

  • Currently a PhD student in Social Work ( Trauma specialty).

  • Certificate in Mediation 

  • Certificate in Forensic Social Work

  • Certificate in Legal Aspects of Health Administration

  • Certificate in Community Development.

  • Collaborative Family Law
  • Forensics And Trauma Speciality

Experience

Shawna Paris-Hoyte is a well known and reputable practising lawyer and Queens Council with twenty-six years of legal practice in: family law, youth justice, criminal law; and administrative law(human rights). As a clinical social worker Shawna has fifteen years in mental health and addictions within a hospital environment and for an international ESP. As a social justice advocate and educator, Shawna teaches clinical law practice, cross-cultural studies, law and social work, social work and diversity in Canada, human development and environments, as well as, field practice.  

Licenses

  • Nova Scotia Barristers Society – Practicing Lawyer since 1995

  • NS College of Social Workers -Private Practice since 2004

  • NOFSW – Member since 2013

  • FDRIO – Member since 2016

  • Certificate in Forensic Social Work.
 

  • Canadian Assoc of Social Work Education since 2016

  • Certificate in Mediation

Clinical Skills

Clinical – Psychotherapy

Specialities: * Trauma * Anxiety * Depression 

Issues:  crisis intervention, school and social anxiety, life transitions, suicidal ideation, coping, relationship, couples counselling, parent & child conflict, domestic violence and abuse, grief, self-esteem.

Mental Health: mood disorders, personality disorders.

Treatment Approach: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Theraphy (DBT), Mindfulness-based (MBCT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-focused Therapy (SFT), Relational therapy, Trauma-focused.

Assessments: Consultation on Race and Culture reports, parental capacity, access reports and child wishes statements. 

Modality: in person – individuals and group.

Lawyer/ Mediator

 

Twenty-six years practise in Family Law, Child Protection Law, Criminal Law, Youth Justice Law and Human Rights. 

*Appear at all levels of court and tribunals including the Supreme Court of Canada ( R. v. L.T.H. SCC, 2008). 

*Trial Consultant: specific to issues of race and culture, trial prep, relevant assessments and reports. 

*Assessments: cultural competency consulting on Impact of Race and Culture reports, parental capacity assessments, access reports and child wishes statements. 

*Clinical Instructor – third-year law students in the above-noted areas of practice. 

*Adjudicator/Chair –Residential Tenancies Board, Assessment Appeal Court, Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act Board.

*Mediator/ Conflict Resolution – Child welfare cases, family matters, community relations, workplace conflict, parent-child conflict. 

Consultant

 

*Correctional Services program development for staff and inmates.

*Community Reintegration Programming.

*Trial Consultation specific to race and culture cases.

*Consultation with lawyers and social workers on family and criminal court reports and assessments specific to race and culture. 

*Forensic Social Work consultation. 

*Policy Development. 

*Education and Curriculum Development in Social Work.