Well-being

Shannon Gendron, 2SLGBTQ+ Psychotherapist
(they/she)

As a lover of inner worlds and imagination, Shannon draws upon creativity, curiosity, and breath to explore and nourish the many dynamics of Self and befriend the nervous system. With background in Gender Studies, Shannon infuses their integrative Gender-Affirming care with trauma-informed Queer theory, social justice, and deep reverence for the glory of gender, sexual, and relational diversity. Shannon honours authenticity in herself, others, and the therapeutic relationship. With a first language in metaphor and a second language in laughter, Shannon is passionate about and devoted to creating a therapeutic space for self-compassion, meaning-making, and Queer Joy.

Shannon works closely to promote Queer Magic and community with Yellow House and is the co-founder and co-facilitator of the gender diverse support group Gender Splendor and meditation guide with Queer Your Mind, a mindfulness based drop-in group. When not in the office, Shannon enjoys rich friendships with snails, Buddhist philosophy, introspecting, and writing angry poems against the patriarchy under candlelight.

To book an appointment with Shannon, call Student Wellness Services 613-533-2506 (8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday) or email counselling.services@queensu.ca and ask to book with Shannon by name.

For general inquiries, email: shg1@queensu.ca.

Lisa Doxtator, Cultural Counsellor, Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre
(she/her)

Lisa Doxtator is the cultural counsellor at Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre. She provides individual and group counselling as well as wellness and cultural programming for Indigenous students. Her therapy follows an integrative approach that includes Indigenous and Western pedagogies, while acknowledging and validating Indigenous Student's lived experiences and histories.

To book a counselling session with Lisa, contact her directly via email: lmd9@queensu.ca.

Erin Burns, Interfaith Chaplain and Director, Faith and Spiritual Life
(she/her)

Erin returned to Queen’s in her current role in January of 2022. Ordained in the United Church of Canada, Erin spent 15 years in congregational ministry with a focus on intergenerational connections, programming for Spiritual But Not Religious members, and education for herself and her community on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity, settler colonialism, and anti-Black racism, particularly around the role institutions have played in creating harm and upholding harmful systems.

Erin has always focused on community and connection. She enjoys working with students to explore how faith and spirituality adapt and change, and wrestling with how traditions and practices with ancient roots can hold relevancy and importance in modern times. In her work at Queen’s, she supports students in areas of meaning-making, the spiritual dimensions of mental health, identity, grief, relationships, family dynamics and vocation.

This year, you can find Erin engaging in Yellow House programming and supporting students through office hours, a textile circle, and responsive community events, where she is happy to chat about anything and everything from exam stress to faith and spirituality and share her love of knitting.

To book a session with Erin, contact her directly via email: chaplain@queensu.ca.

Black Therapist List. A directory and search engine for Black therapists in Canada.

Women of Colour Remake Wellness. A platform for resources, information and action steps to support diversity of Black, Indigenous and Women of Colour (BIWoC) in the health and wellness space. Includes a directory of BIWoC-identifying therapists.

Across Boundaries. Equitable, inclusive and holistic mental health and addiction services for racialized people across the Greater Toronto Area.

"The Four Bodies: A Holistic Toolkit for Coping With Racial Trauma". An online resource that provides key tools for dealing with racial trauma.

Rainbow Health Kingston. A general resource for 2SLGBTQ+ students in Ontario. Includes resources related to physical and mental health as well as Queer experiences person in Canada. Call 416-324-4100 or email info@rainbowhealthontario.ca.

Umbrella Mental Health Network. Compassionate care for 2SLGBTQ+ folx provided by Queer- and Trans-identifiying mental health support workers. Employs a sliding scale fees to pro bono (no charge) services. Call 647-687-6543 or email info@umhn.ca.