Terra Yott, MSW, RSW
I am a single mother of three spirited young adults who have been the inspiration for my studies and work. My grandson, nieces and nephew fuel my zest for life and wonder for the world.
When I'm not at my desk, I'm often lost in an adventure somewhere in nature — exploring, learning, laughing with my friends, or saying yes to something spontaneous. On quieter days, you'll find me on long walks with my dog Kona or working around my home.
With family ties to the home of my heart, Cape Breton, I proudly identify with my Mi’kmaq ancestry, and am actively immersed in culture, history, and tradition with strong connections to my community in Niagara.
My love and deep respect for land-based knowledge and health is foundational to the work I do with others as they rediscover a life worth living.
“Everyone deserves to feel good about who they are.”
Onaubinisay, Elder James Dumont
I approach health and wellbeing from an Indigenous worldview as a Wholistic Practitioner, which means I consider all aspects of physical, mental, emotional, spiritual health, family/collective histories, culture, lifestyle, food and nutrition in my practice.
My Work with OCD, Anxiety & Trauma
I've worked in mental health for over 15 years, and for the past 6 years my practice has focused specifically on OCD, PTSD, and related anxiety disorders. Through extensive specialized training and ongoing clinical consultation in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Prolonged Exposure (PE), I've had the privilege of helping hundreds of people — from those struggling with intrusive thoughts, relationship OCD, checking, “Pure O,” health anxiety, and panic, to those living with the lasting impact of trauma. I know how isolating these experiences can feel, and I've seen how much life opens up when people learn to respond differently to fear.
Social Work Education & Credentials
I earned my Master of Social Work degree with Gold Medal Honours from Wilfrid Laurier University, combining Western mainstream studies with an advanced standing concentration in Indigenous Focused Social Work. I also hold certificates in Addictions, Trauma, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and have completed professional development in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Expressive Arts Therapy, Domestic Violence Risk Assessment and Management, and Sexual Violence training.
I also hold undergraduate degrees from Brock University in Sociology, Women’s and Gender Studies, and Indigenous Adult Education, where I received the Dean’s Medal.
I am a licensed member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, as well as with the Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador Colleges for electronic service provision.
Homeopathic Medicine
I graduated with Honours from the Ontario College of Homeopathic Medicine, followed by a comprehensive internship and advanced clinical training in Mumbai, India and Tanzania, Africa, and continuing professional education with leaders in the field. My clinical focus in homeopathy has been disease prevention and mental health.
Nutrition
Mental health and preventative health strategies — including nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle — have long been an area of special interest for me. I completed advanced nutrition education through the Edison Institute of Natural Nutrition and continue to pursue professional education in evidence-based nutrition with leading medical experts.
