A Bit About Me Bio & More

Seeking help is the first important step. It takes courage and effort, but you don't have to go through it alone. Trauma and challenging thoughts can make you feel isolated, but together, we can find solutions and develop resources. You can look forward to unlocking your potential and developing your strengths.

Chris Haney

Clinical Social Worker/Therapist, RSW, MSW

My name is Chris Haney. I am located on Treaty 1 Territory in Manitoba, Canada. As well, the birthplace of the Manitoba Metis Federation, which I am a proud member of. I received my Masters of Social Work from the University of Manitoba in 2018, and have been a proud member of the College of Manitoba Social Workers since 2016. I have been practicing as a therapist for over 5 years, and I have had the pleasure of working in a variety of clinical settings. I have received training in EMDR, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Trauma Sensitive Yoga, Play Therapy, Attachment Focused Family Therapy, and Theraplay.

Meet Chris

Licensed by Province of Manitoba / 2444
Licensed by Province of Manitoba / 2444
In Practice for 9 Years
In Practice for 9 Years
Certificate from Center for Trauma & Embodiment of JRI
Certificate from Center for Trauma & Embodiment of JRI

How Can I Help

I have been practicing social work for over ten years, with five of those years focused on direct therapy. Through my experience, I've come to appreciate the significance of the body-mind connection in our daily lives. During times of distress, whether temporary or chronic, we often disconnect from this vital connection.

This break in our body-mind connection can lead to further pain and suffering. Our emotions can overwhelm us, and in an attempt to control them, we often ruminate on our thoughts. This distress can result in symptoms like anxiety, depression, and addiction.

However, if we can find ways to maintain our body-mind connection even in moments of distress, we open the door to numerous possibilities, including acceptance, taking action, seeking support from others, and building resources. I've achieved success in strengthening this connection through the use of therapies like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness practices, and trauma-informed yoga.

At times, traumatic memories can disrupt our body-mind connection. Unprocessed memories tend to resurface repeatedly, overwhelming our thoughts and emotions. EMDR, using Bilateral Eye Stimulation similar to REM sleep, helps diminish the impact of these memories. It provides closure to memories causing pain and suffering. EMDR is supported by research and has been proven to bring relief to those living with trauma.

My Story & My Passion for Helping Others

For this question, I turn to Kristen Neff, the author of 'Self Compassion,' who connects two essential concepts: self-compassion and compassion for others. These ideas are closely intertwined. The very essence of compassion is to 'suffer with,' a universal human experience. We all have our imperfections and vulnerabilities. When I've faced pain and suffering, I initially tend to feel isolated, different, ashamed, and defective.

However, when I choose to connect with others, I discover commonality, realizing I'm not alone. It's through shared experiences of fear and shame that I find strength. My passion for helping others ultimately stems from the understanding that our fundamental need for connection empowers us to reach our 'full potential' and lead fulfilling lives."

Life Outside the Office

I always try to maintain a balanced life, I often look at Dan Siegel’s mind platter as a reference point (some components include focus time, play time, connecting time, physical time, down time, and sleep time). It’s always a work in progress for me. However, I do notice when one component is lacking; I feel it. In particular, sleep, exercise, and family are often the ones that I turn to the most during difficult times

What issues do you prefer to focus on, overall/high level:

Trauma/PTSD
Addiction
Anxiety
Depression