About Brittany Orav-Lakaski

 I am a Registered Social Worker in Good Standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW). I completed a Master of Social Work from McGill University, and a Master of Arts in Sociology from McMaster University.

Originally from Ontario, I currently live in Sydney, Cape Breton with my partner and enjoy showing visitors all that Nova Scotia has to offer. In my free time you can find me at the gym, in the woods, or in my kitchen baking something sweet.

How I Work

Our relationship is the most central part of our work together. My clients have shared that I bring genuine curiosity, non-judgement, and compassion to our work. Your pace is your own. Whether you know exactly what you want to focus on, or are feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of therapy, we’ll work together to determine the best way forward. 

My work is trauma-informed, which means I work from the understanding that our life experiences shape how we relate to ourselves and the world, and from this place can come tremendous growth and healing. As a social worker I consider the “whole picture”, that is, all of the systems you are a part of (for instance your relationships, your work, your community, your identity, and our larger social structures). Together we can explore how habits and patterns that may have previously been beneficial may no longer be working for you, and build on the strengths you already possess.

My practice works diligently to be anti-racist and anti-oppressive, a process which I consider life-long and ever-evolving. I am an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, and am a part of the Health At Every Size (HAES) movement. Ultimately, I believe in the dignity and rights inherent in all individuals regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, status, weight, or lifestyle choice.   

Clinical Approach

I work primarily using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and the trauma reprocessing therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which has demonstrated effectiveness in treating PTSD and other mental health concerns. Throughout this work I often use mindfulness, somatic exercises, and guided imagery to support increasing an individual’s capacity to sit with difficult inner experiences and live the life they imagined for themselves. I also draw on other therapies when indicated, including Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy.