About Deborah Levine

Deborah Levine

Education:

  • PhD Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto

  • MSW Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto

  • MA Cinema Studies, New York University

  • BA English, New York University

  • Certificate in Group Psychotherapy, Ontario Group Psychotherapy Association, Toronto

  • Certificate in Mind-Body Medicine, Harvard Medical School

  • Graduate, Toronto Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis (Academic Stream)

My Master of Social Work thesis entailed analysis of videotaped sessions of group therapy with individuals experiencing alcoholism. While completing my MSW I wrote and directed several training tools for educators, on drug and alcohol addiction among women. My early clinical experience included working with addictions and working in a health centre within a multicultural community.

While studying for my doctorate, I was a social worker at the University of Toronto Psychiatric Service, a counseling service for students at the University. I worked with individuals and couples and led groups.

In my doctoral dissertation I examined the emotional processing capacities of individuals

Employment

After receiving my PhD I was employed as a social worker for 27 years at the University of Toronto Psychiatric Service, where I provided individual and group therapy. Students sought help for a wide range of difficulties and struggles, including depression, anxiety, phobias, eating disorders, bereavement, sexual problems and relationship issues. In addition, I provided supervision to social work students and psychiatry residents. For 6 of these years, I was seconded to be the clinical supervisor of “Counseline”, a joint project among the University of Toronto Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, Health and Wellness, and the Faculty of Arts and Science Undergraduate Colleges. This position entailed providing supervision to master’s level social work students who offered cyber and face-to-face counseling to University of Toronto undergraduate students.

I have maintained a private practice in psychotherapy for over 30 years, in which I see individuals and couples.

Memberships

  • Ontario Association of Social Workers

  • Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

  • Toronto Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis

  • International Association of Relational Psychoanalysis

  • The American Psychological Association – Division 39; Psychoanalysis