Maria (Evelyn) Jovel-Rollins- Clinical Licensed Social Worker (OCSWSSW)

 Evelyn Jovel-Rollins’ Experience

I have been working since 2014 in different supportive settings providing need services, counselling, and therapy to clients from different backgrounds. These settings include private counselling practices, health centres, hospitals, community centres, and post-secondary student services. These opportunities have increased my knowledge, compassion, and desire to make this world a better place for those in need and want to achieve their goals, or are interested in having a balanced life.

Throughout my practice, I have been working with individuals 18 + and couples providing them with a range of mental health and wellness services to help along their journey to recovery.

 Evelyn’s Philosophy Training

My training is based on various theoretical approaches, Including Problem-Solving, the Strengths Perspective, Anti-Oppressive practice, and System Theory.

My interest in studying a career to work in the helping profession started early in my life. At first, my interest and goal was to become a family doctor and then specialize in psychiatry. I enjoyed biology and science classes. However, many barriers prevented me from pursuing my MD goal. Then, I got married and became a mother; this led me to become interested in human behaviour. In 2005, I started taking psychology, mental health, and addiction classes. Then, I obtained a certificate in psychology and another in mental health and addiction at TMU (Ryerson University). My interest in social work started here.

I want to highlight the words of a professor I will forever be grateful to; he was my professor in a class I took to complete my psychology certificate. In his last email, he stated, “Congratulations, you got a good mark, I wish you success in your further education goals…” At that time, I was giving up on my educational goals and had family issues that I was no longer able to ignore. I sat and reflected on the words of this email and the challenges I was going through; I found comfort and encouragement in the email words. I began believing in myself again. That night, I started applying for the social work program at TMU. I received my acceptance letter for the program in less than a month. I am grateful for the angels in my educational journey.

Since 2014, I have been working in community and health centres . After, I completed my MSW, I continue studying and done various training to enhance my clinical knowledge and therapeutic skills. In Aug 2022, I started a virtual private practice, where I provide psychotherapy/counselling services for individuals and couples. This work has been fulfilling for me, and I’m happy to help others to overcome their transitory challenges.

I will forever be grateful to all my professors who encouraged me to continue my education and those teaching me throughout my career. They have been a great inspiration for me. I learned that when we provide a genuine service through our work, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those we serve.