Helen Stirling (Bzdel) BA, MSW, RSW(SK), RCAT, DVATI, CLL-E
Laffing Out Loud Lafter with Helen
Certified Laughter Leader – Expert Level Practitioner
Canadian trainer for World Laughter Tour
Registered Social Worker, Registered Art Therapist
Approved Mental Health Therapist with Indigenous Services Canada
EAP Provider
Helen is a mental health professional, Certified Art Therapist, Certified Laughter Leader and Certified Laughter Yoga Leader. Helen has been a Social Worker for over two decades and she has worked as a Clinical Social Worker for much of this time.
Helen reports that becoming a Certified Laughter Leader is one of the best choices she ever made. Helen believes strongly in practicing self-care and loves to share the benefits of therapeutic laughter and humour in order to help people reduce their stress and enjoy life more fully. She finds sharing laughter with others to be very rewarding and wants to share this wonderful experience with as many people as she possibly can. Helen is open to any requests she receives about presenting on the benefits of laughter and is particularly interested in how laughter positively affects people with anxiety and mood disorders, as well as addictions.
Helen is the Canadian Trainer for World Laughter Tour and trains Certified Laughter Leaders.
Interests
Helen enjoys reading, being creative, learning new things/continuing education, laughing, knitting, scrapbooking and card making, as well as spending time with family and friends. Helen has been involved in teaching therapeutic laughter groups and giving presentations on the many benefits of laughter since December of 2007. Helen volunteered as a Social Work Mentor at the SWITCH (Student Wellness Initiative Toward Community Health) Clinic in the Westside Community Clinic from its inception until January, 2010. Helen was a volunteer member of Saskatoon Search and Rescue from February, 2009 until December, 2011 and was their Clinical Consultant.
Helen also has her own private counselling practice - "
A Life's Journey Counselling & Art Therapy".
Helen completed her Advanced Diploma in Art Therapy at Vancouver Art Therapy Institute in October, 2016 and has added art therapy services to her private practice.
Helen is an affiliated member of the following Professional Organizations:
- World Laughter Tour
- Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers
- Canadian Art Therapy Association
Products/Services offered:
- Keynotes, Workshops, Retreats, and Break-out sessions on the topics of Humour & Health; Humour & Mental Health; Humour & Therapy; Humour & Happiness; and Self-Care through Humour.
- Presentations on the benefits of laughter to Mental Health and Addictions facilities
- Certified Therapeutic Laughter Clubs/Circles (in affiliation with World Laughter Tour)
- Therapeutic laughter, wellness, team building sessions/presentations for:
- First Nations communities
- Counselling agencies
- Major corporations
- Schools, Technical schools, Colleges, and University
- Mental health professionals
- Teachers and professors
- Federal offenders in a prison setting
- Women’s homeless shelter
- Seniors groups
- People who have sustained a brain injury
- Various support groups such as caregivers of people involved in Home Hemodialysis, caregivers of people living with a mental illness or physical disability, caregivers of people fighting and or survivors of cancer, etc.
- Informal groups such as bridal showers, women's splurge groups, birthday parties, etc.
** This is only a sampling. Please check the Laff Log page for a comprehensive list of groups that have benefitted from Helen's services and programs. **
Laughter Group at SARBI