Benn Brisland, C.Y.W., M.S.W., R.S.W. (He/Him)

Benn Brisland is a Registered Social Worker and Child and Youth Worker with over 18 years of experience supporting children, youth, and adults across a wide range of mental health challenges, life transitions, and identity development. He has worked in hospital, community, and residential settings, and is passionate about helping individuals and families build resilience, foster self-understanding, and navigate life’s complexities with greater confidence. Benn is known for creating affirming, compassionate spaces where clients of all ages feel empowered, heard, and supported.

Benn’s work is collaborative, goal-oriented, and strengths-based. He partners with clients to explore underlying patterns, build on personal strengths, and experiment with new strategies to enhance resilience, confidence, and self-understanding. Drawing from training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and creative modalities, Benn adapts his approach to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual or family he supports.

Benn has particular expertise in working with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, with a deep commitment to supporting trans and gender-diverse individuals and their families. His approach centres clients as the experts in their own lives, honouring the strengths and lived experiences they bring to therapy. He strives to create an environment where diverse identities - 2SLGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and those with experiences of mental health, substance use, or addiction - are fully seen, valued, and supported.

From 2013 to 2025, Benn worked at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, most recently providing gender-affirming care to adults across Ontario. He is a WPATH-qualified provider of surgical assessments for individuals seeking Ontario Ministry of Health funding for gender-affirming surgeries. Benn also volunteers as a mental health counsellor at a summer camp for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and families in Washington State—an experience that continues to inspire his deep respect for the power of story, identity, and chosen family. Earlier in his career, he worked in therapeutic residential programs with youth navigating complex mental health and substance use challenges.

Outside of his clinical work, Benn is a passionate maker, often found sewing, knitting, or juggling multiple creative projects at once. He is also a proud parent of two energetic kiddos who fill his days with laughter, curiosity, and joy.