Empowering Social Change Through Sport
Sports provides the universal appeal to address, heal, and uplift.
Empowering Social Change Through Sport
Sports provides the universal appeal to address, heal, and uplift.
Your league’s athletic wellbeing and performance expert
Change Starts Here
We provide personalized social work services to sports teams and athletes. Our mission is to support the mental, emotional, and social well-being of individuals involved in sports. We offer counseling, team building, and resource referrals to help players, coaches, and staff navigate the unique challenges of the sports industry. With our expertise and compassionate approach, we strive to create a positive and fulfilling sports experience for all.
SPORTS ARE AT THE HEART OF A HEALTHY AND THRIVING COMMUNITY
Core Values
Integrity
Inclusivity
Integrity
Uncompromising adherence to strong morals and ethics that demonstrate inherent respect for the worth of the person and the importance of relationships.
Humility
Inclusivity
Integrity
Honouring the unconditional positive regard that each person deserves as they navigate various stages of development and spaces in which they co-exist with others in reaching their own unique achievements.
Inclusivity
Inclusivity
Inclusivity
Creating spaces where all individuals are welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to be able to participate fully and meaningful in sport.
Respect
Resiliency
Inclusivity
Supporting the dignity and integrity that exists in every individual within their community as a means of enhancing human development and connection.
Resiliency
Resiliency
Resiliency
Supporting the growth and achievement of players coaches, teams, and families through times of adversity and challenge.
Conflict Resolution
Conflicts often arise on sports teams due to factors that may not be immediately apparent to players, coaches, or parents. These challenges can stem from differences in socioeconomic status, race, ability, age, gender, trauma, and other influences that may not be apparent to all parties. Our approach focuses on fostering understanding, equity, and collaboration to empower teams to build stronger connections, resolve conflicts, and thrive both on and off the field.
Social workers possess a deep understanding of the complex societal processes that impact a person’s ability to engage meaningfully in their pursuits. With strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills, we navigate these dynamics with sensitivity and precision. By combining holistic and anti-oppressive practices, social workers bring a unique perspective to athletic wellness and sports mediation, ensuring every team member feels valued and supported.
Social workers are skilled at moving conversations forward, addressing root issues, and fostering productive dialogue and resolution. This ability to engage all parties and tackle conflicts at their core distinguishes the work of an anti-oppressive practitioner—offering insights and strategies that extend beyond traditional psychological or coaching frameworks.
About Sarah
About
Sarah grew up in Toronto, Ontario, and graduated with distinction from the University of Western Ontario, where she studied social work, psychology, and sociology, with a dedicated focus on child development and family systems. She has worked in a variety of community and medical settings, accumulating extensive experience supporting children and families facing adversity.
Sarah completed her graduate degree at York University in Toronto, one of Canada's most socially progressive academic institutions. During her studies, she was awarded a full scholarship for academic excellence. As an anti-oppressive practitioner, Sarah is committed to supporting individuals from all backgrounds with dignity and respect.
Sarah completed her clinical graduate training (practicum) at St. Michael's Hospital in downtown Toronto, where she worked closely with pediatric patients and their families. During this time, Sarah authored a research paper on trauma and attachment disorders in children (York University) and conducted research on sensory processing disorders (St. Michael's Hospital).
After earning her master's degree, Sarah relocated to Alberta and joined Alberta Health Services as a medical social worker. With over 20 years of experience in both medical and mental health settings, she has worked on the frontlines in numerous departments, including emergency, psychiatry, intensive care, palliative care, medicine, surgery, maternity/pediatrics, and cancer care. These roles deepened her understanding of the unique challenges children and families face during health crises.
Working in rural and isolated communities has allowed Sarah to develop a diverse skill set and unique ability to navigate any complex psycho-social situation with ease.
Sarah has served as a capacity assessor for the Government of Alberta and is trained in neurodevelopmental assessments and diagnoses. This training enables her to identify and address developmental delays and learning disabilities in children. She is dedicated to promoting healthy attachments and resilience, providing evidence-based strategies to parents and caregivers to support their children's emotional and psychological well-being.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarah transitioned to an outpatient clinic, where she worked as a pediatric rehabilitation social worker. Sarah also moved into corporate health care, and was recruited by Telus Health.
In addition, Sarah is a private consultant and independent contractor for various businesses and government agencies across Canada. She collaborates with a medical director and a team of physicians to provide specialized psychotherapy, addressing complex psycho-social needs. Her skills/ expertise in optimizing performance and wellness are models of care utilized in the specialized hormonal health and wellness clinics that she co-facilitates with a sports medicine physician.
Her training in a variety of therapeutic modalities—such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT-skills), Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI)—complements her strong foundation in healthcare and medical rehabilitation. This expertise allows her to effectively support young clients through their unique challenges.
Sarah has also contributed to the academic community as a full-time faculty member, teaching post-secondary courses in social work and childhood studies.
Beyond her clinical and academic roles, Sarah is deeply involved in her local sports community. She works as a mentor and provides support to various sporting associations and promotes mental well-being and resilience among young athletes. She works with teams to address conflicts and behavioral issues, offering strategies to foster healthy dynamics and effective communication.
Through her work with coaches and community organizations, Sarah helps create supportive environments that enhance both individual and team performance while prioritizing mental health.
With her broad educational background, diverse professional experience, and commitment to continuous learning, Sarah is well-equipped to guide children and their families on their wellness journeys. She approaches her work with empathy, a nonjudgmental attitude, and a high degree of adaptability, ensuring a transparent and genuine therapeutic relationship.
Outside of her professional work, Sarah is a proud mother of three active children, who participate in both house league and competitive sports. Passionate about creating positive, supportive environments for children and families, she strives to foster spaces where both mental health and athletic development can thrive.
Collaborations
University of Calgary Sports Medicine/ Family Medicine
University of Alberta Sports Medicine/ Family Medicine
Professional Registrations
Copyright © 2024 Sarah Heagy | Athletic Wellbeing & Performance Specialist - All Rights Reserved.
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