Juanita Paris

Juanita Paris

She is a registered and licensed Social Worker (RSW) who holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology and a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Dalhousie University. She is currently preparing to complete her Clinical Specialist license with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. She also holds a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Canada Christian College and is a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) candidate at Acadia Divinity College, where she is in her final year of completing her thesis on promoting awareness of Black cultural competency in the healthcare field.

She serves on several EDIRA and Equity Committees with both the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre. Through her committee work with the IWK Health Centre, she has collaborated on co-creating policy changes related to employment equity, racial equity, and the development of a respectful workplace policy.

Her professional experience spans over 36 years across multiple specialized areas. She is skilled in probation and parole, crisis intervention, and abuse investigations, and holds certifications in diversity and hiring practices. Her career has included roles as a Case Manager at the Workers’ Compensation Board, a Clerical Manager at a staffing placement agency, and a Case Manager in Adult and Child Protection services.

For the past 19 years, she has developed extensive expertise in Mental Health and Addictions at the IWK Health Centre, working with diverse youth, complex children, and families experiencing trauma and mental health challenges. She has also served as an Access Navigator at the IWK and as a Diversity Workforce Advisor on a federally funded anti-racism project.

As part of this work, she was a featured speaker at a federally funded Knowledge Event aimed at improving access to healthcare for Indigenous and African Nova Scotians. Alongside her team, she co-created a Diversity Census and a five-year Anti-Racist Action Plan. She also contributed to the development of a learning module titled “Uncovering Unconscious Bias while Promoting Anti-Racist Hiring in the Workplace.”

She has worked as a Wellness Navigator with the Sisterhood program at the Nova Scotia Health Authority and currently serves as a Healthcare Social Worker with Dalhousie Family Medicine at NSHA. She is deeply committed to social justice, with a focused interest in supporting marginalized and racialized communities to achieve optimal health outcomes.

She has participated as both a moderator and panelist on social justice panels sponsored by the Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers and was a guest speaker at Acadia University during African Heritage Month in 2024.

Driven by a strong commitment to equity, she strives to foster inclusive opportunities for priority groups and to challenge systemic racism and discrimination. Her work is grounded in promoting equity, belonging, and the empowerment of individuals to reach their full potential.

She is a licensed and registered Social Worker in Nova Scotia with the NSCSW and also holds a remote Social Work license in Ontario through the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, supporting her private practice. Through her private practice, including services offered via Psychology Today, she provides remote counselling to Ontario residents.

Her counselling services address trauma, intergenerational trauma, and various forms of abuse, including sexual, physical, spiritual, emotional, mental, and psychological abuse, as well as human trafficking, rehabilitation, pre- and post-pregnancy support, and couples counselling. As a licensed and registered Evangelist, she can also incorporate Christian counselling into her practice upon client request.

She currently serves as an Assessor with the African Nova Scotia Justice Institute, preparing Impact of Race and Cultural Assessments (IRCA) for Black individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

Above all, she is committed to amplifying Black voices and elevating those who have historically been unheard, advocating for justice, equity, and meaningful, positive change.