The Ripple Effect: Addiction in the Family
October 7 @ 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm EDT
Presenters
Michelle Nogueira RSSW, CAC II, CPGC, IGDC
Psychotherapist, Recovery Management Coordinator at The Residence at Homewood
Michelle Nogueira, is the Coordinator of the Recovery Management Program (RMP) at The Residence at Homewood. Registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, Michelle holds specialized certifications in gambling, gaming, and addictions. She is also a Certified Digital Wellness Educator, dedicated to promoting healthy technology use through mindfulness.
With nearly four decades of clinical experience, Michelle has witnessed the landscape of dependency shift—from traditional substance use to the modern complexities of behavioural addictions like gambling, gaming, and technology overuse. Despite these changes, the "ripple effect" on the family remains a constant. Rooted in the belief that addiction is a family journey, Michelle’s approach focuses on the power of guided support to repair trust, restore connections, and foster collective healing.
Beyond her clinical work, Michelle is a co-author of the book My Parents Aren’t NOOBS! and has been published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions. She shares her expertise as an Instructor at Wilfrid Laurier University, teaching courses on Relapse Prevention, Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP), and Behavioural Addictions. A seasoned speaker, Michelle has presented extensively on the intersection of substance use, behavioural addictions, and family dynamics at numerous professional forums throughout her career.
Sonia Waters RP, ICADC
Psychotherapist, Addiction Counsellor at The Residence at Homewood
Sonia Waters brings more than 25 years of experience in addictions and mental health care to her role as Addictions Counsellor at The Residence at Homewood. Sonia has worked with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences, supporting clients navigating substance use disorders, concurrent mental health concerns, relapse patterns, and the complexities of long-term recovery.
Known for her down-to-earth and approachable style, Sonia is highly regarded for her ability to build meaningful therapeutic relationships grounded in trust, honesty, and compassion. Clients often describe her approach as genuine, practical, and relatable, with a unique ability to help people feel understood while also challenging them to move forward in their recovery with accountability and hope.
Sonia works collaboratively with clients to develop individualized recovery plans that support not only sobriety, but overall emotional wellness, resilience, and sustainable lifestyle change. She draws from a variety of evidence-based and client-centred approaches, helping individuals better understand the underlying patterns connected to substance use while developing realistic tools for long-term recovery.
Sonia is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and an International Certified Alcohol & Drug Counsellor (ICADC). She is also a longstanding member of the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation. Her depth of clinical knowledge, combined with decades of frontline experience, has made her a respected member of the Homewood team and a trusted source of support for clients and families alike. Sonia remains deeply committed to helping individuals reconnect with themselves, rebuild their lives, and find lasting recovery.