Biography

Edward McAnanama is the Clinical Lead of the Psychology Department. He is an Occupational Therapist and Psychotherapist and a member of our Executive Health team who conducts comprehensive bio-psycho-social screening assessments for his patients. Mr. McAnanama has over 35 years of experience in the field. His career includes working in psychiatric emergency, geriatric psychiatry, working with families and couples living with illness or disability, and management roles in geriatric psychiatry and outpatient psychiatry. Clinically, in addition to his psychodynamic approach, he draws on his group therapy and couple/family therapy experience to bring a systems approach to his work with adults and older adults living with mood disorders (depression, persistent depressive disorder, or bipolar disorder). A systems approach recognizes that individuals are part of a couple and family system that are impacting and influencing each other. Thus, individual change yields change in a couple or family and vice versa. Emotionally Focused Therapy principles and techniques also guide his approach to couple and family therapy. He is an accredited trainer and supervisor in Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), an effective treatment for depression. For bipolar disorder he applies Interpersonal and Social Rhythm (IPSRT). Mr. McAnanama has trained psychology and psychiatry students in IPT and couples/family therapy in Ethiopia through the collaboration between University of Toronto and Addis Ababa University. He has trained and supervised psychotherapist in IPT internationally in the US, UK, and China (Zhengzhou). His teaching career includes a faculty position at Rush University in Chicago and instructor at the Chang School of Continuing Education of Toronto Metropolitan University.

Mr. McAnanama obtained a Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation in Occupational Therapy at the University of Manitoba Master of Education in Counselling Psychology at the University of Toronto, and Advanced Certificate in Couple and Family Therapy from the University of Guelph. His interest in Cognitive Science led him to complete a Master of Science and PhD in Medical Science from the University of Toronto where he investigated memory mechanisms in people living with schizophrenia.

To advance his skills, stay up to date with his field, and provide outstanding services to his patients, Mr. McAnanama has attended an extensive list of workshops, courses and training sessions. These courses include key topics, like grief, anxiety disorders, and relationship therapy.

He enjoys daytrips to the countryside and overnight visits to villages and small towns to discover the history and heritage of the region.

Education/Training

PhD

Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto
Medical Science
Toronto, ON

Master of Science

Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto
Medical Science
Toronto, ON

Master of Education

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto
Counselling Psychology
Toronto, ON

Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation

University of Manitoba
Occupational Therapy
Winnipeg, MB

Continuing Education

  • From Conflict to Compassion: Introduction to Imago Relationship Therapy (Canadian Association of Martial and Family Therapy Annual Conference).
  • Spirituality in Couple and Family Therapy (University of Guelph).
  • Family Therapy and Addictions (University of Guelph).
  • Treatment of Prolonged Grief (Columbia University).
  • Training for Trainers (Gail Appel Institute).
  • Grief Workshop (International Society for Interpersonal Psychotherapy).
  • Geriatrics Institute: Health Aging and Geriatrics Program (Sinai Health System).
  • Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy: Psychotherapy for People with Bipolar Disorder (Mount Sinai Psychotherapy Institute).
  • Intermediate Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health).
  • Traumatic Attachments: Intergenerational Trauma, Dissociation and the Psychotherapeutic Relationship (Toronto Psychoanalytic Society and Institute).
  • Motivational Interviewing for Anxiety Disorders (York University Psychology Clinic).
  • Systems-Centered Therapy for Groups (American Group Psychotherapy Conference).
  • Linking Science, Education and Practice: An Ongoing Series to Foster Scholarly Work in Occupational Therapy (American Occupational Therapy Association Convention).

Professional Memberships

  • College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario.
  • Canadian Association of Couple and Family Therapy.
  • National (U.S.) Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy.
  • Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.
  • Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists.
  • American Occupational Therapy Association.