Matt Hardy, Action Therapist

Matt has worked as a helper to individuals in a variety of contexts and settings over the past 21 years in Canada, the United States and Caribbean. Much of his experience has been in areas of wilderness, land-based, outdoor education and management. Matt incorporates his love for Mother Earth into his work with youth and families.

Having lived and worked in the bush for ten years, the focus of his interventions are based outdoors; both on the land and water, experiential and in action-oriented processes. Matt believes in helping individuals to assess their whole being within the context of their environment: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. As an Action Therapist, he supports youth in finding balance and connection in all spheres of wellbeing. He works from a strengths-based approach, supporting people both individually and in relation to the systems they are part of, such as family and school. He places incredible value on relationship and maintains lifelong connections.

Matt has strengths in group facilitation and teambuilding and has vast experience as a presenter, facilitator and educator. Particular topics of interest include: communication and teambuilding, parenting and caregiving, crisis response, anger management, depression, anxiety and substance use. He has worked in collaboration with Justice, Health and Child and Family Services. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Manitoba and Certificate in Focusing Oriented Therapy. 

Matt and his wife Jahna co-own Elements CTS LTD. and have been foster parents with Rural and Northern Child and Family Services for the past eight years. He enjoys spending time outdoors, at home and travelling with family and friends. When he’s not feeding his large family, he can be found engaging in art, building things, gardening, photography, yoga and meditation.