Dr. Allison Reeves is a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist working within an anti-oppressive framework. Her research focuses on the well-being of communities that have been historically marginalized and continue to face systemic barriers to mental health equity.
Dr. Reeves recognizes racism and colonialism as social determinants of mental health and employs qualitative, community-based research methods to engage meaningfully with those most affected.
Over the past 15 years, she has collaborated with First Nation and Métis community partners across the country exploring recovery from intergenerational trauma and the role of cultural resurgence in healing. Her work has examined community responses to sexualized violence, trauma, and sexual stigma, emphasizing culturally relevant and adaptive approaches to mental health and wellness. More recently, this research has expanded to consider structural barriers faced by racialized students in undergraduate psychology and the ways in which families experiencing inequities have responded to the challenges of COVID-19.
Dr. Reeves also serves as a clinical psychologist consultant at Anishnawbe Health Toronto, an Indigenous health centre where she supports community-led initiatives and helps advance health equity by centering Indigenous voices in clinical and research priorities. She also provides diagnostic and assessment services, with specialized expertise in trauma assessments for survivors of abuse, immigration evaluations for refugee claimants, and independent
medical examinations.
In her clinical practice, Reeves uses an integrative therapeutic approach that draws from Emotion-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Interpersonal Therapy to support clients navigating depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, and complex relational challenges. In the classroom, she teaches courses in psychotherapy and forensic psychology, encouraging students to connect academic learning with real-world applications to cultivate empathy, cultural humility, and a strong ethical foundation—qualities that she believes are essential to both effective practice and meaningful social change.
Photo: University of Guelph-Humber
