More about Emily:

Education and Training: Emily has completed the Somatica Institute’s Core Training on Sex, Intimacy and Relationship Coaching, and is in the process of doing the Advanced Training to become a Certified Sexologist. She received Life Skills Coach training through YWCA in 2010. Emily has many additional certificates including Assist, Mental Health First Aid, and Trauma-Informed Care as well as trainings and practice with anti-racism, neurodiversity, trans care, and more.

Emily completed an Honours Bachelors degree in Religious Studies, with minors in Film Studies and Women’s Studies, at Concordia University (2001), where she presented her thesis work at a graduate conference, exhibited artwork in many forms (including dance, installation) and filled up with knowledge of world religions. She also completed an Honours Bachelors in Social Work, McGill University (2007) where she became skilled in human psychodynamics, counselling and the socio-economics factors around wellness, trauma, and systemic issues.

Lastly, Emily has attended many sexually themed conferences and events, such as those offered by the International School of Temple Arts and is well versed in “alternative” sexual communities (polyamorous, kink), as well as erotica and sex toys. 

Work Background: Emily has been a Registered Social Worker since 2007. She spent 16 fulfilling years working for KEYS Newcomer and Employment Services, as a fluently bilingual (French/English) Service Delivery Coordinator (etc.), running various large scale programs for at-risk youth, young adults and adults. Her special focus was on queer/trans, newcomers and/or disabled clients. Emily also led creative and experiential workshops on life skills / stress management for KEYS clients.

Prior to Social Work, Emily worked in alternative high schools. Emily was also a marriage celebrant/officiant for several years, performing 27 weddings and 2 baby namings, and had security clearance to perform weddings in prisons.

Volunteer Experience: Emily is a longtime Reelout Queer Film and Video Festival volunteer and taught “Reelout in Schools” workshops. Emily currently co-facilitates a Unitarian youth group. She also co-led empowerment camps for self-identified girls through McGill University. She is a current weekly volunteer “Sexpert” at the Sexual Health Resource Centre at Queens University, and has supported the work of the Queens Sage Lab by being a participant in their Juniper-C arousal study. 

Other Interesting Facts: Emily has a piece based on the creation of her non-traditional family published in: Swelling with Pride, Queer Conception and Adoption Stories (2018), which included doing a reading tour. She has 13+ years of co-parenting experience as one of two moms (plus an active donor/friend) of two kids, one of whom is Autistic. She was the 3rd place winner of Weblog Awards for Pineapple Pieces (2012) on fertility and parenting (in the Religion, Spirituality and Philosophy category). Emily is qualified as a Level 2 Reiki practitioner, teaches Contact Improv Dance, is part of a Burlesque dance troupe, and co-leads Ecstatic Dance events on the local beach.

Emily West is a cisgendered, white, able-bodied woman, descended from European settlers, who brings a lifetime of lived experience as a queer woman.