Author Barbara J. Dorrington
Barbara J. Dorrington brings over forty years of invaluable experience as a registered social worker and an art therapist, a journey that commenced in the early 1980s. Her commitment to the field deepened after she acquired additional credentials as a trauma and loss consultant supervisor, a qualification she earned through rigorous training at the National Institute of Trauma and Loss in Children, Michigan, in the early 2000s. Dorrington dedicated the majority of her career to counseling children and young adults, offering her expertise first at a protective children’s agency, then at a children’s mental health center, and eventually within a school board system.
In 1982, marking five years in the counseling field, Dorrington sought to enhance her therapeutic approach. Recognizing the limitations of 'talk therapy,' she sought mentorship under Irene Dewdney, a prominent Canadian figure in art therapy. Dewdney introduced Dorrington to the profound concept of the 'wounded healer,' emphasizing the importance of understanding one's own past traumas to effectively guide others in their healing journeys. Embracing this philosophy wholeheartedly, Dorrington underwent a transformative learning process, deeply resonating with Carl Jung's belief in the power of personal pain and hurt to empathetically connect and assist others in their healing.
Dorrington's passion also led her to volunteer roles, notably as a counselor and trauma debriefing specialist. Her remarkable commitment was evident during her time assisting hurricane victims in Louisiana and Mississippi, where she worked relentlessly in challenging conditions, setting up an art therapy 'pop-up shop' amidst tent camps and warehouses. Her work with those who had lost everything—and those who felt survivor's guilt—reinforced her understanding of trauma's profound impact and the importance of addressing what happened to individuals rather than what was wrong with them.
Driven by a desire to make a substantial difference in the lives of those affected by traumatic events, Dorrington developed the innovative “Breathe, Rock, Draw” program. This holistic approach, endorsed and utilized by the National Institute of Trauma and Loss for approximately two decades, integrated controlled breathing, physical movement, and creative expression, significantly enhancing the therapeutic process compared to traditional talk therapy.
In her literary work, "Trauma Monster," Dorrington explores the deeply entrenched traumas that individuals harbored, often for decades. Through her interviews, she realized the immense value of providing a space for stories to be heard and acknowledged.
This book aims not only to offer understanding and healing but also to illuminate cold cases, offering a ray of hope for resolution and closure. "Trauma Monster" is a testament to Dorrington's profound commitment to healing, understanding, and the universal journey of navigating and overcoming trauma.
Seana remembers being interested in cold cases since she was very young. Her own father was friends with Susan Scholes, a murder victim of Chris Magee, known as the Mad Slasher in the London area back in 1976. Seana’s specialty is in finding the small hidden details among all the documents and books written about the cold cases that remain unresolved in Southwestern Ontario. Seana hooked up with Barb over a year ago to help her with the research and the interviews. Barb reports that Seana is an invaluable partner, and together they travel to various locations in Southwestern Ontario to obtain first person interviews of those affected by the murders. Both Barb and Seana have a great love of animals. In one of their graveyard trips to Aylmer Ontario, Seana discovered a kitten that had been dropped off and abandoned. The kitten was turned over to a rescue called Holly's Hope. Ultimately, Barb's daughter adopted the kitten, and she was aptly named Georgia, after Georgia Jackson who was murdered in 1966 in Aylmer Ontario.
