Self-Advocacy
Build agency in decision-making, communication, and boundaries.
About
Clinical clarity. Leadership tested. Advocacy grounded.
Malini Ondrovcik is a psychotherapist and clinical director at OSR Clinics, committed to helping people build resilience through self-advocacy.
Early Vision Loss and Self-Advocacy
Grade 3: first onset of vision loss symptoms.
Grade 5: significant impact; first optometrist visit.
Repeated misunderstanding and disbelief from professionals made self-advocacy a necessity early on. That foundation still shapes how Malini works with clients, organizations, and media.
Professional Path
Malini's path integrates psychotherapy with clinical leadership, combining therapeutic depth with practical structure and accountability. She is Clinical Director at OSR Clinics (October 2017-Present), leading multidisciplinary clinical care and operational planning across Windsor, Chatham, Sarnia, London, Kitchener, and Toronto.
Leadership and Service
CNIB Strategic Leadership Council - Co-Chair (August 2023-Present).
College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario DEI Working Group (December 2022-December 2023).
CNIB Know Your Rights Project - various projects (March 2018-Present).
Credentials
Education and registration
- Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University
- Bachelor of Arts in Family and Social Relations (Developmental Psychology minor), University of Windsor
- EMDR Basic Training, with additional training for children/adolescents and survivors of sexual trauma
- Registered Psychotherapist (RP)
- Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC)
- Professional Member, CCPA
- General Member in good standing, OAMHP
Research and Program Development
Women's mental health and the gut-brain axis
Malini's published work links women's mental health and gut health, and informs her program developed for women in perimenopause.
This work supports Malini's program focus for women in perimenopause and related midlife mental health transitions.
View research paperSpeaking Highlights
Selected seminars and talks
- September 2024: Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent - ADHD and psychoeducational assessment
- March 2024: Our City Windsor Conference - Living a Peaceful Life in a Stressful World
- February 2024: CNIB workshop - Harnessing Your Emotions: Tools for Powerful Self-Advocacy
- June 2023: W. Ross Macdonald School for the Blind - Mental Health and Vision Loss
- June 2022: CNIB Lake Joe workshop - Supporting Mental Health amid Vision Loss
- April 2021-2022: CNIB youth and parent workshops - Vision Loss and Mental Health
- March 2023-Present: Co-host, Awake at the Wheel podcast
Values
Practice principles
Resilience
Develop practical stability under stress without bypassing complexity.
Accountability
Track choices and patterns to support real behavioral change.
Cultural Competence
Respect context, identity, and lived experience in care and education.
Accessibility
Design communication and systems that are usable and inclusive.
Media Bio
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