Shanique Victoria Edwards, BSc, MDiv, Registered Psychotherapist (RP), is a nationally recognized, award-winning mental health leader, psychotherapist, strategist, educator, and speaker transforming the way individuals, organizations, and systems approach culturally responsive mental health care. She is the Founder and Clinical Director of Shanique Victoria Psychotherapy & Wellness and the creator of the C.U.L.T.U.R.E.© Framework—an innovative model that integrates AfriDiasporic perspectives, psychological science, and systems thinking to advance healing, equity, and culturally responsive practice for AfriDiasporic and globally minoritized communities.

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Drawing on expertise in neuroscience, psychotherapy, knowledge translation, and organizational consulting, Shanique bridges research, lived experience, and practice to create meaningful, lasting change. Her work is grounded in the belief that healing begins when people are understood within the full context of their identity, culture, relationships, and lived experience.

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In addition to her clinical practice, Shanique currently serves as the Black Mental Health Clinician with the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA), Mental Health Consultant with Black Mental Health Canada, and Director of Mental Health, Outreach & Strategy with the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance. She is also the Founder of the Eden Legacy Foundation and a certified Mental Health First Aid Facilitator. Her previous experience includes system-level mental health and knowledge translation work at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

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Throughout her career, Shanique has partnered with healthcare organizations, governments, educational institutions, and community organizations to strengthen clinician capacity, address racial trauma, promote psychological safety, and advance culturally responsive systems of care. Her collaborations include the Public Health Agency of Canada, Correctional Service Canada, the Health Research Council for People of African Descent (HRCpad), and METRAC. As a certified Mental Health First Aid Facilitator, she works in partnership with colleagues in Ontario and Calgary to provide culturally responsive Mental Health First Aid training for Black communities.

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Shanique holds a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Psychology from the University of Toronto and a Master of Divinity in Clinical Counselling from Tyndale University.

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Recognized as one of Canada’s Top 25 Mental Health Leaders of 2026, Shanique is driven by a simple but transformative vision: to create spaces where people are seen in full colour and where healing, dignity, belonging, and cultural identity are not aspirations—but expectations.