About Felix

Felix C. Cardenas is a deeply committed advocate, registered social worker, psychotherapist, and seasoned clinician with over 40 years of expertise in mental health and addiction treatment. Felix’s extensive experience spans diverse settings and client groups, including veterans, first responders, youth, couples, families, and communities across various cultural, socio-economic, gender-diverse, and racial backgrounds.

Born and raised in Hawaii, Felix embodies an intersectional, culturally respectful, and trauma-informed approach to therapy. His clinical practice addresses complex personal and systemic challenges, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, relationship management, addiction, and concurrent disorders. Felix’s extensive background includes pivotal roles such as Family Service Worker, Multicultural Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor, and EAP Counselor. He has provided significant contributions in correctional settings, hospitals, Indigenous health centres, and child welfare organizations.

Felix integrates advanced therapeutic methodologies such as Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and strength-based, person-centred approaches into his practice. His approach prioritizes compassionate, mindful, and culturally humble care, empowering clients to navigate life’s complexities with resilience and confidence.

As a dedicated advocate for marginalized populations, Felix champions equity, justice, and trauma-informed community education. He has organized and led psychoeducational workshops, training in race relations, human rights, discrimination prevention, and cross-cultural communication. Additionally, Felix contributes significantly to academia as a contract professor, mentor, and supervisor for emerging social work professionals.

Felix’s education includes a Master of Social Work from The University of Hawaii at Manoa, specializing in direct practice, a Bachelor of Psychology from Vanguard University, and a Bachelor of Religious Education from Evangel University. He is also a veteran, honourably discharged from service as a US Army nurse in Vietnam.

Felix is married, a proud parent to three adult children, and grandfather to seven grandchildren. He maintains a vibrant interest in healthy living, sustainable travel, ethical community engagement, and music—particularly jazz and R\&B. An animal lover and advocate, Felix actively engages in rescuing and caring for animals.

Membership

• Registered Social Worker, Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

• Member, Ontario Association of Social Workers

• Past Member, National Association of Social Workers (1980-1982)