As a registered social worker, I have over fifteen years of mental health experience working with all ages from children to seniors.

Areas of specialty:

• Trauma/PTSD
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Self-esteem
• Stress management
• Addictions

My formal education includes: Honours Bachelor of Social Work (1988) and Master of Social Work, Specialization in Child and Family (1992).

Spending time with family helps to keep me grounded.

I am excited to train in hypnotherapy and learn self-hypnosis techniques to help me reach personal goals.

Stress management

I moved to Thunder Bay in 1995 to attend Confederation College. I have diplomas in Recreation and Leisure Services and Gerontology. I worked as a Personal Support Worker for several years before moving into a Recreation Therapist role. 

I met my husband in 2009. We both enjoy traveling and the outdoors. We enjoy fishing, canoeing, hiking, camping and spending days out on the ATV. We enjoy riding our motorcycles. 

Niina works with adults, helping them to overcome anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, and addictions; and to improve their self esteem and stress management skills.

She also helps clients with dozens of other challenges which can be resolved using evidence-based hypnosis techniques and processes, including smoking cessation, weight management, fears, phobias, IBS, tinnitus, and more. 

Niina shares, "The idea of going to counselling can feel uncomfortable for some people. Not knowing what to do or where to begin can be difficult.

My aim is to create a welcoming and comfortable environment as we work together in addressing your counselling goals.

I use an individualized approach with the understanding that everybody’s life experiences are different."

Niina Vastamaki is a Registered Social Worker and Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. She has Masters of Social Work, Honours Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts in Sociology degrees and over six years of experience in counselling.

Niina has other certifications and training, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Mindfulness Meditation and the BLAST Technique® Practitioner Certification (a bilateral stimulation technique similar to EMDR for PTSD, Trauma, grief, fears, phobias, and more).

Being outdoors brings me a sense of tranquility and peace.