Seeking counselling can seem quite daunting which can create fear of the unknown. often times our inner critics are on fire invoking self-blame, guilt, and doubt, this can create a barrier to personal growth and quality of life

Solution: with a focus on the therapeutic relationship, I utilize a trauma informed, strengths-based, person-centered integrative approach meeting the unique goals of individuals and families

Result: I strive to provide a warm, welcoming, safe space creating opportunity to strengthen resilience, develop mastery and further transcend on life’s journey. 

I am a registered social worker with 13 years of experience practicing in the field of mental health. Throughout my experience I have worked in various settings providing trauma informed solution focused brief counselling to individuals with diverse goals. I have training in CBT, DBT, trauma counselling, Family Intervention Therapy, Attachment Centered Play Therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy. In addition, I hold a diverse background in Recreation Therapy, Personal Training, as well as Expressive Arts which enables me to practice creatively with a focus on quality of life while highlighting the therapeutic relationship. Client autonomy and self-determination is the utmost importance in my practice and I foster this throughout the partnership.

In my spare time, I practice abstract expressionism and embodied movement. This allows me to experience all the beautiful sensations of movement and connect more to my inner self. 

Being an acute care social worker for many years, I have worked with families and individuals experiencing loss, addictions, mental health, traumatic injury and chronic illness. I work with age ranges from adolescents to older adults (16-95+ yrs) faced with life situations.

Areas of specialty:

• CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy)
• Brief Intervention and Solution-focused Therapy
• Conflict Resolution and Mediation
• Grief and Loss Counselling

I am a Registered Social Worker with 16 years of experience and formal education in dementia care, palliative care and trauma counselling. I have many years of experience working in Critical Care and Trauma and I'm a certified Trauma Counsellor. I bring a vast experience to the team in areas of trauma, grief and loss.

As a registered social worker, I have 27 yrs mental health experience working with age ranges from adolescents to older adults (16-95+ yrs) faced with life situations.

Areas of specialty:

• Conflict with the law
• Homeless
• Substance overuse
• HIV/AIDS positive
• History of trauma
• Mental illness diagnosis and mental health concerns
• Grief
• Cognitive impairment
• Dementia
• Caregiver stress. 

Work environments include: 

• Group home
• Homeless shelter
• Community agencies
• Clinical health care settings

My formal education includes: Honours Bachelor of Social Work (1995), Dementia Studies Certificate (2011), Interdisciplinary Palliative Care Certificate (2013), and Master of Social Work, Specialization in Gerontology (2013).

Certified (not practising):

• Kundalini yoga teacher (200 YTT)
• Reiki I, II, II
• Therapeutic Touch
• BodyTalk Access

Northern Ontario has been my lifetime home. I spent my first 25 years in Wawa, then moved to Thunder Bay where I have remained. 

My interest in hypnotherapy came out my personal need to change. I recognized what I knew wasn’t working, I needed assistance. I reached out to see if hypnosis could help me to quit smoking, it was indeed effective. Within the next year, I reached out again to help process the trauma associated with unexpected loss. I felt immediate and long-lasting results. I was impressed. So, when I had the opportunity to learn more about hypnosis, I jumped at the chance. Initially, I planned to complete Certification solely for personal interest, before the end of the program, I decided it was important for me to offer this to others. I am confident you will gain as much from hypnotherapy as I have. I would be honoured to introduce you to this technique.

Showing clients how to master their own destiny by helping take away the things that are blocking them from their success whether that be professional or personally.

Available via zoom worldwide.

Areas of specialty:

• Confidence building-personal and professional
• Procrastination
• Smoking cessation
• Weight management
• Sleep issues
• Peri & Menopause issues

Her strong desire to continue to help people has blossomed into a new career as a hypnotist.

Taking her business skills plus her personal experiences with hypnosis, it has formed into a solid match for assisting others in building the future that they want.

Valarie has had an award winning and distinguished 30+ career as a Fashion Designer/business owner, and as the world changed so has she.

After multiple province-wide lockdowns due to covid, she made the difficult decision to close her business in Thunder Bay, ON, giving her the opportunity to explore a long-time interest in hypnosis.

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. 

Problem: People can feel stuck at times during their lives. When the pain of staying the same is worse than the pain of changing – people change. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start or what to do. Talking to a counsellor or having a hypnotherapy session could help tremendously

Solution: I acknowledge that it takes courage to take this first step toward healing. It is very important to me that people feel comfortable and heard when they come in for a session.   I provide client-centered care, in a non-judgmental, respectful, and confidential manner.

Result: I believe there is always potential for change. People can heal and grow as individuals, at any age or stage in their lives. I have witnessed so many success stories through my years as a social worker. To be part of someone’s healing journey is an honour and a privilege. This is what makes my vocation meaningful and fulfilling. 

Areas of specialty:

• Mental Health
• Body, Mind, Spirit Connection
• Couples & Relationships
• Grief & Loss
• Holistic Health & Wellness
• Mindfulness-Based Chronic Pain Management
• Stress Management
• Women’s Empowerment

I am a Registered Social Worker and graduate of Lakehead University. I am currently training as a Hypnotherapist (Certification in December 2023). I am excited about offering this service to clients in the future. I know, firsthand, it is an effective means of treatment.

Much of my social work career involved employment in the Not-for-Profit sector.  I held numerous volunteer positions in Thunder Bay – serving as a Board Member for three organizations, providing direct service for victims, co-creating Breast Health Care Thunder Bay, co-coordinating several health & wellness events and workshops, co-organizing an International Conference for the Canadian Society for Spirituality & Social Work, and more.

Aside from my formal education/training and employment opportunities, I gained valuable knowledge though experiential learning. There have been many challenges and adversities to overcome. And travel has always been a big part of my life, from a young age. I lived in other countries. All my experiences have given me a unique perspective, understanding, empathy, compassion, and resourcefulness. This is what I bring to my work as a counsellor.

Education

• Master of Social Work degree (Specialization in Spirituality/Transpersonal Theory)
• Honours Bachelor of Social Work degree
• Bachelor of Arts degree in Women’s Studies (Minor in Indigenous Learning)
• 1 Year Photography College Certificate – Confederation College
• 1 Year Visual Communications College Certificate – New Zealand

Holistic Therapies Training (Certified – not practicing)

• BodyTalk Access
• Mindscape
• Crystal Healing
• Usui Reiki Level 1 & 2 Degrees & Master Level
• Shamanic Breathwork Facilitator
• Psych-K Basic & Psych-K Advanced
• Quantum-Touch 

One of my favourite quotes:

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”  ~ Leo Buscaglia

These bring me a sense of ease:

Being in nature. Listening to music. Seeing my grandsons. Meditation.

Pastimes I enjoy:

Time with family & friends. Camping. Photography. Home renovating.

Creative Solution for Overcoming the Hurdles of Starting Therapy

Problem: Starting therapy can be an overwhelming experience. Clients often feel unsure if it is going to help, and they may feel like they need to be ten steps ahead of where they currently are to begin the process. They cannot see a way forward and may feel stuck. This is where art therapy comes in.

Solution: Art therapy is a creative and innovative way to overcome the hurdles of starting therapy. As an art therapist, I utilize a holistic and individualistic approach throughout the therapeutic process to accommodate each client's unique experience, needs, and goals for therapy. Through artmaking, clients can express their thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to put into words.

Art therapy is an effective way to explore emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. It provides a safe and non-judgmental space where clients can process their experiences at their own pace. Additionally, art therapy allows clients to tap into their creativity and imagination, which can provide a sense of empowerment and control.

Result: I strive to create a safe, welcoming, and comfortable environment for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings through art. I value the importance of the therapeutic relationship and aim to build a strong rapport with my clients. By doing so, clients can feel supported and understood, which can help them move forward with ease.

In conclusion, starting therapy can be a daunting task. However, with the help of art therapy, clients can overcome the hurdles that come with the process. By utilizing a holistic and individualistic approach, art therapy can provide clients with a safe and creative space to explore their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. With a strong therapeutic relationship, clients can feel supported and empowered to move forward with their healing journey.

I take an Eclectic approach to therapy. An eclectic approach to therapy involves using a variety of techniques and modalities tailored to meet the specific needs of each client. This approach recognizes that no single technique can address every individual's concerns. Art therapy is a powerful tool within an eclectic approach, providing a non-verbal way to express emotions and experiences. By taking an eclectic approach to therapy and art therapy, clients can receive a personalized and holistic path to healing, addressing all aspects of their well-being.

Tamara Reynolds is a registered psychotherapist and art therapist with extensive experience in the mental health field. With a deep passion for art and creativity, Tamara uses art therapy as a powerful tool to help individuals explore and process their emotions and experiences.

Tamara holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Visual Arts, a Bachelor of Education Degree from Lakehead University, and a Graduate level Diploma in Art Therapy completing her training in Art Therapy at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute. She has worked with individuals of all ages, from children to seniors, and has provided therapy for a variety of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, and addiction.

Tamara takes a holistic approach to therapy, recognizing the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. She creates a warm and welcoming space for her clients, where they feel safe and comfortable to explore their innermost thoughts and feelings. Tamara understands that everyone is unique and tailors her therapy approach to meet the specific needs and goals of her clients.

In addition to her private practice, Tamara has also worked in community-based settings, providing art therapy to individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health concerns. She is a strong advocate for the therapeutic benefits of artmaking and has presented on the topic through workshops.

With her extensive training and experience, Tamara is committed to supporting individuals on their healing journey and helping them reach their full potential. She is dedicated to empowering her clients through art therapy and creating a space where they can discover their inner strength and resilience.

“Laugh it up fuzzball”—taken from Star Wars is my favourite quote from the movie. Therapy is hard, and serious issues are addressed, but it can also be fun and enjoyable. Laughter can help to heal as well.

We experience the world based on our abilities to represent and respond to sensory input—basically an impression of our own experiences. As a result, our conscious sets can become rigid and automatic, limit our behavioural flexibility.

On the other hand, our unconscious is far more powerful, knowledgeable, and free from the biases of our conscious reality.

I specialize in indirect approaches to trancework that help you identify, access, and amplify the potentials of the unconscious. I use permissive patterns of language that encourage a personalized trance experience and unconscious learning.        

As you experience and enrich your trancework, you can learn to access your capacity for intuitive learning—like how a child learns to speak and understand before given any formal instruction. When you become fluid with your consciousness, you become fluid with your experience; when you become fluid with your experience, you become fluid with your behaviour—you can truly flow.

 Available via zoom worldwide.

Areas of specialty:

• Accelerated Learning
• Elevation of Consciousness
• Dreamseeding
• Creative Priming
• Content Free Generative Change

Jacob is a Psychology Major at Lakehead University. A diverse history of experience in the world of Music and language arts makes him a unique and captivating practitioner of hypnosis. As a composer of music, poetry and prose, Vaillant is sensitive to the nuances of speechcraft and as a performer in many mediums, he is highly in-tune to individual response and receptivity. He has worked as a piano instructor and a proponent of music therapy with neuro-divergent individuals. Jacob previously helmed a pop-up community centre known as The Bridge Theatre—a neighborhood rejuvenation initiative sponsored by the United Way that aimed to stimulate creativity and collaboration among youth groups in Thunder Bay.

The map is not the territory, the word is not the thing it describes. Whenever the map is confused with the territory, a disturbance is set up in the organism. The disturbance continues until the limitation of the map is recognized.

~ Alfred Korzybski

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 is a Registered Social Worker and Lakehead University graduate with a Master’s degree in Social Work. Over the years, she has gained experience working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and addictions.

Being outdoors brings me a sense of tranquility and peace.