Meet the Team
Scroll Down for the AVAILABLE COUNSELLORS & THERAPISTS
Mike Cole, RIP
Inspiration for
Reach Out in the Kootenays
Sara Spicer & Lonny Stefanyk
Lead Initiators
for
REACH OUT in the Kootenay
Alon Gelcer
Co-Creator at REACH OUT
Therapist and Coach at Insight Quest
Lauren Heckley
Co-Creator for REACH OUT
Counsellor at "Counselling With Lauren"
Sijay James
Website Design
for Reach Out
Matty Hillman
-
My training and years of experience:
I've been supporting children, youth and families in the West Kootenays for the last 15 years. I've been a faculty member in the School of Health and Human Services at Selkirk College and a community mental health educator and an anti-violence trainer for the last 5 years. My background and research interests include youth mentorship, healthy masculinities, and community-based art projects.
2. My style, focus and what I offer to clients:
I practice from a strength-based, humanistic and client-centered approach to counselling. I strive to normalize challenges, identify social and cultural factors and consider the holistic individual.
3. In-person? Zoom? Phone? Text?:
Zoom is preferred.
4. I will provide service at - No Cost? Low Cost?:
Low cost $20-$50
5. How to book with me:
Contact: mattyhillman@gmail.com
James Fenning
My training and years of experience:
I have a Masters Degree in Social Work, specializing in Clinical Practice. I have additional training in Group Therapy and Systemic Family Therapy. I have worked for several Non profit Societies over the course of my career, and also a Health Authority. I worked as a Counsellor, Case Manager and Team Leader. In total, I have about 30 years Clinical Experience working with Individuals, couples, groups and families.
My style, focus and what I offer to clients:
I offer free consultations to ensure that a new client feels that there is a good fit and a level of trust established. I tend to focus on the here and now functioning, stress levels, methods of coping and communications. I offer individual and couple counselling.
In-person? Zoom? Phone? Text?:
I offer ZOOM sessions, phone, text, email.
I will provide service at - No Cost? Low Cost?:
I provide sessions at Low Cost and on a sliding scale.
How to book with me: You can contact me at:
information@earthsong.ca or by calling 778-653-4687 to leave a Voice Mail Message.
![DSC_0004[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb101e_41e5947fa9f440a5a42d53e839c64d87~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_386,h_290,al_c,lg_1,q_80,enc_auto/DSC_0004%5B1%5D.jpg)
Christine Parton
My training and years of experience:
Kutenai Art Therapy Institute - 2 year post-grad diploma
5 years running private practice in rural BC (kids, teens and adults)
2 years as Family Art Therapist for Community Services agency.
My style, focus and what I offer to clients:
Client-led, relational, and trauma-informed art therapy
Also informed by: developmental psychology, attachment theory, Jungian
psychology, family systems theory, play therapy (for all ages!),
narrative therapy and somatic approaches to integrating healing.
I also use an Earth-centered and decolonizing approach, helping clients
to find their centre, voice and source of internal power. Using creative
and nature-based practices, including the metaphors expressed in the
natural world, I hold a safe container for clients to explore their
stories, re-write/release/grieve/honour them as necessary, and establish
trust in themselves and their growth/healing process. I can provide more
or less direction and guidance as the client deems necessary. Building a
safe and trusting therapeutic relationship is the first step :)
Particular areas of interest/focus: Griefwork, "shadow" work, dreamwork,
natural materials/working with the elements/outdoor sessions, using
storytelling (in particular myth and fairytales) to gain understanding
and build resilience.
In-person? Zoom? Phone? Text?:
In-person for youth under 16 and teens/adults as desired,
Zoom with phone/email communication between sessions.
If sessions are in-person, the geographic area I serve:
Kaslo, BC, with possibility of travel within West Kootenays
I will provide service at - No Cost? Low Cost?:
Low-cost
How to book with me:
christine@tinysland.ca,
firesidearttherapy on Instagram,
Fireside Art Therapy on FB
Leslie Usiskin
My training and years of experience:
Trained Rebalancer (bodywork) and Registered Biodynamic CranioSacral Therapist.
I also have training in Non Violent Communication,
Advocacy for Victims of Abuse, and Trauma Support.
My style, focus and what I offer to clients:
What I would like to offer in this context, are CranioSacral sessions for women in crisis.
Biodynamic Cranio Sacral therapy is a gentle, non-invasive type of somatic support (bodywork) that is done with the client fully clothed on a massage table. Because a BCST session is led by the client’s own system, most people experience it to be profoundly supportive, as their body is truly held, heard and witnessed.
Great shifts can happen in this state of balanced support.
In-person? Zoom? Phone? Text?:
Sessions last an hour (40 minutes of hands on) and are done in person.
I will provide service at - No Cost? Low Cost?:
Sliding scale 0- $50.
If sessions are in-person, the geographic area I serve:
I serve the greater Nelson area, and am happy to come to your home if you have a massage table available.
How to book with me:
You can contact me by email at usiskin@shaw.ca
Jordann Kian
My training and years of experience:
I am both a registered social worker with the BC College of Social Workers and a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher. In 2017, I graduated from Thompson Rivers University with my BSW and began working at a not-for-profit Indigenous agency where I had the opportunity to work both in poverty reduction and develop a program for at-risk youth. I am currently working towards my Master's in Social Work with the University of Northern British Columbia with the intention of going into clinical social work practice. I have worked extensively with youth, adults, and the eldery population experiencing mental health/substance use concerns both in a community and hospital setting. Prior to being a student, I served as the acute, medical, and outpatient oncology social worker at the Kootenay Lake Hospital.
My style, focus and what I offer to clients:
As a social worker I work from a strength-based, trauma-informed, and person-centered approach. This involves calmly and practically responding to individuals' needs to achieve the best outcomes while working collaboratively and without judgment. By meeting clients where they are at, my method of practice allows me to value the uniqueness of all persons I serve. I am also inspired by eastern philosophy, Buddhist psychology, and yogic principles and truly believe that every one of us has the innate power to use our bodies as a resource to reach our full potential. I am happy to introduce yoga-based interventions such as meditation, breathwork, and yoga postures as complementary holistic modalities for mind-body-based healing. I am hopeful that by blending Eastern and Western approaches, the folks I work with will feel inspired to better themselves on an emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual level. I am a big fan of offering practical tools, psychoeducation, and fun homework that can assist you in getting to know yourself better, love yourself more, and nurture yourself as needed.
In-person? Zoom? Phone? Text?:
In-person, via zoom or phone/text. Whatever suits your needs best.
If sessions are in-person, the geographic area I serve:
Nelson Area. (Being that I am a student, I currently do not have an office space. That being said, I am happy to meet for walks in person if in-person is preferred.)
I will provide service at - No Cost? Low Cost?:
No cost or by donation, and hope to have proceeds go to REACH OUT.
How to book with me:
You can reach me/book with me by email at jordann.k@hotmail.com
Sheila Sakiyama
My training and years of experience:
BA in Psychology with extensive training in alternative/meridian based therapies.
20 years experience with a specialization in trauma and abuse.
My style, focus and what I offer to clients:
Trauma therapist and Energy Healing.
Healing focused (less talk, more healing) using Reiki and Emotional Acupressure.
In-person? Zoom? Phone? Text?:
In-person (local) and Zoom (non-local).
If sessions are in-person, the geographic area I serve:
Nelson area.
I will provide service at - No Cost? Low Cost?:
Low cost.
How to book with me:
FreedomwithShiela.com
Shauna Robertson
My training and years of experience:
Shauna has worked with Mental Health and Substance Use for over 18 years; developing and facilitating psychosocial rehabilitation programs, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Groups, Therapeutic Arts Programs, Mindfulness Groups, and providing individualized support and crisis intervention. Shauna also delivers the CBT based Respectful Futures, Healthy Relationships Program for 12-18 year-olds and Respectful Futures Professional Development Training for school district staff and youth service providers. Shauna also has training in expressive therapy modalities and founded Soul Fire Dance in 2004, emphasizing empowerment, body confidence, and connection through dance movement practices.
My style, focus and what I offer to clients:
Compassionate curiosity and safety are fundamental values in my practice. With a background in social work, I use an anti-oppressive framework to understand social and cultural influences on the human experience. Much of my approach uses cognitive behavioral therapy tools to understand and adapt thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. For the Reach Out program I am offering a psychoeducational approach to those experiencing anxiety, depression, and interpersonal relationship difficulties.
In-person? Zoom? Phone? Text?:
All supports will be with scheduled zoom appointments
I will provide service at - No Cost? Low Cost?:
Offering sliding scale options from $0-50
How to book with me:
Email: theWholeMindset@gmail.com
Sarah Simonet
My training and years of experience:
BA in Psychology with extensive training in alternative/meridian based therapies.
20 years experience with a specialization in trauma and abuse.
My style, focus and what I offer to clients:
Trauma therapist and Energy Healing.
Healing focused (less talk, more healing) using Reiki and Emotional Acupressure.
In-person? Zoom? Phone? Text?:
In-person (local) and Zoom (non-local).
If sessions are in-person, the geographic area I serve:
Nelson area.
I will provide service at - No Cost? Low Cost?:
Low cost.
How to book with me:
FreedomwithShiela.com
Sarah Simonet
Accounts Payable Specialist
for Reach Out
Sarah Simonet
Accounts Payable Specialist
for Reach Out