Leandro Bastos, M.Div., RP
Barbara Collins, M.A., RP
Mary Eluobaju, M.S.W., RSW

Leandro is a Registered Psychotherapist with experience providing individual and couples counselling. He has been supporting adolescents and adults struggling with a wide range of issues including depression, anxiety, anger, trauma, grief, addiction, life stage challenges, marital and relationship issues, and cultural transitions. Leandro integrates techniques from a variety of approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamics and Gottman Method. Leandro can also provide counselling in Portuguese and Spanish.

Barbara Collins is a Registered Psychotherapist and Registered Art Therapist with 15 years experience providing individual and group art therapy to children, youth, and adults. Barbara utilizes an art-based approach and is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy. She works from a Positive Psychology, trauma-informed lens providing a non-judgemental and safe place for clients to increase self-awareness while externalizing their emotional pain and developing effective coping skills to regain control in their life.

Mary Eluobaju is a Registered Social Worker and has worked with children, youth, and adults in a range of settings for over 10 years. She works from a client-centered, strength based approach to empower, support in managing stressors, build healthy coping skills, and give hope. Mary has particular interests in working with children, youth, and couples. Mary has training in Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Attachment, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Individual Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.
Vanessa Green, M.A., RP
Benjamin Hesch, M.S.W., RSW
Jodi Hocken, M.S.W., RSW
Gosia Kirklewska, M.S.W., RSW

Vanessa Green is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology. Vanessa has a special interest in working with individuals who have experienced trauma, to help them release the impact that the trauma has on their lives. She has been trained in trauma-informed processes/therapies, which includes training in the following therapeutic approaches: Solution-Focused, Narrative, Dialectical Behavioural (DBT), Mindfulness, and Eye Movement & Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).

Ben Hesch is a Registered Social Worker with nearly 10 years experience in the field. He has previously worked in health settings, providing psychotherapy to individual, couples, and families. Ben is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Encounter-Centred Couples Therapy, and Clinical Supervision, among others. Ben manages the Mental Health Services at FCSSGW and currently does not provide direct therapy with clients.

Jodi Hocken is a Registered Social Worker with 10 years of experience working with children, youth, and adults in a variety of clinical settings. Working from a person centered perspective, Jodi assists clients in navigating life’s challenges with compassion and respect. Jodi has a particular interest in the process of grief and loss. She has completed trainings in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectic Behavioural Therapy, Trauma, and Clinical Supervision.

Nichole MacPherson, B.A.
Crystal McCarty, M.Div., RP (Qualifying)
Martha Njoku, M.S.W., RSW

Nichole graduated from University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She is also a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Addictions Counselor program. Nichole is an authorized child protection worker and has over 20 years experience working with families. She is well informed regarding the legal system and issues related to custody and access. Nichole also works as a youth mental health crisis worker. She is trained in ASIST suicide intervention and Non-Violence Crisis Prevention intervention. Nichole is the facilitator for the teen group in the Child Witness Program and the facilitator for the men’s group for the Partner Assault Response program.

Crystal McCarty is a Registered Psychotherapist (qualifying). Practicing from a trauma-informed perspective, Crystal uses a client-centered, strength-based approach to psychotherapy. Crystal’s compassion, intuition and well-grounded presence creates a safe environment to explore difficult issues and intense emotions. Crystal will work with you to explore the root cause of your struggle, offering fresh perspectives and new strategies to help you move forward.

Sheri Ongena, M.S.W., RSW
Marisa Ottens, M.A., RP (Qualifying)
Sarah Sytsma, M.S.W., RSW
Mary Walton, M.A., RP (Qualifying)

Sheri Ongena is a Registered Social Worker with over 15 years experience providing individual and group, assessment and treatment to children, youth and adults. Sheri has a particular interest in complex trauma as well as providing clinical supervision. She is intensively trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as well as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and is a qualified supervisor with the College of Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Sheri is also an EMDR consultant.

Marisa Ottens is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) who has experience providing assessments and treatment for adults, adolescents and couples. Marisa has a particular interest in working with adults who are struggling with grief or anxiety. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and has experienced working with Solution Focused Brief Therapy and Narrative Therapy. Marisa works for Family Counselling and Support Services (FCSSGW) rural offices located in Fergus, Mount Forest and Harriston and has particular experience providing single session counselling in the same-day counselling programs offered by FCSSGW.

Sarah Sytsma is a Registered Social Worker and has worked with children, adolescents and adults in a range of settings in the Guelph- Wellington area for over 15 years. Sarah deeply values the connections formed with clients in therapy, and enjoys working with adults, adolescents, older children and couples. Sarah works predominantly using attachment-based interventions, mindfulness- based interventions, systemic and narrative therapy interventions. Sarah is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Sarah has a particular interest in complex trauma, anxiety, couples and grief work as well as providing clinical supervision for Social Workers.

Mary Walton is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and a member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP). She works to empower resiliency, discuss coping skills, and embrace change in a positive manner. Mary currently works with clients of all backgrounds, but has particular interests in working with youth, trauma, grief and bereavement, and those who struggle with emotion regulation and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Mary’s additional training includes bereavement and loss, as well as individual Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) techniques.