Services
Psychological Assessments
Trauma-Focused Therapy
Therapists at NorthWest Ontario Counselling & Consulting work using a trauma-informed lens. This means that past experiences and identities allow your therapist to be sensitive to the impacts of trauma on themselves, as well as others. NWOCC understands the need for utilizing tools to assist others with regulating their emotions and stress and provide the appropriate support to reduce re-traumatization.
NWOCC’s Trauma-Focused Therapy understands how a traumatic event can impact an individual’s emotional, mental, behavioural, physical, and spiritual well-being. The purpose of this approach is to offer skills, strategies, and techniques, to better understand and cope with traumatic memories. NWOCC therapists enable an individual to create healthier meanings for the experiences that took place in their life, by learning about trauma, re-establishing safety, identifying triggers, developing healthy coping skills, and so much more.
Brady Heyens has completed extensive training and testing to become a Clinical Traumatologist (TITC-CT) through the Traumatology Institute. Book a free 15-minute phone consultation now to see if his services might be a good fit for you.
Couples and Relationships
Over the course of any relationship, couples will inevitably experience difficult periods. This can be a complex and confusing time; we are here to help you and your partner(s) work through this.
NWOCC is both inclusive and accepting, welcoming all couple dynamics. Our experienced therapists can assist you in finding the best strategies to work through your related issues, in a safe and non-judgemental environment. A qualified therapist at NWOCC will work with you to explore conflict resolution, teach skills on communication, and help work towards strengthening bonds and living fulfilled lives together! Whether you are beginning a new partnership, exploring new commitments, such as marriage or children, wanting to deepen your relationship, or contemplating ending a relationship, NWOCC will work with you to establish goals, identify values, explore problematic behaviours, and assist you in having the kind of relationship that you want.
Maternal Mental Health
Moms deserve support. Too often, the needs of mother’s are overlooked because they are so busy growing a human inside them, taking care of their family, home, building their career, all while trying to be a good person and role model for their children. At NWOCC, we recognize the importance of taking care of mom’s mental health and well-being. Whether you are a mom-to-be, new mom, mom who has experienced perinatal loss, seasoned mom or empty-nester, our services at NWOCC are designed to meet your individual needs.
Kaylee Heyens-McMahon has completed specialized training and examination to become a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C). Her practice has included supporting moms who’ve experienced birth trauma, fertility issues, postpartum anxiety, depression and OCD, as well as high-achieving moms looking to find a greater balance in their life. BOOK A FREE 15-MINUTE PHONE CONSULTATION NOW to see if her services might be a good fit for you.
Perinatal Mental Health Workshop: Through Pregnancy, Labour/Delivery, and Postpartum (for service providers)
Capacity building for nurses, social workers, and other healthcare providers to feel competent and confident in supporting their clients with their mental and emotional health throughout the fertility journey. Trauma-informed techniques for educating your clients on what to expect during pregnancy, labour, delivery, and postpartum; tangible skills and coping strategies to share with clients for supporting their mental health before and after baby arrives; assessments service providers can use if they suspect a client is experiencing a perinatal mental health issue; tools to help a client manage a perinatal mental health issue; and extra resources if more support is needed for the client or service provider.
Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy
Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy is designed to support neurodivergent individuals to feel empowered, rather than stuck.
NWOCC believes in providing neurodiversity-affirming therapy, which includes acceptance, respect, empathy, empowerment, advocacy. The therapists at NWOCC recognize their privilege in working with neurodivergent clients, and this includes those who may be wondering whether they are neurodivergent themselves. NWOCC has a passion for supporting all unique individuals and assisting them in finding success and flourishing as self-aware, self-confident, autonomous change-makers.
NWOCC understands the many challenges in which neurodivergent individuals face, and will work collaboratively with clients to foster innate strengths, validate experiences, and encourage individuals to embrace their differences.
Women’s Wellness
Our team at NWOCC is passionate about supporting all female-identifying individuals. Across the lifespan, women and girls may encounter many different struggles and hardships. Yet, this population is so resilient and has a determination that is unmatched.
Megan Markel once said, “Women don’t need to find their voice. (They already have it). They need to feel empowered to use it and people need to be encouraged to listen.”
Please reach out so that we can support you on your healing journey and help you create the life you’ve always envisioned for yourself. NWOCC therapists have experience working with women with disordered eating, as well as self-esteem and body acceptance issues, and survivors of assault and abuse. In addition, our team has the knowledge and skills to help clients manage stress and burnout, uncertainty about their careers and so much more.
BIPOC
Wherever you’re from, we’re glad you’re here.
NWOCC recognizes that Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC) face extraordinary adversities when it comes to health and well-being. We acknowledge the abuses and harm done by the Indian Residential School System, The 60s Scoop, as well as the generational trauma that has been caused. At the same time, it is important to recognize the generational healing that Indigenous Peoples’ and other oppressed communities continue to achieve. Your strength and determination in overcoming adversities is incredible.
While NWOCC strives to practice in a culturally sensitive way, we do not specialize in counselling services explicitly tailored for individuals who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour. NWOCC values the work that many BIPOC therapists and Indigenous organizations in our area are already doing for community members. NWOCC is dedicated to helping self-identifying BIPOC clients find the right support for them and is therefore happy to make a referral to a trusted third party if clients determine that NWOCC is not the best fit for their specific needs.
We, at NWOCC, are dedicated to using our privilege to make change within our community and society. We recognize the importance of allyship and doing no further harm to community members. We have and will continue to sit with Elder and Knowledge Keeper Gary Councillor of Naicatchewenin First Nation. Through our visits with Gary, we hope to continue to grow and learn, and will always strive to provide a safe place where cultural differences are honored and celebrated.
Chii-Miigwech for being here and take care.
LGBTQ2SIA+ Affirming Care
We understand that there are many complexities related to gender and sexuality, including discrimination and prejudice, self-acceptance, and family dynamics. At NWOCC we are committed to providing a safe, affirming, and inclusive space for you to explore your experiences, thoughts and feelings related to your gender-identity and/or sexuality. We will work collaboratively to foster empowerment, resilience, and self-understanding. Although everyone’s situation and experiences are different, team members at NWOCC do identify as being a part of the LGBTQ2SIA+ community and allies, so you can expect a non-judgmental approach.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Following a traumatic experience, have you been left feeling helpless, disconnected, or overwhelmed? We are here to help.
The impacts of trauma can show up in an individual’s life in many different ways, both inwardly and outwardly. Some of these symptoms and effects are not always as easy to identify, including isolation, feeling unworthy, physical symptoms, etc. EMDR therapy for trauma can assist an individual in moving past what is keeping them stuck, helping to process the protective instincts and emotions, which are caused by the traumatic event, and to develop healthy coping skills to manage future triggers.
EMDR is an evidence-based treatment, using structured eye movements, to assist in minimizing or eliminating effects of past trauma. This process works by allowing the brain to reprocess traumatic thoughts, emotions, and memories, reduce their intensity and foster a sense of resolution. Many individuals report lasting improvements in a reduction of symptoms, and an overall increased well-being.
As every person’s story is unique, here at NWOCC, we move at a pace and tolerance level that the individual needs to work towards healing. With this being said, EMDR takes time. Therefore, there are no set number of sessions as we process through an individual’s healing journey, and there are no guarantees that all clients will benefit from this approach.
Brady Heyens, Kaylee Heyens-McMahon, and Melissa Calder are Trained EMDR Therapists. Book a free 15-minute phone consultation now to see if their services might be a good fit for you.
Consultation and Workshops
NWOCC offers consultation services and a variety of workshops to groups and organizations for a specialized fee. These workshops can be developed and tailored to meet the unique needs of your organization. See below for descriptions of a variety of workshops/trainings NWOCC is currently facilitating. Feel free to reach out to admin@nwocc.ca for all new inquires.
Join our mailing list to be the first to know when new workshops and courses are being offered. (subscribe to email list)
Trauma-Informed Solution Focused Counselling Skills (for service providers)
Through a trauma-informed lens, join us for a day of education and mental health awareness building. Learn practical strategies for supporting clients and community members in achieving safety and stabilization, within a short time frame. Understand the lasting impacts of intergenerational trauma, increase your empathy and patience for your clients, and promote resilience. Walk away from this training with tools to support a variety of clients, with varying mental health issues, while preventing re-traumatization.
Youth Mental Health 101 (for service providers and youth community members)
An exciting, interactive learning opportunity for local youth. Topics will include common mental health challenges today’s youth face, coping strategies and self-care, resilience in youth, and how to be an ally to a friend who is struggling. In addition, we provide local resources and support ideas for youth to access. Please join us for a day filled with fun activities, games and prizes, as well as engaging group discussions.
Mental Health First Aid
Brady Heyens is a Certified MHFA Trainer. Please email admin@nwocc.ca to inquire about booking a training with Brady.
Affordable Counselling Program
