ABOUT THE CENTRE

Our therapists are highly qualified Registered Social Workers, Psychologists and Mediators with many years of practical experience in their respective fields. Elgin Counselling & Mediation Centre has been serving the community since August 1996.
We are located at 19 Queen St (corner of Queen St & Centre St) St Thomas, Ontario. At the present time we are under contract by the Ministry of Children and Youth, Youth Justice Services to provide counselling and mental health services for youth 12-17 on probation. This treatment encompasses individual, relationship, family and group counselling as dictated by client need.

TRAINING
The Centre provides opportunity for field practicum to university students completing their field placements through the School of Social Work at King's University College, University of Western Ontario, London; Wilfred Laurier University, Waterloo and for college students from the Social Service Worker Program at Fanshawe College, London.

Companies and not-for-profit organizations are invited to inquire about training sessions in the areas of stress management, conflict management, meeting facilitation, communications and leisure awareness, and for the purpose of debriefing/defusing following traumatic events.

SPEAKERS
Community Service organizations are invited to inquire about presentations on topics of interest. We will also provide in class presentations for secondary schools. Teachers are invited to contact us for further information. These services are provided free of charge.

OUR COUNSELLING & MEDIATION STAFF

Darryl DeRoches, BA, MSW
Darryl is a Social Worker with 15 years experience in the field. He provides supportive counselling services for individuals, couples, and families. He offers counselling services for a variety of situations including anxiety, depression, grief, traumatic stress, self-actualization and problem-solving. Darryl utilizes a psychodynamic perspective in his work with people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and lifestyles.

Nicole Farren Sharp, MSW, RSW
Nicole is a Registered Social Worker. She provides supportive counselling services for individuals, couples, families and groups. She offers counselling services for a variety of situations, including anxiety, depression, anger management, self-esteem building and problem-solving. Nicole brings with her 12 years of crisis management experience utilizing a Non Violent Crisis Intervention Model.

Karen Kimble, Mediator
Karen received her training as a mediator at the University of Western Ontario and has been practicing at the Centre since July 2002. Karen works with separated parents in order to develop parenting plans, neighbours who require a neutral party to assist them in resolving a dispute, employee/employer conflict as well as families who simply require some assistance with problem solving.

Carolyn McKay, MSW RSW, BMT
Carolyn is a Registered Social Worker in community psychiatry, in addition to providing counselling at Elgin Counselling. Carolyn specializes in strength-focused counselling directed towards collaborative problem solving. Carolyn draws upon 5 years of clinical experience with adults and adolescents coping with serious mental illness. At present, Carolyn provides counselling to individuals and couples struggling with marital conflict, depression and/or anxiety.

Fred Meek, Ph.D.,C.Psych.
Dr. Meek is a Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience working with adults coping with mental illness, as well as with children and youth in the Thames Valley School System. Presently, Dr. Meek provides treatment for individuals and couples.

Tobi Siew, B.A., M.P.A., Acc. FM, ADR Practioner
Tobi is an accredited ADR practitioner with a an Honours B.A in Criminology/Sociology, a Master's Degree in Public Administration and completion of a Certificate Program in Conflict Management & Mediation. She is a member of the ADR Institute and is an Accredited Family Mediator with the Ontario Association of Family Mediators. She is a Family Group Conference Coordinator recognized with both the Provincial Roster and the ADR Link working with families involved with the Children's Aid Socieity. Tobi offers services in Intervention, Parenting Coordination as well as family mediation with separating couples, those needing co-habitation agreements and eldercare plans.

Tobi also offers civil and community mediation services including victim/offender and landlord/tenant disputes. She has extensive experience addressing social issues as well as issues pertaining to the business sector, including strategic planning, program evaluation, labour disputes, conflict coaching, conciliation, third party neutral investigations/fact finding, facilitation and Organizational Development consulting. Tobi designs the conflict resolution process to meet the needs of her clients..

Daphne Spence, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW
Daphne is a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist treating individuals, couples and families from a relational psychoanalytic perspective. Daphne specializes in working with children, youth and adults coping with anxiety, stress, depression, low self-esteem, grief and bereavement. Daphne’s 25 years experience includes facilitating groups focused on conflict resolution and assertiveness training for women and anger management for incarcerated young offenders, ages 15-18. Daphne is the owner of Elgin Counselling and has now been in private practice for almost 20 years. Daphne has been dedicated to working with Social Work interns for much of this time, having attained the status of Senior Field Practice Educator, King’s University College and Part-Time Practicum Professor, Wilfrid Laurier University.

Joy Vascotto, B.Soc.Sci., MA, MSW Intern
Joy is a Counsellor who provides support services for individuals, couples, families, and groups. She offers services aimed at empowering individuals and strengthening relationships through addressing issues such as anxiety, anger and emotions management, addictions, and promoting positive conflict resolution and effective problem-solving. Joy brings to her practice 10 years of social work related experience, including counselling with diverse populations, the facilitation of treatment groups, crisis intervention, needs assessment, development and evaluation of treatment programs and curriculum, and active contribution to social work research. Joy also has extensive training in the field of forensic psychology, and has experience providing counselling and support to both clients who are in conflict with the law and their families.

Mike Ware, MSW, RSW
Mike has 37 years of experience as a psychotherapist/counsellor in mental health, corrections, and working with individuals who are developmentally challenged. Mike specializes in the treatment of individuals impacted by childhood trauma and severe mental disorders. He is also a clinical supervisor for Relational Psychoanalytic therapy.

OUR ADJUNCT STAFF

John Coleman
John is a recreation and leisure therapist with 30 years experience in the mental health field. John facilitates small groups focused on Leisure Awareness and Retirement Preparation. His workshops emphasize lifestyle enhancement and stress reduction.

Wendy Benoit, Office Manager
Wendy has been with the Centre since July 2005 and comes to us with administrative experience in the health care sector. Wendy is responsible for maintaining the day to day functioning of the office.

FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION SERVICE
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