Our Staff
Nancy Farr, Office Manager
Nancy is the office administrator for Elgin Counselling & Mediation Centre. She has decades of experience in both the service and administrative field. She has a strong compassion for people and approaches life with a positivity that is certain to make you smile.
Jennifer Perras MSW, RSW
Jennifer is a bilingual (French/English) Master of Social Work helping individuals from diverse populations navigate life challenges within a safe and supportive environment. Jennifer provides counselling for youth, adults and seniors who are experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem using trauma informed approaches and interventions for improving self-concepts, communication, and coping strategies.
Jennifer has helped individuals experiencing postpartum depression, separation, divorce, bullying, marital and family conflict, and life transitions- including religious trauma to improve their lives. Her kind and empathic approach empowers individuals, couples, and families to take control of their lives in a healthy, collaborative, and positive manner.
Donna Sousa MSW, RSW
Donna is a Master of Social Work who has been in the field for over 11 years. Donna provides counselling for trauma, stress, anxiety, depression and general mental health. Donna is currently seeing adults, children and couples.
Tyneisha Dunn, RSSW
Tyneisha is a Registered Social Service Worker that offers individual counselling for depression, anxiety, stress management, self-esteem, and general mental health concerns for people aged 15+. As a mixed Anishinaabe'kwe (Ojibwe woman), Tyneisha embraces both social work theory and her traditional teachings to address overall wellness. She aims to create a collaborative, non-judgemental, and supportive environment to assist you in using your unique strengths to create positive change, drawing on a range of modalities to support your needs. Her special areas of interest include boundaries, communication, and assertiveness teaching, as well as employee & workplace mental health improvement.
Shelley Reiser-Brown MSW, RSW
Shelley is a Registered Social Worker in Ontario with experience in a variety of hospital and community-based settings working with youth and adults from diverse backgrounds. She provides counseling for clients in the areas of anger management, anxiety and depression using solution-focused therapy as well as cognitive behavioral strategies. Shelley’s person-centred approach helps clients achieve balance and clarity about how to move forward in healthy and positive ways.
Kathleen Lowe MSW, RSW
Kathleen is a registered Social Worker who has been practicing in the field for over 22 years. She has her Masters in Social Work and has been training Social Work interns for two decades. Kathleen is a trauma informed practitioner who integrates different therapy modalities depending on the unique needs of those she is helping. She has experience working with youth and adults.
Life’s unexpected challenges and personal issues can be hard to deal with on our own or with those who might not understand what we are going through. Kathleen works collaboratively in her counselling relationships to provide a safe and supportive atmosphere that encourages growth within and outside of the counselling setting. Kathleen has helped those looking for assistance with their mental health, relationships, substance abuse, anger and unhealthy relationship/family dynamics. She assists individuals to build upon their existing skill set to help strengthen a more authentic connection with themselves and others.
Lyndall Hewitt BSW, MSW, RSW
This life may have you feeling lonely, misunderstood, or worn out. The truth is we all deserve to
feel a sense of belonging and to benefit from healthy, happy relationships. It’s my aim to cultivate a therapeutic relationship with you, wherein you can feel completely safe to be yourself. I practice from a humanistic lens that focuses on your wholistic well-being. Let’s work together to reclaim and renew your inner peace, passion, and compassion for your authentic-
self and the relationships that nurture you and your family.
I have experience and empathy helping children, youth, and adults with a variety of challenges including:
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Building and enhancing communication skills between parents and/or partners.
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Managing (and succeeding) with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD- Child and Adult)
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Processing PTSD and intergenerational trauma.
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Navigating separation and divorce proceedings.
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Living with loss and grief.
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Overcoming academic barriers related to performance anxiety and/or social anxiety.
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Reducing workplace stress and exploring career goals.
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Narrative therapy to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
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Crisis and self-harm intervention
Sara Emptage MSW, RSW
Sara is a Master of Social Work, who has extensive experience working with youth who are experiencing complex mental health (anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc.), families in conflict, and developmental trauma. She understands that during adolescence, many things can and will change, which can leave a young person feeling overwhelmed, not heard, and/or struggling to embrace a new identity amongst other difficulties.
It can be challenging seeking counselling support, and Sara is very intentional in creating a space that is safe and comfortable. Our life stories speak volumes, and Sara is looking forward to helping you write the next chapter of your story.
Approach to Therapy
As a Social Worker, individual, and parent, Sara values compassion and collaboration. She works from both a trauma-informed and attachment lens. She practices a client-centered approach to address the diverse needs of the individual. This means that she meets the individual where they are at in their journey. Sara draws upon evidence-based practices including, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Strength Based Therapy, Brief Solution-Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness.