Thunder Bay Counselling is a safe and judgment free place to work through substance use and mental health issues.If your substance use or mental health are having a negative impact on your life, relationships, career, finances or general well-being, please get in touch.
Our counsellors can provide confidential assessments and help you identify what makes you vulnerable to addictive substances and behaviours.
We understand that making changes can be difficult, but with our support, you can learn new ways of dealing with life challenges and reduce the negative impact of your use of substances.
Call us at (807) 684-1880 to learn more and to make an appointment.
Addiction & Mental Health Services:
Alcohol & Drug Assessment
Treatment Planning & Referral
Pre-treatment Stabilization
Case Management Support
Counselling & Psychotherapy
Breaking Free Online
Breaking Free is an online wellbeing and recovery support program that is FREE to use. It allows people to recognize and actively address the psychological and lifestyle issues that are driving their use of alcohol and/or drugs to help support their recovery. The program provides resources, positive coping strategies, and proven behaviour change techniques to support their long-term recovery.
This free program can help uncover the causes and emotional needs behind addictive behaviour. Issues such as abuse, neglect, loss, pain, depression and any other difficult life situations are commonly tied to substance use.
The program offers:
• Confidential assessments of substance use
• Early intervention support and counselling
• Treatment planning and referral
• Treatment and education groups
• On-going case management where needed
• Relapse prevention
• Outreach appointments arranged as needed
• Consultation to families who are concerned about someone’s substance use
For more information or to register, call (807) 684-1880.
Back on Track
Back on Track is a program for individuals who have been convicted of an impaired driving offence or have had a 2nd or subsequent roadside suspension in the Warn Range.
The program has three parts; the assessment, the education or treatment program and the six month follow up. A Warn Range suspension drivers require the one day education or two day treatment workshop only.
To avoid delays in getting your license back, register for the program as soon as possible.
For complete details about this program or to register, please go to the Back on Track web site: www.remedial.net or call 416-595-6593 in Toronto; or Ontario toll free 1-888-814-5831.
Community Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DTB) Based Skills Group
A DBT Based Skills Group is an educational group that teaches skills in the following areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. Facilitators participate in a consultation team to ensure fidelity to DBT and support facilitation.
Although this program is currently paused due to COVID-19, support is still available. Give us a call, (807) 684-1880.
The HOPE for Mothers group at Hope Place offers support for mothers looking to make a change in their drug or alcohol use. The group provides non-judgmental, confidential, empowering support for mothers to work on:
substance use
relationships
health
life skill building
parenting
finances
self-care
and more.
There is no cost for participation.
Rapid Access to Addiction Medicine Clinic (RAAM)
The RAAM Clinic provides specialized services and care for individuals seeking treatment for any substance use issue. Our team offers judgement free services in a safe and healing environment.
Individuals looking to book an appointment can call (807) 626-8478 during clinic hours. We also receive formal referrals.
Thunder Bay wins a Transformative Change Award 2019
Thunder Bay Counselling is delighted to be a community partner in the RAAM Clinic.
North West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN)
In accordance with section 8.5 of the Multi-Sector Service Accountability Agreement (MSAA) between the North West LHIN and Thunder Bay Counselling, we are required to make available a copy of the MSAA and our compliance declaration, both of which can be viewed below. Should you have any questions about either of these documents, please contact us.
For more information on programs in Thunder Bay and the district, click here.
Becca Stephenson
Becca (she/her) is a Human Resources Officer at the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board. Becca is a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) and has been a member of the Board since 2019.
Kari Wesley
Kari has over 20 years of experience in Financial Planning and Financial Services. She is a Professional Executive Coach specializing in Leadership Development and Performance Coaching. Kari is passionate about work/life balance and volunteers as a National Well-Being Ambassador with TD.
Aimee Jaun
Associate Vice Provost, Lakehead University
Aimee Jaun is the Associate Vice-Provost, Students at Lakehead University. She comes to the Board with diverse experiences that include post-secondary education, mental health and addiction, public health, management consulting, training and development, and organization development.
Carlina Marchese
Research Coordinator & Research Manager – Lakehead University
Carlina is a member of the Nominating & By-Law Committee. She recently completed her Master of Health Sciences, and is now a Research Coordinator & Research Manager at the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health.
Renée Monsma
Chair
Manager of Infant & Child Services – Children’s Centre Thunder Bay
Renée has over 20 years experience in the mental health sector and is the Manager of Infant & Child Services Children’s Centre Thunder Bay. Renée has served on the board of directors for the past 3 years and holds the position of Chair of the board. Renee is also a member of the strategic planning committee.
Jeff Moorley
MEMBER AT LARGE
Lawyer at White MacGillivray Lester LLP
Jeff is in his second term as a director, having been elected to the Board in 2015 and re-elected in 2018. Since 2015 he has chaired the Board’s Nominating and By-law Committee which oversees the recruitment of new Board members and the legal rules governing the Board.
Melissa Beaucage
Student – Lakehead University
Melissa is currently a student enrolled at Lakehead University in the Specialized Psychology program who brings a youth perspective to the board. She has chaired the Strategic Planning Committee in 2018-2019 and participated in Family Service Day at Queens Park in 2019.
Tuomas Minor
Corporate Management Professional
Tuomas is a Professional Engineer working in the local telecommunication sector. He brings extensive experience in Corporate Leadership and specializes in strategic planning, program development, and data analysis.
Katherine Couzelis
Forest Technician, Owner of WAYfinder Trails & Recreation
Katherine obtained her Aboriginal Canadian Relations Certificate while studying Natural Resource Management at Confederation College. She was elected as a board member in September 2020 and is part of the Audit Committee.
Gustavo Petterle
Director of Organizational Health, NorWest Community Health Centre
Gustavo is Director of Organizational Health at the NorWest Community Health Centre. He has extensive experience in health policy development and health care administration with special interest in quality improvement and its relation with corporate planning.
Becca Stephenson
Human Resources Officer at the Children’s Aid Society
Becca is a Human Resources Officer at the Children’s Aid Society of the District of Thunder Bay. Becca is a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP), with extensive experience in the areas of recruitment and selection, policy development and implementation, research, data analysis and anti-oppressive practice.
Terra Lofts
Director, Programs and Services Children’s Centre Thunder Bay
Terra is a Director, Programs & Services at Children’s Centre Thunder Bay. She has 20 years’ experience in the developmental and children’s mental health field. She has extensive experience in program development, program implementation, and system planning.
Terra was elected to the Board in September 2018. She was a member of the Nominating and By-Law Committee for 2018-19. Terra is a recent graduate of University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management Executive Programs, Public Sector Leadership Institute. Terra has a strong passion for Children’s Mental Health.
Emily Morris
Lawyer
Emily is a member of the Nominating and By-Law Committee and has been actively involved in review the agency’s By-Laws. Emily is a lawyer with Courtis, Desmoulin Law Office.
Heather Gray
Director
Heather joined the Board in 2018. She brings extensive experience in the health care sector in planning, education, clinical practice and administration.
Prior to her recent retirement, Heather was the Director of Health System Design and Development at the North West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN). During her tenure at the North West LHIN Heather provided oversight to the following portfolios: seniors, chronic disease management, emergency planning, mental health and addictions, alternate level of care (ALC), and First Nations health. She has extensive health care experience throughout Northwestern Ontario in clinical practice, education, administration and planning. Heather has a special interest in mental health and addictions services.
Smart Saver
Darcy McWhirter
Secretary
Supervisor – Concurrent Rehabilitation Services
SJCG – Sister Margaret Smith Centre
Darcy joined the Board in 2012 and has been Secretary since June 2015. She has extensive Committee experience having served on the Nominating and Bylaw Committee, the Retreat Planning Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee and the Executive Director Performance Review Committee. Darcy currently sits on the Audit Committee.
Darren Lillington
Regional Service Coordinator, Indigenous Lead
Spinal Cord Injury Ontario
Darren is a member of the Thunder Bay Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Thunder Bay Accessible Sport Council. He is an active member of our Board and has been involved in numerous committees including 50th Anniversary Committee, Compensation Policy Development, Executive Director’s Performance Review and supported the Board to prepare for accreditation in 2015. He has been an eager participant in the United Way Billboard Rescue. Darren is in his second term on the Board.
Carol Cline
Manager of Upgrading
Confederation College
Carol started her first term with the Board in June 2015. She has 25 years of experience in the Mental Health field, most recently in the past 10 years specializing in the area of Domestic Violence. She is currently a member of the 50th Anniversary Committee and the Retreat Planning Committee.
Christina Brassard
Social Worker, Supervisor
Children’s Centre Thunder Bay
Christina joined the Board in 2015. She is currently a member of the Nominating and By Law Committee and has been an active participant in the United Way Billboard Rescue.
Lori Golab
Retired Principal
Lakehead Public Schools
Lori has been an active member of the Board since 2011. She has supported many agency events and has served on numerous committees including the Executive Director’s Performance Appraisal and Compensation Committee, Audit Committee, Nominating and Bylaw Committee, AGM Planning and most recently the 50th Anniversary Committee. Lori is a member of the Board of Directors of Family Service Ontario.
Lynda Roberts
Director of Health Promotion
Thunder Bay District Health Unit
Lynda began her first term on the Board in 2015. She is a member of the Nominating and Bylaw Committee and is chair of the Compensation Policy Development Committee.
Tony DeAgazio
Director of Corporate & Human Resources
The Children’s Aid Society of the District of Thunder Bay
Tony was elected by the Board in October 2016. He is President of YES Employment Services, with Corporate Services Consultation – Indigenous Child Well-Being Societies and a Human Resources instructor for College and University.
