Children and youth come to Thunder Bay Counselling to get support for different issues at home or school. We offer friendly and welcoming therapists to help young people build confidence, reduce stress and find new ways to cope with personal issues.
Youth talk to us about a wide range of challenges including: anxiety, depression, sexual abuse, bullying, school stress, suicidal thoughts, violence, self-esteem, or others. We also work with children and youth who feel affected by their parent’s separation, divorce, or addictions.
Call us at (807) 684-1880 to learn more.
Child & Youth Services:
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Assessment & Referrals
Youth Counselling
Family Counselling
Peer Support Groups
Court Support for Victims & Witnesses
Child & Youth Programs:
Click or tap on the program to view the details.
Child Protection Alternative Dispute Resolution
Child Protection ADR is a free service that helps families develop plans for children and youth when Child Protection Services is concerned about their well-being. This is a voluntary service that can be faster and less complicated than going through court.
The program is funded by the Ministry of Community, Children and Social Services. The program options are:
Family Group Decision Making (FGDM)– can bring your family together with service providers, including Child Protection Services, to develop a care plan that makes sure everyone is safe and well.
Child Protection Mediation (CPMed)– a mediator will work with your family and the Child Protection Worker to talk through issues together and develop a plan for child(ren) that address the concerns raised by Child Protection Services.
Child Victim Witness Program
Child Victim Witness Program offers services free of charge if you are:
A victim or witness to a crime
Required to testify in court
Under the age of 18
Our workers will help you by:
Describing the court process
Preparing you to testify
Attending trial dates with you
Supporting you through the process
Did you know Ontario has a Victims Bill of Rights? It requires that victims be treated with courtesy, compassion, and respect for their personal dignity and privacy.
CHOICES Program
CHOICES is a free social skills program for young people aged 12-17 that supports youth to find the right direction in life. This program will encourage youth to think and act positively, feel more confident and learn healthy coping strategies with other young people. Group sessions are held every week for 10 weeks and are supported by community role models.
At CHOICES, youth will talk about and explore topics including:
Communication
Decision Making
Goal Setting
Alcohol and Other Drugs
Coping Skills
Relationships
Self-Respect
Social Media
CHOICES is offered by Uturn, a partnership with Thunder Bay Counselling, Children’s Centre Thunder Bay and St. Joseph’s Care Group.
Contact the CHOICES program coordinator for information about upcoming groups: email choicesprogram@tbaycounselling.com or call (807) 684-1880
U-Turn
U-Turn provides seamless, easy access for youth to specialized mental health and substance use treatment. The program is offered by Thunder Bay Counselling, St. Joseph’s Care Group and Children’s Centre Thunder Bay. It provides counselling, treatment, support and information at no cost. When youth are ready to talk, we are ready to listen. Get more information about U-turn
Tomorrow Without Violence
Tomorrow Without Violence is a group for children and teens to learn about the impacts of domestic violence including physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse.
The group provides a safe space to discuss the violence, begin to heal from its effects, and learn that it is not okay and not their fault. The group also supports mothers in learning how to support their children’s healing.
Youth-in-Transition and Housing Support Worker Programs
Leaving the care of the child protection system can be overwhelming with many unknowns. Thunder Bay Counselling’s Youth-in-Transition Worker Program is free and can help you transition into a new life with the right confidence, skills and community connections.
Workers assist youth ages 16-24 one-on-one to:
Access health and mental health services
Secure stable housing
Obtain education and training information
Connect to employment services
Identify and access life skills support
Locate legal services
Access Human Trafficking supports and resources
Housing Support Workers provide housing supports and services to youth aged 16 and 17 who are involved in Voluntary Youth Services Agreements (VYSA).
Where else to get help
If you or someone you know is being trafficked or is at risk:
If there is immediate danger or if you suspect a child under 18 is being trafficked, call 911 or your local police service.
Youth support when it’s needed most. Youth Outreach Counsellors provide support for youth ages 12-25 and their families. Youth Outreach Counsellors provide free short-term counselling where support services are not immediately available or access to further community services is needed.
Get support with issues related to:
Mental health
Substance use
Trauma
Relationship violence
Human/sex trafficking
Criminal activity
Personal and/or family relationships.
For more information: call or text a Youth Outreach Counsellor at (807) 632-1223 or (807) 633-8273, review our information flyer, or view the video below
Lawni LaBelle-Paynter
Social Worker
Lakehead Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic
Lawni has over 20 years of experience in the health care sector. She brings extensive knowledge in the areas of mental health and addictions, primary care, acute care, chronic care, long term care, palliative care and home and community care support services.
Lawni possesses skills in the area of home care management, counselling therapy, chronic disease management, community development, case management, program development, implementation, evaluation and risk management.
Kari Chiappetta
Owner – Kari Chiappetta Consulting Inc.
Kari was born and raised in Thunder Bay and loves the people and the sense of community in our city. She wants to give back to the community to help make it the best place for her children and future grandchildren to call home. Kari joined the Board of Directors at Thunder Bay Counselling as a way to build a stronger community. She believes strongly in the Vision, Mission, and Values of the organization and believes her skills and experience tie in well to work of the board at TBC.
Carlina Marchese
Research Coordinator & Research Manager – Lakehead University
Carlina is a member of the Audit & Finance Committee. She recently completed her Master of Health Sciences, and is now a Research Coordinator and Research Manager at the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health.
Rose Bakke
Director of Family Services, Children’s Aid Society of the District of Thunder Bay
Rose has worked in various capacities in the field of child welfare for over 30 years. She is currently the Director of Family Services at the Children’s Aid Society of the District of Thunder Bay. Rose is born and raised in Thunder Bay and has a strong commitment to community and district. She has previous Board experience and a strong belief in volunteer work.
Kari Wesley
Well-Being Ambassador & Brand Manager, TD Bank
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.
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.
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.
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.
