Counselling
We are helpers helping helpers.
In other words...we get it.
This team has spent decades in the field working in community, the non-profit agencies and the institutions that helping professionals are influenced by. We have felt and seen the impact of empathy-based stress, the pressure of a heavy workload, and we know the systemic challenges that helping professionals face on regular basis.
So if you are someone that supports the physical, psychological, intellectual, emotional, or spiritual well-being of others, this practice was designed to support you.
We specialize in common issues that helpers experience such as:
Compassion Fatigue
Burnout
Chronic Stress
Secondary Traumatic Stress
Vicarious Trauma
Emotion Dysregulation
Work Place Issues/Stress
Work-Life Balance
Depression
Anxiety
Boundaries
Assertiveness
Imposter Syndrome
Traumatic Incidents
Stress Management
Self-Care Guilt
Resiliency Skills
Substance Abuse
Self-Criticism
Self-Sabotage
Anger Issues
Co-Dependency
Women's Issues
Life Transitions
Confidence Issues
Moral Injury
Our Approach
We offer client-centered individual and group therapy services that focus on counselling, education and practical strategies that support people in developing psychological resiliency and optimal well-being.
We take a compassionate, relational approach to help create a counselling experience that feels comfortable and welcoming. We hope to help our clients develop self-awareness, self-compassion and have sustainable practices that help them recover and maintain their well-being in both their professional and personal lives.
Our work is grounded in theories of Feminist, Strengths-Based, Biopsychosocial-spiritual, Trauma-informed and Attachment-informed care. We use eclectic styles of practice that include Compassion-Focused, Traumatic Incident Reduction, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
The Team
Amanda Rocheleau, BSW, MSW, RSW
Founder of Amanda Rocheleau Counselling and Consulting
In the first 10 years of Amanda's career as a Social Worker, she provided therapeutic services for individuals with trauma, mental health issues and substance use disorder. Yet, after noticing that both her and many of her colleagues were struggling to cope with occupational stress, she shifted her focus to improving the psychological health for helping professionals and became a Compassion Fatigue Specialist. What started as a passion project has blossomed into a thriving practice that continues to grow in response to the needs of her clients and community. She now has a team of associates that she provides clinical consultation for to help provide high quality therapeutic services within Ontario.
Amanda is kind of an open book, bringing authenticity and genuine connection to her work with clients. Her family, cats and creative projects keep her grounded and her peers and community connections keep her inspired. Like a deep-rooted tree she is thrives to be a sustainable, benevolent and sturdy support for those around her.
Availability:
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Video counselling
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Waitlist - Not currently accepting new clients
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Available for education and consultation
Catherine Dwyer, MSW, RSW
Clinical Associate, Independent Contractor
Registered Social Worker in Ontario and Newfoundland
As a Newfoundlander currently living in Ontario, Catherine describes herself as bit of “a fish out of water” so to speak! After 20 years of working in a variety of frontline social service settings in St. John’s, Catherine moved to Ottawa, completed her Master’s degree in Social Work and opened up a private practice. In 2022, she joined Amanda's team to provide specialized services to helping professionals.
Catherine’s style is gentle, relaxed, and down to earth with a dash of east coast humour! She’s a stepmom and crazy cat lady in training who loves nothing more than to be in the mountains or near the ocean as much as she possibly can. She’d love to hear your story and see if she can be of any help to you along your journey to well-being and balance.
Availability:
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Currently accepting new clients (residents of Ontario and Newfoundland)
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Tuesday to Friday - 9am to 5pm
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Limited evening availability
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Virtually sessions only
Jennifer Hunnisett, MEd, CCC, RSSW
Clinical Associate, Independent Contractor
Canadian Certified Counsellor, Registered Social Service Worker in Ontario
Jenn dove into frontline social services in 1997 with a passion for working with those affected by trauma and substance use disorder. Work took her to the Toronto streets, to gang influenced San Diego and the community health world of our nation's capitol. It was here in Ottawa that Jenn returned to school to complete her Masters in Counselling Psychology. School and parenthood gave her some time away from the chaotic world of frontline work and got her thinking about the costs of working in the field of trauma, why so many of us are hurting and why so few of us feel like we can openly talk about it.
Suzy Q donuts, laughter and the common desire to support helping professionals brought Jenn and Amanda together in 2019. Jenn is rooted in her family, loves playing outside and is happiest among the trees. She journeys alongside her clients and is always intrigued by unique stories and the commonalities that bind us together.
Availability:
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Currently accepting new clients (residents of Ontario)
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Monday to Friday - 9:30am to 3:30pm
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Limited evening availability
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In person sessions in Ottawa and virtual sessions
Robyn Aaron (MSW Candidate 2023)
Extern offering free counselling 2022-2023
Robyn is currently completing her Master of Social Work with a focus on clinical social work and trauma at Carleton University, and holds a Master of Environmental Studies from York University. She provides support for those who are exposed to trauma and stress in their professional careers and community work, and can work with you in the ongoing process of healing from trauma, challenging narratives that no longer serve you, and building on your strengths to solidify healthy coping mechanisms and boundaries. Working from feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppression principles, Robyn draws on attachment centered, narrative, trauma informed, and emotionally focused approaches. She also supports individuals working to overcome challenging childhoods who want to create a better life for themselves and their family, than what they experienced growing up. She holds a Certificate in Refugee Mental Health, from the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture, and am a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist, with Trauma Institute International.
Availability:
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Waitlist, Not currently accepting new clients
Contact each therapist to find out more about fees for services or how to book an appointment
* Counselling services are not covered by OHIP. However, certain health insurance plans may provide some coverage for counselling provided by social workers. Please contact your provider for details about mental health coverage.
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