About Us

Laura Williamson, BA, MSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker

Laura is a life long resident of Lambton County. She is a Registered Social Worker
who has been working in the field for over 22 years. Laura obtained both her
Bachelors and Masters degrees of Social Work from the University of Windsor.
Laura also graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Arts in
Sociology.
She works with families, teenagers, couples, as well as with individuals struggling
with relationship issues, work stress, trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, depression,
and end of life issues.

Laura is down-to-earth, warm, and approachable with a sense of humour. She uses
a combination of Therapies including;

  • Cognitive Behavioural
  • Dialectical Behavioural
  • Mindfulness
  • Strength-Based
  • Solution-Focused

John Flesher, BSc, Sociology, BSc, Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement, MACP, RP

Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO)

John has been a resident of Lambton County since 1985, bringing 30 years of lived experience as a first responder to his counselling experience, including 30 years as a critical incident responder, trained in 3 models, and 6 years as a crisis negotiator.  He has worked for a federally accredited counselling agency for the past 5 years, successfully collaborating with clients who have shown increased strength, hope and resiliency.  John is passionate about working with individuals, couples and families impacted by family of origin issues, depression, anxiety and grief.

John brings training and experience in:

  • Solution-focused Therapy
  • Cognitive  Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Existential Therapy
  • Choice/Reality Therapy
  • Trauma work, including somatic, polyvagal and neuroception
  • Retirement- pre and post planning and support

Brenda Teasell, BA, MSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist

Brenda Teasell was born and raised in Sarnia and returned to the Lambton County area, after living in the GTA for 20 years.  She has more than 25 years of expertise in the field of mental health and addictions, with 17 of those years working at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, as a therapist and educator.  Brenda’s passion is to help individuals learn lifelong skills that will help them to strengthen their mental health and increase their resilience and ability to thrive in their daily life.  Brenda works from a trauma informed and psychotherapy framework, and she is trained in several evidence and skill based therapeutic approaches, including:

  • Acceptance Commitment Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy;
  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy;
  • Emotional focused therapy (for couples);
  • Mindfulness;
  • Motivational Interviewing;
  • Narrative Therapy;
  • Solution Focused Therapy; and
  • Stage Trauma Treatment

Dianne Mitchell, BA, MA, LPC

Licensed Professional Counsellor Marriage & Family Therapist

Dianne Mitchell has lived in Sarnia most of her life and has worked in the social work/counselling  field since 1986.  For the past twenty years she has been a full time practitioner in private practice with individuals, families, children and couples, utilizing a wide variety of interventions and treating a vast array of mental health issues.  She considers herself to be a creative, humanistic, culturally sensitive therapist.

Dianne brings her training and expertise in:

  • Couple and Family Therapy
  • Sex Therapy
  • Play Therapy
  • Theraplay
  • EMDR
  • Trauma
  • Addictions
  • Life-skills Coaching

 

Jill Cousins, RN, MScN, Psychotherapist

Jill Cousins is a life-long resident of Lambton County with more than 15 years of counselling experience.  As a Registered Nurse Psychotherapist, Jill is able to combine her psychology and nursing backgrounds to provide a unique and holistic perspective to her work.  She has experience with a variety of mental health and wellness issues and has particular interest in women’s issues, burnout and services for children and youth.  Jill has experience with diverse client populations and works to provide a culturally safe environment for her clientele.

Jill brings her training and expertise in:

  • Solution-focused Brief Therapy
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical  Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
  • Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) (Adults and Children)
  • Art Therapy
  • Play Therapy
  • Filial Therapy
  • Mindfulness based Cognitive Therapy (MCT)
  • Polyvagal 
  • Gender Diversity and Transition
  • Trauma & Loss
  • Family Wellness
  • Women’s Issues, including fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and perinatal loss
  • Workplace Issues and Burnout
  • Health & Wellness Coaching