What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:45am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8:45am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8:45am - 4:45pm Thursday 8:45am - 4:30pm Friday 8:45am - 4:30pm

LightHouse Counselling and Wellness

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United States
Dafter, MI
LightHouse Counselling and Wellness

Helping you live a fulfilling life.

With over a decade of experience in the mental health field, my passion is helping children, parents, caregivers and families live their best lives. I have a Masters in Counselling Psychology and am a Canadian Certified Counsellor who spent many years working as a Child and Family Therapist and mental health leader at a local children's mental health centre where children, parents and families exp

eriencing a range of emotional, social, and/or behavioural challenges came for help. I am trained in cognitive-behavioural therapy, solution-focused therapy, collaborative problem solving, and am one of Ottawa's few practice champions specializing in infant and early childhood mental health. I have developed treatment programs from the ground up that support children and families at home, in schools, and daycares. I am a certified Lean Black Belt and Coach who works with individuals and organizations to accomplish more than they thought possible. Through the collaborative coaching process, I have helped hundreds of clients set and achieve ambitious goals, improve performance, and enhance their overall wellness.

07/12/2025

How are you spending your time this weekend?

Here’s the thing. Time is a gift. How intentional are you with your time?

For years, I overextended myself by saying yes to everything. Yes to dinner plans, yes to taking on extra work, yes to sleepovers, extracurricular activities, parties, and all the things. In the end, I had very little time (or energy) for the things that actually mattered the most to me. Things that aligned with my purpose and helped me feel fulfilled and energized.

Because when we say yes to everything, we’re also saying no to a million other things. Things that might be very important to us.

Although some days it’s still a struggle, I am committed to practicing being intentional with my time so I don’t waste a second of this precious life I’ve been blessed with.

If you don’t intentionally choose how your spending your time and book the important things in FIRST, your time will be spent on other people’s priorities.

So, how can you start aligning your time with your purpose? What things will you say yes to? What might you say no to?

Happy Weekend my friends. XO

03/21/2025

Political stress arises when we experience worries, frustration, or emotional distress due to political events, conflicts, or uncertainty. In today’s climate, constant exposure to divisive news, social media debates, and ongoing political turmoil can lead to heightened tension and helplessness.

Political stress can activate our fight-or-flight response, causing physical symptoms like increased heart rate, difficulty sleeping, and heightened irritability. Over time, this stress can contribute to burnout, depression, or even physical health problems.

Understanding how political stress impacts our mental health is crucial. It's important to create boundaries with media consumption, stay informed in a balanced way, and focus on what we can control in our personal lives. Practicing mindfulness, talking to a supportive community, and seeking professional help when needed can be powerful tools to manage political stress effectively.

Remember, protecting your mental health is just as important as staying informed.

03/06/2025

Life, just like boxing, can throw unexpected punches – but having the right people in your corner makes all the difference. 🥊💥 Whether it’s a tough day at work or navigating life’s challenges, having friends and coworkers who support, encourage, and believe in you is what helps us stay strong. 🤝

We are stronger together, shining our light, supporting one another, and building a safe, inclusive community where everyone can grow. So here’s to the friends, coworkers, and teammates who keep us moving forward, even when the going gets tough! 💪❤️

A special thanks to The Rig for facilitating this for us!

02/11/2025

Meet Athem - The newest member of our LightHouse Team!

We are so excited to welcome Athem, a compassionate and experienced therapist, offering nearly a decade of expertise in supporting individuals facing mental health challenges.

Specializing in anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, and more, Athem uses a client-centered, trauma-informed approach to guide individuals towards healing. He integrates therapeutic techniques such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, ACT, and Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET), ensuring personalized care for each person.

Athem works with a diverse range of clients, including youth, adults, seniors, veterans, first responders, and BIPOC communities. Offering both in-person and virtual sessions, Athem is committed to providing accessible, flexible care.

Fluent in English and French, he strives to empower his clients through skill-building, advocacy, and trauma recovery, all while creating a safe and supportive environment. Athem works from our East end location and also offers virtual support. Reach out to book an appointment!

12/02/2024

At the heart of everything we do is care – for our clients, for each other, and for our community. It’s what makes the world a little brighter, and every bit of kindness matters.

This December, we invite you to join us in spreading some holiday cheer through our Food Drive at the Kanata clinic! 🌟

We’ll be collecting non-perishable food items throughout the month to support local charities that provide for those in need.

Even a small contribution can make a big impact. It’s a simple but meaningful way to practice gratitude, kindness, and connection this season. 💙

Please drop off your donations at the clinic and join us in sharing warmth and compassion with those who need it most. Thank you for being part of our caring community – together, we can make a difference. 🙏

11/14/2024

As I dropped my son off at school this morning, I noticed something that stayed with me. A group of kids walked by, split into smaller cliques—laughing, chatting, having a great time together. But among them, one girl walked alone, her head down, with no group to join. Every now and again, she would look up at the people around her, but would quickly look down again, discretely and without drawing any attention to her. My heart ached for her. If only someone noticed… If only someone invited her to walk alongside them. It would be such a small gesture, but it could mean the world to her.

Loneliness, anxiety, and depression among teens are more prevalent than ever, and it’s a heavy reality that so many young people feel disconnected and isolated. Supporting mental health and building a true sense of community is not just the responsibility of one person; it’s on all of us. Parents, teachers, and community members—let’s make it a priority to talk with our kids and teens about the importance of kindness, inclusion, and belonging. Every gesture of connection, every moment of kindness, can make a difference in someone’s life.

Everyone deserves to feel seen, to know they belong, especially in a place they’re expected to attend for years. We can—and should—do better.

Let’s strive to make our schools a place where everyone feels connected and like they belong. It starts with a simple invitation, a warm gesture, and a willingness to see each other.

11/12/2024

Teenagers aren’t just moody—they’re undergoing one of the most profound brain transformations of their lives. Neuroscience shows that the teen brain is a work in progress, especially in areas responsible for decision-making, emotional regulation, and impulse control.

During adolescence, the prefrontal cortex (the part that helps with planning, problem-solving, and thinking things through) is still developing. Meanwhile, the amygdala—the brain’s emotional centre—runs the show, which is why teens often feel everything so intensely. Their emotions are big, their reactions can be impulsive, and they struggle to think through long-term consequences.

You can help them during this critical period of development by deepening your understanding and supporting them through it.

www.lighthousecw.ca

11/10/2024

🤍 "It’s okay to feel exhausted. You’re not alone." 🤍

Parenting a teen can feel isolating, especially when every conversation seems to end in an argument or silence. But you are not alone. Every parent struggles with moments of uncertainty, doubt, and exhaustion.

Remember: You’re doing important work. Your love matters, even when it’s hard to see in the moment. Even when it feels like they’re pulling away, your presence is still shaping them.

If you feel overwhelmed, reach out for support. Parenting isn’t meant to be done alone. Find other parents, a therapist, or a group where you can share your worries and joys. It takes a village—and you deserve care, too.

www.lighthousecw.ca

11/09/2024

💡 "Sometimes help looks like letting them figure it out." 💡

When your teen is struggling, every bit of you wants to step in and fix things. But often, the most helpful thing we can do is step back and give them space to learn and grow.

- Ask: "Do you want advice, or do you just need me to listen?"
- Let them take the lead, even if they stumble. "You’ve got this. I believe in you."
- Be a safety net, not a parachute. They need to know you’re there, even as they try to fly on their own.

It’s okay to feel scared watching them navigate new territory. But trust that the roots you’ve nurtured will guide them, even when they’re out of sight.

11/08/2024

🫂 "The goal isn’t perfection—it’s presence." 🫂

Parenting teens is hard. There will be moments you second-guess yourself. Did I say the wrong thing? Was I too hard on them? Should I have let that slide?

Breathe. The heart of parenting is connection over perfection. You don’t need to get it right every time. Your teen doesn’t need you to be flawless—they need you to be real. To admit when you make mistakes. To repair when things go sideways.

Say:
- "I was frustrated earlier, and I didn’t mean to snap. Can we start over?"
- "I wish I had listened better when you tried to tell me that. I’m here now if you want to talk."

Every moment of repair teaches them it’s okay to mess up—and how to make things right again. Your presence is the greatest gift you can give.

11/07/2024

💪 "I say no because I love you." 💪

Teens push boundaries—it’s part of how they learn. Dr. Gordon Neufeld emphasizes that children need structure to feel safe, even if they push back against it. It can feel like every limit you set turns into an argument, but your boundaries are necessary. They say: "I care enough to guide you, even when you don't like it."

Here’s the trick: hold the limit AND hold the relationship.

- "I know you’re upset, but no, you can’t go out tonight. We’ll figure out another time."
- "I get that curfews are frustrating, but being home at 10 keeps you safe."

They may be frustrated with your "no," but what matters is that you’re still emotionally available through their big feelings. Boundaries + connection = security.

Address

Dafter, MI

Opening Hours

Monday	8:45am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:45am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:45am - 4:45pm
Thursday	8:45am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:45am - 4:30pm

Website

http://www.lighthousecw.ca/

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