Staff

Megarrah is the Studio Coordinator for RE-create Outreach Art Studio. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Art from York University, with a focus in photo-based art. Megarrah has spent the past 9 years working in the not-for-profit sector in both Toronto and Hamilton doing volunteer management, community engagement and supporting those living with mental health and addictions issues. 

When she’s not working, Megarrah can be found cycling, swimming or hanging out in one of Hamilton’s many amazing parks with her husband and their two small children. She also loves to bake, sew and eat ice cream.

Emma is the Youth Outreach Worker and Community Developer for Recreate Outreach Art studio. Emma has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Psychology from McMaster University and has worked with youth for over 6 years in a variety of settings. Emma started as a volunteer with Recreate the summer of 2015, ran the “Growing up Queer in the Hammer” project from January 2017-June 2017 and previously worked for 2 years as a personal support worker with adults with developmental disabilities.

Emma is pursuing a Masters of Arts in Psychotherapy and Spiritual Care at Laurier’s Lutheran Seminary and can often be found hiking the bruce trail, making ink and water-colour drawings, wearing glitter and learning how to foster healing and growth for the people she holds dear in her life.  Emma has an interest in enriching the lives of the dying, and reframing our perceptions of death in Western society, and would like to open a palliative care center in the future.

Ruth provides administrative support for the Congregational Assistance Plan Program (CAP) as well as intake services support for the Hamilton clinic. Ruth graduated from Queen’s University with a major in History and then obtained a Diploma in Office Administration. After working and travelling in Europe for a year, she returned to Toronto and began administrative work in the Human Resources Division at the TD Bank; then owned and operated a catering and retail shop; and latterly worked in the Insurance industry.

Outside of work, Ruth loves travelling and spending time with her family and friends.

As a counsellor, Amelia has worked with individuals, couples and families around a broad range of issues including trauma, grief, depression, anxiety and other challenges. Amelia is passionate about working with vulnerable children and their families. She is a Trust-Based Relational Intervention Practitioner and desires to support children from hard places on their journey toward restoration and hope. Working from an attachment framework, Amelia strives to support clients with her clinical skills and warm, empathetic approach.

Amelia earned her B.A. in Psychology at McGill University and her M.Div. in Clinical Counselling at Tyndale Seminary. She is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).

Amelia enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading novels and traveling.

Prior to joining Shalem, Natasha worked as a clinical research coordinator for the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University. Natasha is passionate about seeing people flourish in their lives. Natasha believes that relationship is at the heart of good therapy, and seeks to provide a safe space for clients to process life challenges. Natasha has experience supporting individuals with a variety of presenting issues, including depression, anxiety, marriage and relational difficulties, trauma, addiction disorders, and grief.

Natasha earned her MSc in International Health Policy at the London School of Economics, and her MEd in Counselling Psychology at the University of Toronto OISE. She is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).

Beyond the office, Natasha enjoys time spent with family, walks along the lake, and cuddling with her animals.

David has an eclectic mix of life experience that informs his professional counselling practice at Shalem. David is a graduate of St. Stephen’s University in New Brunswick where he studied art history and literature and had the opportunity to visit Europe and Asia on study-travel terms. David’s passion for creativity and social justice led him to complete social work degrees at McMaster University and University of Windsor.

David has a calm, welcoming and empathetic nature. He intently calls out the values and strengths in the lives of those he serves. David has professional experience both on the front lines of mental health in the Hamilton community, and within clinical social work settings. David has training in CBT and DBT therapies, and his areas of counselling interest include: depression, anxiety, relationships, addictions (internet and pornography), and trauma.

Outside of the office David pursues interests including traveling, visiting art galleries, attending Toronto Raptors games, running, biking, and reading and writing in the many coffee shops around Hamilton.