Shalem’s counselling clinic is having an exciting fall, with a number of changes to our team, as well as a new group program.

A great new element to our clinical work in Hamilton is an attachment group called Nurturing Attachments. Betty Brouwer, who heads up Shalem’s Attachment services, has initiated this group in partnership with the Hamilton Children’s Aid Society. Based on a program developed by British psychologist Kim Golding, the group supports parents of adopted, foster or kincare children. This group will run for 18 sessions, over 10 months, serving 16 families in the Hamilton Area.

Betty also presented a workshop this fall at the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy International Conference in Kingston. She shared with other professionals on how she integrates art therapy and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy in her work.

We’ve also had some good changes on our clinical team this fall. Bernadine Togeretz has transitioned from her externship to become a part time staff, and we are thrilled to have her join us in this way. Her passion for client health has been a welcome voice on our team and with her clients.

We are also happy to have June Zwier, Shalem’s staff in the Durham Region, transition back into her role of therapist after a leave of absence since last fall.

Shawn Groen has joined our team through Shalem’s externship program, as he completes his Masters of Divinity in Counselling at Tyndale Seminary. He is working both at our Hamilton office and at Redeemer University’s campus.

Another change this year involves Michelle Deboer’s recent announcement that she and her family are expecting a new family member to join them in February. We celebrate this wonderful news with them!

On a sad note, one of our therapists, Gord Hope, is leaving the team. Gord has served clients in our Hamilton location since 2009. We wish him God’s blessings as he continues his practice in the Waterloo area.