SHALEM - Key Persons
Amila previously held the position of Interim Ontario Director at A Rocha Canada, a Christian environmental stewardship organization. She brings seven years of experience in non-profit management, communications, and fundraising. She is dedicated to communicating with constituents well, developing meaningful programs, and helping organizations flourish. Amila is inspired by Shalem's integrated and holistic approach in mental health and sees its work as an integral piece to the well-being of individuals and communities. Currently, Amila is raising her first child alongside her husband in Hamilton, Ontario where they enjoy sailing, canoeing, being in Creation, and sharing a meal with friends and neighbours.
Job Titles:
- Director of Restorative Practices
Anne holds a M.A. in Religion and Culture and a Ph.D. in Religious Studies. She is trained in Restorative Practices and a founding member of the FaithCARE steering team, an ecumenical organization supported by Shalem that offers a restorative response to conflict and a process to become restorative congregations.
Anne's work experience includes volunteer coordinator with the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture, lecturer in Religious Studies and Women's Studies, and program coordinator in the areas of small group ministry and spiritual formation for the United Church of Canada. Anne is a skilled small group facilitator and workshop leader. She is the author of Rooted in the Divine: Nurturing Our Faith Through Small Group Ministry, Toronto, United Church, 2004 and Exploring Faith Questions: Journeys of Faith and Spirituality, Toronto, United Church, 2004. Anne has two terrific children. She loves to travel, write, and learn about just about anything.
As a counsellor and registered social worker, Bernadine has enjoyed working with individuals, couples and families in a variety of settings. She provides a supportive and safe space for people to work through the hurts and difficulties they are experiencing and move towards healing.
Job Titles:
- Attachment Psychotherapist and Artistic Director
Betty is our Director of the Linking Lives/Building Attachment program and the Artistic Director of Shalem's RE-create Outreach Art Studio. A registered art therapist and a certified play therapist, Betty has worked with adults, children, teens and their parents for over 15 years at Shalem. Betty is a certified supervisor, consultant and trainer of the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Institute.
Betty holds a Master's degree in Child and Adolescent Studies from the University of Guelph. She also completed the Master's-level program at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute.
Job Titles:
- Founding Member of the FaithCare Steering Group
Bill Bickle operates Fordelm Inc. a small church-health consulting firm, from Port Hope where he and his wife Marnie live. Bill was a banker for 25 years in increasingly senior management roles in international banking, corporate banking, and marketing to small businesses. He has an accounting degree and an M.B.A. in organizational behaviour. Bill is the National Partner for Natural Church Development (NCD) in Canada and the UK and has worked cross-denominationally with hundreds of churches, church leaders and denominational offices.
As a founding member of the FaithCare Steering Group, Bill has contributed significantly to the ongoing development of the RP paradigm. He is a certified facilitator and trainer and brings this focus on the restoration of relationships, and reconciliation, to his work with churches, especially those in conflict or in transition.
For more on Bill's work with churches and how Fordelm supports the release of all-by-itself growth potential to build up the Body of Christ, please visit fordelm.com.
Chris is returning to the Shalem Board after a year's absence. He works with charity leaders locally, nationally, and internationally through his consulting business Lead With Catalyst. A long time friend of Shalem, Chris brings experience in board governance, strategy, and leadership development, along with a keen interest in how organizations, churches, and families can better support mental health needs. He lives with his family in Greensville, ON and enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities.
Christy is a graduate from McMaster University, specializing in Social Psychology with Honours. With experience as a case manager, she has successfully worked with diverse demographics including youth, families, and single woman, which has equipped her with skills applicable to the Wraparound Program.
Known for her calm yet friendly demeanor, Christy focuses on providing a supportive environment and safe environment for families. Driven by her personal and professional values, she firmly believes in delivering client-centered, strength-based, and anti-oppressive care to all families.
Danielle has been with Shalem since 2005. She graduated from Redeemer University College with a business major and missions minor. Most of Danielle's work experience has been with non-profit organizations. Previously she worked at Mission Services of Hamilton, organizing children's programs, and providing financial management for individuals on the Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program.
Danielle provides administrative support to Shalem, and manages our print and web communications. Danielle manages the intake process for the Congregational Assistance Plan (CAP) and the Hamilton Clinic.
Danielle enjoys camping, biking and hiking with her family.
Elisabeth graduated from York University with a major in Geography and, after a few years of travel and mission work, began administrative employment. At Shalem she provides administrative support to various programs, including the intake process for the Hamilton clinic and Congregational Assistance Program (CAP). Prior to coming to Shalem, Elisabeth was the Assistant to the Vice-President (Academic) at Redeemer University College.
Elisabeth still enjoys international travel and mission work, alongside her husband and children, but more regularly indulges in family games of UNO and Monopoly.
Emma has a Masters of Arts in Theology, specializing in Psychotherapy and Spiritual Care from Martin Luther University College at Wilfrid Laurier University. Emma has worked with youth in the arts in Hamilton for over 5 years at RE-create Outreach Art Studio, and brings her humour, non-judgemental presence and creativity into her therapeutic practice. Emma has experience working with depression, anxiety, gender and sexual identity, youth, life-transitions, and grief. Emma finds it a privilege to meet people where they are at, and believes emotions have a lot of valuable information for us to explore.
Emma enjoys watching and performing character comedy, wearing glitter, surfing the Great Lakes, and pistachio gelato.
Job Titles:
- Director, Annual Giving & Donor Stewardship
- Leader of All Fundraising and Development Activities at the Shalem Mental Health Network
Felicia is currently away on maternity leave until summer 2024.
Felicia Van Dyk proudly serves as the leader of all fundraising and development activities at the Shalem Mental Health Network. With over 10 years experience working at non profit and social services agencies, her passion for bringing people together and community building has kept her motivated. Felicia appreciates working with donors and supporters to learn the "why" behind their stewardship and to ensure their interests are met while meeting the needs of Shalem. Felicia lives in Hamilton with her husband and young son. She is a dedicated community volunteer and is active with the Locke Street Community Fridge. She is currently workings towards her Community Engagement, Leadership and Development certificate at the Toronto Metropolitan University.
Heidi De Jonge is a pastor in the reformed tradition. She's spent 14 years in parish ministry, and is currently a chaplain at Queen's University and in a long term care home. Heidi is a restorative practitioner and trainer with FaithCARE and also works as a trainer in conflict transformation with the Colossian Forum.
Job Titles:
- Social Worker
- RSW / Social Worker
James completed a Master's Degree in Social Work from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts from Trent University and a Bachelor of Education from Queen's University. James is a registered social worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
James brings a warm and engaging demeanour to his conversations with clients. A big believer in the power of narrative, he strives to create a safe and welcoming place for the sharing and unpacking of each individual's story. James strives to pursue collaborative and strengths-based explorations of client concerns.
James has worked with youth, individuals and families in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, childhood trauma treatment programs, schools, residential treatment facilities and transitional housing centres. James is a generalist who uses integrative approaches rooted in evidence-based, trauma-informed practice.
Away from work, James enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, camping, and experimenting with his backyard smoker barbeque. He is intermittently committed to learning Spanish and has a weakness for truffles, peach pie and British detective dramas… at the same time if possible.
Jennie completed a Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Providence College University, and a Master of Pastoral Studies (Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy) from Emmanuel College at the University of Toronto. She completed her practicum year at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health working with clients recovering from addiction, grief and loss, and family dysfunction. She is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying).
Using an integration of therapeutic modalities that explore our stories in our lives, our emotions, our spirituality, and our beliefs about ourselves, Jennie takes a culturally aware and trauma sensitive approach to explore a variety of issues in each client's life. Jennie works out of a community-centered lens, bringing an awareness of diversity, social justice, and affirmative care to her practice.
When not working, Jennie enjoys spending time with her family, trying new activities, and exploring her thoughts and emotions through artistic endeavors.
At the start of January 2021, Jennifer began serving Shalem in the role of Executive Director. Having led the counselling program since 2009, and has loved her time growing and supporting Shalem's staff in its mission and values. Before Shalem, she worked for 20 years in the field of marriage and family therapy as a psychotherapist, consultant and trainer, valuing opportunities to work in both Family Service agencies in the GTA and faith-based clinical settings. She brings a passion for team building, visioning and community partnerships, and is keen to support the board in continuing its mission of engaging our community. She completed her undergraduate degree at University of Toronto, studying psychology and religion, was active in leadership in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and completed a Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Counselling degree at Tyndale Seminary. In recent COVID months, she's balanced her work with long family walks with her children, a healthy pile of novels, and many pots of tea.
Jennifer Myrie is a Registered Psychotherapist and Registered Marriage and Family Therapist. She is also a Supervisor with the Canadian Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT) and Approved Supervisor with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Jennifer's experience includes over 15 years in a multi-site Family Service Agency, managing clinical services, and providing clinical supervision to clinicians and supervisors from diverse backgrounds and at various stages of professional development. Jennifer has taught in the University of Guelph's Couple and Family Therapy Program and currently is a sessional instructor with University of Guelph OpenEd Advanced Certificate in Couple and Family Therapy Studies program and Tyndale University Counselling program.
Jennifer is passionate about clinical practice, teaching and clinical supervision, and is committed to practices that embody equity, excellence and collaboration.
She enjoys being engaged at various levels of her church community, relaxing with a good biography, and gardening.
Kailin is currently on maternity leave.
Kailin has a great mix of professional and personal experiences that inform the work that she does as a WrapAround Facilitator. Kailin received her Bachelor of Arts in Chid and Youth Care from Ryerson University, where she graduated with Honours. Kailin has worked in diverse settings including supporting neurodiverse children and their families as well as in bereavement, education, addiction and mental health agencies.
Kailin has an outgoing, warm and empathetic demeaner. She understands the importance of equitability and works hard to ensure that her work is anti-oppressive, anti-racist and healing centered. By seeking out new learning opportunities and engaging with communities, she is continually learning and growing in order to better serve the families that she works with.
When Kailin is not working, she enjoys taking time to focus on her spiritual growth. She also enjoys spending time with loved ones, hiking, baking and discovering new restaurants and coffee shops.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Executive Director at Silver Lake Mennonite Camp
Karen is the Executive Director at Silver Lake Mennonite Camp. Karen brings 30 years experience working with youth and young adults, responding to many mental health concerns over that time. She also brings management, leadership and board experience. When not at work, Karen loves spending time with family, book clubs, nature and boards and has a special place in her heart for The Camino de Santiago. Karen has worked on service agreements with Shalem over the last 10 years, grateful for all the ways that Shalem has provided life-giving support in so many critical situations. She is looking forward to contributing to Shalem on the board.
Job Titles:
- Intake and Administrative Support
Krizzia joined Shalem's administrative/intake team in the summer of 2022. She graduated from the Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour program at McMaster University (Honours BA), with a minor in Sociology. Following her time at McMaster, she worked in various non-profit organizations around Hamilton and Burlington in the areas of outreach, administration and customer service. At present, she is pursuing her Master of Arts in Clinical Counselling from Tyndale Seminary, and hopes to practice as a psychotherapist in the near future.
Beyond engaging in the balancing act of school and her part-time position at Shalem, Krizzia loves spending time with her family, enjoying a good meal with friends, taking walks through gardens, and exploring places she's never been.
Job Titles:
- Dean of Students at Mohawk College
Louisa is the Dean of Students at Mohawk College and is active in the Hamilton community both professionally and personally. Her working career has included various roles in the USA and Canada focused on children, youth and adult mental health and wellbeing. When not working, Louisa enjoys a variety of outdoor activities with her family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Youth Outreach Worker and Community Developer
Marie Sinclair is a Studio Facilitator for RE-create Outreach Art Studio. She is an interdisciplinary artist practicing in several mediums, including: poetry, acrylic paint, polymer clay and jewelry making. Marie first experienced RE-create as a youth, next as an artist-in-residence, and then as a volunteer, before transitioning into her role as Youth Outreach Worker and Community Developer. She first discovered her passion for all things artistic at RE-create and now seeks to nurture creativity and mental well-being in other youth. She is also keen to spread the word about RE-create to other community youth-serving agencies.
Marie is passionate about creative expression, hope, and health and she regularly uses different creative mediums to celebrate her voice, cultivate inner peace, and reconnection. She runs a thriving small artisan jewelry business where she designs jewelry for all occasions, accessed through her website and at pop-up events.
Mark Vander Vennen, M.A., M.Ed, R.S.W., is a marriage and family therapist and registered social worker living in Cobourg, Ontario. He is a founding and current member of Shalem's FaithCARE Steering Group. Mark has delivered numerous Shalem FaithCARE trainings in Canada, the United States and Haiti, and until recently served as a Canadian representative on the Board of the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP). Mark also serves as the founding and current Board Chair of Wrap Canada, a charitable organization dedicated to supporting WrapAround initiatives across the country. He is Co-Director of its WrapAround Training Institute, has delivered WrapAround trainings across Canada, and currently serves as the Coach for Shalem's WrapAround program in Hamilton. Mark was a member of the Inter-Ministerial Provincial Advisory Committee (IMPAC) at Queen's Park and more recently served on the Advisory Committee of the Ontario Ministry of Health's "Social Prescribing" pilot program for seniors, whose final report has recommended WrapAround for seniors with complex needs.
In 2020 Mark retired as Executive Director of the Shalem Mental Health Network, a position he held since 2004. In that capacity, he co-authored numerous published essays on Shalem's FaithCARE, Congregational Assistance Plan, and WrapAround programs, including "Towards A Relational Theory of Restorative Justice" in Restorative Theory in Practice (Jessica Kingsley). Prior to coming to Shalem, Mark coordinated services for 14 years with and on behalf of children and youth with complex needs in Northumberland County, Ontario. Mark is passionate about supporting communities to effectively meet the mental health needs of their most vulnerable members.
Matt is fascinated by the idea of using business for good. During his time studying at the University of Waterloo, he had his first exposure to board leadership as the student board representative at MCCO. After working at various tech companies, a physics lab, and one of Canada's top corporate law firms, Matt landed on a small family-owned regenerative farm (Heartwood Farm & Cidery) as his preferred place of employment. He is now a partner in the business and is excited about ambitious plans for the future of Heartwood. When not working, Matt can be found biking along the Grand River, scuba diving along the Bruce Peninsula, or on a patio in Kitchener with his partner and friends. He looks forward to learning more about the good work that Shalem does.
Prior to joining Shalem, Michelle worked with children with behavioural difficulties in the school setting, elderly persons in the end stages of dementia, and adults recovering from brain injury and lengthy hospitalization.
At Shalem, Michelle has worked with children and families with issues of addiction, divorce and separation, those experiencing grief, anger issues, and children with behavioural difficulties at home and school. Michelle enjoys working alongside parents and families of these children throughout the therapy process and includes them in the art-making experience.
Michelle completed her undergraduate studies at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. with a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in psychology and criminal justice. She completed her graduate studies at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Counselling Student
Ruth believes that a safe space is where your whole self is warmly embraced, and you can unpack your life experiences and current situation without fear of judgment or shame. Ruth approaches people through a lens of curiosity and encourages her clients to explore their own stories and emotions with curiosity and gentleness. As a co-journeyer with her clients, Ruth views collaboration as vital in the healing journey.
Ruth is committed to being culturally responsive and culturally competent, seeking to inform herself of systemic marginalization experiences and to be an ally for those facing oppression and marginalization. Ruth practices from an affirming, trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, anti-marginalization social justice lens, where she seeks to advocate for social change and equalize power imbalances in the therapy room and beyond. Ruth believes that, as humans, we are inherently relational and all experience emotions.
Ruth practices Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and Narrative Therapy informed by the Attachment and Emotionally focused perspective. Ruth seeks to assist individuals, couples, and families to determine their ideal future and develop the connections they yearn for.
Ruth has lived cross-culturally and speaks a second language. This experience taught her the importance of humility and curiosity. Ruth completed her BA in History and BScN at the University of Calgary. Ruth practiced as a registered nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Ruth worked on an anti-human trafficking project in SE Asia. Ruth is completing her Master of Counselling at the University of Athabasca and is passionate about helping individuals, couples, and families thrive through psychotherapy.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Counselling Student
Samantha is a clinical counselling student who understands the importance of meeting people where they are, and walking alongside on their journey. There is no one-size fits all solution, and Samantha likes to work with each client to locate unique strengths, supports, and strategies. You can expect a compassionate and open space to share your stories at your own pace. She uses this space to facilitate healing in various areas related to grief, loss, trauma, depression, anxiety, spirituality, aging, and life transitions. Samantha honours and values each person's distinctive goals for therapy, and for themselves.
Samantha has experience in Health Sciences, and a Master's degree in Theological Studies with a focus on Spiritual Care and Counselling. She is coming to the end of her Master's degree in Pastoral Studies with a focus on Psychotherapy. Samantha merges these all together into a passion for engaging with the community's health in a holistic understanding of body, mind, and soul. She is trained and comfortable in various therapeutic models such as Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Emotion Focused Therapy.
In her down time, Samantha enjoys cooking (and never repeating a recipe), playing Animal Crossing, portage trips, and watching the Montreal Canadiens continue to rebuild year after year.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Counselling Student
Sarah has completed her bachelor of art's degree at York University majoring in Humanities, and is currently in her final semester of the Masters of Divinity Clinical Counselling program at Tyndale.
Sarah is passionate about people and journeying alongside them towards emotional and mental wellness. Sarah works out of a lens of curiosity, warmth, and encouragement to engage with her clients.
Sarah has experience working with youth, individuals, and families in various countries such as Mongolia, Uganda, Colombia, and Mexico. She has worked with schools, churches, government funded senior homes, orphanages, and women's shelters.
Away from work, Sarah loves planning fun getaways, dousing hot sauce on everything she eats, and spending time with her young niece and nephews…in moderation!
Shane is an filmmaker and writer and has worked with at-risk and marginalized populations for more than 20 years, using the arts to bring attention to their voices and stories. He has also done extensive work in the area of media advisory and media theory education, for which he has received both provincial and federal commendations. When not being a media mogul he enjoys baseball, all things computer-related, and figuring out where to put his latest book store finds on increasingly overcrowded shelves. He lives in Hamilton with his wife and their two cats, who love her but merely tolerate him.
Shawn is the Registrar & Director of Enrolment Management at Knox College at the University of Toronto. Shawn has been a frontline student services professional and academic administrator for over thirty years, having served in undergraduate and graduate institutions in Canada and France. In addition to service on the Shalem Board of Directors, Shawn serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Ecumenical Chaplaincy at the University of Toronto. Shawn insists that his students cannot bribe him with coffee and chocolate, but that they are welcome to try.
Stephen completed his undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Winnipeg and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Providence Theological Seminary. He is a registered psychotherapist.
He has worked with youth, individuals and families in a wide variety of settings including child welfare, schools, hospitals, community health centres and outpatient treatment programs for addiction and mental health. His areas of practice include anxiety, depression, addiction, anger, grief, emotional dysregulation, mindfulness, couples therapy, and parenting. Stephen works from the philosophy that counselling often results in growth by seeking a fine balance between change and acceptance. Healing and increased awareness can be achieved out of a collaborative relationship of trust between a counsellor and their clients.
In individual, couple or family sessions, Susan helps people envision and develop the futures and the relationships they are longing for. She collaborates with couples and families to identify interaction patterns that are causing problems and replace them with patterns of healthy interactions that address the longings, fears and needs of each person.
Susan brings a lens of sociocultural awareness, attending to diversity and social justice issues and to the complexity of our identities and intersections in our lived experiences. She works from an affirming, anti-oppressive and trauma-informed lens to address experiences of marginalization and imbalances of power and to advocate for change. Susan works with folks from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, and sexual and gender identities. In her own personal work, she seeks to expand her awareness of her own social locations, blind spots and internalized biases.
Susan works with and learns from clients bringing a wide range of topics, including abuse, anger, anxiety, conflict, depression, identity issues, living well with a mental health diagnosis, relationship issues, stress and trauma. Her work draws from several models of therapy, and she tailors her approach to build on the strengths and resources of each client. Her favourite models include Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Attachment Therapies such as Emotionally Focused Therapy.
Susan completed her undergraduate degree at Redeemer University and a Master's Degree in counselling psychology at McGill University. She is a registered marriage and family therapist and approved supervisor with the Canadian Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT). Susan is also a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Worker and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). She is a certified Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) couple therapist.
Job Titles:
- Director of CAP
- Director of Our Congregational Assistance Plan
Tom is the Director of our Congregational Assistance Plan (CAP) and Clergy Care programs. As a practicing Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with previous experience in pastoral ministry and management with a national Employee Assistance Program (EAP) he brings a unique perspective to the direction of these Shalem programs. Through his work experiences, Tom has witnessed the value and impact that accessible, confidential, and professional mental health supports can have on workplaces and communities of all sizes.
Tom holds a Bachelor of Arts in Church Ministries from Pacific Life Bible College and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. When he is not working, Tom loves hiking and tracking wildlife with his wife, and their quirky rescue dog, Zoey. He also enjoys backpacking, playing soccer, and holding out hope for the Maple Leafs!