Kristen Freitas
Kristen completed the Office Administrative Health Services Program at Lambton College in 2018. She has previous background in the medical field and childhood studies.
Kristen is our first point of contact when reaching out to Southwest Counselling Services. Kristen provides clients with compassion and knowledge during difficult periods in ones’ life. Kristen is passionate about the mental health field and ensures that anyone seeking assistance is treated with respect, given priority and provided with the confidentiality they deserve.
Other Team Members
Dawn Whalls
MSW, RSW
Dawn Whalls is a certified EMDR therapist, EMDRIA approved consultant, and a Registered Social Worker. She obtained her Bachelor of Social Work Degree in 1991 and a Master Degree in Social Work in 2013 from the University of Western Ontario.
Dawn has over twenty-five years of counselling experience working with children, youth, individuals and families. She has practiced in the areas of mental health, child welfare, domestic violence, addictions and supporting persons with disabilities.
Dawn Whalls is a certified EMDR therapist, EMDRIA approved consultant, and a Registered Social Worker. She obtained her Bachelor of Social Work Degree in 1991 and a Master Degree in Social Work in 2013 from the University of Western Ontario.
Dawn has over twenty-five years of counselling experience working with children, youth, individuals and families. She has practiced in the areas of mental health, child welfare, domestic violence, addictions and supporting persons with disabilities.
Taryn Barnes
MSW, RSW
Taryn Barnes obtained her Bachelor of Honors Psychology (2009) and Masters of Social Work (2011) degrees from the University of Windsor. She is a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers (OCSW) as well as the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).
Taryn has over a decade of experience in the field of counselling and psychotherapy and is very passionate about her work with children, teens, families, and adults who have experienced trauma in their childhood. Taryn uses a variety of different tools in working with her clients such as play and art therapy, sandtray, exercise, outdoor recreation, meditation, and sensory-based activities.
Taryn Barnes obtained her Bachelor of Honors Psychology (2009) and Masters of Social Work (2011) degrees from the University of Windsor. She is a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers (OCSW) as well as the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).
Taryn has over a decade of experience in the field of counselling and psychotherapy and is very passionate about her work with children, teens, families, and adults who have experienced trauma in their childhood. Taryn uses a variety of different tools in working with her clients such as play and art therapy, sandtray, exercise, outdoor recreation, meditation, and sensory-based activities.
Matt Barnes
MSW, RSW
*Matt is not currently accepting new individual clients
Matt Barnes obtained his Bachelor of Honors Psychology degree (2008) from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Masters of Social Work degree (2011) from the University of Windsor. He is a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers as well as the Ontario Association of Social Workers.
Matt provides individual, couples and family counselling. He works with youth and adults impacted by trauma, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety, sports related issues, stress and a variety of cognitive, behavioral and social issues.
*Matt is not currently accepting new individual clients
Matt Barnes obtained his Bachelor of Honors Psychology degree (2008) from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Masters of Social Work degree (2011) from the University of Windsor. He is a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers as well as the Ontario Association of Social Workers.
Matt provides individual, couples and family counselling. He works with youth and adults impacted by trauma, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety, sports related issues, stress and a variety of cognitive, behavioral and social issues.
Michele McPherson
MSW, RSW
*Michele is currently on a maternity leave.
Michele McPherson obtained her Honours Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Guelph (2011) and a Social Service Worker Diploma from Humber College (2011). Michele completed her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Windsor in 2019. She is a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers as well as the Ontario Association of Social Workers.
Michele offers services to individuals (children, adolescents, and adults) as well as couples and families. She employs her passion for health and wellness in the therapeutic realm by using several components of the mind-body connection within her practice, including exercise, meditation, yoga, and mindful movement.
*Michele is currently on a maternity leave.
Michele McPherson obtained her Honours Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Guelph (2011) and a Social Service Worker Diploma from Humber College (2011). Michele completed her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Windsor in 2019. She is a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers as well as the Ontario Association of Social Workers.
Michele offers services to individuals (children, adolescents, and adults) as well as couples and families. She employs her passion for health and wellness in the therapeutic realm by using several components of the mind-body connection within her practice, including exercise, meditation, yoga, and mindful movement.
Lauren Markos
B.A.H., MSW, RSW
*Lauren provides virtual counselling services.
Lauren obtained her Honours Bachelors of Arts, Sociology from Queen’s University (2006) and her Masters of Social Work from the State University of New York, University at Buffalo (2020). She graduated as a member of the National Social Work Honours Society (2019) for academic excellence and was the recipient of the Haseltine T. Clements Memorial Fund Award (2020). Lauren is a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW) and the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
Lauren provides human rights and trauma informed individual, couples, and family counselling to children, youth, and adults. She has a passion for solution-focused practice and trauma-specific therapy as a means of addressing a wide range of inter and intra personal issues. Lauren is a level one trained EMDR practitioner trained through EMDRIA.
*Lauren provides virtual counselling services.
Lauren obtained her Honours Bachelors of Arts, Sociology from Queen’s University (2006) and her Masters of Social Work from the State University of New York, University at Buffalo (2020). She graduated as a member of the National Social Work Honours Society (2019) for academic excellence and was the recipient of the Haseltine T. Clements Memorial Fund Award (2020). Lauren is a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW) and the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
Lauren provides human rights and trauma informed individual, couples, and family counselling to children, youth, and adults. She has a passion for solution-focused practice and trauma-specific therapy as a means of addressing a wide range of inter and intra personal issues. Lauren is a level one trained EMDR practitioner trained through EMDRIA.
Erin Lyon
MSW, RSW
Erin obtained her Bachelor of Social Work (Honors) from Western University (2019), and Master of Social Work from University of Toronto (2021). She is a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers (OCSW) as well as the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).
Erin is very passionate about her work with children, teens, families, and adults who have experienced trauma in their childhood. Erin uses a variety of different tools in working with her clients, such as play and art therapy, sandtray, exercise, outdoor recreation, meditation, and sensory-based activities.
Erin obtained her Bachelor of Social Work (Honors) from Western University (2019), and Master of Social Work from University of Toronto (2021). She is a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers (OCSW) as well as the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).
Erin is very passionate about her work with children, teens, families, and adults who have experienced trauma in their childhood. Erin uses a variety of different tools in working with her clients, such as play and art therapy, sandtray, exercise, outdoor recreation, meditation, and sensory-based activities.
Taylor Dunlop
MSW, RSW
Taylor holds a diploma in Mental Health and Addictions Counselling from Fleming College (2012), a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) from the University of Windsor (2019), and a Master of Social Work from the University of Windsor (2021). She is a Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor (CACCF), as well as a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers (OCSW).
Taylor holds a diploma in Mental Health and Addictions Counselling from Fleming College (2012), a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) from the University of Windsor (2019), and a Master of Social Work from the University of Windsor (2021). She is a Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor (CACCF), as well as a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers (OCSW).
Rachael Fowler
MSW, RSW
*Rachael is currently accepting new clients in our Tillsonburg Location
Rachael is a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers (OCSW) and the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW). She obtained her Bachelor of Social Work (Honors) from the University of Waterloo in (2019) and her Master of Social Work from the University of Waterloo (2022).
*Rachael is currently accepting new clients in our Tillsonburg Location
Rachael is a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers (OCSW) and the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW). She obtained her Bachelor of Social Work (Honors) from the University of Waterloo in (2019) and her Master of Social Work from the University of Waterloo (2022).
Cami Sinclair
BSW, MSW, RSW
Cami obtained her Bachelor of Social Work (Honors) from the University of Detroit Mercy (2020) and a Master of Social Work from the University of Windsor (2023). She is a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers (OCSW) as well as the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).
Cami obtained her Bachelor of Social Work (Honors) from the University of Detroit Mercy (2020) and a Master of Social Work from the University of Windsor (2023). She is a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers (OCSW) as well as the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).
Kristen Freitas
Kristen completed the Office Administrative Health Services Program at Lambton College in 2018. She has previous background in the medical field and childhood studies.
Jamie Shilson
Jamie is an experienced office administrator with a passion for continuous growth and development. She graduated from Lambton College's Executive Office Administration Program in 2021 and brings a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to her role.