NICE TO MEET YOU

OUR TEAM

Counsellors tailored to your needs

Otonabee Family Counselling Centre is a multidisciplinary team of counsellors offering support to individuals, couples, families and children. Part of the intake process includes careful determination of which team member best serves your family's needs.
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ASSOCIATE COUNSELLORS

All ASSOCIATES ARE DIRECTLY SUPERVISED BY ONE OF MORE OF THE SENIOR STAFF

Vanessa Wraight, CYCP

Vanessa specializes in mental health and wellness using evidence-based strategies (CBT and DBT), Behaviour Management and Tracking and Play Therapy. She helps children and youth understand their brains, improve thought patterns, and develop social skills. Vanessa's clients learn learn to improve their self-esteem, challenge negative thinking and deal with bullying.  

With extensive experience in residential care, school settings, and SNAP (Stop Now and Plan) programs, she supports parents and advocates for necessary services to help children navigate emotional and mental health challenges.

Amy Church, CYCP

Amy’s work across school, residential and hospital settings has informed her collaborative, trust-based approach that meets youth where they are. She uses evidence-based methods, including CBT, DBT and Motivational Interviewing, to build practical coping skills for managing emotions and everyday challenges.

Amy fosters engagement through games, creative activities and hands-on tools tailored to the unique needs of each youth and family

Leanne McGillen, BA, CYCP

Leanne uses a strength-based, individual-centered approach to support children and youth in developing social and emotional skills . She has experience in residential treatment and educational settings, helping young people manage anger, trauma, school behaviour and social issues.

Leanne is particularly interested in supporting young children with strategies to improve social skills, self-regulation and life skills development.

SENIOR STAFF

Heather Purdon, MSW, RSW

Heather specializes in counselling focusing on one of the most important personal relationships - the couple. She works from an Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) framework and goals for therapy are mutually set by the couple.

Heather offers a neutral and non-judgmental environment for couples to explore challenging interpersonal dynamics and topics. She provides a safe space for LGBTQI and queer family systems.

Graham Watson, MSW, RSW

Graham has specialized in the assessment and treatment of children, youth and their families for his entire career as a social worker. He is certified in the provision of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focussed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Interventions. Graham offers services specific to anxiety, anger, mood issues, communication/social skills, trauma and sexual health.

Learn more at grahamwatson.ca

Deb Cockerton, BST, CYC

Deb provides behavioural as well as strengths-based counselling to address a variety of issues in children and families . Her activity-based learning introduces and reinforces the concepts in a non-threatening and engaging manner.

She has a special interest in children who are caught up in the cycle of bullying behaviours and welcomes the opportunity to assist young people in dealing with these issues.