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Shalom Counselling

Shalom Counselling

Helping People Grow Toward Peace and Wholeness

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About Us

We acknowledge that Shalom Counselling Services is located on land traditionally used by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Chonnonton Peoples. Our center is situated on the Haldimand Tract, land promised to the Six Nations. Shalom Counselling Services strives to support efforts towards justice and ongoing reconciliation through education, reflection, and meaningful action.

Our Vision

“A community of peace and wellness where all can thrive.”

Our Mission

“Shalom provides Inclusive and Accessible counselling services, supporting people to grow towards Peace and Wholeness.”

The mission of Shalom Counselling Services is helping people grow toward Peace and Wholeness through the provision of therapeutic counselling, consultation, and educational programs that integrate emotional, relational and spiritual dimensions. The services provided promote healing, growth and well-being for individuals, couples, families, groups, churches and communities. These services we aim to be inclusive and accessible for all. We do this by critically evaluating our services and by offering a sliding fee when necessary.

Our Values

Peace – We nurture peace with self, others, and God known by many names.
Excellence – We pursue excellence by implementing best practices and building partnerships that promote individual and community wellness.
Accessibility – We promote accessibility by removing barriers to ensure people can access our services.
Diversity & Inclusion – We foster diversity and inclusion, and endeavour to be ethical, anti-oppressive, welcoming, and inclusive in all aspects of our work.

Our Name

The name “Shalom” was chosen by the founders of Shalom Counselling Services. This Hebrew word means “peace,” and reflects human well-being experienced in all dimensions of life – a universal value that resonates across cultures, backgrounds, and faith traditions.

Our Perspective

Shalom Counselling Services Inc. exists to serve the mental and emotional, needs of the people in our communities. The scope of services extends to individuals and families from all cultural, ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds. We honour and respect the diversity of persons, backgrounds, and beliefs within our community. We acknowledge that the mental health of vulnerable and marginalized people is impacted by oppression, including systemic racism. Shalom Counselling Services Inc. values Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy and is sensitive to and recognizes the importance of faith or the spiritual component of people’s lives, and Counsellors are receptive to conversations of faith and spirituality when initiated by the client in the counselling process. For more information, please refer to our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Our Staff and Counsellors

Shalom is staffed by Masters level trained counsellors accredited by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) or the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).

Susan Schwartzentruber, RSW
Executive Director (she/her)
Joelle Martin-Root, RSW
Clinical Director (she/her)
Greg Chandler Burns, Business and Operations Director (he/him)
Amy Ross, Engagement and Fundraising Director (she/her)
Tracey Saulesleja. Office Coordinator (she/her)
Andrea Areguy, RSW (she/her)
Mark Gedcke, RP (he/him)
Riley Goltz, RP (he/him)
Kaitlyn Jantzi, RSW (she/her)
Melody Martin-Schelling, RP (she/her)
Simon Massicotte, RP (he/him)
Blythe McKinlay, RP (she/her)
Paula Quarrie, RSW (she/her)
Liza Snider, RP (she/her)

Our Board of Directors

The work of Shalom is governed by a volunteer, elected Board of Directors consisting of ten directors. The Board provides strategic leadership ensuring alignment with Shalom’s mission and vision.

Currently our members are:

Helen Eby, Retired Management, Chair (she/her)
Paul Fast, Software Development, Vice Chair (he/him)
Sara Cressman, Director of Finance, Treasurer (she/her)
Karen Martin, Retired Management, Secretary (she/her)
Carla Santomero, Principal (she/her)
Margaret Andres, Social Worker (she/her)
Ben Shantz, Senior Business Advisor (he/him)
Julie Heimpel, Finance and HR Administrator (she/her)
Darren Pries-Klassen, Senior Consultant (he/him)
Tim Hedrick, Finance and Insurance (he/him)

Shalom Counselling Services Inc.
9 Avondale Ave. S. Waterloo, ON N2L 2B5 - P: 519-886-9690

Charitable Registration No. 10797 2739 RR0001Built by PeaceWorks

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