Meet our Staff

 Aanii, I am Bridget Douglas, MSW RSW founder and operator of Northern Therapy Practice, Douglas Social Work Corporation. I proudly live on Manitoulin Island Ontario.

Background

I began in social work in 2004 working in various areas of social work. The Manitoulin Health Centre employed me for 11 years as an Addiction counsellor working in communities to complete ADAT assessments for treatment. I then worked as an instructor teaching various addiction and mental health courses at KTEI. I then moved onto Kina Gbezhgomi Child & Family Services a child protection agency to work as a child wellbeing worker. After completing my work there, I moved onto an intensive child therapy position with Noojmowin Teg health centre and worked with children. 

In 2018, Northern Therapy Practice was created for the intention of supporting all ages in areas of trauma therapy, couples, family therapy to fill in the gaps in services and/or to immediately assist with those struggling with a situation and unable to get in for services. 

Since 2018, NTP has grown and now has various clinicians and locations to better serve our communities. We are branching out into areas of work as the need arises. 

Education

I am trained in various modalities such as EMDR, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, Gottmans couples therapy, Metapsychology Trauma incident reduction and life skills management. I also have Redpath Living without violence training to deliver to victims and offenders of intimate partner violence.

I have two college diplomas in Social work and Addiction counselling, an undergraduate degree in Indigenous Social Work and a Masters degree in Social Work,

I am a published author of “A Narrative Study By Bridget Douglas called Trauma and Homelessness among Indigenous People in Northern Ontario”. I am also beginning a children’s serious called “Zenny the Frog, Meet Zenny the Frog” sold on amazon for children with the focus on normalizing the therapy process and work through difficult problems.

We are approachable, understanding and caring about peoples lives and want to work with you to help improve your situation and walk with you in your journey. 

Miigwetch 

Karissa is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and a master’s student at Yorkville University. She has been in the mental health field for over 3 years with a focus on trauma. Karissa is trained in Trauma Incident Reduction and Redpath Living Without Violence program. She also has experience treating with traditional talk therapy. Karissa is a mother of four and enjoys nature, she is currently working remotely from Manitoulin Island. 

Karissa Douglas

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

TIR Facilitator, Neurofeedback Practitioner

LWV Facilitator

Aanii,
Maang Siid Kwe Ndiiznikaas.
Migizi Ndodem.
M’chigeeng ndoonjiba.
Hi! My name is Lesley and a little bit about myself, I was raised in Sudbury On and graduated from Laurentian University in 2011 with an honours degree in social work with a specialization in Anishnaabe minobiimadzawin. I have always been driven to be in the helping/supportive field. More recently I have been working towards these areas of interests either obtained and/or working toward certifications in: Behaviour Modification, Child and Adolescent mental health, Quality Parenting Foundations, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Sports psychology, Neuro Linguistics and lastly Hypnotherapy with a focus on addiction and pain management. All of this has been an exciting experience for me and provided me much clarity, focus and reaching a better quality of life. Miigwech

Aanii,

My name is Shelby!  I'm in my third year of the Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work Program at Laurentian University. 

I will begin my 4th-year practicum at Northern Therapy Practice in September 2024.

I am a sex therapy-informed professional, Red Path facilitator, trained in level 2 Gottman’s couples therapy, and complex trauma.

 I'm also a mother of three, who is passionate about fostering healthy connections. 

 Nathaniel is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) . He is a compassionate listener with a conversational style of traditional talk therapy. His goal is to journey with you, creating a space where you can feel safe and heard. Nathaniel welcomes people of any life stage to explore mental health, life transitions and decisions, relationships, grief, or any other struggles that matter to you. Trained to use a systemic lens, Nathaniel integrates theories and treatments from a variety of therapeutic orientations and is willing and able to use the model best suited to you. Nathaniel is a husband and a father of four who has lived in the Espanola area for most of his life. He understands many of the struggles of small-town Northern Ontario and is passionate about supporting you on your journey. 

Hello/Aanii/Bonjour, 

Katrina Wilhelm is a multicultural woman from Northern Ontario with French Canadian, Ojibwe, and Italian ancestry.  Her Spirit Name is White Eagle Woman.  She is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) nearing the end of her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree.  In 2015 she graduated from her Bachelor of Religious Education: Counselling Studies program.  Katrina has completed training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and is pursuing certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).  Her professional experience includes working in the fields of mental health and addictions, violence against women, childcare, and spiritual care.  Katrina will be completing her master’s level practicum with Northern Therapy Practice beginning September 2024. 

I believe that it takes great courage to look inward and choose to grow for the better. My commitment is to create a safe, non-judgemental, and warm place where you can feel seen and heard as you share your story and move towards a new place of self-awareness, self-compassion, and healing. 

I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) in good standing with the CRPO. In clinical practice, I use an integrated approach informed by CBT, EFT, and psychodynamic modalities within a conversational style. This allows us to be flexible and creative in our work together to ensure you get support designed to meet your needs. I invite the exploration of anxious feelings, grief/loss, anger, stress, life transitions, relationship challenges, parenting, decision making, shame, fear, growth in self-awareness, and the refining of coping strategies. Additionally, I am pursuing Gottman’s Couples Therapy certification. I would be honoured to be part of your healing story.

I am a Registered Social Service Worker (RSSW) with 3 years of professional experience in psychotherapy, addiction, and mental health counselling, and over 15 years of lived experience. In my work, I incorporate elements of trauma therapy, inner child work, CBT, DBT, and draw on Eastern philosophies, Western science, and Indigenous Holistic approaches to treatment.
 

As someone who immigrated to Canada from South Asia, I understand the unique challenges of cultural transitions, identity, and belonging. My practice focuses on two pillars: narrative—by redefining our stories in the present, we can reframe the past and envision a future aligned with our goals—and connection—by cultivating purpose and healing through relationships with ourselves, others, and the world, we can embrace these changes with love and resilience.
 

I am not just here for you; I am here with you. Together, we will uncover your strengths, rewrite your story, and grow toward the life you deserve.
 

I hope you are proud of the courage it takes to embrace the meaningful changes ahead. This is a powerful step, and one that speaks to being in a mindset open to growth, healing, and new possibilities. Congratulations !

 Program Coordinator of Healthy Heart, Healthy Home (HHHH)

  Hello, Bonjour, and Aanii! I’m MJ Perron, a bilingual and compassionate social work professional with over five years of hands-on experience in child and family support. My passion for this field stems from my personal background—I grew up as the oldest sister in a foster family, which gave me deep firsthand experience with the challenges and triumphs of fostering. This upbringing shaped my understanding of the needs of foster children and caregivers, allowing me to provide meaningful, empathetic, and culturally competent care.  Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Laurentian University, I also hold a College Diploma in Social Services from Collège Boréal. My expertise includes foster care support, behavioral interventions, child protection services, and therapeutic support. I am committed to creating safe, nurturing home environments through advocacy, comprehensive assessments, and evidence-based interventions.  At Healthy Heart, Healthy Home (HHHH), I specialize in supporting foster children and families, ensuring they have the tools and resources needed to thrive. Through my experience in rehabilitation support, childcare, and social work placements, I have developed a strong ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds. My professional approach is rooted in empathy, trust, and collaboration, ensuring that each child and family I work with receives the highest level of care and support.  Miigwetch!