Professional - Compassionate - Confidential
Call or Text Us:
519-809-PACE (7223)
Therapy, Counselling, Case Management and Consulting
Email: Info@pace-inc.com
P.A.C.E. Inc.
Proud Member of
Ken O'Neil, CYW - Owner
Ken is a caring and empathetic Child and Youth Counsellor, who has owned and managed his own counselling and consulting business since July 1997 (The WAY Out Counselling services 1997-2020; P.A.C.E. Inc. 2020). Ken began his business endeavor one year after graduating with an Advanced Diploma in Child and Youth Work at Lambton College in 1996. Since then, he has continuously added to his credentials by participating in numerous training opportunities such as, Suicide Prevention and Intervention, Trauma and Grief Response, Community Violent Threat Risk Assessment, and Mental Health and Addictions programming. Ken, in the past, has contributed to his profession by teaching at Lambton College in the Child and Youth Worker Program, as well as serving as a Faculty Advisor for over 11 years. On a personal level, Ken is a proud father of three beautiful children and has been happily married since 1996.
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Since the inception of his business, Ken has had multiple opportunities to work in partnership with the Walpole Island Health Centre, Enodmaagejig Social Services, Bkejwanong Kinomaagewgamig, Walpole Island Home and Community Care Program, Bkejwanong Children’s Centre, Bkejwanong Children’s Services Unit, National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy, Lambton-Kent District School Board, Southwest Area First Nation Health Board, Kettle & Stony Point Hillside Elementary School, and various Children’s Aid Societies, to name a few.
Since 1997, Ken has had the opportunity to develop, implement and coordinate many different programs within Walpole Island First Nation, and the Lambton-Kent region. Programs such as: Men’s Support Program, High School Integration Program, Walpole Island Trauma Response Team, P.A.C.E. Program, Specialized Elementary Support Program, and Walpole Island Community Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy are some, among many, community-driven initiatives that Ken has proudly developed, implemented and facilitated over his vast career in Human Service.
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Certifications:
Violent Threat Risk Assessment Level 1 & 2
Trauma and Loss Consultant
Trauma and Loss School Specialist
Critical Incident Stress Management/Debriefing
Restorative Justice Forums
ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
Mental Health First Aid
RedPath Addiction Treatment Program
Death Notification - MADD
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Andrew Thomas, CYW, CTRP-C - Manager and Counsellor
Andrew has been a member of the Sarnia – Lambton community his entire life. He completed the Child and Youth Worker Program at Lambton College so he could further his passion for working with youth in his community. He has also completed his training through STARR Commonwealth and is a Certified Trauma and Resilience Practitioner - Clinician.
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Since 1997, Andrew has had the opportunity to work with diverse population of youth ranging in age from 8 to 24 years old. Some of his past job experiences include working in group homes and open custody facilities, being a manager of a grassroots organization in Sarnia, and being a faculty advisor at Lambton College, in the Child and Youth Care Program. Andrew sees the potential in all the youth that he supports and enjoys working with them to make that potential become a reality.
On a personal level, Andrew is the father of 2 daughters and husband to a loving and supportive wife. He enjoys creating memories with his family, travelling, camping and fishing.
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Certifications:
A.S.I.S.T. - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
Level 1 Violence Threat Risk Assessment Training
Red Cross CPR and Emergency First Aid
Mental Health First Aid
Initiative to Address Human Trafficking
Joint Health and Safety Committee Certification
Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Certificate
Certification on Combatting Anti-Black Racism
Certification in Critical Incident Stress Management
Sarah VanRoboys MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist, EMDR Therapist
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Sarah is a registered Social Worker of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). She attended the University of Windsor where she completed a Honours Bachelor of Sociology and went on to complete a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work, specializing in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She has also completed a Chemical Dependency Counselling certificate from St. Clair College.
By using a harm-reduction, trauma-informed approach, Sarah utilizes many modalities of therapy including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Brief Therapy and Family Systems theory. Sarah has recently completed EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy training and is now using it with her clients.
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Sarah has experience supporting individuals who struggle with substance misuse issues, trauma, anxiety and panic disorders, depression, borderline personality disorder (BPD), grief and bereavement, stress and interpersonal conflict.
Sarah is passionate about working with trauma survivors, and recognizes the psychological, emotional, physical, social and spiritual impact of trauma on the individual. She strives to provide her clients with a safe, non-judgmental space where they feel supported, valued and heard. Sarah believes asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather signs of strength, confidence and resourcefulness.
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Sarah's therapy sessions can be covered through some extended health care benefit packages as well as First Nation Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB).
Alisha Rombouts, BA, RP
Art Therapist, Registered Psychotherapist
Alisha majored in Fine Arts and Psychology at the University of Waterloo and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 2018. She has completed her Master’s level diploma at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute and is a Registered Psychotherapy with the college of registered psychotherapists of Ontario.
Alisha specializes in art therapy, it is a form of expressive therapy which utilizes the creative process of art making to expand and improve one’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. Art therapy can help in integrating and understanding a range of feelings. In art therapy the emphasis is not on the product but on the creative process and is intended to facilitate insights into the reasons for emotional distress by uncovering many underlying dimensions of our personal stories.
Her approach is person-centered, collaborative and individualized in order to meet the unique needs of each client. She is passionate about creating a supportive environment for clients to engage in healing, learning and reflection.
Alisha provides art therapy and psychotherapy services for children, adolescents, adults and families that is trauma informed, strengths based treatment specializing in trauma, anxiety, and other emotional dysregulation.
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Alisha's therapy sessions can be covered through some extended health care benefit packages as well as First Nation Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB).
Denise Sylvain, RP, MMH, CYW
Registered Psychotherapist/Masters in Mental Health
Denise has experience working in a variety of mental health settings for over 20 years, such as intensive in-home with parents and families, in office one on one, and in hospital (Mental Health Inpatient). She received her Child & Youth Worker Diploma in 2001 and recently completed her Masters in Mental Health through Southern Cross University. She has been a registered member with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) since 2017.
Denise’s therapeutic approach is client driven, and holistic, with acceptance that individuals are always trying their best. With a non-judgmental approach, she offers support and guidance to children, youth and adults who may be struggling with mental wellness, due to the impact of anxiety, depression, trauma, or relational attachment. Denise seeks to provide individualized therapy to promote healing and personal growth that will support your journey in life.
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Denise's therapy sessions can be covered through some extended health care benefit packages as well as First Nation Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB).