Professional - Compassionate - Confidential
Call or Text Us:
519-809-PACE (7223)
Therapy, Counselling, Case Management and Consulting
Email: Info@pace-inc.com
Ken O’Neil, CYW – Owner
Ken O’Neil is a dedicated and empathetic Child and Youth Counsellor with over 25 years of experience in counselling, consulting, and community program development. He founded and has managed his own counselling and consulting business since July 1997, operating as The WAY Out Counselling Services (1997–2020) and as P.A.C.E. Inc. since 2020.
Ken began his career shortly after earning an Advanced Diploma in Child and Youth Work from Lambton College in 1996. Since then, he has continually expanded his expertise through professional development in areas such as Suicide Prevention and Intervention, Trauma and Grief Response, Community Violent Threat Risk Assessment, and Mental Health and Addictions programming. He has also contributed to the field by teaching in the Child and Youth Worker Program at Lambton College and serving as a Faculty Advisor for over 11 years.
On a personal note, Ken is a proud father of three and has been happily married since 1996.
Professional Partnerships and Community Work
Throughout his career, Ken has collaborated with numerous organizations, including Walpole Island Health Centre, Enodmaagejig Social Services, Bkejwanong Kinomaagewgamig, Walpole Island Home and Community Care Program, Bkejwanong Children’s Centre, 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.
Since 1997, Ken has developed, implemented, and coordinated a variety of community-driven programs within Walpole Island First Nation and the Lambton-Kent region. Notable initiatives include the Men’s Support Program, High School Integration Program, Walpole Island Trauma Response Team, P.A.C.E. Program, Specialized Elementary Support Program, and the Walpole Island Community Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Certifications
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Violent Threat Risk Assessment Level 1 & 2
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Trauma and Loss Consultant
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Trauma and Loss School Specialist
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Critical Incident Stress Management / Debriefing
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Restorative Justice Forums
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ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
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Mental Health First Aid
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RedPath Addiction Treatment Program
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Death Notification – MADD
Andrew Thomas, CYW, CTRP-C – Manager and Counsellor
Andrew Thomas has been a lifelong member of the Sarnia–Lambton community and has dedicated his career to supporting local youth. He completed the Child and Youth Worker Program at Lambton College to pursue his passion for working with young people and further advanced his expertise through STARR Commonwealth, becoming a Certified Trauma and Resilience Practitioner – Clinician (CTRP-C).
Since 1997, Andrew has worked with diverse populations of youth aged 8 to 24, gaining experience in group homes, open custody facilities, and managing a grassroots organization in Sarnia. He has also served as a faculty advisor at Lambton College in the Child and Youth Care Program. Andrew is committed to recognizing the potential in every youth he works with and helping them transform that potential into meaningful outcomes.
On a personal level, Andrew is a proud father of two daughters. He enjoys creating family memories, travelling, camping, and fishing.
Certifications
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ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
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Level 1 Violent Threat Risk Assessment Training
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Red Cross CPR and Emergency First Aid
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Mental Health First Aid
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Initiative to Address Human Trafficking
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Joint Health and Safety Committee Certification
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Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Certificate
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Certification in Combatting Anti-Black Racism
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Critical Incident Stress Management
Session Availability:
Sarah offers therapy sessions in Wallaceburg, Chatham, and Windsor, as well as through secure virtual platforms and telephone appointments for your convenience.
Sarah VanRoboys, MSW, RSW – Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist, EMDR Therapist
Currently not accepting clients.
Sarah VanRoboys is a registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). She holds an Honours Bachelor of Sociology from the University of Windsor and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work, specializing in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She has also completed a Chemical Dependency Counselling certificate through St. Clair College.
Using a trauma-informed, harm-reduction approach, Sarah integrates multiple therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Family Systems theory, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy.
Sarah has extensive experience supporting individuals coping with substance misuse, trauma, anxiety and panic disorders, depression, borderline personality disorder (BPD), grief and bereavement, stress, and interpersonal conflict. She is particularly passionate about working with trauma survivors, recognizing the psychological, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual impacts of trauma. Sarah provides a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel supported, valued, and heard. She believes that seeking help is a sign of strength, confidence, and resilience.
Sarah’s therapy sessions may be covered through some extended health care benefits and First Nation Insured Health Benefits (NIHB).
Session Availability:
Alisha offers therapy sessions in Wallaceburg, as well as through secure virtual platforms and telephone appointments for your convenience.
Alisha Rombouts, BA, RP – Art Therapist, Registered Psychotherapist
Alisha Rombouts holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts and Psychology from the University of Waterloo (2018) and completed her Master’s-level diploma at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute. She is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.
Alisha specializes in art therapy, an expressive form of therapy that uses the creative process of art-making to support physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Art therapy focuses on the process rather than the final product, helping clients explore and understand emotions, uncover personal insights, and work through underlying causes of distress.
Her approach is person-centered, collaborative, and tailored to the unique needs of each client. Alisha is passionate about creating a supportive and safe environment where clients can engage in healing, learning, and self-reflection.
She provides trauma-informed, strengths-based art therapy and psychotherapy services to children, adolescents, adults, and families, with a focus on trauma, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation.
Alisha’s therapy sessions may be covered through certain extended health care benefit plans as well as First Nation Insured Health Benefits (NIHB).
Session Availability:
Denise offers therapy sessions in Wallaceburg, as well as through secure virtual platforms and telephone appointments for your convenience.
Denise Sylvain, RP, MMH, CYW – Registered Psychotherapist, Masters in Mental Health
Denise Sylvain brings over 20 years of experience working in diverse mental health settings, including intensive in-home support for families, one-on-one counselling, and hospital-based mental health inpatient care. She earned her Child & Youth Worker Diploma in 2001 and recently completed her Masters in Mental Health through Southern Cross University. Denise has been a registered member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) since 2017.
Her therapeutic approach is holistic and client-driven, grounded in the belief that individuals are always doing their best. With a non-judgmental and compassionate approach, Denise supports children, youth, and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or relational attachment challenges. She provides individualized therapy that promotes healing, personal growth, and resilience, helping clients navigate life’s challenges with confidence and support.
Denise’s therapy sessions may be covered through certain extended health care benefit plans as well as First Nation Insured Health Benefits (NIHB).
Session Availability:
Kylie offers therapy sessions in Wallaceburg ,Sarnia, Walpole Island as well as through secure virtual platforms and telephone appointments for your convenience.
Dr. Kylie Mackenzie, PsyD, RP, RMFT
Registered Psychotherapist & Registered Marriage & Family Therapist
Dr. Kylie Mackenzie is a warm and empathic psychotherapist who supports individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, attachment injuries, and mood-related challenges. She works collaboratively with clients to explore the deeper patterns shaping their emotional world while also building practical tools for coping, resilience, and meaningful change.
Grounded in psychodynamic and attachment-based therapy, Dr. Mackenzie integrates evidence-based approaches—including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)—to provide a balanced, supportive, and clinically effective experience. Her style is client-centered and relational, rooted in the belief that lasting change occurs when individuals feel safe, understood, and genuinely supported.
As a Registered Marriage & Family Therapist, Dr. Mackenzie brings specialized expertise in relational systems, couples communication, and family dynamics. She works with couples navigating conflict, attachment wounds, infidelity, communication challenges, and life transitions. In family therapy, she focuses on restoring connection, strengthening emotional safety, and improving relationship functioning.
With over 8 years of clinical experience, Dr. Mackenzie has worked extensively in trauma, addiction, dual diagnosis, crisis recovery, and severe mental illness. Her doctoral training (PsyD) has further strengthened her competencies in psychological assessment, diagnostics, and comprehensive treatment planning. She has supported clients across diverse clinical settings in Ontario and California, including community mental health, telehealth services, crisis programs, and psychological assessment clinics.
Dr. Mackenzie is deeply committed to creating a compassionate, grounded, and non-judgmental space where clients can heal, grow, and reconnect with themselves.
Dr. Mackenzie's services may be covered through certain extended health care benefit plans, as well as the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program.
Session Availability:
Hannah offers therapy sessions in Wallaceburg and Chatham, as well as through secure virtual platforms and telephone appointments for your convenience.
Hannah Mott, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker
Hannah is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work and a Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Disability Studies. She is passionate about supporting children, youth, adults, and families through life's challenges with compassion, empathy, and evidence-based care.
Hannah has experience working with children and youth experiencing anxiety, trauma, emotional regulation difficulties, behavioural concerns, grief, life transitions, learning differences, and family challenges. She believes in creating a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout their therapeutic journey.
Hannah uses a strengths-based, client-centred approach and integrates Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and EMDR-informed Play Therapy to help clients develop practical coping skills, build resilience, and achieve meaningful, lasting change.
Hannah has completed specialized training in EMDR & Play Therapy: A Multimodal Approach for Children, expanding her ability to support children in processing trauma, anxiety, grief, and other difficult experiences through developmentally appropriate, evidence-informed therapeutic techniques.
Hannah is committed to providing compassionate, individualized care that helps clients and families move forward with greater confidence, hope, and emotional well-being
Hannah's therapy sessions may be covered through certain extended health care benefit plans as well as First Nation Insured Health Benefits (NIHB).
Session Availability:
Amanda offers therapy sessions in Wallaceburg, Chatham and Walpole Island as well as through secure virtual platforms and telephone appointments for your convenience.
Amanda Albert, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker
Amanda Albert received her Master of Social Work Degree and Bachelor of Social Work Degree from The University of Windsor, her Social Service Worker Diploma from Lambton College in Sarnia, and an Addictions and Mental Health Graduate Certificate from St. Lawrence College.
Amanda is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
Amanda has personal and professional experience as well as specializes in working with children, youths and young adults who have been diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD). She has worked personally and professionally within different Children’s Aid Society’s in Ontario supporting kinship relationships within family units.
Amanda has worked with the Chatham-Kent Family Health Team as a Psychotherapist, where she provided one-on-one individual sessions for individuals who would like to obtain a positive mental health outlook. She supported these individuals by utilizing evidence-based approaches
such as Solution Based Therapy (SBT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Trauma Therapy which was instrumental in building coping strategies that focused on mental health issues such as Anxiety, Depression, Stress Management, Work related issues, Self-Esteem Enhancement, Grief, Loss, and Adjustment.
Amanda has had extensive experience working with people who are in crisis and have experienced suicidal thoughts and ideations as she has worked at Canada’s 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline for several years.
Amanda has volunteered in and out of her community with people and animals. Amanda has volunteered her time to the Family Counselling Centre (FCC) within their Distress and Tel-Check Line program, the Inn of the Good Shepard’s Food Bank and Kitchen and she has helped create
social awareness for people living in poverty. Amanda’s love for animals has had her volunteer with animals in several different capacities from fostering and adopting animals and volunteering at the Pet & Animal Wildlife Rescue (P.A.W.S).
Amanda's therapy sessions may be covered through certain extended health care benefit plans as well as First Nation Insured Health Benefits (NIHB).