Please note, we are NOT an emergency service. If you or someone you know is in crisis: call 911. Go to the nearest hospital or call the Mental Health Crisis Line for Renfrew County Region.
Distress Line 24/7 (all ages) T:1.866.676.2080 (toll free)
Crisis Line 24/7 (age 16 and over) T: 1.866.996.0991 (toll free)
Happy Home!
LOVING
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Struggling with your family history?
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Disconnected from the people you love?
(family, friends, co-workers...)
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Looking for answers to handle challenges in life?
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Contact us
Free Intake
-in Person or Online-
We will listen to your interpretation of the problems and work together with you to find answers. We take a closer look at the interaction between you and the people surrounding you and we may take a step back in your family history to be able to solve problems. ​
Look for answers in the past to enjoy life in the future
Loving Caring
Singles, Couples and Teens
Feel Welcome to Sign Up
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Happy Home!
CARING
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Struggling with parenting?
(biological-, adoptive-, foster children)
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Disconnected from your child?
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Looking for answers to handle your child's problematic behaviour or psychiatric diagnosis?
Contact us
Free Intake
-in Person or Online-
We will listen to your interpretation of the problems and work together with you to find answers. We take a closer look at the interaction between you and your child and we may take a step back in your (child's)
family history to be able to solve problems. ​
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Look for answers in the past to enjoy life in the future Loving Caring
(Foster) Parents and Children
Feel Welcome to Sign Up
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My Motto: Happy Home!
If parents dare to live, children will follow
Sometimes we feel lost, but we are in control. Be in charge of your own life, not out of fear, but out of love.
Your path is unique.
Dare to live!
Curriculum Vitae
I started my career in Cultural Social Work in the Netherlands as a placement student providing debt assistance and psychosocial counseling. After I graduated for my Bachelor Degree, I assessed children with Psychiatric Disorders and Somatic disabilities and I worked in Foster Care and Child Protection Services. I accomplished my placement (Master of Science) at the Child Protection Services as well and completed my Basic Assessment and Diagnostics Skills (NOTE: I am not Licensed to provide Diagnoses). During this period my husband and I joined the family partnership and I became a part-time farmer as well. In my job as a protection worker I had the opportunity to do research along my clinical work and my interests for research and teaching were growing. I became a lecturer at the University of Amsterdam in Educational Sciences, specialty Forensic Child and Youth care, for the Bachelor and Master degree and I lectured at the NHL Universities for the Bachelor Social Work. During this period I started my own practice Loving Caring Advice and Research in the Netherlands and participated in the network Jeugd Advies Noord (Youth Advice North) for self-employed professionals. My PhD program started in 2017 and ended in 2021 (termination of own choice). I worked together with the Highland Shores Children's Aid Services in Belleville on my project "Meet the Parents", about parents' (traumatic) intrusive life events in relationship to child safety and the quality of the work relationship with their protection worker. Since December 2018 I opened the doors of my Mental Care Practice in Renfrew and in 2020 my husband and I started farming again. Our dairy and beef farm is located in Admaston and beside my office down town I am offering all year round outdoor consultations on our farm as well (i.e. visiting animals, field walks).
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Canadian Recognition
The University of Toronto assessed my European Master of Science awarded at the University of Amsterdam and reported that the degree is from a recognized University (June 27, 2018). I am a General member at the Ontario Association of Mental health Professionals OAMHP. The CASW confirmed that my qualifications are equivalent to a Canadian Master of Social Work Degree (May 24, 2019), and my registration number at the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service is Workers OCSWSSW is 833525 (July 10, 2019).
Biography
I grew up on a farm in the northern province Fryslân in the Netherlands. With my husband Klaas and daughter Ilsa I immigrated in March 2017 from the Netherlands to Renfrew Ontario. Our son Nick and daughter Maria are born in Canada. I am passionate about helping people since I can remember and I love being outdoors, animals, gardening, hiking, theatre, music, crafting/crocheting.
Johanna Bakker MSc, MSW, RSW
Owner/Registered Social Worker
Forensic Child and Youth care Scientist
Born: 13 December 1984, Sneek the Netherlands
Married: 17 June 2004, Klaas de Vries
Children: Ilsa 22 June 2014 - Nick 13 January 2018 - Maria 19 September 2020
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Hello, My name is Tanya Wojcik and I am pleased to join Johanna here at Mental Care. I started my career as a child and youth worker, after completing my Social Services Diploma from Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario in 1992.
I returned to school in 2005, completing my Bachelor of Social degree from Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario in 2009. I have spent many years working with children, youth and their families, providing support, enhancing strategies and tools to better understand their worries and concerns, while focusing on positive outcomes, growth and increased knowledge. I pride myself on building positive relationships with clients, empowering change and better in lives. I am thrilled to be providing practice private to families currently seeking support. Please feel free to reach out to set up a free intake today to get started on your healing journey!
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Tanya Wojcik BSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker
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My Motto: Knowledge is Power!
Let's get started on your healing journey today
My Motto: See The Bigger Picture!
"Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you, doesn't mean you can, should, or need to do it alone". - Lisa Olivera
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I am no stranger to therapy and know exactly how it feels to be sitting in the client’s seat! As a ‘well-seasoned’ client, my desire to help others with what they are going through has propelled me forward, through some difficult life challenges, to a place where I am ready to walk alongside others on their own healing journeys. I am thankful for all of the life struggles I have experienced, as they have all made me into a better person. Without those hard life lessons, I wouldn't be the therapist I am today!
I value honesty, vulnerability, and authenticity, both in and out of the therapy room. I believe in being a human first and approach my clients from a personable perspective. If you are looking for a safe space to confide and process your hurts, habits, and hang-ups – I will hold that space for you. I love all things real and raw and will be as patient as necessary, encouraging you to take the lead with how much and how fast you choose to open up and be vulnerable. I hold space and grace for one and all.
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I was born and raised right here in Renfrew, Ontario and this is where I first grasped onto the idea that I wanted to become a counsellor. I remember sitting in a Grade 12, Challenge and Change in Society class, thinking "this is what I want to do with my life".
I embarked on my psychotherapy journey, earning a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Behavioural Psychology from St. Lawrence College, cultivating a deep appreciation for how individuals’ thoughts, feelings (emotions), and behaviours influence and interact with one another. I enjoy dipping my toes in a vast array of theoretical orientations, including but not limited to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Humanistic, Existential, Gestalt, and Narrative therapies, providing an eclectic approach for my clients. I do not believe in a "one size fits all" approach and I individually tailor my work with each and every client. I believe that everyone has the right to feel welcomed entirely, just as they are and met exactly where they are at. No masks required. No judgment given. Solely met with grace and compassion.
I am currently pursuing my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) degree at Yorkville University and have worked in a variety of helping professions with a variety of populations, ranging from young children to geriatric individuals.
When not partaking in therapy-related things, I find myself trying to be outdoors in nature as much as possible, playing volleyball (or any sport for that matter), reading (more often than not psychology-based content), eating everything under the sun (being the foodie that I am), indulging in the odd Netflix binge here and there (who doesn't?), and navigating the world of being a young and single mother to my one-year-old son (talk about building resiliency).
I am delighted to contribute my compassion and knowledge to Mental Care and I am thrilled to be joining Johanna and Tanya at this practice. I look forward to supporting you on your very own transformative journey toward healing and personal growth. For those seeking a genuine, humorous, kind-hearted soul who believes and sees the best in people (and accepts food as a method of payment *totally kidding*) - I'll be here waiting. A compassionate set of listening ears is available to you and I encourage you to take advantage of that opportunity. All it takes is one step forward, one day at a time, one moment at a time - you don't need to have all the answers!
I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) (#15731) and holds membership with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).
Take care - sending love and compassion to you all!
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Jacqueline Gauvreau, BA, MACP Candidate
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Seeing The Bigger Picture Psychotherapy - Mental Care
(Real) life Stories
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THIS IS US
The series "This is us" helps to explain that problems in child- or adulthood can be diagnosed, but they do not arise 'just like that'. We will look together with you where they come from and focus hereby on attachment, parenting style, present relationship(s) and temperament. To find the answers, we will peek in the past how your own and your parents' childhood looked like. If you understand where the problems come from, you are able to address them, with support from the people surround you. If you experience no support, we will support you to mobilize people.
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We recommend to scroll down and watch the (real life) story of actor Kate and the character Kevin. You will find extra reading material in my blogs and feel free to contact the practice if you have any questions!
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If you're not familiar with THIS IS US you can watch the trailer (+/-3 min) This video is not appropriate for children. Age rating 14+ (expert review common sense media) .
note: if you are curious why we didn't use Randall (Kate and Kevin's brother) his story. Kate and Kevin struggled to face their own life. Randall dared to live, even after his panic attack. He knew where to look to find his answers, his wife supported him, and their children followed.
J. Bakker MSc, MSW, RSW
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Kate her story
This is actually actor Chrissy her real life story (i.e. difficult childhood - neglect and abuse, struggle with weight, divorce, serious financial problems). Chrissy gives her answers how she becomes the woman she wants to be.
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It's time to enjoy the video (+/- 5 min)
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Kevin his story
This is Kevin his story in the series THIS IS US (i.e. struggling with family history, dis-connected from the people he loves, looking for answers to handle challenges in life). The character Kevin shows his answers how he became the person he wants to be.
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It's time to enjoy the video (+/- 1.30 min)
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Get in touch
239 Raglan St. S
Renfrew, ON
K7V 1R3, Canada
Phone: +1 (613) 312 9608 (free audio call via FaceTime or What's-app)
Email: mentalcare@practicelovingcaring.info
