Southwest Counselling Services

10/14/2026

Our very own zen master- Mindfully Michele is working with the Sting this season to help enhance mobility, flexibility, balance and recovery while also developing mindfulness, focus, and stress management skills! 🧠💪

Looking to enhance your team or organization’s performance? Michele offers yoga sessions that can be tailored to your group’s needs no matter the skill level.

Reach out to us to learn more about how Michele can help your team!

10/01/2026

Last week, Matt & Taryn alongside The Mentor Magazine Inc. and Madison Beishuizen presented a poster, “Emotional Regulation and Mini Sticks: Sport as the Clinical Intervention when Working with Children and Youth” at the 12th annual Alliance of Social Workers in Sport (ASWIS) symposium in Las Vegas.

Drawing from our clinical experiences working with children and youth, we explored how the intersection of sport, play therapy, and psychotherapy can create meaningful opportunities for therapeutic connection, assessment, skill building, intervention and family integration.

Sometimes, the most powerful therapeutic work doesn’t happen sitting across from one another in a counselling office. Sometimes, it happens with a mini stick and a ball. 🏒

Special thanks to MIND BODY SPORT for making it all come together

09/11/2026

Please join us in welcoming Brandon Meyering to the Southwest Counselling Services team!

Brandon joins us as a Master of Social Work Student from the University of Windsor. He will be providing individual mental health services and is passionate about working with caregivers, people affected by disabilities, and men experiencing mental health concerns.

We are very excited to welcome Brandon!

09/10/2026

World Su***de Prevention Day 💛

Your story isn’t over.

Today, on World Su***de Prevention Day, we’re reminded of the importance of connection, compassion, and reaching out — especially during the moments when hope can feel hardest to find.

Mental health struggles can often be invisible. A conversation, a check-in, or simply letting someone know “I’m here” can matter more than we realize.

If you’re struggling, you don’t have to carry it alone. Reach out to someone you trust, a mental health professional, or a crisis support service. And if someone in your life has been having a difficult time, take a moment today to check in.

There is help available. There is hope. And your story isn’t over. 💛

In Canada, you can call or text 9-8-8 for su***de crisis support, 24/7.

Sarnia Lambton Su***de Prevention Committee

***dePreventionDay ***deAwareness 988Canada SarniaLambton

08/13/2026

VIP Rail committed to starting the conversation about mental health in the workplace.

We are so thankful for Chris Dobbelaar, CF Industries and Matt Barnes from Southwest Counselling Services for spending time with the Team at VIP. Chris has an extraordinary story that he openly shares and we have such gratitude for his willingness to do so, all in an effort to help others.

Thank you Chris and VIP for choosing Project Mental Wellness as the recipient of your generous donation. Your trust in our dedication to mental
health awareness means so much.

07/28/2026

The faces & the names behind the Male Ally Coalition.

These are the dedicated AMBASSADORS who represent the Male Ally Coalition and are committed to creating positive change through allyship, education, and community action.

Erik Cherski, Ron Smith, Brian White, Matt Barnes, Blayne Mowbray, Zackery Roos, and Matthew Shepley.

06/23/2026

June is Men's Mental Health Month, a time to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and encourage meaningful conversations around mental wellness.

Recently, Matt had the opportunity to speak at Vision Nursing & Rest Home alongside Brian Knowles on the topic of men's mental health. Together, they explored how generations such as The Silent Generation and the Baby Boomers have shaped many of our ideas about masculinity, emotional expression, and seeking support. Brian also shared insights from his years in policing and his experiences with PTSD.

One of the key messages from the discussion was simple: mental health support needs to be offered in ways that work for men. Whether it's checking in on a friend, starting a conversation, or reaching out for help yourself, connection matters.

A special thank you to Vision Nursing and Rest Home for hosting the event and for their generous $500 donation to Project Mental Wellness.

06/18/2026

🎙️ The latest episode of Social Work Me is now available.

In Episode 49, Michele gathers with hobbyist illustrator and author Brittany Sciolla for a great conversation to support parents, caregivers, and those connected with kids on ways to enjoy connective opportunities and to intentionally tap into those moments. This is not a “doing more” conversation but one that allows parents and caregivers to recognize and relish the moments that are already presented and how simplicity is key.

🎧 Listen on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/48ec8lBed8bpNrs3onnPjB?si=go8pvKGLRvqrJ0uS4NCqNg

06/12/2026

Today at 2pm at Vision Nursing Home! 💚

This will be a fantastic event - Both Brian and Matt are wonderful speakers and experts in their respective areas of knowledge! Hats off to Vision Nursing Home for planning this amazing opportunity for folks to learn more about men’s mental health - through the life span!

Join us tomorrow Friday June 12@2:00pm in the Grand Room to hear about Men’s Mental Health. This session is open to everyone. Please wear your GREEN in support of Mental Health Awareness.

05/29/2026

🎒 Back to school!

We’re excited to share that this fall, Matt will be heading back to the classroom to pursue his PhD in Social Work at the University of Windsor.

Unlike Billy Madison, Matt already passed elementary school… but he’s choosing to do more homework anyway.

As he takes on this next chapter, Matt will be stepping away from clinical counselling work for the academic year to focus on his studies. The good news? He’ll continue working with sports and corporate teams, helping optimize mental health, resilience, leadership, and performance.

We’re incredibly proud of Matt’s commitment to lifelong learning and can’t wait to see what this journey brings. Please join us in wishing him success!