Kelly Halonen

MSW, RSW

Hello, I’m Kelly Halonen. I was born and raised in Thunder Bay and have been working in the mental health field for about a decade. I have earned both my HBSW and MSW from Lakehead University. I’m pretty laid back and use humour (as appropriate) to help counselling feel less intimidating. Having done counselling myself, I know how hard it can be to find a good counsellor whom you connect with, and I believe being nonjudgmental and down-to-earth helps ease this struggle.

I have dealt with anxiety, depression, and PTSD in my life which I feel gives me a unique lens to understand how these mental health struggles can affect some people (of course everybody’s experience is unique to them!). I am a survivor of sexual assault and have a particular interest in working with this population to help them heal and find themselves and their voice again.

My main area of interests are working with trauma, working with sexual assault survivors, and sex therapy. I am trained in EMDR (and multiple protocols within EMDR) to help people better process and heal from their trauma. I also use a variety of other approaches including CBT, DBT, strengths-based, harm reduction, and client-focused. I am trained in Gottman Levels 1 and 2 so I can provide relationship counselling, and I am also trained in sex therapy. I have worked both individually and, in a relationship setting, to help people explore what is affecting their sex life, sexual issues that may be present, and how to have a fulfilling sex life again either on your own or with someone.

I am a huge believer in the healing power of animals and encourage you to book Harlow, Poppy, Sully or Simon for one of your sessions. When I’m not counselling, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, being in nature, dogsledding, and spoiling my dog.

Designation: Masters of Social Work (MSW), Registered Social Worker (RSW)

Theoretical Approach: EMDR, CBT, DBT, Somatic Therapy, Gottman Methods, Sex Therapy.

Populations:  Individuals, Couples, Families