Perinatal Mental Health Alliance August Provider Spotlights
Provider Spotlight
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“Some of the most important ways I nourish and take care of myself include spending time with my children, family, and Métis community. This also includes spending time on the land and engaging in cultural activities and celebration. Taking time to rest and binge really bad reality tv is also high on the self-care list!”
Meet Tera Beaulieu a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario. Tera is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and provides individual and group psychotherapy. Tera is currently completing her Doctor of Philosophy in the Counselling/Clinical Psychology Program at the University of Toronto where her research examines the supports and challenges of Métis traditional knowledge in addressing the life transition needs such as mental health, education, employment for urban Métis homeless peoples.
In addition, Tera is a mom to two little ones and also sits as the Region 8 Women’s Representative with the Métis Nation of Ontario Women’s Council.
Tera is the Founder and Director of the Weaving Wellness Centre a clinical practice that works with folks from all walks of life and communities. However, they primarily serve First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples navigating journeys of healing and well-being. Tera’s clinical team is comprised primarily of Indigenous registered psychotherapists and social workers who work from culturally grounded and specific worldviews where they integrate Indigenous perspectives, teachings, and ceremonies
by bellatrix photography
into their work to support their clients. They are particularly privileged to support Indigenous clients who are navigating perinatal mental health journeys, and also specialize those who have experienced trauma.
The team at Weaving Welleness often finds it challenging to access Indigenous Elders and knowledge holders who carry cultural teachings related to perinatal wellness and who are also able to provide ceremonies for perinatal mental health clients. This includes individuals, couples, and families who have experienced losses or are navigating significant grief related to fertility journeys.
They are continuing to build their circle of Indigenous knowledge holders to collaborate with their practice to provide specific support to clients with these distinct perinatal needs.
Tera, thank you for the work you do in your community, along with creating a space for Indigenous providers. If you are interested in learning more about Tera or Weaving Wellness Centre you can connect with her at the links below:
Website: www.weavingwellness.ca
Instagram: @weavingwellnesscentre
Email: centre@weavingwellness.ca
Volunteer Spotlight
“I am amazed at how resourceful this position has made me. Nothing excites me more than finding that DIFFICULT resource for a help seeker, and I am always looking for additional resources to add to my repertoire.”
Meet DeShelle Burrowes, a Licensed Professional Counselor, wife, mom of two rainbow boys, and a great friend to many. She started her journey as a volunteer with PSI by lending her services to the PSI warmline. In that role, she saw the lack of representation on the southside of Atlanta, so she tried to transition into the support coordinator role. Initially, DeShelle was unable to transition as another volunteer filled the support coordinator role. She did not let that stop her and offered to support the coordinator in her area. The support coordinator welcomed her help, and when she stepped down, DeShelle was asked to become the new South Atlanta Coordinator, and she gladly accepted.
While serving as a support coordinator, DeShelle has found it challenging to connect help seekers to the specific resources they need at the time. “ It can take much more footwork to connect help seekers, and sometimes the resources are not in our immediate area. Also, because my area is so vast, I am not always heavily connected to the help seekers specific area, which also presents a challenge.” As a result of these challenges, DeShelle started a virtual support group for expecting and new moms called, The Mommy Tribe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Outside of volunteering with PSI, DeShelle is also the proud owner of The Pathway to Wellness, LLC. She specializes in supporting women through anxiety, depression, trauma, sexual trauma, and life transitions. DeShelle enjoys curating safe spaces for women to be heard, heal, and work through their issues. In a similar way she cares for her clients, she also cares for herself. “Because I expel a lot of energy, I realize that my body and mind require rest and renewal, and I am always willing to
take it. I am the person that carves out time to rest, whether it’s at the end of the day or between sessions, I believe in the need for rest.”
DeShelle also engages in embodiment practices such as yoga and dancing. Movement has been key for her to lower anxiety and center herself. DeShelle believes in listening to her body and giving it the desired movement it needs.
DeShelle, we thank you for your persistence, desire to serve, and the work you do every day to support families in your area. If you would like to connect with, DeShelle Burrowes please visit her at the following:
Website http://www.thepathwaytowellness.net
Instagram @sexywomenswellness
Facebook @DeShelle Burrowes, NCC, LPC, CLC