ABOUT SAGE

ABOUT SAGE

Shaun Ouellette BA, BSW, MSW, RSW – Executive Director & Clinical Lead

Our Mission

For our clients, Sage Therapeutic Consulting:

EDUCATES

the public about mental health issues, treatment, the process of therapy, and the differences between healthy and unhealthy therapy.

EMPOWERS

all people’s wellness journeys through access to reliable and unbiased mental health information as well as trained mental health professionals

CHALLENGES

the myths, stereotypes, and stigmas that can surround mental health issues and treatment and prevent people from getting help

SHAUN OUELLETTE

Shaun Ouellette BA, BSW, MSW, RSW is a Clinical Supervisor and Social Worker specializing in individual therapy as well as providing clinical supervision to other therapists across Canada. Shaun maintains a private practice in Windsor, ON and does both office and in home visits. He also works with mental health professionals in other provinces and territories via online networking to provide clinical supervision and works as a professional speaker delivering psycho-educational training and motivational workshops.

With many years of experience as a therapist, he is currently serving as a clinical supervisor and private practitioner working with a broad spectrum of clients. Among his areas of experience are: fear, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, suicide, domestic violence, relationship issues, child protection issues, depression, OCD, addiction, parenting, separation and divorce, grief & loss, eating disorders, dependency issues, alcohol and drug addiction, anger management, work related stress, adjustment concerns, work/life balance, low self-esteem, fire setting, academic underachievement, attachment disorder, attention deficit disorder, conduct disorder, sexual abuse victims, physical and emotional abuse victims and parenting conflicts.

Shaun is an interactive, motivational, dialectical and solution-focused therapist. His therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. He integrates complementary methodologies and techniques (CBT, ACT, Narrative, quantum psychology, mindfulness, MBCT, etc. ) to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, he works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.

Shaun also acts as a field placement supervisor for social work students from the University of Windsor. He has also previously taken students from the University of Manitoba, University of Waterloo and the University of Regina. From time to time I may approach clients to inquire if a student may participate in the session as this is a valuable experience for a student social worker.

Shaun is an avid martial artist with over 30 years of martial arts experience in Goju Ryu Karate, Aikido, Kickboxing and traditional Japanese weaponry. Shaun attributes much of his success in mindfulness practices to his martial arts practice.

Shaun has also worked as a first responder and had been a volunteer paramedic and firefighter who has worked in remote communities in Northern Canada.

Shaun is also an active member in multiple national and international counselling associations. He is the current President of the Board of Directors for the Windsor & Area Branch of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (Now titled “Local Engagement Ambassador”). He is a member of the Ontario College of Social Worker and Social Service Worker. He is also a registered social worker in the Northwest Territories and in Manitoba

Frequently Asked Questions

Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy.
Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression.
Other times it is in response too unexpected changes in one’s life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek the advice of counsel
as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies
for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief,
stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most
out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you’ve faced, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you’re at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counsellors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

  • Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values

  • Developing skills for improving your relationships

  • Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy

  • Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety

  • Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures

  • Improving communications and listening skills

  • Changing old behaviour patterns and developing new ones

  • Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage

  • Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what’s best for you. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behaviour patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.

Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviours. It is important process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:

  • Compassion, respect and understanding

  • Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings

  • Real strategies for introducing positive change

  • Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance 

To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:

  • What are my mental health benefits?

  • What is the coverage amount per therapy session?

  • How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?

  • How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?

  • Is approval required from my primary care physician?

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.

However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

  • Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.

  • If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.

  • If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.

New Client Intake Session – $140 (50 min) 

Standard Session –  $140 (50 min)

Initial Phone Consult – FREE  (15 min)

*Note: Some reduced fee options available based on financial need

We accept all major credit cards, debit and cash. We do not accept checks of any kind. Payment is due in full at the start of each session. It is our policy to place a credit card on file through our secure client portal, Simple Practice. Clients can download statements and Super Bills directly through the client portal. 

Sage Therapeutic Consulting is able to offer confidential and secure video-conferencing sessions, using the Zoom Platform. If you are interested, please contact us for more information.   

If there is a need to cancel or reschedule an appointment our practice requires a 24 Hour Notice to avoid being charged. You may cancel your appointment by phone or email.  

Are you currently in crisis?

Call the Community Crisis Centre

519-973-4435