A new mental health clinic in Sault Ste. Marie is aiming to make therapy feel as routine as going to the gym.
The same way you go to a gym to exercise your physical health, it’s equally as important to care for your mental health. Angela Remondi and Kate Kallonen, founders of The Grove Therapy Collective, feel strongly about this, and have sought to create a therapy space in the Soo where everyone feels welcome.
The Grove Therapy Collective opened its doors in Sault Ste. Marie this past January. The collective is made up of several independent psychotherapists, and serves individuals, families, groups, children, youth, and adults. They also offer therapeutic group programming. “We can find a fit for anybody who walks in the door, which is important to us,” explains Kate.
Angela and Kate met while working in an alternative education setting and bonded over shared values: a love of creativity and relational therapeutic care. They quickly started dreaming about opening a practice together— and the result is a calming, comfortable, decidedly un-medical clinic. Every client is greeted warmly by an experienced administrator, Brittany Williamson, who’s been known to play with kids in the waiting room (and keeps chocolates at the front desk).
“It’s so important to remove the stigma. A lot of people here are trying therapy for the first time, and they’re having a positive experience,” says Angela.
Each therapist at The Grove Therapy Collective operates their own practice within the shared space, but they all work closely together to ensure clients experience a consistent and compassionate standard of care. The practices running out of the clinic alongside Kate and Angela are Allannah Reed, Kylie Gallant and Jordan Campeau.
All the therapists at the clinic are committed to removing barriers and meeting clients where they are, sometimes literally. There have been a number of times that they’ve met with clients in their vehicle because the client doesn’t feel able to enter the space. The therapists also offer ‘walk-and-talk’ sessions as a lower-pressure option.
People come to The Grove Therapy Collective for many reasons, including everyday stress, repairing relationships, finding connection, and addressing longer-term generational trauma. “Some people appreciate having a space to process and receive some neutral and compassionate feedback,” explains Angela.
The clinic can also offer therapy sessions ‘in tandem,’ meaning that if a child sees one clinician and their parent sees another, they will do their best to arrange appointments for the same time, to alleviate the stress of scheduling and drop-offs. They also offer creative and play-based therapies like art therapy, sandtray, and Relationship Development Intervention. The clinic’s therapy can be easily adapted for safety and sensory considerations, to accommodate children and youth with autism and other high support needs.
The clinic also offers specific therapy groups, which they’re looking to expand in the near future. One is the Grove Girls Psychotherapy Group, for girls aged 7-10. Another upcoming group is beginning in July. The founders of Grove Therapy Collective will be offering ‘Art Flow at The Grove,’ an ongoing monthly group for individuals aged 16+. There will be a number of groups and services offered out of the Grove in the months to come. A monthly newsletter will provide information on upcoming events and clinic offerings.
The Grove Therapy Collective currently has clinicians who can start seeing clients immediately. They’re able to help clients navigate eligible funding supports, including private insurance providers and programs like NIHB and OAP. The clinic’s administrator also has expertise about programs and financial subsidies in the community, and is happy to help out anyone who calls.
“We want to honour a no-wrong-door policy to the community,” says Kate. “Whether or not our therapy would be a good fit for you, you can still call and be connected to where you need to be connected to.”
“A grove is a group of trees that grow together: like the grove of trees that inspired our name, we believe we’re stronger together. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, your family, or your wider community, we welcome you here: a grounded, connected space where healing and growth take root.”
For more information, visit The Grove Therapy Collective website.