Allow us to introduce Nichole (Nikki) Barker to the Maple Shores Health Centre Team. She brings a vast array of knowledge of many health care needs as she obtained an honours diploma in Practical Nursing from Georgian College. She increased her mental health knowledge by completing the Mental Health Nursing graduate certificate from Durham College. She has been an active member of the CNO (College of Nurses of Ontario) for the past 14 years working as an RPN (Registered Practical Nurse) in the local community as a community visiting nurse and a staff nurse in long-term care.

Nikki joins the MSHC as a newly Registered Massage Therapist, earning an honours diploma in Massage Therapy from Georgian College and is a new member of the CMTO (College of Massage Therapist of Ontario). Nikki has also studied Shiatsu therapy earning an honours diploma from the Canadian Acupressure College in Victoria, BC and is an LST (Licensed Shiatsu Therapist) with the Shiatsu Therapy Society of Ontario. She is certified in Foot Reflexology from the Ontario College of Reflexology and has completed a 200hr Yoga Teacher Training with DevaTree School of Yoga.

Nikki focuses her treatments on client centered care to not only create balance in the body while decreasing stress, muscle tension, postural imbalances, and soft tissue injuries, but also is focused on treatment goals that help increase body awareness and mental wellbeing. When not in the clinic, Nikki enjoys many outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, camping, and nature photography. She also loves playing the drums in a local 90s rock band.

Allow us to introduce Nichole (Nikki) Barker to the Maple Shores Health Centre Team. She brings a... Read More

With a background in Kinesiology, Zachary applies a scientific approach through Massage Therapy and Acupuncture. Treatments aim to reduce pain, improve mobility and restore function. Trigger point, stretching and cupping treatments allow for greater movement; while Neurofunctional Acupuncture approach restores function.

With a background in Kinesiology, Zachary applies a scientific approach through Massage Therapy a... Read More

Cyndi, a lifelong creator and artist, was living her dream of making and selling her own art when at age 36 she received a breast cancer diagnosis. Along the road to recovery, she realized that making and sharing art was pivotal to her healing, so she enrolled at the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy where she is graduated with a Clinical Art Psychotherapy Diploma. Cyndi has first-hand experience of what the power of creativity can do, and she can’t wait to share that with you.

She is currently a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), a Professional member of Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA) and the Ontario Art Therapy Association (OATA).

She grew up in Bruce County and the United Kingdom before realizing she felt most at home in Port Elgin. Although the first artistic medium she fell in love with is pottery and ceramics, she is currently enjoying and spending time learning about different fibre arts such as knitting, embroidery and punch needle. An extreme animal lover, one of her favourite summer pastimes is making friends with the chipmunks and squirrels that live in her yard.

Cyndi, a lifelong creator and artist, was living her dream of making and selling her own art when... Read More

Claire graduated with a Bachelor of Visual Arts from Western University in London, Ontario. After witnessing her brother recover from a traumatic brain injury, Claire was inspired to pursue a career in Art Therapy where she is currently a graduating student in the Toronto Art Therapy Institute (TATI) program. Claire first found her passion for the arts at a young age and through her own personal experiences was amazed at the power of using visual arts as a therapeutic and healing experience. Claire has a deep desire to expand her knowledge of art therapy through dedicating herself to serving others. She believes that visual arts give meaning to everyday experiences that simply cannot be put into words and wishes to empower you with the voice of empathy. Claire is determined to improve your problem-solving skills, self-esteem and mental well-being through a variety of visual mediums. Claire grew up in London, Ontario before moving to Port Elgin and enjoys spending time with family soaking in sunsets at the beach. In her spare time, Claire can be found in her studio using acrylics, ink and charcoal materials to define the abstract of nature and the human form. She also has a passion for the outdoors and can be seen on the many hiking trails within Bruce County with her dog Nala.

Claire graduated with a Bachelor of Visual Arts from Western University in London, Ontario. After... Read More

Emily has been a Registered Nurse for 13 years with experience across Canada and the healthcare system. She is also currently a non-practicing Registered Midwife with over 5 years of experience.

Psychotherapy Emily is a Registered Nurse Psychotherapist specializing in pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum concerns. She is especially equipped to help clients who have experienced infertility, pregnancy/infant loss, traumatic birth, stillbirth, depression/anxiety in pregnancy or in the postpartum. The childbearing year is an intense time in life, and counseling can help make it more manageable. Emily uses a variety of modalities in her practice, including EMDR, with an overarching person-centered approach.

Emily has been a Registered Nurse for 13 years with experience across Canada and the healthcare s... Read More

Aaron provides psychotherapy as a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with ongoing clinical supervision in accordance with CRPO requirements. Services are available in person at Maple Shores Health Centre in Port Elgin and virtually for clients located in Ontario. He offers psychotherapy for individuals and couples who are looking for an honest, supportive, thoughtful, and collaborative space to make sense of what is happening beneath the surface. His work is grounded in the belief that therapy is not about being handed a script for who you are or what you should do. It is about slowing things down, getting curious about the patterns that keep showing up, and building new ways of living, relating, and responding that feel more steady, intentional, and aligned with what matters to you.

Aaron works with adults experiencing concerns such as fear/anxiety, depressed mood, stress and burnout, hyperactivity and impulsivity, family conflict, relationship challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, major life transitions, trauma-related concerns, and patterns connected to adversity and resilience. Many of the people he supports are trying to understand themselves in the real context of their lives: their relationships, families, histories, work, identities, nervous systems, and day-to-day pressures. He also helps clients better understand how their nervous system responds under stress, and how to work with their body rather than feeling like they are constantly fighting against it.

His approach is evidence-informed, trauma-informed, and integrative. In plain language, this means Aaron draws from approaches grounded in research and clinical practice while tailoring therapy to the person sitting in front of him. He doesn’t believe people fit neatly into one-size-fits-all boxes, and he doesn’t believe therapy should be cookie- cutter either. Depending on each client’s needs and goals, Aaron may draw on elements from person-centred therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based strategies, solution-focused therapy, narrative approaches, attachment-informed work, and body-based/nervous-system- oriented strategies for self-regulation. Above all, he values building a therapeutic relationship where clients feel safe, heard, respected, and supported. He also offers practical tools, resources, and strategies that clients can practice between sessions, because change has to survive contact with real life.

Before entering the field of psychotherapy, Aaron worked as a researcher and behavioral scientist at Western University. His research explored resilience, mindfulness, stress, adversity, trauma, attachment, relational trauma, and the ways people adapt within the relationships, systems, and circumstances that shape their lives and mental health. He has published peer-reviewed research and coauthored work related to attachment and relational trauma, including the development of the Childhood Attachment and Relational Trauma Screen (CARTS), – a (nationally and cross- culturally) validated relational-socioecological measure that’s been translated into at least 10 different languages (Schnyder et al., 2017) and used in both North American and international contexts as a relational-socioecological measure of childhood maltreatment, attachment, and relational family dynamics within context. This background continues to inform his clinical work, especially in helping clients understand the connections between personal experience, relationships, stress, work, coping, and wellbeing.

Aaron also has a strong interest in relationship-focused therapy. In addition to working with individuals, he provides couples therapy informed by the Gottman Method and has completed Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 2 Training, along with additional continuing education in couples therapy, relational conflict, affairs and trauma, intimacy, and relationship challenges. His work with couples is structured, compassionate, and focused on helping partners better understand themselves, their needs, their patterns, and the ways they can strengthen communication, rebuild trust, and create more secure and sustainable ways of relating.

Aaron provides psychotherapy as a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with ongoing clinical s... Read More

Tony Kaake is one of the owners of Maple Shores Heath Centre which was established in 2007. He graduated from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy as a Registered Massage Therapist in 1998. He went on to continue his education under the world renowed Dr. Steven Sanet, an American Osteopathic Physician, and received his Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy and Practice Diploma in 2006. Tony also helps to facilitate this program and teaches health professionals. In 2016 he had the amazing opportunity to showcase his knowledge and skills by teaching a course in Doha, Quater to a variety of practitioners. He also has the pleasure of having professionals with all different backgrounds such as, Massage Therapists, Psychiatrists, Medical Doctors, Chiropractors, and Osteopathic students shadow his hands on techniques in the Maple Shores Clinic.

Tony Kaake is one of the owners of Maple Shores Heath Centre which was established in 2007. He g... Read More

Jakub holds an Advanced Diploma in Massage Therapy with honours from Humber College. He has been actively practicing since 2014 in a wide variety of clinical environments. He has practiced Massage Therapy in both Ontario and Alberta, working with many unique cases along the way. Jakub is a registered member of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO).

Jakub believes you are the expert of your own body and you know when something is not right. He is there to help you understand it better and guide you back to your best.

Although he has worked in spas over his career, his treatments are different from what you would expect at a spa. He will sit down with you to talk and assess your concerns so that he can tailor treatments to what will be of most benefit. At the end of it, he will send you home with therapeutic exercises or stretches that will keep you going in daily life.

Jakub often incorporates stretching, particularly therapist-assisted stretching. On occasion, he will use cupping and K-Taping to enhance his treatments and often uses both modalities on himself.

Jakub has a fascination for anatomy, fascia and neurology and he always enjoys learning new things about the body. He will spend time helping you understand your body and explain it in common terms.

Jakub has biked, hiked and skied thousands of kilometers through the Canadian Rockies, mostly in Jasper and Banff National Parks and has stood atop dozens of peaks along the way. Jakub enjoys going out for hikes, walks, gardening, kayaking and helping his partner Kristen with all sorts of projects around the house.

Jakub holds an Advanced Diploma in Massage Therapy with honours from Humber College. He has been ... Read More

Janet earned a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and a Bachelor of Education from York University. She is a Registered Psychotherapist and a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Janet is a professional member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

Janet is passionate about walking alongside others on this journey called life. She enjoys learning, nature walks, exploring new places, and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Janet earned a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. She also hold... Read More

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I have been practicing nutrition coaching since 2012 and I was previously certified as a Specialist in Fitness Nutrition with the ISSA. I now specialize in orthomolecular health. This encompasses an individualized approach to nutrition in maintaining and restoring, the biochemistry and physiology in the body for optimum health and well-being. I have an excellent ability to educate clients on healthy eating. I am a health-conscious person and personally live a lifestyle that encompasses whole-food nutrition, fitness and a respect for nature.

I have been practicing nutrition coaching since 2012 and I was previously certified as a Speciali... Read More