List of Services:

Shalem Christian Counselling Services is made up of a team of counsellors committed to offering a high standard of counselling service to our community. Serving individuals, couples and families on issues including depression, addictions, anxiety, abuse recovery, separation/divorce, communication, behavioural concerns, and more. Specialties of art, play and Attachment therapy available.

Mark Vander Vennen, Executive Director:

Education/Certification: M.A., M.Ed., R.S.W.


Professional Experiences: Mark has 15 years of experience dealing with individuals, couples, families and groups, with a special focus on adolescents, couple work, post-traumatic stress, abuse recovery, and male issues. Mark is happy to consult with churches, schools and other groups.

Jennifer Bowen, Clinical Director:

Education/Certification: M.Div. RMFT


Professional Experiences:

Jennifer has had the privilege of working with a diverse population of individuals, couples and families of all ages. She has experience working with clients through many presenting concerns, including abuse, trauma, addictions, depression, grief and anxiety. Jennifer's clinical approach focuses on supporting clients through their difficulties, and equipping clients to address their challenges. She does so by helping identify helpful and unhelpful thoughts, emotions and patterns, and celebrating successes and growth. She supports clients in building new stories of hope and health in their lives, and loves her work.

Betty Brouwer, Director of Attachment Services:

Education/Certification: M.Sc., RCAT


Professional Experiences:

Betty has worked with children and parents for over 15 years as a staff member of Shalem. She works with children, teens and their families. She finds it an honour and privilege to enter into people's lives and help facilitate healing and change.

Betty is a registered art therapist with the Canadian Art Therapy Association and the Ontario Art Therapy Association, and she is a certified play therapist with Play Therapy International. Betty is a member of ATTACH (Association for Treatment and Training in the Attachment of Children), an international coalition of professionals and families dedicated to helping those with attachment difficulties by sharing their knowledge, talents and resources.

Betty holds a Master's degree in Child and Adolescent Studies from the University of Guelph. She also completed the Master's level program at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute. Betty has completed the advanced level training with Dr. Daniel Hughes, the leading North American practitioner and trainer in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP). She meets regularly with CoPlace, a group of senior clinicians using DDP in Ontario.

June Zwier, Marriage and Family Therapist, Director of Mental Health Resources:

Education/Certification: B.A., M.Div.


Professional Experiences:

June is a Marriage and Family Therapist in our Durham office and our Director of Mental Health Resources. As a therapist, June provides counselling for individuals, couples and families. She uses her experience and education to provide a client-centered and holistic approach. Her training includes family systems, solution focused, cognitive behavioural and narrative methods/tools which are used based on individual needs. June has a lot of experience with mental illnesses (including mood disorders, such as depression, bi-polar, anxiety and schizophrenia) and family/caregiver support needs. June offers Shalem/s Linking Lives/Building Attachment services in the Durham region, having completed the three levels of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy offered by Dr. Dan Hughes. She enjoys working with children and their families.

June has worked in the mental health and social services field in the Durham region for over 25 years. Previously she worked for the Canadian Mental Health Association in various roles, including developing a Clubhouse program - a supportive community environment for people with mental illness. June is our resource specialist on mental illness and the mental health field. June has a passion for helping churches become supportive communities around mental health needs.

June has a B.A. in psychology and a Masters of Divinity with a focus in counselling. June is a member of the Ontario Association for Marriage and Family Therapists.

Mission Statement:

Shalem Christian Counselling Services is made up of a team of counsellors committed to offering a high standard of counselling service to our community. Our counselling service seeks to support individuals, couples and families around a very broad range of issues.

While built and supported by a frame of Christian values, Shalem is committed to providing its counselling services to any persons, regardless of age, race, or religion. We are client-centered in our approaches and respect each person's journey. We will partner with you to create a treatment plan that best addresses your areas of concern.

Our counselling modalities include traditional talk therapy, art therapy and attachment therapy.

Please don't hesitate to contact our offices and speak with an intake counsellor about whether Shalem is a good fit for your needs. Currently, we have offices in Hamilton and Durham.