Our Vision
A community where everyone has timely access to caring mental health professionals in their time of need and where the act of getting help is recognized as a healthy and normal part of holistic self-care.
Our Mission
To enhance the psychological wellbeing of individuals, couples, and families through the provision of professional counselling and psychotherapy services.
Our Story
Established in 2017, Cornerstone Counselling Services is the dream of Brady Hutchinson, a Registered Psychotherapist and lifelong resident of Norfolk County. Brady sought to create a comfortable and inclusive space where community members could receive the professional help they need—a space where reaching out for help is recognized as a sign of strength and courage and is met with compassionate care. Cornerstone Counselling Services is that space!
Meet Our Helpers
Brady Hutchinson, MA, RP
Registered Psychotherapist
& Clinical Director
Brady is a Registered Psychotherapist with a Master of Arts (MA) in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from McMaster University. Her work is trauma-informed and she specializes in helping her clients to heal from symptoms and emotional distress caused by disturbing life experiences. This includes relationship and work stressors, grief and loss, and trauma of all types, including PTSD and shock trauma, complex PTSD, developmental and attachment trauma, sexual abuse, borderline personality disorder (BPD), and dissociative disorders. Brady practices an evidence-based trauma therapy called EMDR and she has advanced training in the treatment of trauma, including dissociative and personality disorders. She integrates ego state therapy and cognitive behavioural approaches as needed, including Schema therapy, DBT, ACT, motivational interviewing, and behavioural activation. She also works with mood disorders (anxiety, depression), addictions, and problematic anger. Brady has extensive experience working with First Nations people and is trained in Indigenous cultural safety. Brady works primarily with adults on an individual basis, although she does work with adolescents and couples who have experienced trauma or abuse as well as couples with complex relationship dynamics (e.g. ethical nonmonogamy and kink). Brady is sex-positive, LGBTQ+ safe, and a Gottman-trained couples therapist. The clients best-suited to Brady’s methods are those who are interested in exploring their past, present and future—in resolving the past events or circumstances that have led them to their current state while also looking at current situations that cause distress, and developing the skills and beliefs needed for their desired future.
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Arden Smelser, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker
Arden holds a Master of Social Work degree (MSW) from McMaster University and is a registered social worker (RSW) with the Ontario Association of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Arden is currently a school social worker and has extensive experience working with adolescents and adults with addictions. She uses mindfulness-based interventions, drawing from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT). She is also trained in emotion-focused family therapy (EFFT). Arden works with clients of any age and specializes in the treatment of anxiety, stress, depression, emotion dysregulation, grief and loss, self-harm, relationship issues, behavioural concerns, and addictions. Arden is available in the evenings, on weekends, and during the summer months, she is available for daytime appointments.
**Arden is not available to see current students or staff of the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board.**
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Victoria West, MA, RP
Registered Psychotherapist
Victoria holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) with a minor in Psychology from the University of Guelph and a Master of Arts (MA) with a concentration in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Victoria has experience working with marginalized populations on a distress line and at a residential treatment centre for individuals struggling with substance abuse. Victoria embraces a client-centered and trauma-informed approach, drawing from Cognitive Behaviour therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Narrative therapy, and Emotionally Focused therapy (EFT). Victoria also incorporates Mindfulness-based approaches and has a special interest in Self-Compassion based therapy. Victoria works with adults and youth 16+ with a variety of life stressors, interpersonal issues, and mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and abuse. She also sees couples and families, utilizing a family systems and narrative approach.
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Shay Beck, MA, RP
Registered Psychotherapist
Shay holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Arts (MA) in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. She is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Shay has experience working with at-risk youth as a residential counsellor and embraces a strength-based and client-centred approach, drawing from cognitive behavioural (CBT) methods such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). Shay works with adults, youth and children with a variety of interpersonal, mental health and addictions concerns. She brings a trauma-informed approach to her work and is trained in the harm reduction model of addiction. She has a particular interest in complex trauma and addictions counselling with a focus on adolescent addictions and childhood trauma.
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Erin Ferguson, MA, RP
Registered Psychotherapist
Erin has a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Through a collaborative, non judgmental approach to counselling based on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and grounded in attachment science, Erin works with Individuals (16+), Couples and Families. By identifying unhealthy patterns in our current and past relationships with ourselves and others, we can often find room for healing, growth and enhanced authenticity. This approach can help address mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, addiction, and trauma as well as all forms of relational challenges. Erin particularly enjoys working with couples to improve communication and deepen emotional connections, while addressing the day to day conflicts every couple faces. Erin also embraces approaches and interventions in line with Mindful Self Compassion and has received post graduate training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT).
Next Steps...
If you're ready to begin the process of change, please send us a message, give us a call, or click now to book an appointment online.