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Get to Know Us

Stardust Collective is made of a group of humans who share core values about the way we treat other humans, and about the systems we live in and how they harm us. We work in mental health and have experienced how hard it can be to get actual, meaningful support, and we wanted to try and do something about that. We offer virtual counselling services across Ontario. Every counsellor here is different, but we try hard to be accessible, socially informed, empathetic and anti-oppressive in our work.

We are queer-owned and work hard to be affirming and

inclusive. We strive to demonstrate allyship in our actions,

and we know that being an ally isn't an identity, but an

ongoing process. We accept and welcome any feedback on

how to better support you and your communities.

We established this collective as a way to fill needs that we have

seen in our communities, for more inclusive and affordable

counselling. Cost should not be a barrier to getting support. If you can't comfortably afford our regular rates, we operate on a sliding scale and can customize rates. We will never ask you to prove your financial position.

In order to continue offering flexible and sliding scale rates,

we gently ask that clients pay as much of the

regular rate as they comfortably can.

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Button that reads 'celebrate neurodiversity'

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What We Offer

Individual Counselling/Therapy

Our mental health counsellors are knowledgeable in a wide range of issues such as

Anxiety/Depression
Trauma
Self-esteem
Self-Harm
Stress Management / Burnout
Suicidal Ideation

And More!

Family Counselling/Therapy

Our Family counsellor is well versed in the following Family therapy related items

Parenting: Stress, Skills and Support
Non-Traditional/Diverse Family Systems
Systemic Family Therapy

And More!

2SLGBTQIA+ and Neurodivergent Affirming Counselling

As a Queer and Neurodivergent owned Collective, we prioritize ensuring our practice's ethics are:

Queer Affirming
Gender Affirming
Accessible Affirming

And More!

Couples Counselling/Therapy

We work with all kinds of relationship orientations and dynamics, including:

Monogamous and non-Monogamous relationships
2SLGBTQIA+, Kink/BDSM
Blended Couples

And More!

Recreation Therapy Groups and 1-1

Therapeutic Recreation is a health care profession that utilizes a therapeutic process, involving:

Leisure
Recreation/Play
Promoting Independence
Improving quality of life

And More!

Counselling/Therapy Groups

Stardust offers group therapy both online and in person (Day and Evening Groups). Some groups include:

Peer Support Groups (Mental Health Professionals Burnout)
Mindfulness for Neurodivergent Folks
Coffee Talk (Free - Student Run Drop in)

And More!

Workshops

Check out the two current Sex Education workshops we offer:

Working out the Kinks (18+)
Beyond Birds and Bees (Youth)

And More! (Coming Soon)

We are committed to..

Accessibility

We at Stardust are mindful of the inaccessibility in our mental health and counselling systems. We believe that regardless of

disability, neurodiversity, class, race, nationality, gender, and/or sexuality, you should have access to counselling services.

How?

-Renting from an Accessible Building

-Offering many options for services (in person, online, groups, phone, video, walk in the community, etc)

-Offering Services during the day, evening and weekends

-Providing multiple sensory-friendly options for therapy spaces, such as low lighting, stuffed animals, different seating and blankets.

-Fidgets, Colouring books, and much more!

Anti-Capitalism

We recognize the ways in which capitalism perpetuates systems of oppression and inequality, including in the realm of mental health care. As a collective, we aim to challenge these structures by offering affordable and accessible therapy services that prioritize the well-being of our clients over profit.

How?

- Offering sliding-scale fees

-Reject the idea that profit should be the primary goal of therapy

-Advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of clients and communities, such as universal healthcare and accessible mental health care services.

-Foster a collaborative, non-hierarchical work environment within the therapy collective. This includes practices such as shared decision-making, equitable compensation, and a commitment to anti-oppression principles

Allyship

We recognize the critical importance of allyship, anti-racism, and anti-oppression work in creating a safe and inclusive space for all of our clients. We are committed to actively challenging and dismantling systems of oppression that have historically excluded and marginalized BIPOC folx and other marginalized communities.

How?

-Acknowledging that systemic inequalities that perpetuate mental health challenges for marginalized communities, especially BIPOC folks.

-Supporting other community mental health care initiatives, such as peer support networks/mutual aid groups, that prioritize the needs of marginalized communities

-Prioritize the recruitment and retention of team members from underrepresented communities, and ensure that the organization's leadership reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.

Peer Support

One of the key benefits of peer support is the sense of community and belonging that it provides. For many individuals, particularly those who may have experienced stigma or discrimination due to their identity or mental health, finding a supportive community can be incredibly empowering. Peer support groups can help individuals to connect with others who have similar experiences, share coping strategies, and provide a sense of validation and understanding.

Harm Reduction

Harm reduction aims to reduce harm and increase safety for clients, while respecting their autonomy and meeting them where they are at. By adopting a non-judgemental and collaborative approach, and promoting access to resources and social justice, harm reduction-oriented counselling collectives can help clients to address harmful behaviours in a way that is empowering and effective.

Meet the Team

Stardust Collective Team Members

Counsellor

Brooke Enright She/They

RSSW

Hello! I'm Brooke. I work from a client-centered approach, as I have lived experince in mental health and know how valuable it it to feel like someone is in your corner. I have worked in various mental health roles, such as a group facilitator, community support, and mental health worker. I offer a wide range of services, such as counselling, sex and intimacy workshops, and group programs. I

Areas of Focus:

- Depression/Anxiety/Schizophrenia/BPD

- LGBTQIA+ Issues & Neurodivergent

- Trauma Informed

-Self Destructive Behaviours/Self Harm

- Life Skills and Harm Reduction

-Sex/Sexuality Identities Kink-allied

- Adolescents/Young Adults

-Self Esteem and Strengths Focused

More about Brooke

Book with Brooke

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Recreation Therapist

Bethany Allender She/Her
RT, EA

Hello! My name is Bethany "Beth".
I am passionate about providing an inclusive, empowering, and
supportive environment for the individuals I support. I work with clients to improve quality of life, develop new skills, and interact with their community while exploring their recreation and leisure endeavours. I have worked in a variety of settings such as Adult Day programs, Recreation Centres, elementary/high schools and within the community.

Areas of Focus:
-Exploring new recreation and leisure activities
-Walk and talks
-Group community outings
-Developing life Skills
-Community integration and knowledge
-Advocacy

More about Bethany

Book with Bethany

Counsellor

Emily Walker She/Her

MSW, RSW

Hi, I’m Emily! My background is largely in individual and family therapy; however, my early career was spent working in the carceral system, anti-violence counselling, and working with at-risk youth and young parents. I describe myself an integrated therapist, pulling from a few different modalities that
are grounded in trauma-informed and anti-oppressive practice. With therapy being a deeply vulnerable experience, my commitment to our time together is to prioritize curiosity, safety, and trust. I strongly believe that no one ever requires “fixing”.

Areas of Focus:

- Adolescents/Young Adults/Adults

-Depression / Anxiety Disorders

-Self-Harm and Suicidality

-Family Therapy (including non-traditional/diverse family systems)

-Parenting / Parent and Caregiver

-ADHD and Neurodivergence

More about Emily

Book with Emily

Counsellor

Izzy Lewis She/Her

BSW, RSW

Hi, I’m Izzy. My background is in domestic violence, homelessness, and postpartum mental health. I've worked as a peer mentor, counsellor, group facilitator, and research assistant.

I have lived experience with mental health, and believe that we are at our most vulnerable when attending therapy. I believe in building a trusting relationship together in order to create a safe space for clients to explore their issues. Being a human being, I do not always have the answers, but I am committed to acknowledging client strengths.

Areas of Focus:

- Anxiety

- Depression

- Postpartum depression

- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

- Narrative Therapy

More about Izzy

Book with Izzy

Counsellor

Katie McCrindle They/them

MSW, RSW

I'm Katie! I work from an anti-oppressive and social justice-oriented perspective, grounded in fat liberation, Health At Every Size®, and intersectional feminism.

I use a variety of approaches in my work which include self-compassion, mindful noticing of thoughts, emotions, and sensations, and embodied (or somatic) practices.

Areas of Focus:

- Body image/body liberation

- Binge eating disorder

- Self-esteem/self-worth

- Anxiety

- ADHD

- Perfectionism

- Supporting fat folks

More about Katie

Book with Katie

Counsellor

Emma Griffiths They/She
MSW, RSW

Hi! I'm Emma! I like to talk about feelings and ask questions. As a counsellor, my sessions are casual and conversational. I work from a trauma-informed lens, including recognizing the trauma we take on just existing within an oppressive, capitalist world.

I pull bits and pieces from a number of different modalities to create a sort of therapeutic trail mix that works for me.

Areas of Focus:

- Trauma

- Sexuality and gender identity

- Healthy relationships and self-esteem

- Youth/adolescent issues

- Non-traditional relationships including kink dynamics, non-monogamy, and blended families

- Neurodivergence

More about Emma

Contact Emma

Peer Support

Wynnie Friesen

She/They

Peer Support Worker / Community Worker

Heya, I’m Wynnie, or Bronwyn if you prefer to sound more formal. I'm a Peer Support Worker, using my lived experience and informal study as a foundation to my work. I do not have formal education in counseling, but strive to help people feel heard and supported, and aid them to find a path through difficult times in their lives using social connection, play, movement, and a wide variety of other resources. At Stardust, I work with our registered therapists to provide holistic care and to build a friendly neighborhood community.

Areas of Focus

Queer and gender identities
Changing and dynamic relationships
Non-monogamous and otherwise atypical relationships
Shifts in sex activities and attraction
Separated and blended families
Living as a mental health service user
Childhood abuse

More about Wynnie

Book with Wynnie

Stardust's Students

Stardust is a Teaching Collective. Check out our student's page to learn more about the services they offer.

Learn More

River

Stardust is open to new students. Please get in touch with us if you would like more information

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Land Acknowledgment

Stardust Theraputic Collective was founded on the traditional lands of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas peoples. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, which is a treaty between the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas and Haudenosaunee that bound them to share the territory and protect the land.

We recognize that colonialism is still present and affecting the lives of many indigenous folks today. Stardust is committed to confronting colonialism past and present, by being advocates and standing in solidarity with indigenous communities.

Help Our Cause

We strongly believe in being able to provide accessible rates for therapy and counselling. One of the things that helps us offer low or no cost therapy to folks who need it, is subsidization from folks who are able to share with us. There is absolutely no expectation to donate, but every little bit helps!

Donate!

CONTACT

987 King St E, Unit 104A
Hamilton, ON

info@stardustcollective.ca

226 780 5572

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Transportation Information

-Parking Lot in the back of the building

-2 Hour Street Parking out Front

-Nearest Bus Stop: KING at FAIRHOLT or MAIN at ASHFORD

Accessibility Information

- the door on the far left side of the building if you're facing the building is an automatic door that opens onto a ramp

- if this door is locked, call or email us and we will come let you in

- the building has spacious, single-person, all-gender washrooms, however they do not have automatic doors. We are happy to help with these doors if needed

Get to Know Us

What We Offer

Subscribe to get updates for groups and events and free resources emailed to you

We are committed to..

Meet the Team

Stardust's Students

Help Our Cause

CONTACT