New Treatment Center Established in Heart of Oxford County!

About the Founder

Tina J. Smith is a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist. She has been practicing in the field of mental health since 1998. She has various experiences in not-for-profit from youth in-custody correctional facilities and community mental health agencies to for-profit settings providing counselling and psychotherapy.    In 2011, Tina established the private counselling practice of Tina J. Smith & Associates Counselling and Psychotherapy, situated in Woodstock Ontario. The practice has grown to a team of 12 clinicians and two administrative staff, serving thousands of clients, extending to a large geographical radius throughout Southwestern Ontario. This year the practice established its first satellite location in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

In January 2022, Tina founded the Selah Treatment Center, a not-for-profit treatment center providing subsidized counselling and psychotherapy.

Changing the Rhetoric within the Mental Health World

With over two decades of service in the mental health field, Tina hopes to change the revolving door of service. Many service models perpetuate the belief that six to eight sessions are sufficient. However, recovery and healing are not short-term processes. Tina and her team are committed to ensuring the utilization of research-based methods to treat the whole person, consistently. Through this, Selah Treatment Center aims to decrease relapse and setbacks, by adjusting current methods, to obtain greater transformation and lasting health. 

CURRENT SERVICE MODELS TEND TO BE MORE CLINICAL THAN RELATIONAL. Tina has observed that lasting change comes through relationally based therapy, ideally with a recurring person who is trusted. 

“We are often wounded in relationships, so we need relationships in order to be healed”.  Tina J. Smith

Changing out therapeutic relationships with a variety of people is sometimes harmful and does not lead to lasting change.  Tina and her team hope to provide an opportunity, through Selah, to provide consistent, long-term support.

WE DON’T HEAL IN ISOLATION BUT IN COMMUNITY.

Often within the mental health field, there is a lack of understanding of how to integrate loved ones into the healing process. However, we benefit from supportive people, walking with us through our healing journey.

ATTACHMENT IS A KEY TO UNLOCK HEALING. There are frequently many barriers to integrating family and friends into the healing process.   Selah desires to actively facilitate and integrate healthy attachment into their client’s journey, being committed to helping clients include their loved ones and supporting individuals in a healthy way.

ATMOSPHERE MATTERS. Selah Treatment Center intentionally creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. First contact with their Intake Coordinator is warm, compassionate, and personable. Upon entering Selah, clients are invited into a homey waiting area, resembling a comfortable living room. Each office is personally decorated to reflect each therapist’s style and provide a comfortable space for clients. In addition to many offices, there are two play therapy rooms for children, along with a teen and family room designed with couches, foosball, darts, and mini sticks.

FINANCIAL BARRIERS SHOULD NOT PREVENT RECOVERY AND HEALING. Unfortunately, clients are typically unable to afford long-term treatment. Seeing treatment having to come to an end of their healing journey because of financial barriers, is incredibly disheartening. Selah Treatment Center has been created as a solution to these challenges.

RESHAPING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FINANCES AND TREATMENT LENGTH. Selah hopes to provide a solution, so that those unable to pay for services, will not be turned away. They believe that long term investment into the healing and recovery process will improve lasting results. They desire a shift in vision, partnering with those who can financially support this vision.