Open Wing Counselling Clinic

Please note that we are not a drop-in counselling clinic and cannot accommodate walk-ins. All services are provided by appointment only.

Meet the Team

Danielle Charron, MC, RPsych

Clinical Director, Department of Psychotherapy and Spirituality

Danielle supervises the student counsellors at The Open Wing, supporting them as they develop their counselling skills and  therapeutic identities. She is a Registered Psychologist with several years of experience working with people of all ages in community mental health and private practice. Danielle provides ongoing clinical supervision to support the quality and safety of the counselling services offered at the clinic.

When she’s not at The Open Wing, you’ll likely find Danielle quilting, doing yoga, drinking a latte, or happily buried in a book or writing project.

Spencer Johnson, MPS-AT Student

Student Counsellor

I am a Master of Psychotherapy and Spirituality student working through my counselling practicum, under the supervision of registered clinicians. I care about living an authentic life that’s aligned with my beliefs, examining the strangeness in life, and learning from the ambiguity in the world. I use my degrees in philosophy and education to help others explore their questions about life, death and all the stuff in between.

I have a client-centered approach with a specialty in Art Therapy,and interests in narrative therapy too. Art making can bypass some of the verbal structures thatcan hinder therapy, getting to the symbolic root of what’s troubling you and helping to externalize narratives we learn to tell ourselves. I’m glad that my office is a place where clients can explore, with or without the use of art therapy techniques.

Before beginning my career in psychotherapy, I worked as a teacher and accessibility advisor. Prior to that, I taught GED programming for Paul Band First Nation. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and communities, including  indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ people, newcomers to Canada, and children and youth.

Everyone can seek answers for themselves, and I value the infinite diversity in perspectives that come through my door. 

Janelle Schmidt, MPS Student

Student Counsellor

Creating safe spaces where people feel truly seen has always been important to me. As a student counsellor completing my Masters of Psychotherapy and Spirituality at St. Stephen’s College, I have the privilege of walking alongside individuals as they navigate life’s challenges and complexities. At the heart of my work is the belief that healing does not necessarily mean eliminating difficulty. Rather, therapy can offer a space to slow down, feel deeply, make sense of our experience, reconnect with what matters, and discover ways of living meaningfully.

My passion is working with adults navigating grief and loss, life transitions, identity and purpose, and emotional overwhelm. I have a particular interest in supporting people as they explore questions of meaning and purpose and what matters most. I draw on existential-humanistic therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy—particularly acceptance and commitment therapy—and mindfulness-based approaches. I also incorporate practices that support grounding, self-compassion, and greater mind-body awareness.

My path to counselling has evolved over many years from family support and outreach, crisis intervention, and work as a birth and postpartum doula. I have also taught restorative yoga, meditation, and facilitated groups, workshops, and retreats. These experiences shape the warmth, presence, and whole-person perspective I bring to my role as a student therapist.

Outside of the therapy room I love in nature, whether I’m challenging myself through mountain biking, climbing or trail running, or simply basking in the presence of wild roses. I also enjoy spoken word events and contemporary poetry and consider myself an amateur poet.

Rachel Helm, MPS Student

Clinic Assistant

Rachel helps keep The Open Wing running smoothly and is often one of the first points of contact for clients. She supports clients with scheduling, general questions, and navigating the clinic’s administrative processes, helping create a welcoming and comfortable experience from the first point of contact.

She works closely with the student counsellors and Clinical Director to support the day-to-day operations of the clinic and help ensure clients feel informed and supported throughout their time with the Open Wing.