About

Family Hope

Counselling & Training Centre Inc.

“Loving ourselves through the process of owning our story is the bravest thing we will ever do.”

Brené Brown

Beginning

Family Hope is the fruition of a dream two friends shared many years ago. Melissa and Krystal sought to employ their knowledge, skill, and interests in a way that would serve their community in a helping capacity. Family Hope Counselling and Training Centre opened its doors on September 1st, 2019. 

Vision

Strengthen relationships and offer hope

We believe there is hope for everyone. We also believe that building positive connections with other people improves mental health and well being.

Provide a variety of services: counselling, psychological assessment, consultation, and training

The needs of individuals and families are diverse and so we aim to bring diversity to the services we offer.

Build a collaborative team of professionals who grow and learn from one another

We believe two heads are better than one. We deeply value the learning that takes place among professionals who work together for the same ends. We vision a future at Family Hope that includes multiple professionals with individual skills and talents. We vision a working environment that promotes and supports ongoing learning together.

Values in Action

Affordability

We demonstrate a commitment to providing affordable services by offering a sliding scale fee option. Additionally, we periodically provide low-cost group training options and Hot Topic Webinars.

Inclusion & Accessibility

Our space is designed to welcome children with toys, puzzles, Playdough, and art supplies. We work with clients to accommodate abilities and we adjust our modalities and interventions to reflect the needs and preferences of our clients. Family Hope invites clients to consider their cultural identity as part of our intake process and we seek to privilege the voice and lived experience of each individual.

Relationships

We bring a unique friendship to our practice which shapes the professional culture of Family Hope. This has a positive impact on the therapeutic process both for staff and the client. We practice from a systemic perspective that recognizes the impact of significant relationships in our lives as well as the communities and cultures in which we all live and work.

Learning

We are committed to formal and informal learning and professional development. Our staff have accumulated over 400 combined hours of professional learning. We participate in peer consultation and clinical supervision as we continue to develop our professional competencies. We value the learning that takes place within the therapeutic relationship for both the practitioner and the client.

Community

Family Hope provides free community resources on our website. We are familiar with, and prepared, to refer clients to other community resources that better meet client needs. We maintain strong relationships with other community support professionals and welcome collaboration with other community agencies.

Krystal Hawkins

M.Ed., Registered Psychologist (APE)  

(Available for In-Person and Virtual Client Sessions)

Krystal Hawkins lives on a farm with her husband and three children.  She is a Registered Psychologist with a Masters of Education Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Regina and a Bachelor Degree in Child and Youth Care from the University of Victoria. She is a co-founder and Psychologist for Family Hope.  She practices from a cultural and systemic perspective and is influenced by attachment theory, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). Krystal is a certified Incredible Years (IY) Facilitator and has provided IY training since 2012. Krystal has delivered community and private presentations for more than 10 years on topics of behaviour, connection, and screen time. She has been a certified First Aid and CPR instructor with St. John Ambulance for more than 20 years. She volunteers in her community as a First Responder and as the Treasurer for the Gravelbourg Air Cadet program. 

 

Certification & Training
  • Registered Psychologist, Saskatchewan College of Psychologists, 2020
  • Masters of Education in Educational Psychology, University of Regina, 2020
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), 2022
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Grief and Loss, 2022
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Trauma, 2021
  • Violent Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) Level One, 2021
  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), 2019
  • Advanced Motivational Interviewing Training, 2018
  • Advanced Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Training, 2014
  • Certified Group Leader, The Incredible Years-Seattle, 2014
  • Bachelor of Child and Youth Care, University of Victoria, 2011
  • Early Childhood Educator II, Saskatchewan Learning, 2007
  • Diploma – Youth Care Worker, Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), 2001
  • Certificate – Youth Care Worker, Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), 2000
Associations & Awards
  • Present – Member, Saskatchewan College of Psychologists #1139
  • Present – Member, Canadian Psychological Association
  • 2018 – Callow Family Award for Volunteer of the Year, Saskatchewan Air Cadet League
  • 2001 – Distinguished Graduate, Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST)
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Certification & Training
  • Canadian Certified Counsellor with CCPA, 2019
  • Prepare/Enrich Training, 2019
  • Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counselling (with Honors), Briercrest Seminary, 2015
  • Bachelor Degree in Sociology, Carleton University, 2007
Associations & Awards
  • Present – Associate member of the Canadian Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
  • Present- Professional Member of Canadian Counsellors and Psychotherapy Association (Certified)
  • 2015 – Graduate Excellence Award in Research, Briercrest Seminary
  • 2015 – Graduate Excellence Award in Marriage and Family Counselling, Briercrest Seminary
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Melissa Verheyen

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

(Available for Virtual Client Sessions)

Melissa Verheyen is a military spouse and the mother of four children and has lived in Ontario, Saskatchewan and New York State. Melissa is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)* with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She earned her honours Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Counselling from Briercrest College & Seminary. She received the award of excellence for her research on “Separation and Reunion within Canadian Military Marriages: A Grounded Theory Approach.” She is a Canadian Certified professional member of the Canadian Counselling and  Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Melissa is a systemic therapist who draws heavily on narrative practices as well as acceptance and commitment therapy and is committed to providing virtual services that are safe, effective and collaborative. Melissa is reenergized by practicing spiritual disciplines, spending time with her family and friends and challenging herself with a run along the Bay of Quinte.
*Qualifying means Melissa has completed her formal university education, is licensed with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, must complete 450 hours of treatment where she regularly meets with a supervisor and must successfully write the registration exam.

Certification & Training
  • Master of Counselling, Briercrest College & Seminary, Caronport, SK, 2021
  • Coach Training Alliance Certification, Boulder, Colorado, 2012
  • Reliance College of Business Certificate, Regina, SK, 1989
Associations & Awards
  • Present – Member, Professional Association of Christian Counsellors and Psychotherapists (PACCP)
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LeeAnne Leister

Associate Professional Counsellor

(Available for In-Person and Virtual Client Sessions)

 LeeAnne is an Associate Professional Counsellor and is a member of the Professional Association of Christian Counsellors and Psychotherapists. She obtained a Master’s Degree in Counselling from Briercrest College and Seminary and is a certified coach through Coach Training Alliance. LeeAnne is passionate about helping individuals through loss, life transitions and navigating relationships. She is drawn to work with emerging adults (ages 18 – 29), couples, women, seniors and those experiencing grief.  Her goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment working alongside others to achieve their desired outcomes in the midst of change. Her approach to therapy includes systemic and narrative practices while integrating well researched methods including, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. LeeAnne loves to spend time with her husband of 30 years and invest and support her three adult children and one grandchild. Spending time in nature, being creative or simply having coffee with a friend brings her great solace.