Tara MunroB次元官网网址檚 wellness center in Sooke is expanding to the West Shore after seeing a spike in demand for mental health services.
Despite being a counsellor for years in Sooke, Munro said she couldnB次元官网网址檛 meet the needs of residents. In 2019, she opened the Sea To Tree Health and Wellness Centre but began expanding a year ago to meet community membersB次元官网网址� increasing needs.
A Statistics Canada report released in October found that the number of people self-reporting symptoms of depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder increased from one in five in fall 2020 to one in four in spring 2021.
Now the centre has 17 counsellors contracted to it, who work both online and in Sooke in various disciplines. Nine of the counselling staff are available in person in Sooke B次元官网网址� in-person is more prevalent in Sooke than online counselling.
But Munro said online has become more commonplace and offers flexibility, and now the centre has clients across the country, including in northern B.C. and the Northwest Territories.
After the team was assembled, which included massage therapists, student counsellors for discounted rates, and a naturopathic doctor - Munro said the center could mix and match counsellors for different peopleB次元官网网址檚 needs.
B次元官网网址淚 was born and raised in Sooke. This is my home, and I wanted to be able to adjust, modify and meet peopleB次元官网网址檚 needs as best we can.B次元官网网址�
While Munro is focused on meeting the needs of Sooke, the team has grown large enough that there is no longer an issue with prioritizing patients in one location over another, so much so that a new site is set to open in Colwood on March 15 to cover the West Shore.
Munro said sheB次元官网网址檚 looking to hire a couple more counsellors but is also looking to further diversify the services with physiotherapists, chiropractors and space for yoga.
ALSO READ: B.C.B次元官网网址檚 mental health crisis is bad and getting worse
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bailey.moreton@goldstreamgazette.com
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