Meet the People
Who is Lighthouse Wellness?
Lighthouse Wellness Centre is a private clinic that offers a range of quality, effective, empathetic counselling and wellness services for children, adolescence, adults and families. We are one of the few counselling centres that counsel children as young as 3 years old around issues caused by divorce, death and other challenges. We help individuals and families improve their resilience in mental and emotional health so you can feel empowered, happier, healthier, and, live a more fulfilling life.
Mission
Our Mission is to create a space where you can receive support, guidance and direction during the storms of life.
Jenny Steele, RPN BScPN
Hi, I’m Jenny. I completed my Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing Degree from Brandon University in 2009 and I hold a current registration with the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba. I bring a holistic and individualized approach of wellbeing to my clients. Over the past 13 years I have worked with clients of all ages, helping my clients regain self-awareness, confidence, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and helping clients with anxiety, depression, identity exploration, gender dysphoria, stress, trauma, grief and anger.
I have worked with children, youth and adults experiencing a wide variety of concerns. I provide a supportive, open, safe and non-judgmental space for my clients. I help to build a strong relationship based on trust, using a down-to-earth, empathic approach and through professional and personal experience. I have worked with my clients to rebuild their strengths, to help them find new solutions to their problems, overcome challenging situations and to reach their goals, by offering counselling tailored to the needs of my clients and their unique journey.
I help clients develop and sustain a healthy lifestyle by integrating evidence-based therapies, such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, relationship based therapy techniques and nutrition, exercise or alternative healing modalities upon request, to maximize their wellbeing.
I recognize that taking this first step can be the most vulnerable, intimidating and yet the most courageous experience one may ever take. I welcome my clients into a space filled with compassion, warmth empathy and humor.
I am an approved provider for First Nations and Inuit Health Branch and private fee for service clients.
Luanne, RPN BScPN, TPP
Hi, I’m Luanne. I completed my degree in Bachelors of Science in Psychiatric Nursing, at the University of Brandon, in 2014 and completed my Certification in Therapeutic Play Skills through Rocky Mountain Play Therapy Institution in 2021. I have worked with people from all walks of life. Over the past 13 years of working in mental health fields I gained experience, training, and special interest in the following areas: ADHD/ Inattention, Impulsivity, and Hyperactivity, Abuse/ Survivors of Abuse, Addictions/ Clients on Opioid Agonist Therapy, Autism, Anxiety, Child and Adolescent Issues, Childhood Trauma, Depression, Gender Dysphoria, Positive Parenting and Parent Coaching.
I am a passionate advocate for child and family health, LGBTIQ2S and racial equity, and bringing high quality harm reduction and trauma-informed services and solutions for some of the most pressing issues facing children, adolescent, adults, and the community.
My therapeutic approach is empathetic and collaborative. I believe each person brings a lot to the table already. I simply walk with you through the process to help you recover hope, build on your coping tool kit and connect with resources. I am a big fan of slowing down the chaos and coping creatively.
I have training in a wide variety of best practice and evidence-based treatment models including but not limited to, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, DBT: Distress tolerance & Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills, Solution-Focus Brief Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing and Therapeutic Play.
My office is a safe space where together we can look at what's troubling you, explore unhelpful patterns of thought and behavior, and begin a process of change. It can be intimidating to seek out counselling but I encourage you to move past the fear and reach out, it will be so rewarding!
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Nelson Mandela
I am an approved provider for First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Jordan’s Principle and private fee for service clients.
Amanda Hayward-Draper,
Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology, CCPA
Hi, I'm Amanda and I am happy to be part of the team at Lighthouse Wellness. I grew up in Southwestern Manitoba and have worked in this area all my life. I attended Brandon University and studied psychology and sociology and then worked for many years in public health, with families with young children. I really enjoyed supporting people in their role as parents, and learnt a lot during this time about development and attachment.
In 2016 I began working for the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba and discovered a real love for individual counselling. My work there taught me about supporting people to make the changes they desired in their lives, and sparked my interest in learning more about mental health therapies and trauma treatment. I pursued a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University and completed additional trauma training including basic Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) and I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level 2 (CCTP-II) .
When someone sees me for counselling, I will work with that person to create an individual treatment plan that suits their goals, learning styles and preferences. Depending on what brings them to counselling, we may use treatments from the following therapies:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
Motivational Interviewing and Solution Focused Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Sessions may look different from person to person, but there is always an underlying foundation of respect, compassion and desire to work with you in the ways that you feel fit you best.
Alanna Hermary, RPN BScPN
Hi, I’m Alanna. I graduated with my bachelor of science in psychiatric nursing in 2014 from Brandon University.
Since becoming a registered psychiatric nurse, i’ve worked in a multitude of settings with individuals from all unique backgrounds, including children and adolescents, adults, and geriatric populations.
I have furthered my training in an array of areas including trauma focused cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, distress tolerance skills and harm reduction. Throughout the last 9 years, I have practiced extensively with children and adolescents, and have gained experience with individuals with anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, depression/mood disorders, trauma, and those impacted by others’ substance use.
I aim to ensure my office is a safe, trauma informed space to allow individuals to explore their concerns at their own pace. I take a collaborative approach, as I believe everyone has an innate ability and strength to work through the challenges they face.
I recognize that every individual is the expert of their own life, and ensure that I am using a client centered, strength based approach with every individual I encounter. I truly believe there is value in sharing and owning your story, and am grateful for every person that feels comfortable to share it with me.
I am an approved provider for First Nations and Inuit Health Branch and private fee for service clients.
Cori Pawluk, RPN BScPN
Hi, I am Cori, I have worked in Health Care for all my adult life and have been practicing as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse for over 12 years. I completed a bachelor’s degree in science and Psychiatric Nursing, in my home town of Brandon.
I now live in rural Manitoba, which helps me relate to both the stress of rural and urban life. I genuinely love people and hearing their stories, and I truly believe we are all one bad day away from seeking mental health support. One of my best qualities is rooting for the underdog and having true compassion for those who struggle.
Working with adults in mental health is where most of my experience lies. However, I can also offer a safe place for teens to express themselves in a supportive setting as there can be many challenges in this life stage.
Postpartum depression is a passion of mine and supporting moms through the major life change of motherhood. Many of my clients suffer from Anxiety, Depression, or both and I enjoy helping them one-on-one and in group settings.
I can help those with coping skills for family conflict, grief, life transitions, parenting, self-esteem, and divorce/separation. Using evidence based therapy techniques, such as; Compassion focused, person centered, strength based, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques are some of the common strategies I lean on. I believe in honesty and offer reality therapy where I see fit.
Throughout my career, I remember people, and they remember me! Some describe me as empathetic, compassionate, and patient with my clients. Friends say I am a good listener, down to earth, open, and caring. You can expect some genuine conversations as we troubleshoot together, and likely a bit of humor on occasion. Let me support you with a therapy approach tailored to what will suit you best. I can offer you tools, a new perspective, and strategies specific to your situation. I strive to help and support you in making the changes you desire, to live a life of fulfillment.
I am an approved provider for First Nations and Inuit Health Branch and private fee for service clients.
Robin Romanik, RPN BScPN
Hi I’m Robin. I relocated from Vancouver to Brandon in 2002 to pursue studies at Brandon University, graduating with a degree from the Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing program in 2008. Since then, I have worked extensively with children, adolescents, adults and families in acute and community mental health care settings providing individual and family mental health support.
Over the past 7 years, I have provided specialized service as an ADHD Clinic nurse assisting with the assessment process, treatment planning, education, parenting strategies and advocacy.
I have continued to develop my skill set with specialized training in the following areas:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CTF-CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Violence/Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA), Grief and Bereavement, Parent Coaching, Emotional Regulation, and Harm Reduction.
I feel privileged to work with people of diverse ages and backgrounds who are experiencing a wide variety of challenges, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, mood disorders, trauma, grief, and addictions. I offer warm, compassionate and professional care with a client-centered approach and believe that we are all worthy of living life as our best selves, in spite of the challenges we face.
I look forward to helping you create meaningful and positive changes to meet your wellness goals!
I am an approved provider for First Nations and Inuit Health Branch and private fee for service clients.
We respect the treaties that were made on these lands and acknowledge that Brandon and Lighthouse Wellness Centre is located on Treaty 2 lands, the traditional home lands of Dakota, Anishanabek, Oji-cree, Cree, Dene, Metis people. We fully intend to continue growing as allies and learning how we can be of better support to our Indigenous communities and clients.
Crystal Schepp, RPN BScPN
Hi, I’m Crystal. I grew up on my family farm in rural Manitoba and moved to Brandon to attend University as a young adult. I completed my Bachelor Psychiatric Nursing Degree, at Brandon University in 2007. I am happy to have the opportunity to work with the team at Lighthouse Wellness, I have a passion for helping others and have always worked in health care. Since starting my career I have spent the majority of my work with adults and mental health.
Over the years I have enjoyed my work with adults and families. Supporting and educating around mental health and addiction. I have always had a desire to help others, and my experience has allowed me to learn and expand my abilities to do so. I believe that we all need support and guidance through the challenging times in our lives, and I am happy that my career has allowed me to do this. I believe in the power of positive affirmation and the importance of incorporating this into daily life.
I provide my clients and families a warm, supportive, nonjudgmental, client focused approach to work toward their individual goals and recovery. I believe that a holistic approach is very important when helping others, and look forward to providing this to my clients.
I have supported and helped individuals/families with anxiety, trauma, depression, psychosis, addiction, co-occurring disorders, self-esteem/self-confidence, stress, and grief. I am cognitive behavioral therapy/dialectical behavioral therapy informed, and currently working on expanding my awareness of interfamily systems therapy.
I look forward to working with individuals, couples, and families on their self-discovery and healing journeys. I understand that reaching out for support can be hard and requires much vulnerability, and I will do my very best to provide a supportive warm environment for you to do so.
