MEET OUR TEAM
Lauren (she/her) came to this part of Williams Treaty lands in 1994, loving the trees, water and rocks here. Lauren is the Executive Director now but has been connected with MPSSAS since 1996 when she joined the board. She became the sexual assault therapist in Muskoka in 2002 and then (reluctantly) agreed to be the ED in 2013. Lauren is committed to social justice and advocacy regarding gender based and colonial violence (really all the same thing!). Her vision now is a kind, trauma informed and Indigenized community of survivors who heal and lead change together.
Lauren Power / executive director
Marie-Josée (she/her) is an experienced Administrative and Financial Consultant/Coordinator specializing in the Nonprofit, Not for Profit and Healthcare industries. Marie-Josée’s career encompassed the Ministry of Health Crown Agency, Sexual Assault Centers and Women shelter.
In these uncertain times MPSSAS requires the steady hand and expertise of a Financial Coordinator who will ensure financial oversight, stability, and continued funding and will be doing so by engaging funders, stakeholders and oversee the day-to-day financial needs of the organization. Marie-Josée is passionate in supporting the needs of sexual assault violence victims and with her go-getter attitude, will certainly support these initiatives by investing time in looking for funding to ensure our programs continue to support those in needs.
Marie-Josee Agostini / financial coordinator
Linda Clarke (she/her) is presently our intake coordinator. She began working with the agency in 1998. She has been married to Leon for nearly 51 years. Her three children are as follows: Alison, Devon, and Spencer. Her 7 grandchildren range in ages from 4 to 17: 4 girls and 3 boys. Pringle and Nike are the names of her beloved senior cats. She enjoys seniors’ yoga, TOPS, murder mysteries, and British television.
Linda Clarke / intake coordinator
My name is Martina Cole (she/her). I am the Volunteer Coordinator at MPSSAS. Over the last decade I have made it my mission to empower and align people to live a life free from violence as I believe it is our birth right. My role at the agency is to organize all aspects of volunteering including administrative tasks, training volunteers to help with crisis intervention for survivors of sexual assault on our helpline and safe support chat service, recruiting new volunteers to our agency, scheduling, and providing ongoing support and guidance to our dedicated and compassionate female lead volunteer team to ensure they have a positive volunteer experience.
Martina Cole / volunteer & survivor to survivor peer mentorship coordinator
I
believe
you
Laurie Lamont (she/her) is from the Huntsville area and is the Muskoka Area Coordinator with Muskoka Parry Sound Sexual Assault Services. She considers herself a “lifer” with the agency having spent most of her career (30+ years) working with the most brave and courageous folx she has ever known! She has had many different roles over her time with MPSSAS. Her current role with the organization includes community development, public education facilitation, event planning, therapy group co-facilitation as well as being a Crisis Counsellor for the agency with a specialty in supporting folx through the court process. She currently sits as a Co-Chair of the Muskoka Domestic Abuse Review Team (DART). In her spare time, she also organizes large scale conferences including “Enhancing Muskoka’s Response to Domestic Violence (DART)” and “Moving Forward from Survivor to Thriver (MPSSAS)”. She is a trained Nature Therapy/Forest Bathing Guide and a proud YWCA Women of Distinction (2012) recipient for Community Development and Social Activism. Laurie currently resides in Bracebridge and has a love for Blues Music, dancing, yoga, kayaking, lifetime learning and loving life!
Laurie Lamont / area coordinator
Currently working in Community Outreach and Engagement/ Crisis Counselling/Anti Human Trafficking for Muskoka Parry Sound Sexual Assault services, as well as Volunteer Interim Director of Indigenous Wellness Council of Taibu Community Health Centre. I (she/her) am an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper and Pipe Carrier and Sundancer. I combine a holistic approach to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, Indigenous Mental Health and Trauma and help navigate and advocate thru the multi faceted health care system.
Certified training in
Shkaabe Mukwa CAMH Training and Certification in
- Gnaajwan Kina Bebkaanat (Beautiful Difference): A Primer on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for Indigenous Helpers
- Pivoting Towards the Good Life: Braiding Indigenous Wisdom with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for First Nation, Inuit and Métis Community Helpers
- Indigenous Helper Wellness: Building Skills for Self-Care
*Western University-Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children "
-"Recognizing and Responding to the Commonly Misunderstood Reactions to Sexual Assault"
-"Trauma Informed Interventions through an Indigenous Worldview"
Suzanne Smoke / area coordinator
My name is Eva Watson (she/her) and I have been a therapist for over 40 years. I have worked in a hospital setting as well as social service agencies throughout my career. I currently have been with MPSSAS for approximately 5 years part time. I work with clients individually and co lead SAIL groups. When not working with MPSSAS I have a private practice.
Apart from my passion for working with clients, I love the outdoors. Hiking year round, spending time on the water, or near the water in the summer months is my medicine! I am a Fur Mom to a 10 year old dog and I have 2 adult sons. I am proud to be a Mom, wife, aunt, daughter, sister and great aunt. Some of my interests include reading, yoga, travel, cooking, being outside whenever possible, music, theatre. Not a fan at all of winter, but try to make the best of that!
Eva Watson / sexual assault therapist
Mitzi Beth (she/her) started at MPSSAS as a student and has since worked in various roles such as relief coordinator, public educator, and sexual assault therapist. She currently provides individual counselling and co-facilitates our four-stage SAIL group therapy programs. Most of her experience in social work has been with individuals impacted by sexual and gender-based violence. She is dedicated to working with survivors and advocating for change at the systemic level to reduce and prevent sexual and gender-based violence.
Mitzi Beth Webb / sexual assault therapist
Kimberly Brown-Metcalfe works as the senior therapist at MPSSAS. She supports individuals who have experienced sexual violence through groups and individual psychotherapy. Kimberly has dedicated her research and academic career to the ongoing impacts of gender based violences and toxic masculinities.
In her down time, you will find Kimberly gardening, walking her dog, and cross country skiing.
Kimberly Brown-Metcalf / sexual assault therapist
Being present to each person’s experience—actively honoring their story—is what being a therapist means to me.
About Me
Over my 30 plus years of working in the arts, I have come to appreciate the creative agency each of us have. I am a creative self-starter who values the diversity of perspectives. I am adept at transforming challenges into potential and committed to supporting individuals and communities during their times of uncertainty. I’m a musician, composer, film editor, and filmmaker. I am also a mediator, conflict coach, and therapist—Psychotherapist (Qualifying). All of which are shaped by my commitment to understand the human experience.
My approach:
I work in a mutual, dynamic, way to understand and validate your personal experience. My goal is to help you feel whole and grow emotionally through a caring and collaborative relationship, promoting healing and well-being.
Reach out
If you have any questions… reach out. You are not alone.
Jordan O'Connor / sexual assault therapist
Cindy (she/her/elle) is a registered psychotherapist (qualifying), a certified trauma-informed yoga teacher (E-RYT 500), a somatic coach, and an award-winning singer/songwriter. As a therapist, teacher, artist, and coach, she embraces how different every day and moment are and allows the flow direction to come from the here and now. Cindy holds calm strength, creating a safe space to explore in her client sessions. Her trauma-aware approach unfolds in each session with compassion and integrity. The journey is never linear, and it looks different for everyone; embracing individuality and the complexity of each person is essential.
Cindy Doire / sexual assault therapist
Kara Wanoth, Katsitsano:ron, is Haudenosaunee from Wahta Mohawk Territory and sits with the bear clan. She is a mother, wife, auntie, knowledge keeper, helper and active advocate within community that is committed to revitalizing Indigenous ways of knowing and being as a means of healing and moving forward on one’s journey.
Kara is a registered social worker (RSW) who has completed her master’s degree around Indigenous Social Work Practices concentrating on trauma informed healing methods and grief recovery by integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into her practice. Kara has experience working with Indigenous youth, children, and their families in areas of mental health, addiction, and addressing colonial violence from an Indigenous lens. Kara is dedicated to working with Indigenous youth and advocating for change at the systemic level to reduce the gap and barriers within the system that Indigenous youth face around sexual and gender-based violence when accessing supports and services.
Kara Wanoth / program facilitator
fir moon (she/her) is a healer, a trauma worker, an artist, and a community organizer. Over the last decade, it has been her absolute joy to walk alongside and empower folks who have experienced trauma to reclaim themselves. Her practice, intuitive healing, weaves together western trauma theory with ancient, pre-colonial, anti-oppressive, and traditional healing modalities. fir moon honours each person's unique path and supports their healing through somatic/bodywork, expressive arts, psychoeducation, and community connections.
As a queer woman of colour, a survivor, and a truth seeker, fir moon's own healing path has been tied to a lifelong journey of unlearning and resisting colonial and capitalist ways of being, thinking, doing. fir moon has recently joined the BIPOC Frontline Workers' Coalition as a Community of Practice Facilitator where she continues to explore and reunite with sacred practices that uplift and honour QTBIPOC healing lineages. She is also thrilled to bring her passion for supporting her 2SLGBTQ+ community to MPSSAS through a new program; Cosmos!