O.W.L Counselling & Wellness

O.W.L Counselling & Wellness Psychotherapy and Wellness Services in North Bay and Huntsville. https://www.owlcounsellingservices.ca/join-our-team Get in touch to learn more.

O.W.L. - Own.Willful.Living. - Living with intention - taking action through choices that reflect our values and who we are. My name is Aaron Sinclair, owner and registered psychotherapist. I have been working in the mental health and addiction field since 2007. I specialize in helping people who struggle with substance use, anxiety, depression, 2S-LGBTQ+ issues, grief, relationships, and trauma. I work to provide a safe space for all clients regardless of their struggles; a support that is inclusive, anti-oppressive, and 2S-LGBTQ+ affirming.

GUESS WHAT?We are very happy to announce that we now offer direct billing to extended health benefit plans. When eligibl...
02/28/2026

GUESS WHAT?

We are very happy to announce that we now offer direct billing to extended health benefit plans.

When eligible, we can bill your insurance provider directly so you can focus on your care - not the claims process.

If you have any questions about our services, we encourage you to reach out.

O.W.L. Counselling & Wellness
P: 705-477-4069
E: info@owlcounsellingservices.ca

101 Worthington St. E. North Bay | 51 Main St. Huntsville

Pink Shirt Day - February 25, 2026We recognize Pink Shirt Day — a day that began with a simple act of kindness and grew ...
02/26/2026

Pink Shirt Day - February 25, 2026

We recognize Pink Shirt Day — a day that began with a simple act of kindness and grew into a national movement against bullying.

At its heart, Pink Shirt Day is about more than wearing a colour. It’s about creating spaces where people feel safe, respected, and valued for who they are.

Bullying doesn’t just impact the moment — it can leave lasting effects on self-esteem, mental health, and a person’s sense of safety and belonging. As a therapy clinic, we see how powerful it can be when someone feels heard, supported, and believed. We also see the damage caused by bullying.

Today (and every day), we can:

1. Lead with empathy
2. Interrupt and redirect harmful language and behaviour
3. Teach young people emotional regulation and healthy conflict skills
4. Model kindness in our homes, schools, and workplaces

A single moment of support can shift someone’s entire day — sometimes their entire story.

If you or your child are navigating the impacts of bullying, you don’t have to do it alone. Support is here.

“Place a hand on your chest and quietly remind yourself that today’s effort is enough.”In a world that constantly asks f...
02/24/2026

“Place a hand on your chest and quietly remind yourself that today’s effort is enough.”

In a world that constantly asks for more, it can feel radical to pause and say, this is enough.

From a therapy perspective, self-compassion isn’t weakness — it’s regulation. When we physically place a hand on our chest, we activate a sense of safety and grounding in the body. That small gesture can soften stress, quiet self-criticism, and remind our nervous system that we are okay in this moment.

Perfectionism, burnout, anxiety — they all whisper that you should have done more.

But healing often begins with learning to validate your own effort. Even getting out of bed. Even setting one boundary. Even taking one breath before reacting.

Small actions matter. Regulated moments matter. You matter.

Today, try this:
• Hand on chest
• Slow inhale
• Gentle exhale
• A quiet reminder: I am doing what I can.

That’s not settling. That’s self-respect.

February can carry a mix of emotions.For some, it brings connection, adventure, joy and celebration. For others, it can ...
02/22/2026

February can carry a mix of emotions.

For some, it brings connection, adventure, joy and celebration. For others, it can feel heavy — long winter days, less sunlight (though on the upswing), post-holiday financial stress, or quiet reminders of loneliness and loss.

Mental health doesn’t follow the calendar, but the seasons can influence how we feel. And sometimes, it’s hard to recognize when things aren’t okay.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or constantly drained, it may be worth pausing and checking in with yourself. Some common signs to pay attention to include:

- Feeling hopeless or helpless
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
- Changes in appetite
- Feeling persistently down or emotionally numb
- Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities
- Low energy or difficulty concentrating

You are not alone. If you’re struggling, reaching out is a sign of strength — not weakness. Whether it’s talking to a trusted friend, family member, or a mental health professional, support is available.

February is a reminder that caring for your mental health is just as important as caring for your physical health. Let’s continue to break the stigma, check in on one another, and “stop the silence.”

World Day of Social Justice | February 20Equality, dignity, and fairness are rights — not privileges.From a therapist pe...
02/20/2026

World Day of Social Justice | February 20

Equality, dignity, and fairness are rights — not privileges.

From a therapist perspective, we see how social injustice impacts mental health in very real ways. Feeling unheard, excluded, or treated unfairly can shape how safe people feel in their communities, workplaces, and even within themselves.

Social justice is not only a global issue — it is a human one. It lives in everyday experiences of belonging, respect, and access to support.

Today is a reminder that inclusion matters. That every person deserves to be seen, valued, and treated with dignity.

A more just world supports not only our communities, but our collective well-being.

Please Join Us in Welcoming Grace Stewart!We’re proud to welcome Grace, Mental Health Therapist, MACP, BA (Hons) Psychol...
02/19/2026

Please Join Us in Welcoming Grace Stewart!

We’re proud to welcome Grace, Mental Health Therapist, MACP, BA (Hons) Psychology, to our clinical team. Grace is a Candidate for Registration with CRPO.

Grace provides in-person therapy in North Bay and virtual sessions across Ontario, working with individuals aged 12+.

Her areas of focus include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief
• Stress & Burnout
• Family & Relationship Issues
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Trauma & PTSD
• And more

Grace is passionate about helping clients better understand their emotional experiences, strengthen coping skills, and build meaningful, lasting change in their lives.

Now Booking!
Complimentary 20-minute consultations available.

Reach out today:
📞 Call/ Text: 705-477-4069
📧 Email: info@owlcounsellingservices.ca

We’re so grateful to have both Grace Stewart and Hannah Gauvreau joining our team this week.

We’re excited to introduce Hannah Gauvreau, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MACP, BA (Hons) Psychology, who is ...
02/19/2026

We’re excited to introduce Hannah Gauvreau, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MACP, BA (Hons) Psychology, who is now part of our team!

Hannah offers in-person sessions in North Bay and Muskoka, as well as virtual therapy throughout Ontario, supporting individuals aged 10+.

With a warm, client-centered approach, Hannah provides evidence-based support for:

• ADHD & Autism
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Addiction
• Stress & Burnout
• 2SLGBTQ+ affirming care
• Family & Relationship Issues
• Eating Disorders & Body Image
• And more

Whether you or your child are navigating life transitions, neurodiversity, relationship challenges, or emotional overwhelm, Hannah works to create a safe and compassionate space to explore, grow, and heal.

Now Booking!
Complimentary 20-minute consultations available.

📞 Call/ Text: 705-477-4069
📧 Email: info@owlcounsellingservices.ca

We can’t wait for you to connect with her!

Do you have questions about Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) vs. Registered Psychotherapist? Learn more here: https://crpo.ca/registrant-information/registrant-requirements/registration-categories

Random Acts of Kindness Day | February 17Kindness doesn’t need a reason — just a moment.Small acts of kindness are power...
02/18/2026

Random Acts of Kindness Day | February 17

Kindness doesn’t need a reason — just a moment.

Small acts of kindness are powerful for both the giver and the receiver. They help regulate our nervous system, strengthen connection, and remind us that we are part of a shared human experience.

A smile, a kind word, holding the door, sending a quick message to check in — these gestures may seem small, but they can shift someone’s entire day.

And just as importantly, kindness can be turned inward.

Today is an invitation to offer thoughtful care to others and to yourself. Because sometimes the smallest acts make the biggest difference.

This month, we honor the incredible contributions, strength, and resilience of Black communities throughout history and ...
02/16/2026

This month, we honor the incredible contributions, strength, and resilience of Black communities throughout history and in our present day. From art, culture, and science to activism and leadership, Black history is rich, powerful, and a vital part of our collective story.

"Whatever we believe about ourselves and our ability comes true for us."
~ Susan L. Taylor, Journalist.

Learn more about Black History Month: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month/about.html

Valentine's Day | February 14Love comes in many forms — friendship, family, partnership, self-love, and community. These...
02/14/2026

Valentine's Day | February 14

Love comes in many forms — friendship, family, partnership, self-love, and community. These connections can bring meaning, comfort, and joy to our lives.

From a therapist perspective, we also recognize that this day isn’t easy for everyone.

For some, Valentine’s Day can highlight grief, loneliness, relationship struggles, past hurts, or the pressure of expectations that don’t match their reality. It can stir up feelings that are rarely shown in the cards, flowers, and social media posts.

Today can be about celebrating the connections that feel supportive and gently caring for the parts of you that feel tender. However this day feels for you, we invite you to honour it with kindness — toward others, and toward yourself.

REMINDER ( )Before setting goals or moving into the demands of the day, pause and ask: How does my body feel right now?T...
02/12/2026

REMINDER ( )

Before setting goals or moving into the demands of the day, pause and ask: How does my body feel right now?

This simple check-in helps you shift from running on autopilot to responding with awareness. From a nervous system perspective, mentally tuning into physical sensations builds interoception (eighth sensory system) — the ability to notice internal cues like tension, fatigue, calm, or restlessness. This awareness is closely linked to emotional regulation and decision-making.

A soft start-up means beginning from a place of attunement rather than pressure. You may notice you need a slower pace, a glass of water, a stretch, or a moment of quiet before asking more of yourself. When goals come after awareness, they are more realistic, attainable, and sustainable.

Waking up slowly and engaging in simple, low-stress tasks like making the bed is recommended for people with ADHD to help manage sleep inertia, reduce decision fatigue, and provide a controlled, consistent dopamine release early in the day. This approach, often called a "low-dopamine morning routine," helps prevent the ADHD brain from burning through its limited neurotransmitter reserves early, which can cause intense fatigue and paralysis later.

These tips may be helpful to everyone, not just folks with ADHD. Through the years, it was suggested to me to wake up every morning like a cat! Let your body have a voice in how your day begins.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science – February 11For many women and girls, especially in spaces historically...
02/12/2026

International Day of Women and Girls in Science – February 11

For many women and girls, especially in spaces historically dominated by others, pursuing science requires more than intelligence. It requires resilience in the face of doubt, confidence in environments where their voice may be minimized, and the courage to belong in rooms where they have not always been welcomed.

These are not just academic challenges — they are emotional ones. From a therapy perspective, this day is also about something deeply human: permission to be curious, to ask “why,” to push limits, and to trust your own thinking.

Self-doubt, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and the pressure to “prove yourself” are common experiences we see in therapy with women. Difficult experiences don’t reflect a lack of ability. They reflect the weight of navigating systems that were not originally designed with them in mind.

Today is a reminder that:
- Curiosity is a strength
- Questioning is a form of intelligence
- Belonging in science (any career) is not something to earn — but perhaps something to claim.

Supporting women and girls in science also means supporting their mental well-being, their confidence, and their right to take up space without apology.

Because science needs diverse thinkers. And women and girls deserve spaces where their minds — and their well-being — can thrive.

Address

205-101 Worthington Street E
North Bay, ON
P1B1G4

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17054774069

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