The RN-led Safe Haven clinic in Sault Ste. Marie is offering a broad range of care—from prenatal and postpartum supports to counselling and wellness programming—with new couples therapy added this year.
New health and wellness clinic Safe Haven Sault Ste. Marie has been serving the Soo community for three months now, providing mental health and family-focused services in both one-on-one and group settings.
The clinic is Algoma’s first RN-led health clinic, founded by Registered Nurse and board-certified lactation consultant Ashley Juby. It’s run by a tight-knit team who all approach their work with a focus on compassionate, evidence-based care.
“Safe Haven is really about supporting people at every stage of their journey,” explains Mackenzie Abbott, clinical supervisor of mental health services at Safe Haven.
The clinic offers a wide range of services including preconception health, prenatal care, postpartum care, birth control, smoking cessation, immunizations, counselling, ASD assessment support, and wellness programming designed to promote resilience and emotional wellbeing.
Abbott is also newly certified in sex and couples therapy, so is able to provide clients with education and support in those areas. She explains that Safe Haven identified a lack of this type of support in the Soo. “Looking at the clients I already serve and the services we offer the community, it fit into what we do at Safe Haven,” she says. “It’s another area where our clinic can fill a gap.”
There are many reasons that couples can benefit from sex and couples therapy. Relationship problems can arise from your everyday life routines, your sex life, or feeling like the other person simply isn’t showing up for you in the ways you need.
The postpartum stage can also be a tough period for couples. Becoming parents for the first time brings many life changes, which can sometimes cause communication and self-esteem issues, anxiety, or even depression. “Now it’s not just a matter of a routine for you and your partner. You have a new baby who has a routine themselves,” says Abbott.
When it comes to sex, Abbott says, it’s time for people to get comfortable with the topic. Safe Haven hopes to help their clients move past the stigma of talking about it, so they can openly express their wants and needs with their partner.
This is important when talking about feelings with your partner too. Even if you’re not sure you’ll end up on the same page, learning how to externalize your thoughts and feelings with your partner will develop more intimacy and trust.
“Some couples internalize their emotions because they think ‘it is what it is.’ But the more you internalize, eventually it’s going to blow,” explains Abbott. “You absolutely can talk about it, and there’s support out there. You don’t have to navigate it alone.”
Abbott currently has availability to see more clients. Couples therapy is $225 per hour and intakes are $85. The clinic also offers sliding scale rates and accepts health benefits, including NIHB. There will be workshops and groups for couples added in the future, so follow Safe Haven Sault Ste. Marie on Facebook and Instagram, as well as at soo.spaces.ca/mental-health.
For those considering therapy, Abbott encourages them to reach out to Safe Haven. The organization is a welcoming space with a team who meets clients where they’re at. “Support is out there, and you don’t have to feel ashamed for accessing it.”
For more information, visit: www.safehavenssm.com