ABOUT EMPOWER EDUCATIONAL & COUNSELLING SERVICES
We are committed to wellness training that empowers personal growth. We provide comprehensive support for children, teens, and the adults in their lives, offering guidance and assistance in navigating their unique challenges.
Comprehensive Support for Children
We understand the diverse needs of children and teens, and our programs are designed to provide them with the tools they need to thrive. Through our workshops and tailored sessions, we create a nurturing space where young individuals can explore their emotions, develop resilience, and cultivate essential life skills.
Guidance and Assistance for Teens & Young Adults
We believe that supporting children and teens extends beyond their individual journeys. We offer guidance and assistance to the adults in their lives, including parents, caregivers, educators, and professionals. Through workshops, consultations, and resources, we empower adults with insights, practical tools, and strategies to better understand and meet the unique needs of those they care for.
We combine wellness training and empowerment to create a supportive community where growth and well-being are nurtured for individuals of all ages.
Simma Bakare, Founder & Managing Director
Simma is an inclusive educator and counselor specializing in creative and equitable approaches to learning and mental health. She integrates culturally sensitive, arts-based, and trauma-informed pedagogy into her practice, using natural appraoches like storytelling and visualization to stimulate understanding. Simma helps families develop strategies to address challenges related to dyslexia, executive functioning, and the critical emotional wellness issues that today’s youth face.
Aside from lived experience, she holds an M.Ed. with a specialization in Indigenous Education from Queen’s University, a B.A. in Psychology, and teaching certifications in humanities and psychology. Additionally, Simma is an Orton-Gillingham practitioner and a designated counsellor. With her diverse expertise, she is committed to empowering individuals and families to meet their collective and individual goals.
Diwue Joe Blom, Advisor of Education & Mental Health
Joe has a PhD from University of Minnesota, BA & MSW from UBC, MThS from Huron University College. He was Director of Social Work at York Psychiatric Center, prof of Human/Family Development, adjunct prof at UBC School of Social Work, president of Ontario Association of Marital, Family Therapists.
Joe’s written, published, lectured internationally on mental health, family therapy, psycholinguistics, spirituality, narrative analysis.
Nisha Nelson, Counselling
Nisha is a trauma-informed counselor specializing in identity, life transitions, and family dynamics. With a strong foundation in social work and mediation, she is dedicated to supporting individuals and families through challenges related to trauma, anxiety, grief, and loss. Educated at the University of Sydney, Nisha brings both skill and empathy to her practice, creating a safe and supportive environment.
Her approach is grounded in the belief that every individual and family has the capacity for growth and healing. Nisha works to empower her clients to connect with their strengths, foster healthy relationships, and build supportive networks. She is especially committed to guiding clients through complex family dynamics and home life challenges, helping them navigate transitions and find harmony within their relationships. Her mission is to help individuals and families achieve resilience, peace, and meaningful connection
Melissa Mintoft, Orton Gillingham Tutor
Melissa has navigated the world with dyslexia her entire life, gaining a deep understanding of the challenges and unique needs associated with it. Her journey is enriched not only by her own experiences but also by those as a parent, where she’s supported her child through similar challenges. This dual perspective has shaped her compassionate approach to helping others, and she is committed to empowering young learners to succeed in ways that work best for them. Driven by empathy and experience, Melissa dedicates herself to creating supportive, tailored learning environments that foster confidence and growth.