Business Profile: Sheila Tallon & Associates

Everyone who knows me knows that I truly believe our paths cross with others at exactly the right moment, always for a reason—whether we recognise it at the time or not. Many years ago, during one of the most painful chapters of my life following the sudden passing of my oldest son, Kristian, my path crossed with a compassionate woman named Sharyn Duffey. Sharyn offered me support and guidance when I needed it most, and I will always be grateful for that connection.

A few months ago, our paths crossed once again when Sharyn reached out to share that she had started a new role and felt that Sheila Tallon, would be a wonderful fit for the Seeker NewsMagazine. She believed Sheila’s counselling practice and the work she offers could truly benefit others—and as someone who deeply values meaningful service and genuine connection, I was delighted to finally meet Sheila, learn her story, and discover the support and care she brings to our community.

Here is my5 QUESTION INTERVIEW with Sheila Tallon, Founder and Registered Social Worker at Sheila Tallon & Associates, Social Work and Psychotherapy.

Question 1 – Professional Background & Expertise: Sheila, you bring a wealth of experience to your work. Can you share a bit about your professional background and how it has shaped the services you now offer at Sheila Tallon & Associates?

With more than 30 years of experience in the counselling field, I bring a depth of clinical knowledge, compassion, and leadership that has shaped the foundation of Sheila Tallon & Associates. I hold a master’s degree in social work from McGill University and am a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Over the course of my career, I have worked across a wide range of settings including hospitals, community agencies, private practice, organizational environments, and the justice sector. I have supported children, youth, adults, couples, families, and workplaces, and this diverse experience has allowed me to develop extensive expertise in trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, addiction, eating disorders, workplace stress, and complex relationship dynamics. These experiences have reinforced my belief that effective mental health care must be flexible, collaborative, and holistic.

My clinical approach is grounded in evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, trauma-informed therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and biofeedback. I work with clients to address the root causes of their challenges, build emotional resilience, and develop meaningful strategies for lasting change.

In 2020, in response to the evolving mental health needs highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, I rebranded Specialized Counselling Services as Sheila Tallon & Associates. This marked a shift toward a more holistic, wraparound model of care that integrates mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Beyond my clinical work, I remain actively involved in community, regional, and provincial initiatives focused on reconciliation and mental health system improvement. I am also deeply committed to mentorship and professional development, offering supervision, workshops, and training for emerging therapists, as well as counselling services through Employee and Family Assistance Programs to support both employees and employers.

Together, these experiences have shaped Sheila Tallon & Associates into a practice rooted in compassion, collaboration, and evidence-based care, with a strong commitment to individual healing and community well-being.

Question 2 – Choosing Cornwall: What drew you to Cornwall, and why was it important for you to establish your clinic here within the local community?

After graduating from McGill University with a degree in Social Work, I accepted a position at the local hospital, which became my first meaningful connection to the Cornwall community. Having lived and studied in Montreal for most of my life, I initially viewed commuting from the West Island as a way to get to know the area. What I did not expect was how quickly Cornwall would feel like home.

The warmth and openness of my colleagues, along with the relationships I formed early on, made a lasting impression. Through my work at the hospital, I became actively involved in community boards and initiatives, which helped me better understand the region’s strengths, challenges, and deep sense of resilience. Within a year, I established my private practice, Specialized Counselling Services.

Cornwall offered something different from larger urban centres. It allowed me to provide mental health care that is personal, relational, and deeply integrated into the community. The slower pace created space to listen more intentionally and develop services that genuinely meet people where they are.

I have never looked back. Cornwall is now home to my family, and it remains a place where I am proud to live, work, and continue building meaningful connections.

Question 3 – Building the Clinic: Sheila Tallon & Associates has become a trusted name in the region. Can you tell us about your journey in opening the clinic and the vision you had when you first started?

Starting Sheila Tallon & Associates has been both an exciting and deeply rewarding journey. From the beginning, my vision was to create a clinic that feels welcoming, accessible, and truly centred on the needs of the community. I wanted a space where individuals and families could feel heard, understood, and supported.

Building the clinic involved learning the practical realities of running a practice while also forming strong partnerships and responding to the unique needs of Cornwall and surrounding areas. Early on, it became clear that accessibility was essential. Given physician shortages and long wait times, we intentionally expanded services by providing access to consultants, a psychologist, and a nurse practitioner so that clients could receive timely, coordinated care.

Today, we operate two locations to support clients with mobility or transportation challenges and offer direct billing to many insurance providers. We work hard to keep services affordable because access to mental health care should never be a barrier. Offering bilingual services in English and French has always been a priority, and we are proud to extend care to the Akwesasne community in ways that are respectful and culturally responsive. Looking ahead, we are excited to be opening a third location in the new year.

Through collaboration, flexibility, and a commitment to individualized care, Sheila Tallon & Associates has grown into a trusted part of the region. Seeing our vision of personalized, accessible, and community-focused mental health care come to life each day is incredibly meaningful.

Question 4 – What Makes Sheila Tallon & Associates Stand Out & Our Services

What truly sets Sheila Tallon & Associates apart is our belief that meaningful healing begins with connection. A strong therapeutic relationship is central to effective care, and we are deeply committed to creating a space that feels welcoming, safe, and genuine.

Our approach is personal, relatable, and down to earth. We take the time to ensure each client is matched with a therapist who feels like the right fit, recognizing that trust, comfort, and understanding are essential to the therapeutic process.

Our clinic brings together a diverse team of experienced associates and consultants, each offering their own areas of expertise, therapeutic styles, and perspectives. This allows us to provide highly individualized and client-centred care that is thoughtfully tailored to each person’s goals and needs.

OUR TEAM:

Alex Bassermann, Registered Psychotherapist

Sharon Hamil, Registered Social Worker

Lila Lapier, Registered Psychotherapist

Francine Legue, Registered Social Worker

Vanessa Tallon, Registered Social Worker

Natasha Scott, Registered Psychotherapist

Michel Lefebvre, Registered Social Service Worker

Pauline Lariviere, Registered Social Service Worker – Certified in Thanatology: Death, Dying and Bereavement

Mallory Ouellette, Registered Child & Youth Worker

Patrick Lechasseur, M.A., C.Psych (Consultant)

François de Courval, Inf. praticien, M.Sc. (Consultant)

Sharyn Duffey, Community Liaison

Our services include individual therapy, child and adolescent therapy, family therapy, grief counselling, trauma, PTSP and accident recovery support, bullying support, critical incident stress management, equine therapy, and specialized psychoeducational groups. We integrate evidence-based modalities such as EMDR, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, mindfulness, and biofeedback to support emotional processing, resilience, and long-term well-being.

We are proud to be the only clinic in the region offering equine therapy alongside specialized group programming. Our Total Wraparound Service further enhances care by integrating access to a psychologist and a nurse practitioner so mental health needs can be addressed from both therapeutic and medical perspectives when appropriate.

Equity, inclusivity, and cultural safety are core to our work. We practice through an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive lens and strive to create a space where people of all identities and lived experiences feel respected and valued.

We are also committed to listening, learning, and taking meaningful action in partnership with Indigenous communities. Guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, particularly those related to mental health, we acknowledge the intergenerational impacts of colonial policies and remain committed to reconciliation as an ongoing journey grounded in humility, accountability, and respect.

Question 5 – Who do you serve and where can we find you?

Sheila Tallon & Associates supports individuals, children, youth, families, and organizations seeking compassionate and comprehensive mental health care. We work with clients across the lifespan who are navigating challenges such as trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, relationship and family concerns, workplace stress and bullying, injury recovery, identity exploration, and life transitions.

Our team has specialized experience supporting adults seeking individual counselling and psychotherapy, children, youth, and adolescents including LGBTQ2+ youth, couples and families navigating complex relational or life challenges, workplaces, schools, and organizations requiring critical incident debriefing and mental health support, and individuals involved in motor vehicle or workplace injury recovery in collaboration with rehabilitation and legal teams.

Through our Total Wraparound Service, clients can access counselling and psychotherapy alongside integrated support from a psychologist and nurse practitioner when assessments, diagnostic services, or medication management are needed. This collaborative model allows us to address mental health from multiple angles and ensure truly holistic care.

We offer flexible service delivery to meet clients where they are. In-person services are available in Cornwall, SDG, Akwesasne, and across Eastern Ontario. Virtual services are available throughout Ontario.

Whether clients are seeking individual support, family care, or comprehensive wraparound services, we provide a safe, professional, and compassionate environment where healing and growth can take root.

Bonus Question – What’s the future for Sheila Tallon & Associates?

As Sheila Tallon & Associates continues to grow, our focus remains on expanding access to inclusive, responsive, and innovative mental health care. We plan to further develop specialized offerings such as equine therapy and psychoeducational programs to better meet the evolving needs of our community. R.A.G.E. (Redefining Anger, Grief, and Emotions) is designed for individuals aged 10 and older who experience anger and seek support in understanding and regulating their emotions. The program also continues to support youth and adults navigating the justice system.

We will continue to embrace hybrid and virtual care models to ensure support is accessible regardless of location while maintaining a strong commitment to in-person connection and community-based care. Strengthening partnerships with Indigenous communities and other marginalized groups remains a priority as we continue embedding principles of cultural safety, equity, and reconciliation across all aspects of our practice.

Equally important is our investment in mentorship and professional development. We are passionate about nurturing the next generation of skilled and compassionate therapists who share our values and commitment to ethical and client-centred care.

Our vision is to continue building a practice that fosters healing, resilience, and meaningful connection and supports individuals, families, and communities on their journey toward lasting well-being.

OUR CONTACT INFORMATON:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 613-930-6007

Address: 4 Montreal Road, Suite #202 Cornwall, ON K6H 1B1

One of our offices is located in a private location, and visits to both locations are by appointment only.

Website: sheilatallon.com