Member Spotlight | Heather Witiluk | Autumnwood Counselling
Please provide a summary of your business, who you serve and how you serve them
Autumnwood Counselling is a therapy practice specializing in perinatal mental health, grief and bereavement support, and PTSD. We see individuals, couples, children, adolescents, families, and groups. We provide hypnotherapy services, EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), cognitive processing therapy, traditional talk therapy and so much more. We offer in-person therapy in Thunder Bay and across the province virtually.
What were key elements of your personal and professional journey that lead you to where you are today?
I struggled with postpartum depression myself after giving birth to my third child during the pandemic. When searching for help I noticed there was a shortage of Therapists trained in this area. I advanced my training at postpartum support international while on leave and opened my practice in 2021. After my leave I returned to work part time on hospice palliative care, an area I am also very passionate about while continuing to run my business and look after 3 kids. It was challenging to manage it all. I didn’t want to leave my job because I loved being with clients at end of life. At the same time I felt bound by the constraints of the health care system and not being able to help patients the way I wanted to so I left to give my business more attention. I was sad to leave hospice and that is why I specialize in both perinatal mental health and grief and bereavement. Another key element was my Masters field practicum I did working with the Maasai in rural Tanzania. I was working with adolescent mothers who were expelled from school for becoming pregnant. I learned a lot about the birthing process from a natural perspective and was fascinated with working in this area.
What motivates you the most to keep going?
I love seeing the transition my clients make after a few sessions. It can be very challenging work at times but seeing a difference therapy can make is so rewarding. I believe that the healthier and happier individuals are, the better our community and society can be.
What is one important lesson that entrepreneurship has taught you that has impacted you the most?
I am so passionate about my work that I often don’t want to take a break. From discussions with other business owners, it can be hard to turn the switch off. I do ensure to practice good self-care and not have my family time interrupted by business.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What do you still have left to accomplish?
I see myself expanding my therapy skills even further and continuing to help others. I really enjoy learning new skills and methods of therapy. Aside from my business goals, I have some travel goals that I would like to accomplish with my family.
Why did you join The Elleiance Network, why do you think it is important to have a support network and what do you love most about being a part of Elleiance?
I met Erin while she was working at BDC and she was so warm and invited me to a meeting. I absolutely loved everyone in my group. I have learned so much from other members. The group is comprised of like-minded individuals across many different fields and I have learned from each one of them. The connections, networking and support is also very helpful as private practice work can feel isolating.
Notes from Erin
If you can't tell by reading Heather's words above, she is genuinely so passionate about helping her clients. As an outsider it has been incredibly inspiring to watch Heather's entrepreneurial journey unfold. When Heather joined Elleiance she was operating her business very part time with no clear direction. Fast forward only 12 short months and we have witnessed Heather take her business full time, get office space, take additional courses to expand her services and knowledge and invest her whole self into this journey with an open and creative mind always willing to learn and grow. So friggen proud of you Heather and honoured to have you as an Elleiance member.
