By Richard Rosenthal
E
Dr. Heather Hallam-Helbich & Carl Helbich
ssex County is blessed who are struggling to feel that with many talented Cornerstone staff really care entrepreneurs, some of and support their needs — no whom operate businesses matter the difficulty.” with their spouses. Our The couple is celebrating series continues with Dr. 26 years of marriage and Heather Hallam-Helbich, only decided to start working C.Psych., CTS (Clinical together last year. Director) and Carl Helbich, They met at the University MMI (Administrative of Windsor in 1988 and Director) Owners/Operators have always had very of Cornerstone Family Care, separate careers, Heather in Inc.(CornerstoneCare.ca). mental health as a private Their offices, opened in practice psychologist and March 2016, are situated in Carl in business operations Walkerville’s historic Barkley (publishing and health care Building, 350 Devonshire education). Last year they Road, Windsor. began discussing the concept They are uniquely qualified of a multi-discipline clinic to provide counselling and and realized they had a psychological assessment Cornerstone Family Care provides clients with the support they need within a warm and uniquely-matched set of skills services for children and confidential environment and is run by husband and wife team Carl Helbich and Dr. Heather and shared a passionate vision Hallam-Helbich. Photo by Rod Denis. adults in their private, multiof how Cornerstone could one discipline, mental health clinic serving can call and speak to a live person anytime day be an important community partner in Windsor and Essex County. during the day, evening, or Saturdays.” mental health services. This is the first clinic of its kind in (Note: appointments are available until The clinic opened while their 19 year old Windsor and only one of a handful in 8 p.m. six days a week.) son, Trevor was away at university and 16 Ontario that provide private mental health Carl describes how they “are motivated year old daughter, Sydney was on a 11 month services in a clinic model. Their team is by the same goals — to help families lead student exchange in Mexico. comprised of two licensed psychologists and happier lives.” With the children away they had the approximately 12 other licensed therapists. They wanted to create something freedom to invest needed time to start the All have extensive training and experience important and different. Something that can clinic. in their specific areas of specialization. improve the access to mental health care of Things are now more established so they “We started this clinic because we realized the community in a unique, warm, inviting can start to afford a little more time at home the wait times to see a qualified therapist in environment where practitioners do the in the evenings with their daughter and will the city could reach as long as four to eight work they love without the headaches and also be hosting a Rotary exchange student weeks (or more),” Carl states. hassles of paperwork, phone calls, billings, from Brazil for six months. Heather adds “We wanted to provide etc. Both agree they “would like to add to the faster access to mental health regardless As Heather continues, “I have always clinic’s offerings and see the vacant basement of the individual issue. We also wanted to loved helping clients and their families lead suites of the building as an opportunity to operate in a clinic model so that the clients happier, more fulfilled lives and want clients expand further in the future.” Dr. Heather Hallam-Helbich is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified trauma specialist with over 20 years of clinical experience working with children and their families. She works with children as young as two years of age, adolescents, and their parents. Her particular areas of expertise include: diagnosis of Learning Disabilities, Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Behaviour Disorders, Anxiety and Depression; treatment of various disorders such as
Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Depression, and Adjustment Disorders; education of parents regarding child development and effective behavioural strategies; and support of children and families who are coping with the effects of trauma or divorce. Carl Helbich has more than 25 years of operations management experience in a variety of environments including publishing and healthcare education in
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Michigan and Ontario. As Administrative Director, Carl’s goal is to create an efficient and welcoming environment for Cornerstone staff and clients. From appointment scheduling and billing to developing practitioner resources and community relations, his focus is always on increasing the quality of relationships both inside and outside of the clinic. He earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Windsor and also a Master’s Degree in International Management.
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