For Tara Munro, it’s always been more about helping vulnerable people in need than padding the profit line.
The registered clinical counsellor has always made it her first priority to provide affordable and accessible health and wellness services.
Munro founded Sea to Tree Health & Wellness 2019 to provide counselling and mental health services in her hometown of Sooke. She worked alone at first, but soon attracted like-minded practitioners who appreciated her people-first, community-minded approach, said Hermione Jefferis, community engagement co-ordinator for Sea to Tree Health & Wellness. The centre delivered 1,500 pro bono and low-cost counselling sessions in 2023 alone.
“The team has grown significantly over the years and now comprises almost 30 people, including counsellors, social workers, students, interns, bodywork practitioners, administration staff, and one fine dog named Spruce,” Jeffferis said. “On December 10 we are celebrating our fifth anniversary and I want to congratulate Tara and all of the team for everything they have achieved, and for everything they have contributed.”
After outgrowing its space several times, Sea to Tree now has offices in Sooke, Colwood, one in a yurt in Shirley, B.C., and offers services online.
“The team’s values continue to attract practitioners who share our vision of being in service to the community by offering accessible, low-barrier mental health and wellness care for all who want it,” Jefferis said. “On average, we are providing over 20,000 wellness and counselling sessions annually, with at least 10 per cent of those provided at very low cost, or free.”
Sea to Tree also has free programs for groups on topics such as parenting and family dynamics, substance use/recovery, managing mental health conditions, communication skills, healthy sexuality, nature therapy, mindfulness, and more, Jefferis noted. “Through Sea to Tree’s support, more than 22 Master of Counselling students have completed practicums and graduated, with the ripple effect of providing $25 an hour counselling to community members in need and building capacity in our area.”
Sea to Tree gives back to the community by donating time and/or services to a range of local agencies and services, including the Sooke Food Bank, Sooke Lions Club, Sooke Region Community Health Network, Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce, and many more.
“We have been involved with more than 75 events over the years, including Sooke-a-rama, All Sooke Day, Canada Day, and many others,” Jefferis added. “In June of this year, we established the Sea to Tree Foundation as a way to further reduce barriers to care and expand low-cost and free mental health services,”
She said Munro and the entire team are “very excited” about a project they are working on to build a new health and wellness centre in the heart of Sooke.
“We want to hire more providers, offer more services and more sessions, and partner with more community groups,” Jefferis explained. “We have a beautiful vision and can’t wait to see it embodied!”
The proposed centre, on a .43-acre property on Murray Road, will include health and wellness counselling, acupuncture, physiotherapy, chiropractic, midwifery, aesthetics, occupational therapy, nurse practitioners, dietitians, dance therapy, mediation, and community support.
Visit https://seatotree.ca for more information.
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