CLINICAL TEAM
Natalie Smith, MA, RCC
Executive Director & Registered Clinical Counsellor
Natalie is a Registered Clinical Counsellor specializing in child, youth and family therapy, although her pragmatic, calm, solution-focused approach resonates with clients of all ages. She has over 20 years of experience working as a counsellor within the school system, community organizations as well as her own private practice. She offers individual and family counselling, in both office and nature-based settings. Her empathic approach is respectful, evidence-based, trauma-informed, flexible and non-judgemental.
Additionally, she co-designed our Fresh Start for Families Conflict Resolution program. This program has been successful in helping families resolve conflict, navigate transitions, and move forward in a more peaceful and sustainable way. Working as a team, Natalie takes a child-centred approach, empowering families to build a positive future together.
She is the parent of two teenagers and has had the opportunity to open her home as a foster parent to teenage girls in our community, providing stability, nurturing and guidance to youth who need extra support. Helping her foster daughters graduate high school, attend post-secondary and thrive into adulthood has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.
Outside of private practice, she is a therapist in community mental health in the public sector. She holds an MA from UVic in Child and Youth Care and lives with her family in Brentwood Bay.
Lewis Rhodes
Mediator & Counsellor
Lewis is passionate about helping families resolve issues sustainably and collaboratively. He co-designed our Fresh Start for Families program and provides a calm, child-centred voice throughout the process.
His background in alternate education in the Greater Victoria School District has focused on reducing barriers, supporting families and helping students be successful at school. He works from a solution-focused, strength-based approach when working with youth and families.
He has completed a Certificate in Mediation and Dispute Resolution, a Diploma in Special Education, Bachelor's degrees in Political Science, French, and Education, and is currently completing a Master of Arts in Child, Youth, Family and Community Studies through the University of Victoria.
Marisa Anderssen
BCYC, MACP, RCC
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Marisa is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who is passionate about supporting individuals of all ages, with a particular interest in working with children and youth. Over the past decade, she has served in a variety of roles within the school system, most recently as a Youth and Family Counsellor. As a mother of four grown sons, Marisa brings both personal insight and extensive professional experience to her counselling practice.Her approach is grounded in evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Sandtray therapy, somatic approaches, and psychodynamic frameworks. Marisa tailors her work to the unique needs of each client and provides all counselling through a trauma-informed lens. Her practice is founded on collaboration, compassion, and a deep belief in each individual's capacity for growth and healing.Marisa works with individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, separation and divorce, as well as other life stressors and transitions. Whether a client is facing a specific life challenge or navigating ongoing mental health concerns, she considers it a privilege to walk alongside them on their journey toward greater well-being and resilience.Marisa holds a strong sense of hope for what is possible in every person's life and is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where clients can explore challenges, build on their strengths, and work toward meaningful change.Outside of her counselling practice, Marisa enjoys running and spending time outdoors with family and friends. These activities help keep her grounded, energized, and connected to the values that guide both her life and her work.
CONSULTING AND SUPERVISORY TEAM
Jim Anglin, BA, MSW, PhD
Special Advisor
Jim provides SICS staff with strategic advice on research, policy, and programming issues and directions. Over his career, he has been involved in research and program development in the areas of parent support, family services, quality improvement, standards of care, and out-of-home care initiatives. He has written several books, numerous peer-reviewed articles, and government reports.
Jim is a Professor Emeritus at UVic and a Research Affiliate at Cornell University. He is President of FICE-Canada, a national section of FICE-International; a member of the International Work Group on Therapeutic Residential Care; a Board member of the European Scientific Association on Residential and Family Care (EUSARF); and serves on the Editorial Boards of seven academic and professional journals.
He is committed to supporting community-based services addressing the needs of young people and their families with complex needs and situations.
Robert Blank, MA
Clinical Advisor
Robert is a retired Registered Psychologist with over forty years of expertise in psychological services and education. Robert now has his own practice specializing in helping individuals and couples transition from marriage to effective co-parenting partnerships. His compassionate and insightful guidance and extensive experience in the field makes him an invaluable asset to our team, ensuring that our clients receive the highest quality support and care.