"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much"

Tara Karlsson has been an educator for over 10 years, and is pleased to offer respite services for students with learning, intellectual and developmental needs.  After graduating from Ryerson University with a Bachelor of Fine arts in Drama and English, Tara studied Montessori education. Montessori-inspired activities have been used in all of the LLS classrooms Tara has worked in, which emphasize patience, following the child's leading and needs, and the importance of working on practical life and self regulation skills, all of which are very important when working with children with exceptional needs. In addition to an ECE Montessori Diploma, Tara has spent 10 years in private school education with children of all ages and backgrounds.  Being drawn to children who need that extra bit of  help or special care to succeed, Tara has continued her work in the  public school system where she works as an Educational Assistant with many children diagnosed with ASD, FASD, ADD, anxiety/depression and various medical needs in Learning Life Skills classes; Tara has been trained to follow ABA programs and has experience working with elementary and secondary students. Tara has completed first aid training, has a current vulnerable sector check, and is certified in non violent crisis intervention.  She is a certified yoga teacher and loves to incorporate movement and breathing techniques into her work children. 

Tara offers respite care Monday through Friday from 2:45 until 6pm and on select weekends. Her hourly rate is $22.  Half and full-day weekend rates are also available upon request. 

Carol Dempsey is a certified Ontario Teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience. She offers private tutoring in  her home during select evenings and weekends. 

When therapy is requested or thought to be helpful for an individual's well-being and personal growth, we often recommend Julia Rick, a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) who provides therapy services to children, adults, and families.  Julia received her Master of Education (M.Ed) in Counselling Psychology from the University of Western Ontario and her Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) designation from the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology as well as a Bachelor of Administrative Commercial Studies: Organizational and Human Resources.  

Julia works as a School Board Counsellor for the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPR), providing support for students from kindergarten to Grade 12. In May 2016, she started working with Safe, Caring and Restorative Schools as the Counsellor for KPR's Long-Term Suspension and Expulsion Program. Additionally, Julia acts as the KPR Regional Lead for Violence Threat-Risk Assessments in Clarington, and is a regular presenter at KPR’s annual Parent Conference each October. Julia has worked extensively on helping to develop the KPR Suicide Protocol and is a certified trainer of SafeTALK suicide prevention with Living Works.

Julia specializes in the impacts of stress and trauma; helping people of all ages to better cope with and understand their symptoms. Historically, she has worked with the York Region Abuse Program (now Cedar Centre), the Durham Rape Crisis Centre, The Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPP-C) and the Incredible Years Parenting Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). 

As an early employee with the Child and Parent Resource Institute in London, Ontario, Julia conducted research  for the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). Her research contributions have twice been presented to the Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO as well as at various conferences, both nationally and internationally.