OUR TEAM

OUR TEAM

Distinctions of Counselling & Psychotherapy

Niagara Life Centre proudly employs a qualified and caring staff whose passion for helping people shines through in everything they do. Our Psychotherapists and Biblical Counsellors desire to see people positively impacted through NLC and for clients to experience help, hope, and healing. Distinctions of Biblical Counselling and Psychotherapy are as follows:

Psychotherapy

Registered Psychotherapists (RP) are engaged in Niagara Life Centre ministry work.

Psychotherapy is primarily a talk-based therapy that is intended to help people improve and maintain their mental health and well-being. An RP works with individuals, couples, and families in individual and group settings.

Psychotherapy occurs when the RP and client enter into a psychotherapeutic relationship where both work together to bring about positive change in the client’s thinking, feeling, behavior, and social functioning. Individuals usually seek psychotherapy when they have thoughts, feelings, moods, and behaviors that are adversely affecting their day-to-day lives, relationships, and the ability to enjoy life.

There is a beginning, a middle, and an end to psychotherapy.

Pastoral Counselling

Pastoral counselling is a time limited relationship that provides encouragement and practical guidance rooted in Biblical principles that help clients develop healthy living and coping mechanisms. It fosters an ever growing dependence on God’s grace and faithful presence as well as interdependence on the people of God.

Meet Our Team!

Rita Makubuya

Executive Director, LL.B AccMed, FDRPMed Accredited Family Mediator

Niagara Life Centre is blessed with a diverse and experienced team!

Check out our staff bios to see what part we play in the NLC team.

Margarete Overend

Executive Assistant / Office Administrator

Carli Jones

Administrative Assistant

Beth Eastman

Communications & Donor Relations Coordinator

Carolina Bartholomew

Counsellor, PGCert, MTS

Myung Joo Ok

Counsellor, BA., MDiv.

Lucio Di Teodoro, RP, C.C.C.

Registered Psychotherapist, Canadian Certified Counsellor

Steve Lindsay

Counsellor, MDiv.

Sneha Reddy

Registered Psychotherapist

Naomi Reimer

Counsellor, Dip. Counselling Psych, OAMHP

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Niagara Life Centre is supported by a volunteer Board of Directors. They are the ambassadors and overseers of the programs and services that we offer.

Ken Klassen, Board Chair
Professor of Operations Management, Goodman School of Business at Brock University, Ken joined the Niagara Life Centre Board in 2011 and has served for over 10 years. A keen detail person, he has been instrumental in fine tuning both our financials and policies.

Jim Ruggi, Treasurer
Jim is an accountant, and joined the Niagara Life Centre Board in 2009. Serving NLC for over 10 years he has filled the role of treasurer for most of that time. Jim loves to roll up his sleeves and participate in fundraising activities. He is amazing at encouraging community participation and was a diehard rider in Ride for Refuge, which raised a lot of support for the ministry.

Jonathan Brouwer
Jonathan is a Certified Financial Planner with IG Wealth Management and joined the NLC board in 2022. He attended Heritage Christian School in Jordan Station and is currently a member of Vineland Free Reformed Church. Jonathan has previous board experience and enjoys organizing fundraising events. He brings financial expertise to the NLC board.

Bob Loerts
Bob is the senior pastor of a local St. Catharines church who joined the Niagara Life Centre Board in 2022. In his words, “From the first time I heard about Niagara Life Centre till now I have been impressed by the staff’s compassion, the dedication of the volunteers, the generous support of donors, and the wisdom of their leadership. For that reason it was a special joy to be asked to serve on the Board with such excellent Christ-followers.”