Elisa Rendina-Ashley is the owner and founder of MAREAS Therapeutic Services for Children and Families in Pelham. She says, “We are excited to announce the opening of our newest office in Fonthill, to expand our reach and better support children and families in the community. With our experienced team of professionals, we are committed to providing much-needed mental health support to help individuals navigate challenges such as anxiety, ADHD, trauma, grief and loss, emotional dysregulations, and other life transitions. Our goal is to ensure that every child and family has access to compassionate, effective care that fosters healing, resilience, and well-being.”
Serving our community
MAREAS started in 2012 as a dedicated therapeutic support agency in the Hamilton area and earned a well-deserved reputation of trust by delivering compassionate, high-quality therapy to the community. Elisa says, “We offer individual therapy and specialized support services for children, teens, and adults.” MAREAS’ various services include individual therapy, play therapy, art therapy and behavioral management supports, supervised access, groups and respite in a home-like environment. Elisa says, “We receive calls from individual families who might be struggling and need some support, like many families do at different times. We have some wonderful resources in the Niagara Region, and we are proud to be among those Mental Health Services providers to help alleviate wait times for families.”
MAREAS Therapeutic Services has experienced registered psychotherapists and behavioral specialists on staff. Many of their clinicians are also registered social workers who look at how the entire family can be supported. MAREAS serves a diverse clientele experiencing a range of emotional and behavioral disorders including,
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Trauma
- Self-harm
- Adult and Child ADHD & OCD
- Autism/ASD
- PTSD
- Domestic & Intimate Partner Violence
- Mood Disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Attachment Issues
One of the key aspects of MAREAS is its accessibility. Elisa says, “We customize our services and supports for each individual and family and provide services in home, within the community and in our office. We create programs that are relevant to the needs of the community we serve.” While clients do pay for services, many of the therapies are covered by private insurance.
MAREAS’ additional unique feature: Therapeutic Foster Care
After years of dedicated service and firsthand experience in the field, the MAREAS team recognized the unique need for children and families within the communities they served. Determined to address this need, MAREAS obtained a license from the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services in 2016 to provide private therapeutic foster care. This milestone allows MAREAS to seamlessly integrate therapeutic support with foster care, ensuring that children receive not only a safe and nurturing home but also the specialized care and interventions they need to heal, grow, and thrive.
MAREAS wraps its therapeutic services around a private foster care program. Elisa says, “With our highly skilled team, who on average have spent 20 years or more working in trauma-informed care, we are committed to ensuring that every child placed in our homes receives exceptional care, unwavering support, and a nurturing environment. Our dedicated team prioritizes each child’s well-being, providing stability, guidance, and compassionate care while they await reunification with their families. We strive to create a space where children feel safe, valued, and supported, empowering them with the resources and encouragement they need during this transitional period.”
What sets MAREAS apart is the level of therapeutic intervention available from the start. Every foster child is immediately connected to a therapist who understands their unique needs and history. Elisa says, “Whether it’s grief and loss, anxiety, attachment struggles, or behavioral challenges, children receive care tailored to their individual needs, while foster parents also receive ongoing support and training. We are well equipped with many layers of support including, a case manager, a manager of foster care, therapists, and behavioral specialists to support our families and children.”
MAREAS received referrals from agencies across Ontario who need to place children.
There is a quiet crisis happening in communities across Ontario that doesn’t make headlines as often as it should. That is, the shortage of foster care families for children who are waiting for a safe, stable, and loving home.
Supported every step of the way
Being a foster parent is a life-changing journey and the work that MAREAS does with foster parents and children in Niagara Region and beyond is nothing short of extraordinary. Elisa says, “We respond with compassion, expertise, and unwavering support. We assure our foster parents that they are never alone in this journey. They are supported every step of the way. We have support available around the clock.”
Opening your heart and home
MAREAS works with some exceptional foster families who open their doors to children in need. The program supports the reunification of families. Elisa Rendina Ashley says, “We’re a temporary stopover until families get well so they can care for their children. I have the greatest team, and I think Terri and I would both agree that we couldn’t do this without our team. And I think that’s what sets us apart. Every single person on our team was hand-picked, including our foster parents because they understand what our vision is.”
MAREAS Therapeutic Services for Children & Families is a model that deserves attention and more importantly, it needs families willing to open their hearts and homes to foster children. Elisa says, “I want to let the community know that we are here. We’re a new service provider in the Niagara Region. Our office is in Fonthill on Highway 20. It’s an old farmhouse. We make it home-like so that children and families feel comfortable.”
Through this unique combination of private therapeutic supports and foster care services, MAREAS continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the individuals and families that it serves. Elisa Rendina-Ashley says, “Our commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate care ensures that children, teens, and adults, receive the necessary support they need to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.”
Contact MAREAS Therapeutic Services for Children & Families at (855) 627-3271, by email [email protected], by website or through socials like Facebook and Instagram.
This article was sponsored by Mareas - Comprehensive Therapeutic Services for Children & Families , a 2024 PelhamToday Reader Favourite.