2SLGBTQI+ Businesses

Profiling Local 2SLGBTQI+ Businesses
Whether you have grown up in Lanark County or have recently moved to the county you may have thought that you would have to drive into Ottawa to connect with the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
That is not the case - here in Lanark County we have an annual Pride Parade in Perth as well as pride events in Smiths Falls, Mississippi Mills and Carleton Place. Each community is evolving in its own way with more and different events each year. It's important to showcase local businesses that are either 2SLGBTQI+ owned, or vocal allies to the community.

The THRIVE Centre
Tory Baker-Reed and Kathryn have launched the Thrive Centre, a psychotherapy, counselling and coaching business. Based in Smiths Falls, they are currently working virtually and can support anyone living in Ontario however they are focusing their services locally.
They offer individual and group support, specializing in coping with stress, life transitions, grief, trauma, and relationships. They seek to serve individuals in our LGBTQ+ community who are single, monogamous, ethically non-monogamous, poly-amorous, and celebrate all gender identities
and non-binary expressions.
Previously Tory worked as a social worker with families and youth in crisis for over 20 years and Kathryn worked at sexual assault centres, both as a counsellor and ultimately as an executive director, for 25 years. They have been together as life partners for 26 years and they are combining their experience to form the Thrive Centre. In the longer term they plan to add other professionals to the team but want to launch and get established before taking on more responsibility.
They offer free 15 minutes 'meet and greet' sessions and sliding scale fees to the LGBTQ+ Community (E.G. typically a one hour session is $150 but will reduce to $100 or even less depending on income level). Groups are $25/week and typically last 10 weeks. Sessions are available to be booked now.
They can be reached by phone (613) 205-0822 (confidential voicemail), email
at [email protected] or through their booking website.