About Us
Our team at Bluebird Acres Wellness is committed to helping individuals achieve a balance of mind, body, and soul through our nature-based approach to mental health. Our passion for animals has pushed us to specialize in unique approaches, such as a person-centered therapeutic approach and animal-assisted counseling. We work with each patient or group to tailor a plan that fits their individual needs.
Come to Bluebird Acres to stimulate all your senses and bring yourself back to nature.
How did we get here?
Taking the leap
Steve and Rachel grew up in Foothills County and always wanted to return. In a matter of months, after making the decision to move back out to the country, Steve and Rachel found themselves here in this beautiful setting with a head full of ideas. Steve oversees the upkeep of the property and the management of the facility while Rachel runs the nature-based wellness and counseling services. But when they aren't "working" on the farm, they are still here enjoying every corner of it.
Your Therapist and Facilitator
Rachel Toon
I am the therapist and facilitator here at Bluebird Acres and I love my role here.
I have a special love of Nature and Animals and here we like to offer you the opportunity to immerse yourself in this environment while exploring what's available for you in regards to counseling here on the farm and in my approach.
I approach counseling by creating space for my clients to explore themselves while facilitating a person-centered therapeutic environment. This means the focus is on you, the person, and not the problem. The goal is to help you become more independent when dealing with all of life's challenges and stages; motivating you to take charge and make the changes you want in your life.
Partnering with the animals invites a sense of adventure and personal growth and immersing yourself in the natural setting is welcoming and peaceful. Learning mindfulness techniques and exploring the inward parts of yourself while working with the animals takes us to a personal space where we find inspiration.
You will also see events here on the site available throughout the year. Holding circles, group work, and day retreats is one of my favorite ways to share the space here at Bluebird Acres. I enjoy facilitating mediations, breath work, focused group conversations, and even some crafting-with-intention to help us express our connections to ourselves and nature.
I have experience working with grief and loss, anxiety, depression, mindfulness, as well as many other areas of personal growth. I have a background as an EMT as well as working in home care and with people with various challenges and disabilities in their homes or in their lives.
I am also able to assist with end-of-life planning. I have taken extra certification in counseling who are working through the MAiD service and process. What an honor it is to assist people and their families during this really transformative time.
When I am not working with clients on the farm, that is usually where you will find me. I love this place. I love the forest and am inspired daily when I spend time with the trees, the views, and, of course, the animals. They force me to breathe in a more regulated fashion, to slow down, and to reflect. Each of the animals here has a special place in my heart.
My diploma is in Applied Psychology and Counseling, Specializing in Professional Counseling from Kelowna College of Professional Counselors. I am a registered candidate with the CCPCP (3145).
The Farm
Have a look at the characters here as well as the space we work in.
