Inviting people of all backgrounds, in all walks of life, to a non-judgmental space in which to feel safe, listened to, encouraged and supported.
We acknowledge that we inhabit the traditional, unceded territory of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. This land, Turtle Island, has been cared for and inhabited by Indigenous peoples for generations upon generations. By acknowledging this, we seek to recognize the ongoing impact of colonialism, honour the resilience of Indigenous communities and act on our responsibility to live respectfully as visitors on their land.
Book a Virtual Appointment
In-Person Appointment
To inquire about in-person sessions in the greater Ottawa-Gatineau area, please email welcome@holdingspacecanada.ca.
Free Virtual Group Sessions
Book on the Jane application. All listed times are Eastern.
Consultations
Online consultations are offered in English to anywhere in Canada using the Jane application.
To inquire about in-person sessions in the greater Ottawa-Gatineau area, please email welcome@holdingspacecanada.ca.
For virtual appointments, each 20-minute block is CA$20. You may book as many 20-minute blocks in a row that you feel you need per consultation. This allows you the flexibility to receive extended support in concentrated longer sessions, or support in multiple shorter sessions spread out over time, for an affordable amount.
Payment is to be made in full via Interac e-transfer to welcome@holdingspacecanada.ca before the start time of the consultation.
You may cancel up to 24 hours before your appointment with no penalty, otherwise 50% of the amount will be due. This allows others who also need an appointment to find availability.
In the event of technological problems during a virtual appointment, if my technology is at fault you may reschedule without penalty or choose to be reimbursed for the remainder of the session. If you choose to be reimbursed, a refund will be sent within 48 hours.
Emotional and/or spiritual support possibilities
Logistical support possibilities
My Qualifications
I am a certified Spiritual Care Practitioner with the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC). I have completed a Masters of Divinity, a year of clinical training, and also hold a certification in Dignity Therapy.
I have been working in Canada for several years on an adult palliative unit, in a children’s hospital, and in a long-term care home. I offer these same services in my private practice, but with the additional scheduling flexibility and individual attention that institutional health care systems cannot always provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Spiritual Care Practitioner?
Spiritual care practitioners come from various faith backgrounds and usually work in hospitals or long-term care homes providing emotional and/or spiritual support to patients, residents and caregivers of any or no faith background.
We are trained in psychology and world religions with a new emphasis being placed on Indigenous and other spiritualities.
Many of my clients are neither spiritual nor religious. In that case we focus on logistical and emotional support.
Do you accept insurance?
Unfortunately this is not possible, as I am not a licensed therapist.
Do you offer services in French (or another language other than English)?
Unfortunately, no.
Do you offer services outside of Canada?
For multiple resons, no. I am not familiar with the intricacies of long term illness or end-of-life care outside of Canada, and I can only accept payments in Canadian dollars.
What other services cannot be offered?
Please note that I am not qualified to give medical advice, support for addiction or any clinically diagnosed psychological illnesses.
Why do I have to set up a Jane application account in order to attend the free virtual group sessions?
I use the Jane Application for booking and running the free virtual group sessions because it is known to be secure and therefore confidential. While the Jane application does require session attendees to first create an account, it is free and does not make you download or install anything.
A Little About Me
I spent my childhood in and out of doctors’ offices and hospitals, frequently feeling unwell, missing school and undergoing several surgeries. I became healthier as a teenager and felt drawn to volunteer at my local children’s hospital, which provided a much needed space to begin processing my own illness journey. While volunteering, I became close to several teenage patients with Cystic Fibrosis who all unfortunately passed away. I did not have adequate support in processing my grief and continued to live with the shadow of their loss hanging over me, leading to fear and anxiety that lived beneath my bubbly exterior.
I originally intended to become a psychotherapist, but my love of teenagers drew me toward youth ministry. While completing my Masters of Divinity, I moved to Europe and worked there for many years as a youth and young adult pastor in various Christian denominations before later settling in Canada.
In the meantime, my mother became ill, needed assisted living and finally passed away when I was only 35. I felt so alone in that journey. My mother needed me to care for her while my friends’ mothers were caring for them as they had children and grew their families. After my mother’s passing, I experienced complex grief due to complicated long-term family dynamics. Looking back, I see now that I desperately needed support in understanding and processing conflicting feelings of relief, guilt, anger, sadness and so much more.
In 2021 a door opened for me to become a Spiritual Care Practitioner, and I felt that same tug to be in a hospital setting that I had experienced as a teenager. After 9 months of intensive Clinical Psychospiritual training at St Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, I fell in love with palliative care and began working on a hospital palliative unit, in a long-term care home and in a children’s hospital.
This journey has provided me with the training and opportunities I needed to process my own illness, caregiver, grief and bereavement journeys as I walk alongside others in a supportive role. Every patient and caregiver has taught me something valuable and blessed me in unimaginable ways. In the chaos of my life, I am finally learning to hold space for, appreciate and learn from the bad as well as the good.
~ Katie Wilkinson
Testimonials
"Katie was thoughtful, patient, sympathetic, and unfailingly attentive to our struggles. To say that she was a calming presence throughout our journey is understating her gifts as a spiritual [care practitioner]; amidst the barrage of alarming medical information we were being flooded with on an hourly basis, Katie was an oasis of emotional and psychological support. She made an intolerable situation bearable. Despite the agonizing uncertainty, our conversations with Katie helped us process our emotions in a way that was vital in maintaining some measure of stability and hope.
"Katie’s guidance took on many forms. On certain days, she became our advocate, offering practical suggestions we may not have considered that would alleviate all manner of immediate burdens. At other times, in response to the challenging, even existential questions we were raising, she drew upon profound perspectives that not only gave us a sense of relief in the moment but have proved meaningful and life-changing to us over time. Her ability to help us navigate the experience of grief and uncertainty made her a crucial and compassionate presence that added immeasurably to the support of friends and family.
"What I most appreciated about Katie was indeed her presence—in both character and action."
KWL, Feb 2026
Contact
For more information, email welcome@holdingspacecanada.ca.
