“Goonies never say die.”
“Remember, concentrate on the moment. Feel, don’t think. Use your instincts.”
“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.”
“The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.”
“Don’t Panic.”
“It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.”
“Love felt by the parent does not automatically translate into love experienced by the child.”
“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.”
“It takes two people to create a pattern, but only one to change it.”
“Fear is wisdom in the face of danger. It is nothing to be ashamed of.”
“I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.”
“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.”
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
“Some days, you just can’t get rid of a bomb!”
“We do not think ourselves into new ways of living, we live ourselves into new ways of thinking.”
“Our successes and failures come and go—they neither define us nor do they determine our worthiness.”
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
“A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.”
“No matter where you go, there you are.”
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
“I was born to make mistakes, not to fake perfection.”
“The more we trust, the farther we are able to venture.”
“The attempt to escape from pain, is what creates more pain. Not all addictions are rooted in abuse or trauma, but I do believe they can all be traced to painful experience. A hurt is at the center of all addictive behaviours.”
About Stride
Stride Counselling offers practical, compassionate psychotherapy for people navigating anxiety, ADHD, depression, parenting stress, separation/divorce, trauma, burnout, and major life transitions.
Many clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to begin. Some are parents trying to stay grounded through family change. Some are men who have spent years “just pushing through.” Others are adults recognizing ADHD or executive functioning challenges and wanting tools that actually fit real life.
At Stride, therapy is collaborative, respectful, and practical. We work together to better understand what is happening, identify patterns that are no longer serving you, and build realistic next steps toward a more grounded and meaningful life.
Nate Venema
Owner/Operator (he/him)
MEd, OCT, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker,
Clinical Counsellor
Nate Venema
Owner/Operator (he/him)
I’m Nate Venema, a Registered Social Worker and therapist with over 25 years of experience in counselling, education, social services, and community support.
My background includes counselling students at Brock University and Niagara College, working in addictions services, supporting youth transitioning out of incarceration in Grand Rapids, teaching in challenging school settings in Michigan, and teaching internationally in Nigeria. These experiences have shaped my practical, grounded, and compassionate approach to therapy.
I work with adults, young adults, parents, and men navigating ADHD and executive functioning challenges, anxiety, depression, trauma, parenting stress, separation and divorce, burnout, career uncertainty, and major life transitions.
I have a particular interest in supporting people who may not typically see themselves as “therapy people” — including men, fathers, students, professionals, tradespeople, veterans, and adults who are trying to keep life together while feeling overwhelmed inside.
I am also working toward formal certification as an ADHD Executive Functioning Coach, which reflects my growing focus on helping clients with organization, follow-through, emotional regulation, procrastination, overwhelm, and life-management systems.
My approach draws from CBT, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed care, strengths-based therapy, and practical coaching strategies. I aim to provide a space that is warm, honest, humorous when helpful, and focused on meaningful change.
Specialties
See if we are the right fit for you.
Primary Areas of Focus
- Men’s mental health
- ADHD & executive functioning
- Anxiety, depression & burnout
- Separation, divorce & life transitions
- Parenting after separation/divorce
- Trauma, stress & emotional regulation
- University/college students and young adults
Additional Support
- Veterans and military-connected clients
- Addiction recovery support
- Relationship stress
- Walk-and-talk therapy
- Couples/parenting communication support
Treatment Approach
View our therapeutic techniques.
Fees
Psychotherapy Services
Sessions are available in-person, virtually, or through walk-and-talk therapy throughout the Niagara Region.
Individual Psychotherapy
- 50-minute session: $175
- 80-minute session: $225
Couples & Family Therapy
- 50-minute session: $225
- 80-minute session: $300
Complimentary Consultations
- 15 -minute phone or virtual consultation: FREE
Insurance Coverage
Services provided by Registered Social Workers (RSW’s) are covered by most extended health benefit plans. Clients are responsible for verifying their own coverage. Receipts are provided following each session and may also qualify as medical expenses for income tax purposes.
Limited Sliding-Scale Availability
A limited number of reduced-fee appointments are reserved for individuals without extended health benefits or who are experiencing financial hardship. Please contact me to discuss availability.
Cancellation Policy
Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice may be subject to the full session fee, except in cases of emergency or illness.
Contact
Let us help you on your quest.