Sandi Deschambault

Sandi is a Registered Art Therapist with over 15 years of combined experience in mental health and addictions. Her areas of interest include child and family counselling. She is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design, and the University of Western Ontario's Art Therapy program. Sandi is co-founder of Peace Bye Peace, a retreat located in Midland, Ontario.

David Deschambault

David is a personal counsellor and certified Spiritual Director who received his training at the Hayden Institute, North Carolina, and St Augustine's Seminary, Toronto. He has over 30 years of combined experience in mental health, addictions, corrections and law enforcement. He is a co-founder of Peace Bye Peace, a retreat centre in Midland, Ontario.

Pet Friendly

Peace Bye Peace welcomes you and your pet. Dogs must be leashed. We have three cats on the premises which do not reside in our hermitage or bed and blessing.

Professional Associations

In our contemporary world people are dealing with complexities that can challenge faith. The world is quickly evolving and many of our beliefs are also evolving. As a result we are experiencing resurgence in the practice of spiritual direction.

Spiritual direction, guidance or companionship is concerned with helping a person with his or her relationship with God.

Most people who enter direction are seeking understanding about themselves and how their life circumstances are shaping the world they live in. For instance directees may ask themselves, “What is God trying to tell me in the present moment or life situation in which I find myself right now?” Once people have begun to listen properly they can discern what God’s message is for them.

To ask these questions means to open the door to our interior life. A spiritual companion can help us recognize a richness that has been buried deeply within. Spiritual guidance is directly concerned with a person’s actual experiences of their relationship with God.

When director and directee are joined together they create sacred space and invite the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

“Spiritual direction is the companionship of two souls, on the pilgrim journey of faith, in union with the mystery of mysteries we call God”

Art Therapy is the use of artistic expression to access a place of healing.

Not all individuals are able to articulate with words. Art therapy allows for the expression of feelings and thoughts through the creation of an objective work of art.

This “third entity” is present in the relationship between the Art Therapist and client. The artwork provides safety and containment. It distances oneself from the feelings, allowing for exploration in greater depth.

No artistic experience is required as it is the process not the product that is important.