Our Story

Catherine Arnold (RSW, BSW) and Tessa Small-McPhee (CRPNM, BScPN) have been mental health professionals for over two decades, each dedicating much of their careers to supporting mothers and families entangled in the child and family services system. Through their development of a shared private practice they founded in 2021 called Home Counselling and Wellness, the two would often exchange stories of the challenges they faced and the gaps they saw in the child welfare system. Both were passionate about finding better ways to help these families, believing that the institutional methods often fell short in addressing their unique needs.

One evening, after a particularly challenging week, Catherine and Tessa found themselves deep in conversation. They discussed the recurring theme of separation between mothers and their children during intervention periods. The separation often led to increased trauma and hindered the healing process for both the mother and child. They envisioned a more innovative and personalized approach—one that would allow families to stay together in a supervised and safe environment. This facility would respect the unique mother-child bonds, their shared experiences, and use the power of togetherness and attachment as tools for resilience and healing.

Inspired by their shared vision, Catherine and Tessa decided to turn their dream into reality. They collaborated to create "OTTER Home Inc." a facility designed to support families as they worked through their challenges. With the generous support of private funders and the community of Carberry, Manitoba. Otter Home Inc. now offers a sanctuary where mothers and children can stay together, receiving tailored mental health support, parenting education, and life skills training with the goal of permanent family reunification.