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Dr. Robbie Babins-Wagner, PHD

Chief Executive Officer

Robbie is a pioneer in the mental health industry whose efforts to transform how people view, receive and deliver counselling have created positive change in the mental health of thousands of Albertans. She has a doctorate in social work from the University of Calgary, a masters of social work from Carlton University, and bachelors degrees in social work and psychology from McGill University. Robbie has extensive experience in counselling, domestic abuse, mental health, child welfare, and health care. She is a recognized social work supervisor with the Alberta College of Social Workers and is a fellow and approved supervisor with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. Within the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary Robbie is an adjunct professor where she teaches as a sessional instructor. She is also a senior associate and trainer with the International Center for Clinical Excellence in Chicago.


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Christine Berry, MSc

Registered Psychologist / Director of Family Violence Prevention Initiatives

Christine has a masters of science in counselling psychology from the University of Calgary and has spent over a decade specializing in the area of family violence. Christine works with other community agencies to stop domestic abuse at its root causes. She has won awards, including the 2008 Selinger Award through HomeFront and the Canadian Group Psychotherapy Association 2008 Group Therapy Appreciation Award for Creative Programming.


Marcus Cheung, MSW

Registered Social Worker / Manager – Counselling Initiatives

Marcus has a bachelor of arts in sociology, crime and deviance specialization, and a masters of social work, clinical specialization from the University of Calgary. He completed his advanced clinical practicum at the Carewest Operational Stress Injury Clinic, where he served the RCMP and military populations who are affected by post-traumatic stress and other related mental health conditions.


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Cathy Keough, MSW

Registered Social Worker / Director – Counselling Initiatives

Cathy has a masters degree in social work, communities, management, and policy. She has extensive experience in the implementation and integration of outcome measurement in counselling. She has over 25 years of clinical experience working in domestic abuse. Cathy has proven leadership skills in promoting effective, efficient service delivery in mental health as well as clinical supervision in the non-profit sector. She is a licensed clinical social worker and an approved clinical supervisor with the Alberta College of Social Work.


Sarah Rosenfeld, MSW

Registered Social Worker / Associate Director

Sarah is a Registered Social Worker with a Bachelor of Social Work from McGill University and a Masters of Social Work (clinical specialization) from the University of Calgary. She has over twenty five years’ experience working in mental health, child protection, and health care settings. Sarah has held numerous counselling and leadership positions in the not-for-profit sector. Currently, she is the Associate Director of Counselling at Calgary Counselling Centre and lead of the Centre’s education program. Sarah regularly provides accredited courses to helping professionals, and customized workshops to organizations in crisis de-escalation.

Additionally, she was a former adjunct professor within the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary where she taught as a sessional instructor.

 

 

Lissette Arevalo, MSW

Registered Social Worker

Lissette is a registered Social Worker and holds a master of social work degree specializing in clinical social work and a bachelor of social work from the University of Calgary.

Lissette has over 15 years experience working with settlement and newcomer populations in recreation, outpatient, residential, and community settings providing individuals, couples, family, and group services. She has training in the treatment of psychosocial concerns including distress tolerance, anxiety, depression, and trauma; alongside identity and neurodivergence affirming therapy.

Lissette approaches practice from an eclectic perspective and works with various therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, Action and Commitment Therapy, Compassionate Inquiry, and Solution Focused Therapy.


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Carla Blaine, Med

Registered Psychologist / Supervisor

Currently on leave.

Carla works as both a counsellor and as a supervisor with the College of Alberta Psychologists overseeing provisional psychologists completing their College of Alberta Psychologists residency at Calgary Counselling Centre. She is a registered psychologist with a masters of education from the University of Alberta. Prior to working at Calgary Counselling Centre, Carla worked as a special education teacher in Edmonton within a therapy program and worked extensively with families and adolescents in Edmonton.


Kelsey Bradley, MSW

Registered Social Worker

Kelsey has an honour's bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Trent University and a master of clinical social work, specializing in trauma-informed practice, from the University of Calgary. She appreciates an eclectic approach, pulling primarily from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. 

Kelsey has worked extensively with adults in the area of addiction, anxiety, and trauma. She is passionate about supporting individuals in the process of change, through recognizing their strengths and ability to overcome challenges they are faced with. 


Che Burnett

Registered Social Worker

Che has a degree in child studies from Mount Royal University and a masters in clinical social work from the University of Calgary. He has worked extensively with youth and adults in the areas of addictions, depression, anxiety, grief, and trauma. Che’s utilitarian approach includes the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, and Play Therapy, with experiential and strength-based approaches, to collaborate with clients in furthering their well-being.


Wardah Elahi, MC

Registered Psychologist

Wardah is a registered psychologist with a masters of counselling from City University of Seattle, at their Calgary campus, and an honours bachelor of science degree from University of Toronto.

Wardah has experience working with different genders, ages, and cultures. Her passions include working with anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, and depression. She uses an integrative approach by combining aspects of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy , Narrative Therapy, Trauma-Informed Practice, and Solution-Focused Therapy. Wardah believes in working collaboratively with her clients and aims to be a source of support in the journey of their wellbeing. In addition to English, Wardah is able to offer counselling in Urdu and Hindi.


Dr. David Gibbs, MD

Consulting Psychiatrist

Dr. Gibbs graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1996. He has been a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada FRCP(C) since 2002. Prior to joining our team he was Staff Psychiatrist at the Peter Lougheed Centre and the N.E. Mental Heath Clinic.


Anna Hemens, MSW

Registered Social Worker

Anna is a Registered Social Worker with a masters of social work, clinical specialization from the University of Calgary. Before entering the field of counselling, Anna was a nurse practitioner in England where she specialized in working with young adults experiencing kidney disease and supporting those who lived with chronic illness.

Anna guides her therapy with an integrated approach using theories of attachment and development through a trauma informed lens. Anna shapes the therapy she provides to fit with the individual needs and preferences of each client, utilizing Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and clinical hypnosis. Her specialities include working with self esteem, codependency, anxiety and relational trauma. Anna’s goal in counselling is to provide a space in which her clients feel accepted, valued and empowered to work through their presenting difficulty. Anna works predominantly with adults and couples.


Kyle Ho, MC

Registered Social Worker

Kyle is the coordinator of the Male Domestic Abuse Outreach Program at Calgary Counselling Centre. He is a registered social worker with a bachelor of social work from the City University of Hong Kong and a masters of narrative therapy and community work from the University of Melbourne.

Kyle bases on his practice on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy and trauma-informed practice. He has extensive experience working with diverse populations including immigrants, youth, individuals, couples, and families, in Hong Kong, Vancouver and Calgary. In addition to English, Kyle is able to offer counselling in Cantonese and Mandarin.


Charisse Hodson, MC

Registered Psychologist

Charisse is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with a Master of Counselling degree from Yorkville University. Her passions include helping individuals navigate anxiety, depression and self-esteem. Charisse utilizes an integrative approach to counselling that includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. Charisse has experience working virtually and in-person with individuals, couples, families, children, and groups. 


Maggie Jiang, MA

Registered Psychologist

Maggie is a Registered Psychologist with a masters of arts in counselling psychology from Providence Seminary. Prior to working at Calgary Counselling Centre, Maggie worked as a mental health therapist with Alberta Health Services in Hanna, Alberta.

Maggie bases her therapy on an integrative approach that draws from Attachment Theory, neuropsychotherapy, existential mindfulness, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and solution focus. She believes that healing occurs through loving relationships that involve care, compassion, and connection. She is passionate about helping individuals, couples and families to achieve their therapeutic goals. She is able to offer counselling in both English and Mandarin.


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Camille Kim, MSW

Registered Social Worker

Camille has a masters of social work from the University of Calgary and a bachelors degree in Pacific and Asian studies from the University of Victoria. She has experience counselling individuals, couples, and families in areas of self-esteem, trauma, and inter-personal relationships. Camille has training in trauma-informed care, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and neurobiology-informed care. Camille became a counsellor because of her passion for working with people to improve their lives and relationships.


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Tina Larkin-Black, MSW

Registered Social Worker

Tina is on leave.

Tina completed her bachelor of social work and masters of social work with a clinical specialization at the University of Calgary. Tina bases her practice on an integrative approach which draws from Attachment and Development Theory through a trauma informed lens. Tina utilizes Exposure Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Narrative Therapy when working with individuals, couples, and families. She has a special interest in domestic violence, elder abuse, aging, identity, mental illness, trauma, and loss.


Shannon MacKinnon, MSW

Registered Social Worker / Senior Supervisor

Shannon holds a master of social work degree, clinical specialization, with previous degrees in psychology, and fine arts. Working mainly in healthcare and not-for-profit realms have provided immense learning and growth through front-line clinical, community, and supervisory experiences. Shannon takes an integrated approach to counselling and strives to discover what will work best for the client, in addressing challenges they are seeking to overcome, or in building on existing strengths. Areas of experience are, though not limited to, supporting those living with disabilities, grief and loss, trauma, degenerative disease, neurodivergence, relationship issues, spiritual integration, and queer identities.


Charles Martin, MSW

Registered Social Worker

Currently on leave.

Charles has a bachelor of psychology and a master's degree in clinical social work from the University of Montana. His strengths-based, client-centered practice draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and integrates mindfulness-based approaches to helping his clients reach their goals. He has completed a 100 hour Clinical Hypnosis training.


Makrina Morozowski, MC

Registered Psychologist

Makrina is a Registered Psychologist with a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Lethbridge and a masters of counselling degree from City University of Seattle, at their Calgary site. Makrina has experience with diversity that surrounds age, gender, sexuality, disability (invisible and visible), and culture, among others. Her passions include working with people navigating anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and couple/family relationships. She uses an integrative approach pulling from Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Internal Family Systems, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.


Raidah Noshin, MSW

Registered Social Worker

Raidah is a Registered Social Worker with a masters of social work in clinical social work practice from the University of Calgary. Raidah’s practice is guided by Attachment Theory, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and trauma-informed practice. She has extensive experience working with diverse populations including immigrants, refugees and Indigenous peoples. She incorporates intersectionality and “person-in-environment” approaches in her work with individuals, couples and families. Raidah is fluent in both English and Bengali and able to provide counselling in both languages.


William Pelech, PhD MSW

Registered Social Worker / Senior Supervisor

Dr. William Pelech has been a registered social worker in Alberta since 1983. Dr. Pelech is also a Professor Emeritus of Social Work, in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary where he has instructed courses focusing on clinical practice with individuals, families and groups for over 20 years. Dr. Pelech continues to conduct research and practice group work and currently holds a major national tri-council grant, which focuses on how practitioners utilize diversity in their group work practice. He brings experience in working with depression and anxiety disorders as well as extensive practice experience with groups and Indigenous people. His theoretical orientation is eclectic, informed by cognitive behavioural, emotionally focused, depth, and client centered approaches.


Sharona Pilmeister, MSW

Registered Social Worker

Sharona holds a bachelor of arts in psychology, a bachelor of social work, and a masters of social work (clinical specialization) from the University of Calgary. She has been involved in the social service industry for 10 years. Prior to Calgary Counselling Centre, Sharona worked with older adults navigating access to basic needs and various mental health concerns.

Sharona is an identity affirming practitioner who believes that clients deserve a judgement free space to strive for their goals, and encourages clients to acknowledge and use the strengths that they already possess.


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Natalie Putic, MACP

Registered Psychologist

Natalie is on leave.

Natalie is a Registered Psychologist with a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, who has diverse experience working with adults, couples, and groups. Prior to working as a psychologist, Natalie worked in many capacities, including teaching and personal fitness training, which has helped to shape her holistic approach to mental health.   

Natalie is particularly interested in treating issues related to addictions, eating disorders, self-esteem, decision-making, and intimate and family relationships. She uses a client-centered and strengths-based approach to therapy, combining several modalities, such as Positive Psychology, Self-Compassion, CBT, DBT, and ACT, to best help each client with their specific needs and goals. Natalie brings a rich lifetime of experiences to her work, enabling her to be compassionate and empathetic to her clients' struggles while also empowering them to build on their own resources to navigate the difficulties of life. Natalie is bilingual and offers counselling in English and Brazilian Portuguese.


Jelena Radan, MSc

Registered Psychologist

Jelena is a Registered Psychologist with a masters of science in counselling psychology from the University of Calgary. She embraces an integrative and collaborative approach to her practice with clients, drawing on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy. Her areas of interest include loss and grief, depression, anxiety, and domestic violence.   


Lara Rae, MA

Registered Psychologist

Lara is on leave.

Lara is a Registered Psychologist with a masters of arts in counselling psychology from Yorkville University and a bachelor of arts in psychology degree from Salvador University in Brazil. Lara bases her practice on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). Her areas of interest include trauma, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and domestic violence. She is fluent in both English and Portuguese, providing counselling in both languages.


Amy Ramler, MC

Registered Psychologist

Amy is a Registered Psychologist with a masters degree in counselling from Gonzaga University. Amy has experience with all ages including children, teens, adults, and seniors. Her areas of interest include treating issues related to self-esteem, spiritual crisis, addictions, purpose and fulfilment, relationship issues, and trauma. She uses a strength-based approach integrating Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, art and play therapy, within a trauma informed practice.


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Annemarie Rued-Fraser

Registered Psychologist / Senior Supervisor

Annemarie Rued-Fraser has a masters in science counselling psychology and a masters in primatology, both from the University of Calgary. Annemarie has training and experience in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Her specialties include complex trauma, existential anxiety, addictions recovery, domestic violence, and borderline personality disorder. She is fluent in both English and French and able to provide counselling in both languages.


Carmen Sadoway, MSW

Registered Social Worker

Carmen is a registered social worker, with a masters degree in social work from Carleton University.

Over the past decade Carmen has worked in community-based mental health programs, providing individual counselling and group services. She has advanced training and experience using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help people living with depression, anxiety, OCD, and trauma.

In addition to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Carmen uses complementary therapies such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and also draws upon a feminist lens and anti-oppressive practice principles. Carmen cares deeply about helping people who are struggling with hard times and difficult emotions, who are searching for meaning and purpose in life, and who seek to nurture the relationship they have with themselves and others.


Mansi Saini, MSW

Registered Social Worker

Mansi has a bachelor of arts in sociology and a masters degree in social work. She enjoys working with a wide range of mental health concerns, and works with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Her passions include working with people navigating anxiety, depression and self-esteem. She uses a client-centered and strength-based approach to therapy, combining several modalities, including motivational interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Narrative and Solution-Focused therapies, to best help clients with their needs and goals. Mansi is fluent in both English and Punjabi and able to provide counselling in both languages. She aspires to be a registered play therapist and is currently enrolled with the Association for Play Therapy.


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Denis Sushkin, MSW

Registered Social Worker

Denis holds a masters of social work, clinical specialization from the University of Calgary and a bachelors degree in english literature and education from the Eurasian National University. Denis has more than ten years of experience working with children, youth, and families, including working with those who live with chronic illnesses and disabilities. In his practice, Denis draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative and Solution-Focused therapies. He believes in a holistic approach to change through the integration of physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual aspects of life.


Rasha Taha, MSW

Registered Social Worker

Rasha has a masters of social work from McMaster University. They are client-centred and trauma-informed, focusing on celebrating clients’ strengths and resiliency while acknowledging and supporting them through their struggles. Some of the modalities they use include Narrative Therapy, Emotion-Focused therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

Rasha specializes in sexual and gendered violence, gender and sexuality, family conflict and trauma, cultural dissonance, body image and eating disorders, life transitions, navigating polyamory, childhood trauma and others.


Nielsen Tonelete, MSW

Registered Social Worker

Nielsen is a registered social worker with a bachelor of arts in psychology (honours), bachelor of social work from the University of Manitoba, and a masters of social work with a clinical specialization from the University of Calgary.

Nielsen has experience working with different populations including youth, families, and adults facing various challenges such as mental health, trauma, relationships, identity, and oppression. Nielsen utilizes an eclectic approach drawing from theories such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, trauma-informed, emotion-focused therapy, narrative, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing. His areas of focus include self-esteem, identity exploration, anxiety, and depression.


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Stefan de Villiers, MSW

Registered Social Worker

Stefan has a masters of social work from the University of Calgary and a post-graduate certificate in traumatic stress studies. Stefan has additional specialized training in domestic violence risk assessment, men’s mental health, group counselling, clinical hypnosis, EMDR, and grief education. Stefan has presented at national and international conferences on men’s mental health and has published on child welfare practices. Stefan offers individual, couples’ and group counselling in person and virtually.


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Stephen Walker, MSW

Registered Clinical Social Worker

Stephen has a masters of social work, clinical specialization from the University of Calgary. Stephen became a counsellor after years working with homeless youth and adults. Stephen’s experience includes crisis intervention, anger management, addictions, domestic violence, trauma, depression, and couple therapy.

His practice is guided by Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Narrative Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. He believes everyone should have the opportunity to get help when they are ready and is energized by supporting those looking for change.


Nicole Ward, MSW

Registered Social Worker

Nicole is a registered social worker with a bachelor of social work and a masters of social work, clinical specialization, from the University of Calgary. She also holds a bachelor of arts from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Nicole has extensive experience working with children, individuals, couples, families, and groups, both in professional and volunteer roles. She draws on a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach while integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. 


Stephanie Warner, MSW

Registered Social Worker

Stephanie is counsellor and registered social worker holding a bachelors of social work from The University of Victoria and a masters of social work with a clinical specialization from The University of Calgary. Stephanie has experience in both individual and group therapy and has previously worked in the area of trauma, addiction, and concurrent mental health including depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, perfectionism, eating disorders and ADHD.

Stephanie believes in counselling through a collaborative and humanistic approach founded in an anti-oppressive and trauma-informed lens.  She draws on Psychodynamic Theories, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Strengths-Based and Self-Compassionate approaches to therapeutic interventions.


Faven Zewde, MSW

Registered Social Worker

Faven holds a master of social work from the University of Calgary, and a bachelor of social work with distinction from MacEwan University.

Faven has extensive and diverse (age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation) experience in the human services field, some of her experience includes providing holistic support to refugees, refugee claimants and immigrants, providing crisis support counselling to individuals who experienced any form of sexual violence, and working with individuals facing concurrent disorders. She works from a trauma-informed lens, pulling from various therapeutic modalities/methods (MI, CBT, DBT, SFBT). In addition to English, Faven is able to provide counselling in Amharic and Italian.


Joel Zimmerman, MC

Registered Psychologist

Joel is on leave.

Joel is a registered psychologist with a masters of counselling psychology from the University of Lethbridge, and a bachelor of arts in psychology from Mount Royal University.

Joel bases his practice on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy. His areas of interest include depression, anxiety, and domestic violence. Joel has experience working with families, couples, and individuals of all ages as well as group facilitation.


Counsellors in training

Through the Haskayne Learning Centre, we teach the next generation of frontline service providers at the largest non-university based training facility of its kind in Western Canada. Our students receive world-class experience and training to provide you with the best counselling experience possible. In fact, our students regularly help people achieve their goals at a slightly higher rate than more experienced counsellors, a testament to our students’ dedication and our supervisors’ outstanding guidance.