NICE TO MEET YOU

OUR TEAM

Counsellors tailored to your needs

Otonabee Family Counselling Centre is a multidisciplinary team of counsellors offering support to individuals, couples, families and children. Part of the intake process includes careful determination of which team member best serves your family's needs.

ASSOCIATE COUNSELLORS

All ASSOCIATES ARE DIRECTLY SUPERVISED BY ONE OF MORE OF THE SENIOR STAFF

Meghan Nash, CYCP

Meghan's strength-based, individual-centered approach to behaviour and social/emotional skills development helps children and youth identify emotions, connecting their needs to desired outcomes.

Meghan utilizes choice-activities to reinforce healthy concepts in a non-threatening and engaging manner. She has a special interest in working with children/you who are experiencing behavioural difficulties in the school environment as well as those who have experienced grief and loss.

Rebecca Cowling, CYCP

Becky has worked with children in a variety of different settings, including education, residential treatment and medical facilities. She has has experience helping young people adapt to their unique learning, developmental, behavioural and mental health exceptionalities.

Becky's approach is informed by narrative therapy as well as behavioural strategies focused on social skills, self-regulation and life skills development.

Kellsey Brown, CYCP

Kellsey uses a person-centered approach to help young people identify how their strengths can be used to build confidence, overcome obstacles and cope in their   present lives.

Kellsey has experience working in residential treatment, foster care and educational settings, helping children and youth manage depression, anxiety,  anger, trauma, school behaviour and social issues. Kellsey uses a variety of techniques derived from narrative therapy, Gestalt Therapy and mindfulness to assist with healthy emotional and behavioural development.

Jaimi Woolsey, CYCP

Jaimi provides engaging online therapy for children and youth. Jaimi has a special interest in helping kids manage their intense emotions. She thoroughly enjoys building on internal strengths while also developing new skills and perspectives to live a more balanced & fulfilling life.

Jaimi’s treatment approach is strength based and she uses CBT.  She can assist with issues such as emotional regulation, problem-solving, friendship skills, bullying, self-esteem building, ADHD, grief and loss.

Learn more on her website.

Daniel Share-Strom, CYCP

Daniel Share-Strom specializes in a strengths-based, positive psychology approach to counselling, helping clients to improve their mental health by setting and achieving goals that are important to them.
He specializes in working with Autistic and other neurodivergent clients of all ages. 

In addition to counselling, Daniel is an experienced speaker, author, and television writer, with his work primarily focused on creating a more inclusive world for his fellow Autistics.

View Daniel's TedxTalk here!

Christine Gaitens, MSc, CYCP, RSW

As a member of Otonabee Family Counselling Centre, I support children, youth and young adults with mental health, trauma, relational and behavioural issues and school issues through a combination of strong, meaningful therapeutic relationships and evidence-based interventions.  

I offer virtual and in-person counselling in Ottawa to suit your preference and needs. I provide a strength based approach, informed by Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and activity-based learning.

SENIOR STAFF


Heather Purdon, MSW, RSW

Heather specializes in counselling focusing on one of the most important personal relationships - the couple. She works from an Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) framework and goals for therapy are mutually set by the couple.

Heather offers a neutral and non-judgmental environment for couples to explore challenging interpersonal dynamics and topics. She provides a safe space for LGBTQI and queer family systems.

Deb Cockerton, BST, CYC

Deb provides behavioural as well as strengths-based counselling to address a variety of issues in children and families . Her activity-based learning introduces and reinforces the concepts in a non-threatening and engaging manner.

She has a special interest in children who are caught up in the cycle of bullying behaviours and welcomes the opportunity to assist young people in dealing with these issues.

Graham Watson, MSW, RSW

Graham has specialized in the assessment and treatment of children, youth and their families for his entire career as a social worker. He is certified in the provision of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focussed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Interventions. Graham offers services specific to anxiety, anger, mood issues, communication/social skills, trauma and sexual health.

Learn more at grahamwatson.ca