Our support team is…

Don McGillivray

Lead Counsellor

Born in Ontario, Don has called Manitoba, Quebec, Northwest Territories, Wisconsin and Alberta home. He is a traveler of the world – family man, teacher, school counsellor, principal, college instructor, behaviour specialist and narrative therapist.

Don is a registered member of the Canadian Couselling and Psychotherapy Association and for the past 17 years has been recognized as a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC). He has considerable skills and knowledges in the areas of FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), Traumatic Brain Injury, Divorce and Separation, Sexual and Physical Abuse, Self-Harm, Suicide, Child, Adolescence, and Adult Depression and Anxiety. Don also has skills and knowledge concerning Canada’s Indigenous populations who have experienced issues with colonization and assimilation. Don provides narrative therapy supervision to practicum students studying to become psychologists and social workers. His interests include Tennis, Swimming, Travel, Walk- In Counselling, Indigenous Ceremonies and Rituals, Creating Gatherings and Self-healing.

Trudy Gammel

Intake Coordinator

Bio Coming soon…

Kayla McLachlan

Counsellor

Kayla is thrilled to join the team and feels privileged to be in this role. Since 2013 Kayla has worked and volunteered in several non-profits that focus on supporting people impacted by trauma and ending gender-based violence. Kayla believes that counselling is a collaborative process and that people are the experts in their own lives and experiences. Kayla aims to create a warm, safe, and gentle space to explore the challenges that have brought people into counselling. She has additional training in trauma-informed practices, mindfulness, somatic approaches, and narrative therapy. Kayla enjoys spending time in nature, playing cards, cross-stitching, and live theatre.

Joyce Matthews

Counsellor

Joyce Mathews (she/her) is a mental health therapist familiar working in rural communities and has been supporting clients in Westlock for almost a year. She has experience counselling children, teenagers, and adults from a diverse range of backgrounds. She supports her clients using a respectful, non-blaming approach built on compassion, curiosity, empathy, and care for the individual and their own unique journey. Joyce has training in narrative therapy and works collaboratively with individuals to reauthor their problems ranging from anger, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, life transitions to trauma. She also incorporates elements of person-centered, solution-focused, mindfulness, self-compassion, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Joyce supports her clients by helping them recognize problems as separate from the individual. She believes every person deserves a safe and supportive space to be seen and heard and is honored to hold space for individuals as they reauthor their life story. Joyce enjoys music, yoga, baking, travelling, and spending time with family and friends.

Dr. Cath Thorlakson

Addictions

Cath has been training and working in various ministry roles for more than 35 years.  She served in various pastoral positions including worship, women, children, and young adults. She worked with her husband in leadership in camp ministry for several years, and later served as a clinical counsellor,
Mental Health Therapist, and Addictions Counsellor. Cath has a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, and is a Registered Psychologist. She works as a Program Director and Academic Success Director at Vanguard College while also carrying a small private counselling practice. “It is an honour to be able to serve those looking to build skills and care for others.”

Our Administrative Team

Dale Clark

Executive Director

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