Meet our Team of Professionals

Counselling and Consulting Team

  • Lita holds a BA in Psychology and MEd in School and Clinical Child Psychology from the University of Alberta where she studied the contributions of nature (children’s unique traits) and nurture (parenting styles and relationship quality) to the social-emotional and moral development of young children.

    Lita enjoys working collaboratively through a developmental lens with children, teens, and parents/caregivers to address psychological, social-emotional, behavioural, and educational concerns. Respecting the uniqueness of each client and family, Lita prefers an integrative therapeutic approach to address client needs and to build on strengths using family-centred, evidence-based, trauma-informed modalities.

    She has previously worked in therapeutic and educational intervention programs for children and adolescents with mental health diagnoses. Lita has specialized training in interpreting psycho-educational assessments, developing treatment plans, and interventions informed by assessment outcomes for intellectual, learning, behavioural, and social-emotional difficulties.

  • Leah is currently providing counselling to children and adolescents under the supervision of our clinic director, Corinne Eckert, while in her Registered Provisional Psychologist status.

    Leah has been with our clinic for several years in our Training in Core Social Skills program, gaining experience in social development and cognition, and providing support for many children/parents through her role as a social coach in both our group and 1-1 social coaching programs. Leah works with parents to identify areas of challenge and strength in their child through her role as intake clinician in both our Training in Core Social Skills program, her work in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, and through her training in psychological assessment. Her practicum in the school setting has given her invaluable experience in supporting students with a variety of emotional/behavioural and learning needs. Leah is dynamic and fun, with the ability to assess issues and develop targeted interventions to create change.

    Leah loves to spend time with her dog when she’s not playing and working with kids at our clinic!

  • Erin is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with extensive experience in supporting children, teens, and families through emotional, behavioural, and mental health challenges. With a compassionate and approachable style, Erin creates a safe and empathetic space where clients feel truly heard.

    Her background in elementary education and specialized training in child and youth mental health provide her with a deep understanding of developmental stages and educational systems, enhancing her ability to connect with young clients and their families. Erin's therapeutic approach incorporates mindfulness, play-based interventions, and cognitive-behavioural techniques, fostering resilience and self-confidence in her clients.

    Outside of her work, Erin enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, and relaxing with her fiancé and dog.

  • Christina is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Counselling.

    At our clinic, Christina brings great passion to her work with children, adolescents, and parents. She easily connects with young clients through her warm, caring demeanour—and a healthy dose of humour. Christina helps them identify challenges and set meaningful, personal goals. Through strong, trusting relationships, she supports children and teens in managing emotions like anxiety, stress, frustration, and anger, as well as behavioural challenges, executive functioning (planning, organizing, remembering), self-esteem, life transitions, peer relationships, and school-related difficulties.

    Christina’s past as a Recreation Technician, along with her love of video games, pop music, and board games, helps her create a fun, positive environment where kids feel safe to express themselves, learn, and grow. Her creativity and resourcefulness, combined with her experience as a teacher, make her especially skilled at supporting clients with diverse learning needs—she meets them where they are and develops personalized strategies that truly fit.

    Christina is also deeply committed to supporting parents. She reflects our clinic’s strong belief in family-focused treatment by involving parents as much as possible. She helps identify treatment goals that reflect both parent concerns and the child’s voice. Christina also offers parent consultations—whether or not the child is a client—to help parents better understand their child’s needs and develop effective, values-aligned strategies.

    Grounded in attachment theory and person-centered practices, Christina primarily uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), while also integrating play therapy and solution-focused approaches as needed. A natural at weaving intervention and teaching into playful experiences, she makes therapy engaging and effective.

    Outside the clinic, Christina enjoys reading, listening to podcasts (she’s especially into science fiction and psychology), walking in nature, baking, listening to music, playing games, and spending time with family and friends.

  • B.Sc. (Psychology specialization), M.Ed. (School and Clinical Child Psychology).

    Completing Ph.D. program (School and Clinical Child Psychology).

  • Kistin is a compassionate Canadian Certified Counsellor with a strong foundation in elementary education and educational psychology from the University of Alberta. As a Cree and Métis woman, she specializes in supporting Indigenous youth through trauma-informed and culturally sensitive therapeutic interventions.

    Kistin is known for her warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental approach, utilizing tailored methods such as play therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and mindfulness to empower children and adolescents facing challenges like anxiety, ADHD, ASD, and social skill deficits. With extensive experience in both educational and clinical settings, she excels in fostering effective communication and collaboration among families, schools, and community agencies to provide comprehensive support.

    Outside of her professional work, Kistin enjoys spending time with her husband and beloved cats, exploring new dance classes, and continuously expanding her knowledge.

  • Kathlene is a Canadian Certified Counsellor with a Master of Christian Studies in Marriage and Family Therapy from Trinity Western University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Alberta.

    Known for her warmth, empathy, and genuine approach, Kathlene creates a safe and supportive space where clients feel heard and understood. She works from a systemic and client-centered perspective, integrating play therapy, attachment-based approaches, and family systems work to support lasting growth and healing.

    She has experience working with children and adolescents through play therapy, as well as supporting parents and families in fostering stronger connections. Her background includes work as a behavioral therapist in school settings, particularly with children with autism and diverse needs. She is also a certified Prepare/Enrich facilitator for premarital counselling and is passionate about helping individuals and families navigate challenges such as anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, life transitions, and trauma.

    At our clinic, Kathlene is supporting those who would like family therapy, whether meeting with the entire family or different parts of the important family unit to work through issues and strengthen relationships.

    Fluent in Tagalog, Kathlene values working with diverse populations and believes every person holds the capacity for healing and growth. She also offers faith-based counselling upon request.

    Outside the clinic, Kathlene enjoys exploring cafés in search of the best matcha, discovering new foods, and spending time in nature, whether hiking in the mountains or relaxing by the beach.

  • Corinne oversees the care of clients at the clinic, supervises her team, provides consultation for parents and teachers, and trains students who are working towards becoming psychologists. She also works hands-on with clients and supervises the Training in Core Social Skills programs, as it brings her joy to see children grow in their ability to connect with others.

    Corinne’s initial goal in beginning her practice was to understand children and help them develop greater confidence, security, and skill in their world. This requires looking deep and working with parents/caregivers to uncover the often complex factors impacting functioning, as well as creating a warm, compassionate, and fun environment to engage your child in. She has made this her mission throughout her 30 year career as a teacher, school counsellor, mental health worker, school behaviour consultant, and child psychologist. Together with her team, she forms a caring and skilled network of professionals who can guide the process of healing and growth.

    When not at the clinic, supporting and engaging with kids, parents, or staff, Corinne loves to be outside in nature on a good hike, biking, kayaking, or doing yoga!

  • Fiza brings a warm, empathetic, and non-judgemental presence to her work, creating a space where clients feel emotionally safe and supported. She takes a gentle yet intentional approach, balancing compassion with purposeful care to foster meaningful and lasting change. 

    Fiza enjoys working with children, youth, and caregivers to collaboratively address emotional, behavioural, and trauma-related concerns, with a focus on building resilience and a sense of empowerment. 

    As a BIPOC practitioner, she is deeply mindful of how culture, identity, stigma, and systemic barriers shape lived experiences, and she strives to create a validating and culturally responsive therapeutic environment. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Alberta and a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of Lethbridge, and has supported children and families through roles in community programs, advocacy centres, and counselling settings. Her work is grounded in a person-centered, strength-based lens, integrating evidence-based approaches such as play therapy, attachment-based therapy, trauma-focused CBT, mindfulness, and narrative therapy. 

    Fluent in Urdu and Hindi, Fiza brings both cultural sensitivity and clinical expertise to her practice, supporting clients navigating concerns such as trauma, anxiety, ADHD, autism, family dynamics, and interpersonal relationships.

Training in Core Social Skills Team

  • After completing her B.Sc. in Psychology and M.Ed. in Educational Psychology at the U of A, Colleen began working as a Registered Psychologist and belongs to the College of Alberta Psychologists and Psychologists’ Association of Alberta. Colleen has worked as a counselling therapist and conducted psychoeducational assessments, and currently specializes in assessments. She also supervises students interning to become psychologists, supporting their growth and providing mentorship.

    Colleen is thoughtful, careful and is knowledgeable in developing appropriate strategies and interventions. She enjoys working with parents, teachers to create strength-based approaches and positive psychology. As a supervisor in our Training in Core Social Skills Program, Colleen is thrilled to help facilitate children develop their social skills in a group atmosphere, as well as in our more individualized 1-1 Social Coaching Program. Colleen is truly passionate about her clients, and feels blessed to be part of their journey as a mentor, educator, and supporter. She also connects with parents, providing them with tools to support their child’s development and build skill and confidence in interacting with their child.

  • Jennifer believes that each individual has the capacity for growth and change. As a Registered Psychologist, she focuses on development and goals as an approach in supporting children, and values collaborating with parents and caregivers in this process. Working as a teacher, school counsellor, and Inclusive Learning coordinator has given Jennifer experience in the education field. This has developed an understanding in child development, as well as the ability to identify issues related to learning, behaviour/emotional development, and social interaction. Jennifer also has experience in supporting school staff who are dealing with students through a Neurorelational framework.

    In therapy sessions, Jennifer focuses on the child's resources, strengths, and individuality while employing an eclectic approach to best support the child and family in meeting their goals and needs. She provides therapy to children and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, behavioural challenges, social skills challenges, grief and loss, and relational challenges Jennifer is trained in EMDR, Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Play-Based Interventions, Neurorelational Framework and Sand Tray Therapy.

    Jennifer is also a supervisor in our Training in Core Social Skills Program. She supports our social coaches in their work, and also helps parents to feel confident in supporting their child’s social development. She has an experienced background in working in schools with students, parents and school counsellors. When not working with young people, you can find Jennifer outdoors with her family and dogs. She feels best when surrounded by trees and mountains.

    Colleen is thoughtful, careful and is knowledgeable in developing appropriate strategies and interventions. She enjoys working with parents, teachers to create strength-based approaches and positive psychology. As a supervisor in our Training in Core Social Skills Program, Colleen is thrilled to help facilitate children develop their social skills in a group atmosphere, as well as in our more individualized 1-1 Social Coaching Program. Colleen is truly passionate about her clients, and feels blessed to be part of their journey as a mentor, educator, and supporter. She also connects with parents, providing them with tools to support their child’s development and build skill and confidence in interacting with their child.

Alyssa Laurie, B.A. (Psych.), Social Coach & Group Program Facilitator

Ritika Dodd, B.Sc., Social Skills Intake Worker

Hogan Chen, B.Sc. (in progress), Social Coach & Group Program Facilitator

Emma Bazeley, B.Sc. (in progress), Social Coach & Group Program Facilitator

Amrita Shanmugam, B.A. (Psych.), M.C. (in progress), Social Coach & Group Program Facilitator

Nicole Murray, B.Sc. (Psych.), M.Ed. (SCCP), Ph.D. (Clinical Child Psychology, in progress), Social Coach & Group Program Facilitator

Kaltrina Jaha, B.A. (Psych.), M.Ed. SCCP (in progress) Social Coach & Group Program Facilitator

Kara Bienert, B.Ed., M.C. (In progress) Social Coach & Group Program Facilitator

Madelyn Richards, B.A. (Psych.), M.C. (In progress) Program Volunteer

Madison Giese, B.Sc. (Psych.), M.C. (In progress) Program Volunteer

Leah Slusarenko, Social Coach & Group Program Facilitator

Jean Castro, Program Volunteer

Susan Sadler, Program Volunteer

Christina Hanas, Program Volunteer

Administrative Team

  • Kristy’s warm and kind voice is the first one you’ll hear when you call our clinic. She is fantastic at listening to our client’s needs, and figuring out whether we can help your child best through counselling, assessment, ADHD consultation, or social skills programming. Kristy has a history of working in clinic administration, and injects fun and a great team atmosphere into our clinic! She feeds her soul through interaction with staff and clients, cuddling with her dogs, or enjoying the sun at the lake.

    (PS: Make Kristy's day by showing her a picture of your dog!)

  • Fiona is dedicated to helping families begin the process of determining if our Training in Core Social Skills programs are a good fit and guiding them through the enrollment process. Organized and caring, she has an in-depth understanding of our programs and provides valuable support to the program’s staff. She also acts as a program facilitator, supporting families in our 1-1 Social Coaching program.

    Fiona develops strong relationships with each family, ensuring they feel supported throughout their child’s participation in the program and making any necessary adjustments based on their unique needs.

    Fiona’s hands-on leadership skills and ability to understand children’s behaviour through our social coaching lens allows her to work effectively as a facilitator and coordinator in our programs. This skill is also informed through her With her hands-on leadership skills and ability to understand children’s behavior through our social coaching lens, Fiona excels as a facilitator in our programs. Her expertise is informed by her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Alberta and as she currently completes her Master of Counseling program!