Meet OurTeams

Mindful Therapies Flowers
We are pleased to offer both in-person and virtual appointments with our therapists in the Dartmouth-based and Kentville-based offices. In addition, we have a team of therapists who work in a fully virtual capacity. We are dedicated to serving clients across any and all areas of Nova Scotia.

Dartmouth Team

Colin Gjesdal, MSW
Jeannine Guenette, MSc

Candidate Registered Psychologist

Anxiety, Panic
Family and Relationship Issues
Life Transition

Q

Jeannine Guenette, MSc

Ms. Guenette’s therapeutic style is warm, collaborative, and led by genuine curiosity. She is committed to providing an open and compassionate environment where her clients can feel heard, respected, and supported. Her background in cultural theory and philosophy informs her passion for co-creating new possibilities that help clients navigate difficult circumstances, shift unhelpful patterns, rediscover themselves, and enhance their skills and capacities.

Ms. Guenette provides individual therapy for adults (19+) experiencing anxiety and panic, low mood, family of origin and relationship concerns, emotional distress, life upheaval or challenging transitions, and difficulties managing overwhelm or burnout. She has a special interest in concerns related to ecological issues and climate change (or, ‘eco-anxiety’).

Ms. Guenette’s therapeutic approach is integrative and trauma-informed––she draws from Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Existential Therapy as well as body-focused and mindfulness-based strategies to tailor her approach to her clients’ particular needs. Ms. Guenette is a Counselling Psychologist (Candidate Register) with a Master of Science in Counselling Psychology from the University of Calgary. She has experience working with a highly diverse clientele in university wellness settings.

Colin Gjesdal, MSW
Colin Gjesdal, MSW

Clinical Social Worker

Behaviour Change Specialist
Addictions
Couples Counselling

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Colin Gjesdal, MSW, RSW

Mr. Colin Gjesdal is a Clinical Social Worker who received his Masters Degree from Dalhousie University. With over 10 years of experience working in both hospital-based outpatient clinics as well as private practice settings, he has worked with youth, adults, and families to improve their mental well-being and quality of life.
Mr. Gjesdal has a keen interest and expertise in behaviour change (including addictions), spiritual and religious exploration, and moral and ethical decision making. He is a warm and knowledgeable clinician who helps his clients not only better understand the nature of their difficulty, but also provides solution-focused and practical skills that assist in addressing their concerns.

Mr. Gjesdal has been trained and is competent in several treatment strategies, all of which are considered best practices including motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and mindfulness-based therapy.

Danielle Butler, MSW
Danielle Butler, MSW

Clinical Social Worker

Caregiver Fatigue
Mood Management
Academic Stress

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Danielle Butler, MSW

Ms. Danielle Butler is a Clinical Social Worker, licensed with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. She completed her Master’s Degree from Dalhousie University and has over 7 years’ experience providing culturally-sensitive and non-judgmental services to youth (13+) and adults within hospital, school, community mental health and private practice settings.

Ms. Butler’s work experience includes supporting individuals long-term who are struggling with depression, grief and loss, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, along with everyday life stressors. Ms. Butler also works with the Nova Scotia Health Authority in Recovery and Integration working with individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness.

Ms. Butler draws from various therapeutic approaches including Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Emotion Regulation, Mindfulness, and Narrative Therapy. She has a warm and relaxed approach to therapy and is truly passionate about helping others work through their difficulties.

Dr. Maureen Campbell-Balcom
Dr. Maureen Campbell-Balcom

Psychologist

Mood Difficulties
Family and Relationship Issues
Trauma

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Dr. Maureen Campbell-Balcom

Dr. Campbell-Balcom received her Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland after earning a master’s degree in Counselling at Acadia University, and has recently returned ‘home’ to Dartmouth, NS.
Dr. Campbell-Balcom offers a warm, open and non-judgmental approach to her therapeutic work. She combines her passion to support personal growth in her clients with her background and education in international development and social justice. Dr. Campbell-Balcolm’s doctorate research focused on anti-discriminatory practice; with this experience, she is very keen to continue working with diverse cultures and identities with sensitivity.

Dr. Campbell-Balcom works with adults (18+) with a range of difficulties including anxiety, low mood/depression, transitions, relationship difficulties, issues of self-worth, and recovery from the effects of PTSD and trauma. In particular, she has experience working with family of origin issues and complex trauma.

Her therapeutic approach is integrative and draws on her specialist training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Person-Centred Therapy, while also drawing on Mindfulness-Based therapies, Schema Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy.

Tessa Barrett, MSW

Tessa Barrett, MSW

Clinical Social Worker

Anxiety and Panic
Depression. Addictions
Trauma

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Tessa Barrett, MSW

Ms. Tessa Barrett is a Clinical Social Worker with a passion for teaching and employing the skills of mindfulness, self-compassion and present moment awareness to help individuals reduce suffering, enhance well-being and optimize experiences of happiness and joy.

Ms. Barrett completed her Master of Social Work (Health and Mental Health stream) at the University of Toronto, where she interned at the Centre for Mental Health and Addictions (CAMH) in Toronto. She has been working in community-based outpatient Mental Health and Addictions programs across Nova Scotia since April 2015.

At Mindful Therapies, Ms. Barrett provides psychological treatment to adults experiencing a range of difficulties including depression, general anxiety and panic, substance use, trauma, difficulties with regulating emotion and adjusting to life transitions.

Her approach to treatment draws from a variety of evidence-based models including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical-Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT). Ms. Barrett is also trained in Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, evidence-based treatments for PTSD. She has experience working specifically with Veterans and RCMP for the treatment of Operational Stress Injuries.

As a certified yoga instructor (200-hour RYT), mindfulness and increasing present moment awareness are weaved throughout Ms. Barrett’s work, where she is skilled in guiding experiential exercises and meditations in-session.

Dr. Stephanie Taillefer
Dr. Stephanie Taillefer

Psychologist

Assessment
Post Traumatic Stress
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

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Dr. Stephanie Taillefer

Ms. Taillefer completed her clinical training at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario. Her training is primarily rooted in cognitive-behavioural therapy, including third wave approaches; acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, and mindfulness. Stephanie has expertise in treating posttraumatic stress disorder using Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy.

Ms. Taillefer works with adults (18+), providing individual and group therapy for obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (obsessive-compulsive disorder, hair pulling, skin picking, hoarding), trauma, anxiety, mood, relationship difficulties, and difficulties with adjustment/transition.. She also specializes in working with members of the military, veterans, and first responders.

In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys the Nova Scotia coastline, participates in equestrian activities, and competes internationally in the sport of dog agility with her border collies and cocker spaniels. Through her own sporting endeavors, she has developed an interest in sports psychology, and enjoys working with athletes to improve the cognitive aspect of their performance.

Dr. Carissa Clement

Dr. Carissa Clement

Psychologist

Trauma
Post-Traumatic Growth
Resilience

Q

Dr. Carissa Clement, PSY.D.

Dr. Clement is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Michigan School of Professional Psychology and a Master’s in Forensic Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has diversified experience in a variety of settings including rural and urban community mental health, university health services, inpatient psychiatry and medicine, and private practice. Dr. Clement completed her residency in the valley (2009/2010), and has stayed in Nova Scotia since that time. She has worked in a number of areas within the health authority, including forensics, operational stress, and adult mental health.
Dr. Clement believes in meeting each client with a sense of compassion and curiosity, and values the significance of empathy and therapeutic alliance as both the foundation and catalyst for enhanced self-awareness, personal growth and meaningful transition. She works with adolescents (15+) and adults, providing individual and group therapy for people challenged with issues related to chronic medical conditions, trauma, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, sexual orientation, sexuality, attachment, school/workplace stress and life transition.

Dr. Clement’s training is grounded in humanistic and existential theory, which she considers to be at the core of her therapeutic approach with clients. However, she also integrates theories of mind/body science with psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural and mindfulness-based approaches. She also has expertise in several trauma-focused therapies including EMDR, CPT, and PE.

Brittany Eisener, MSW

Brittany Eisner, MSW (On Leave)

Clinical Social Worker

Anxiety
Life Transitions. Life Circumstances
Issues of Self-Worth/ Self-Esteem

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Brittany Eisner, MSW

Brittany is a Clinical Social Worker who received her Masters in Social Work from Dalhousie University. She has experience in both non-profit and clinical settings and draws from her background working with survivors of abuse. Brittany practices from a warm, non-judgmental, and person-centered approach. She is passionate about exploring values, rediscovering self, and building on the skills and resiliency people are already bringing to the table. She works with individuals struggling with a range of issues, including anxiety, low mood, life transitions, issues of self-worth, and healthy boundary-setting.

Brittany’s therapeutic modalities include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness-based Therapy. She integrates these approaches with an empowerment, strengths-based, and trauma-informed lens. She is also trained in the WPATH Standards of Care and has experience providing readiness assessments for hormones and gender affirming surgeries.

Brittany Eisener, MSW
Selina Haltom, MSW, RSW

Clinical Social Worker

Women’s Trauma
Family Therapy
Depression and Anxiety

Q

Selina Haltom, MSW, RSW

Ms. Selina Haltom, Registered Social Worker, recently returned to Nova Scotia from North Western Ontario where she worked professionally with children, youth and adults impacted by sexualized violence. With over 15 years of therapeutic experience, Ms. Haltom looks to create a safe and judgement-free therapeutic space for each client. Ms. Haltom practices mind-body work and enjoys working with clients who struggle with common forms of anxiety, triggers, intimate relationship challenges, self-esteem, nightmares, panic attacks, intrusive thoughts and parent/caregiver support work.

In addition to her Master’s degree in Social Work, Ms. Haltom has specialty post-graduate training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, Internal Family Systems therapy, Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFT), and Sand-Tray therapy. Sessions can also include creative approaches, traditional CBT work, and narrative-informed practice.

Kentville Team

Offering both in-person and virtual sessions.

Wanda Schofield, MSW, RSW, MBA
Wanda Schofield, MSW, RSW, MBA

Clinical Social Worker

Couples Therapy
Medical Illness Support
Family Stress

Q

Wanda Schofield, MSW, RSW, MBA

Wanda Schofield, MSW, RSW, MBA is a highly experienced and trained Clinical Social Worker who specializes in a range of adult and family concerns such as grief and loss, depression, anxiety, substance use concerns, end-of-life planning, stress and coping. Ms. Schofield also very much enjoys working with couples from a solution-focused perspective. She strives to always take a client-centered approach, and focuses on the present while acknowledging how our past influences our life. Ms. Schofield is passionate about fostering client’s individual resiliency and self-care for their overall wellness.

Ms. Schofield is trained in and practices several therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing and Mindfulness Strategies.

Dr. Carissa Clement

Dr. Carissa Clement

Psychologist

Trauma
Post-Traumatic Growth
Resilience

Q

Dr. Carissa Clement, PSY.D.

Dr. Clement is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Michigan School of Professional Psychology and a Master’s in Forensic Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has diversified experience in a variety of settings including rural and urban community mental health, university health services, inpatient psychiatry and medicine, and private practice. Dr. Clement completed her residency in the valley (2009/2010), and has stayed in Nova Scotia since that time. She has worked in a number of areas within the health authority, including forensics, operational stress, and adult mental health.
Dr. Clement believes in meeting each client with a sense of compassion and curiosity, and values the significance of empathy and therapeutic alliance as both the foundation and catalyst for enhanced self-awareness, personal growth and meaningful transition. She works with adolescents (15+) and adults, providing individual and group therapy for people challenged with issues related to chronic medical conditions, trauma, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, sexual orientation, sexuality, attachment, school/workplace stress and life transition.

Dr. Clement’s training is grounded in humanistic and existential theory, which she considers to be at the core of her therapeutic approach with clients. However, she also integrates theories of mind/body science with psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural and mindfulness-based approaches. She also has expertise in several trauma-focused therapies including EMDR, CPT, and PE.

Brittany Eisener, MSW

Ms. Fiona Gordon, MA

Psychologist

Grief & Loss
Medical Stress
Student/Early Career Transition

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Ms. Fiona Gordon, MA

For Ms. Fiona Gordon, MA, curiosity, compassion and empathy are the starting place for her work with clients. Ms. Gordon is a licenced Counselling Psychologist that has over fourteen years of experience helping others to help manage the complexities that life can create. She enjoys working collaboratively with clients, proving then with tools and skills to overcome the personal challenges.
Ms. Gordon is trained and competent working with adults in a variety of areas including:

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD),
  • Grief and Loss,
  • Social Anxiety (including panic),
  • Medical/illness-related anxiety,
  • Depression, relationship difficulties
  • Caregiver fatigue
  • Adjustments across the life span
  • Role transitions; and
  • CBT-I (cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia)

Ms. Gordon also has a background with early career adults both in the health care and education sectors, and welcomes clients who find themselves in early career transition.
Ms. Gordon completed her graduate degree at McGill University in Montreal Quebec in 2008 and an internship at Concordia University. Her extensive training is evidence-based and grounded in cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness practice and self compassion models of care. She has a diversified experience in a variety of settings including university health services, medical practices, private practice and rural and urban community mental health.
In her spare time, Ms. Gordon enjoys staying active and in nature on the trails and lakes on Nova Scotia, developed a steady interest in acquiring new recipes from around the world and nurturing plants of all sizes.
Population: Individuals aged 19 and up
Presenting Issues: Anxiety, Depression, Adjustment, Life Transitions, Coping Skills, Stress, Grief and Loss

Virtual Team

Offering virtual only (video or telephone) sessions.

Tom Osborne, MSW
Jennifer Gracie, MSW

Clinical Social Worker

Addictive Behaviours
Emotional Stabilization
Workplace Burnout

Q

Jennifer Gracie, MSW

Ms. Gracie utilizes various evidence based therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness. She has experience in client assessments, intervention, consultation and treatment planning. Her focus is on client strengths, offering respect, advocacy and empathy.

Ms. Gracie’s areas of expertise and clinical interest are in helping clients with behaviour change (e.g., addictions issues, compulsive gambling or spending), as well as stress, overwhelm and workplace burnout.

Ms. Gracie, MSW is a Clinical Social Worker, licensed with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. She completed her Master’s Degree from University of New England and has over 15 years’ experience providing services to adults within hospital and community mental health settings.

Brittany Eisener, MSW

Danielle Harris, MSW

Clinical Social Worker

Behaviour Change
Life Transitions
Mood Difficulties

Q

Danielle Harris, MSW

Danielle Harris is a Clinical Social Worker who has always had a passion for helping others. She offers a welcoming and accepting space for all individuals; one in which a sense of safety and trust can be fostered. Danielle views therapy as a partnership, drawing from individual strengths and experiences, while offering feedback and practical tools to manage mental health difficulties. She is authentic, non-judgmental and inviting of discussions about any challenges her clients might be facing. She has noticed the value in using each individual session as an opportunity to inspire adjustment and growth; and she has observed the progress that can happen from gently guiding clients through their own personal recovery journey.

Danielle completed her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto, with a specialization in Health and Mental Health. She is registered with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers and has been providing mental health and addiction therapy since 2011. She has training and education in the areas of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Structured Relapse Prevention and Motivational Interviewing.

Population: Individuals aged 19 and up

Presenting Issues: Anxiety, Depression, Self Esteem, Addiction, Behavior Change, Emotion Regulation, Life Transitions, Adjustment, Coping Skills

Tom Osborne, MSW
Maggie Logue-Prest, MSW

Clinical Social Worker

Life Transitions
Healthy Changes & Routines
Effective Coping & Habit Formation

Q

Maggie Surette, MSW

Maggie Logue-Prest is a Clinical Social Worker currently living in the Valley. She loves spending time outdoors, being physically active and spending time with family. Maggie has always enjoyed helping people make meaningful changes in their lives and she has a warm and compassionate approach to therapy. She helps her clients identify their strengths and use those strengths in the difficulties they are having.

Maggie recognizes the inherent resilience in her clients and provides a safe and inviting space for them to move toward their valued direction in life. She is a generalist adult therapist who deals with a range of mental health issues. In particular, she enjoys supporting her clients to reconnect with themselves, which may include: creating healthy habits, developing assertiveness skills, improving self-esteem, setting boundaries, learning to love themselves, gain independence, establish their identity and purpose, and defining what they want in life. Maggie has experience working with individuals on a wide range of presenting concerns, including life transitions, behaviour change, addictions, anxiety, and depression. She has a strong background in providing group and individual support to family members who have a loved one who is unwell (dealing with mental health and/ or addictions concerns). Maggie understands that therapy is not a one size fits all model. She really listens to her clients and enjoys working collaboratively with them to make sure they feel heard and get what they need. If you are feeling disconnected from yourself and are looking to reignite your life in some way, she would love to have the opportunity to work with you. Virtual sessions only, provided to individuals across Nova Scotia.

Maggie received her Masters in Social Work from University of Toronto. She has been working with community based Mental Health and Addictions in Nova Scotia since 2016. She has experience providing individual and group therapy in a number of clinical settings, including healthcare, children’s mental health, and corrections. Maggie’s therapeutic modalities include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Structured Relapse Prevention (SRP).

Tom Osborne, MSW
Rebecca D’Entremont, MSW

Clinical Social Worker

Family Stress and Therapy
Chronic Health Conditions
Grief and Loss

Q

Rebecca D'Entremont, MSW

Rebecca is a Registered Clinical Social Worker who provides virtual services to individuals (ages 13+) and families. She is passionate about supporting individuals with chronic health conditions, individuals working through grief and loss, as well as family-related stressors. For instance, Rebecca has particular expertise in working with a diabetes diagnosis and can assist individuals in forming healthy behaviours and/or dealing with burnout from chronic conditions. Rebecca also enjoys supporting parents with family-related stress such as adapting to new parenting roles or adjusting to family transitions.

Rebecca works from a strengths-based approach. She completed her Master of Social Work at Dalhousie University and has been working in health care since 2010. She draws from approaches such as Acceptance and Committment Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy, and has training in family therapy.

Clinic Support Team

Kelly Abi-Daoud

Clinic Manager
Q

Kelly Abi-Daoud

Kelly was born and raised in Halifax. She completed a professional administrative course through the YWCA for young mothers in 1997. Kelly also studied Sociology and Psychology at Mount St. Vincent, then obtained her counselling diploma in 2005 from the Counsellors Training Institute in Halifax.

Through her work and many volunteer roles, Kelly has consistently supported adults diagnosed with mental illness living in our community. We admire her strong work ethic and robust knowledge and experience in both the administration and mental health fields. Kelly has graciously represented the face of Mindful Therapies since 2017; she was promoted to Office Manager in September of 2018.

Michele Walker

Kentville Administrative Support
Q

Michele Walker

Owner and Psychologist

Dr. Rebecca Boehm

Practice Owner, Registered Psychologist
Q

Dr. Rebecca Boehm

Dr. Boehm is a Registered Psychologist, who received her PhD at the University of Saskatchewan. She worked for a number of years in the Nova Scotia health care system in the areas of Addictions, Operational Stress Injury and Forensic Assessment. She started Mindful Therapies in 2016, and continues to offer diagnostic assessment services related to trauma and military service. She is currently on leave from therapy services.

Connect

Mindful Therapies Greenery

Dartmouth
168 Ochterloney Street
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Kentville
25 Webster Court
Kentville, Nova Scotia

902.576.3576
info@mindfultherapies.org

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As a private clinic, we’re unable to handle emergency situations. If you are in crisis, please call the Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team at 902-429-8167 / 1-888-429-8167 (Toll Free), 911 or attend your nearest emergency department.

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