Welcome to Thrive Counselling and Consulting
Mental Health Therapy Services for children, teens, adults, couples, families in Sydney Nova Scotia
Phone: 902-577-5853 Fax: 902-270-5556
About Thrive
Meet the Team
Deanne Matheson, MSW, RSW
Hello! My name is Deanne Matheson. I am a Registered Social Worker with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) and I have been a social worker for over 20 years. I am originally from Cape Breton but I have lived in Ontario and the US for most of my adult life. I have been back in Cape Breton for a few years and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do what I love in a place that has always been in my heart. I am passionate about experiences and initiatives that contribute to a healthy community. Building Thrive has been fueled by that passion. I spend my time with my kids and my pets, and being active and out in nature as much as I can.
Educational Background and Professional Training
I have a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Psychology as well as a Bachelor of Social Work from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. Between those two degrees I completed the Social Service Worker diploma at Algonquin College. I have a Master of Social Work, Clinical Concentration, from University of Maryland, Baltimore. I have had the privilege of working with individuals of all ages as well as couples, families and groups in a variety of settings. I have training in a variety of therapies, including Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, Emotionally Focused Family Therapy, Mindfulness, Emotion Focused Therapy, DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) skills, and Trauma Informed Yoga. As you can see, I love to learn! And I am committed to bringing the most effective models of therapy to my clients. I am a trauma informed therapist and I am knowledgeable about the effects of trauma, as well as the most effective ways of healing from trauma. My clinical work is informed by attachment theory, which works from the perspective that our early experiences in many ways shape our current life experiences.
Deanne is currently not accepting new clients
Rebecca Walker, RCT-C
Welcome! My name is Rebecca Walker and I am a Registered Counselling Therapist Candidate (RCT-C) with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. I’ve spent a number of years working within the non-profit sector of Cape Breton, and have a great appreciation for the beauty, hospitality, and community connection that is found in our backyard. I am grateful for life’s simple but precious moments, and love spending most of my time in nature-even during our Cape Breton winters. I believe in healing, and that the small steps really matter.
Educational Background and Professional Training
I have a Bachelor of Science from Cape Breton University and a Masters in Counselling from Yorkville University. My preference is to work from a compassionate and supportive framework. I recognize that everyone must heal in their own way and at their own pace. I prefer to practice using experiential styles of therapy, which focus on the innate healing resources that we all possess. Some of the therapies that I use, include Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Somatic Experiencing (SE). Oftentimes, this will involve working with emotion and the nervous system, to support healing. I believe that we are born with, and possess internal resources to move toward wellness, but that these are sometimes misplaced by chronic stress (e.g. “survival mode”).
I practice as a trauma-informed therapist, and my approach is attachment based and informed by interpersonal neurobiology. This approach emphasizes the need that all individuals have for connection while considering the impact of our past experiences with our ability to continuously adapt.
Rebecca is accepting new clients
Jessica Roper, MSW, RSW
Hello! My Name is Jessica and I am a registered social worker with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. I have been a social worker for 12 years and have spent the majority of my career in clinical practice in various sectors. As a therapist, I believe the best journeys we take with our clients are the ones in which we learn as much from them as they do from us. I believe our early experiences impact the way in which we view ourselves and others and that healing does not occur in isolation, but rather in meaningful, safe connection with others. When not in the office, I am most often found hiking mountains with my Standard Poodle, Sampson James, camping or reading books while consuming altogether too much coffee.
Educational Background and Professional Training
I have a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Cape Breton University, A Bachelor of Social Work and a Masters of Social Work, both from the University of Windsor Ontario. I have had the pleasure of working with individuals, couples and families across the lifespan. A large portion of my career was spent travelling and working throughout Cape Breton’s rural and indigenous communities.
My clinical practice is informed primarily by attachment theory and an IFS informed lens. I am trained in Emotion Focused Therapy for couples, Somatic Experiencing, EMDR including the DeTUR protocol often used in the treatment of substance use disorders, DBR (Deep Brain Reorienting), IFS informed, Experiential Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for adults, adolescents and children (CBT-TF), Cognitive Processing Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, and Harm Reduction/Relapse Prevention therapies.
I enjoy working with individuals (including adolescents), couples and families for a variety of concerns, including trauma, anxiety, depression and negative beliefs about the self.
Jessica is accepting new clients
Chelsea McQueen, RTC-C
Hello! My name is Chelsea McQueen, and I am a Registered Counselling Therapist (Candidate) with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. I strive on setting and meeting goals, building trusting and healthy relationships, and I construct this based on my ability to practice unconditional positive regard. I continue to use this mentality as a therapist and believe that everyone can benefit from discussing many life stressors that can shape roadblocks in our everyday lives. I enjoy spending lots of time with family, exercising, and playing basketball. I love sports and art! I also look forward to early mornings with my two golden retrievers, Duke and Tucker, and my extra-large hot coffee!
Educational Background
I have a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, and two undergrad degrees, a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from Mount Saint Vincent University, where I played five years on Women’s Basketball Team. I spent several years working within the education system; specifically with school aged children. I travelled to Northern Quebec where I taught English as a second language and broadened my cultural competence. Although I appreciate my time as an educator, my true passion is in counselling psychology. After two years of teaching in the North, I travelled back to Cape Breton to substitute as an elementary school teacher. I realized my passion for psychology was outweighing my passion for education, so I made the decision to complete my master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. My counselling philosophy is based off the connections and attachments we make in the first five years of our lives, and how this can influence how we think, feel, and act. I have training in EFIT (Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy) and I use other modalities such as CBT and somatic based practices in my clinical work.
Chelsea is accepting new clients
Julienne Cordy, RTC-C
Hello! I’m glad you’re here. My name is Julienne, but you can call me Julie! I’m a Registered Counselling Therapist (Candidate) (RCT-C) with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. Funny story, I started out as a Marine Biologist and then followed my family’s footsteps into the financial industry; but my heart brought me back to my first great interest of psychology and helping people.
As I watched mental health crises start to rise in our communities, in combination with my own healing journey and experience with therapy, there was no question about pursuing a career in the counselling field. My other passions include the performing arts (e.g. acting, theatre, film, music), and when I’m not in the office you would likely find me goofing off on the set of a film somewhere, or home with my cat either writing, painting, singing, or playing music. Oh, and drinking A LOT of tea. I am an all-round Art enthusiast and deeply believe in the power of creativity and human connection.
Background & Education
I graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Co-op Marine Biology and obtained my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) degree from Yorkville University. I spent the last 10 years getting to know people on Cape Breton Island through my business and have over 300 hours of volunteer experience with the Crisis Textline, where I guided texters of all ages in crisis to a cool calm.
My priority here, is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for you to be seen, heard, and understood, as well as offer emotional support and tools to help you work through your challenges and achieve your goals. I use an integrative approach that includes emotion-focused and solution-focused therapies with a heavy emphasis on person-centered philosophies and psychodynamic/experiential treatments. My practice is always through a trauma-informed, attachment-based, and culturally sensitive lens. I have experience working with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), Sensory Processing Disorders, CPTSD, PTSD, ADHD, and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), in addition to adolescents over 12 years and adults. I offer Individual and couples therapy.
Julie not currently accepting new clients
Lee Covin, MSW, RSW
Educational Background and Professional Training
I graduated with an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts in Peace/Conflict Studies from Mount Saint Vincent University, a Bachelor and Masters of Social Work from Dalhousie University. My clinical training was mostly supervised in Northern Canada and is grounded in trauma informed, neurobiological, and attachment based approaches to practice. This is further informed by an anti-oppressive/critical perspective lens. My sole focus for private practice is to help people to work through their experiences of trauma with the use of EMDR (Leeds Model): I’ve participated in both basic and advanced trainings. I am engaged in bi-weekly consultation to ensure ongoing development of knowledge and skill in EMDR. On a side note, I am also a certified Level 1 Instructor in Chaoyi Fanhuan Qigong. Thank you very kindly for reading my profile & I look forward to working with you!
Lee is accepting new clients
Christina Hymers, MSW, RSW
Hello! My name is Christina Hymers. I am a registered Social Worker with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) and have been a social worker for 20 years. Although born on the west coast, Nova Scotia is where I call home. I have had the pleasure of working in several provinces throughout my career, always moving closer to the East Coast. Currently I have the privilege of working with a marginalized population, following my passion in working with people and being a part of building stronger communities. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, enjoying local culture through the many forms of art (theatre, music, museums, painting), and grounding myself in nature. You will likely find me on the water in a kayak, or hiking a beautiful trail searching for a waterfall.
Professional Background and Training
I have a Bachelors of Social Work through St. Thomas University in Fredericton, NB, and a Masters in Social Work from Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, ON. I have spent most of my career working in Mental Health with couples, individuals, and groups of all ages. I have had the privilege of serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces for the past 15 years, specializing in trauma. I am trained in a variety of evidenced based therapies, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), PE (Prolonged Exposure), CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy), SE (Somatic Experiencing), EFT (Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) skills, including Mindfulness, CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), and EAP (Equine Assisted Psychotherapy). My practice is always through a trauma informed, attachment based and neurobiological lens. My areas of specialization include trauma (developmental/attachment, and complex trauma/PTSD), couples therapy, treatment of anxiety, adjustment, anger and depression.
Christina is accepting new clients
Miranda Hall, MSW intern, Dalhousie University
Hello! My name is Miranda Hall. I am a Registered Social Worker with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. I have lived in Cape Breton my entire life, and I have been a practicing social worker here for the last six years and I am passionate about helping and supporting children, adults, and families who live here too. My passion is offering a safe space for individuals and families to heal from negative experiences and explore various ways to cope and achieve their goals. During my downtime, I enjoy walking my Aussie Shepherd Luna, exercising, and reading books to improve how I can support individuals and families who experience the effects of trauma.
Educational and Professional Background
I have a Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies from Cape Breton University; a Bachelor of Social Work from St. Thomas University and I am currently in my last year of the Master of Social Work program at Dalhousie University. I have worked in various social work positions including health care where I practiced as a clinical therapist, the non-for-profit sector where I practiced as an intensive home-based family social worker and most recently as a counselling manager at Kids Help Phone. By working from a relational standpoint, I utilize feminist and narrative approaches to help those I work alongside to make sense and story their lived experiences. I have worked with children and youth throughout my career and am enthusiastic about bringing play into sessions to support children and youth to heal in a flexible and fun environment as well as supporting parents to explore ways of connecting and strengthening their relationship with their children. My practice is based on principles of trauma-informed care, attachment theory, strengths-based approaches, a social justice orientation, and an intersectional lens. An intersectional lens ensures that I am reflexive and that I continue to challenge myself to learn different ways of seeing and understanding my own and others’ experiences.
Miranda is not accepting new clients. Our student clinic is currently full.