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
Mental Health Therapy Services for children, teens, adults, couples, families in Sydney Nova Scotia
Phone: 902-577-5853 Fax: 902-270-5556
We are happy to announce that Katrina Paruch, RTC-C, has joined our team! Katrina is offering in-person and virtual therapy services for youth ages 16+, adults and couples and she is currently accepting new clients.
The rest of the team continues to offer in-person and virtual therapy services, though we currently have a waitlist.
To book with Katrina or to get on the waitlist for another of our therapists, please contact Lauren at info@thrivecapebreton.com and she will help you.
We are welcoming three counselling students, Ethan, Samantha and Robyn, in early May to staff our student clinic. Our student clinic is full at this time but you are welcome to reach out to be placed on the waitlist. You can contact Lauren at info@thrivecapebreton.com
Therapy is currently being provided through in-person sessions at our office at 295 George Street in Sydney, as well as through secure video and by phone. Please choose the option that feels right for you.
COMPASSION, CARE, COLLABORATION, RESPECT
FEELING LISTENED TO AND TRULY HEARD AND UNDERSTOOD
BEING IN A SAFE SPACE OF ACCEPTANCE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOURSELF
HAVING SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE ON THE PATH OF HEALING
At Thrive, this is the experience you can expect to have. Individual therapy/ counselling services are available for children, adolescents and adults. As well, couples/ marriage counselling and family therapy are available. We embrace a trauma informed, culturally sensitive practice. We believe that healthy relationships form the foundation of truly joyful lives. Learning how to embrace self-compassion, to deeply connect with a partner/ spouse, to understand the needs of a child or accept support from a parent, is often the path to peace.
All therapy sessions are offered on a flexible schedule.
295 George Street, Suites 203 and 204, Sydney, NS B1P 1J7
By appointment only. Therapy services are offered on a flexible schedule.
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, and DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) skills. As you can see, I love to learn! 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. I believe there are many pathways to healing and I meet people where they are, working together to explore, understand and heal.
Deanne is not currently accepting new clients
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 currently on leave from her position at Thrive. If you have questions or need assistance please contact us at info@thrivecapebreton.com
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 can be reached directly at jessica@thrivecapebreton.com
Jessica is not accepting new clients at this time and her waitlist is closed
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 can be reached directly at chelsea@thrivecapebreton.com
Chelsea is accepting new clients to her waitlist only
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 can be reached directly at julie@thrivecapebreton.com
Julie is accepting new clients to her waitlist only
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 can reached at christina@thrivecapebreton.com
Christina is accepting new clients to her waitlist only
Hello! I'm Miranda Hall, a Registered Social Worker affiliated with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. Having spent most of my life in Cape Breton, I have been practicing social work in this community for the past seven years. My utmost passion lies in assisting children, adults, couples, and families who call this place home. I strive to provide a safe and supportive space where individuals and families can heal from past negative experiences and explore effective strategies to achieve their goals. In my downtime, I enjoy walking my dog Luna, staying active through exercise, and reading books that enhance my ability to support individuals and families impacted by trauma.
My educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies from Cape Breton University, a Bachelor of Social Work from St. Thomas University, and a Master of Social Work from Dalhousie University. Throughout my career, I have held diverse social work positions, including clinical therapist in healthcare, intensive home-based family social worker in the non-profit sector, and most recently, counselling manager at Kids Help Phone. Taking a relational standpoint, I employ strengths-based and narrative approaches to help individuals and families make sense of and give voice to their lived experiences.
Working primarily with children and youth, I am particularly enthusiastic about incorporating play into therapy sessions. By providing a flexible and enjoyable environment, I strive to support the healing process for children and youth, while also assisting parents in exploring ways to strengthen their relationships with their children. In my practice, I adhere to principles of trauma-informed care, attachment theory, strengths-based approaches, a social justice orientation, and an intersectional lens. Embracing an intersectional lens ensures that I maintain reflexivity and continuously challenge myself to understand and appreciate diverse perspectives and experiences, both my own and those of the individuals I work with.
In addition to my primary therapeutic approaches, such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Somatic Experiencing (SE), and Feminist-Narrative therapy, I integrate various other modalities to suit the unique needs of each individual or family.
My dedication to social work stems from a deep-rooted belief in the inherent resilience and potential for growth within individuals and families. I am committed to facilitating positive change, fostering healing, and promoting social justice within our community.
Miranda can be reached at miranda@thrivecapebreton.com
Miranda is accepting clients to her waitlist only
Hello! My name is Katrina Paruch and I am a Registered Counselling Therapist (Candidate) with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. Through the course of my life I have worked in business management, as a personal support worker for people with physical disabilities, and as a pastor. I've also lived both in Cape Breton and in various places in BC, including Nanaimo, Vancouver, and Abbotsford. This experience has allowed me to get to know people from a vast array of backgrounds, experiences, and worldviews, and to expand my own in the process.
I believe that every individual is unique and there is no cookie cutter, one-size-fits-all method to therapy, so I take a person-centered approach that positions you as the expert on yourself and me as your guide and support. You and I will work together collaboratively to define the problem to be addressed, explore factors that are contributing to the difficulties or challenges you are facing, create long-term goals, and develop a plan to help you get to where you want to be.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts from Summit Pacific College in BC and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University in New Brunswick. I have trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and am in the process of completing Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist training. Currently I work with youth 16+, individual adults, and couples.
Katrina is currently accepting new clients. Please email info@thrivecapebreton.com if you are a new client wanting to book with Katrina.
Katrina can be reached directly at katrina@thrivecapebreton.com
Hello! I'm Lauren Ripley, a Social Work Candidate (SWC) registered with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. Holding a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Interdisciplinary Studies with majors in psychology and criminology, accompanied by a minor in sociology, I further pursued my education with a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from St. Thomas University. Presently, I am completing my Master of Social Work at the University of Waterloo. I am doing a student placement with Thrive offering services through the Intern Counselling Clinic from January -June 2024.
My professional journey includes prior work as a researcher delving into narrative, spirituality, and identity, significantly influencing my therapeutic approach. Informed by humanistic, narrative, and structural theories, my practice underscores the significance of context, individual experiences, and the frameworks shaping our worldviews. My primary aim is to cultivate a safe, non-judgmental environment for collaborative and supportive therapeutic conversations, enabling the exploration of personal goals, challenges, and strengths.
When I am not at work, I find joy in activities like gardening, spending quality time with family, crafting, and repurposing old furniture. I look forward to meeting you and starting our therapeutic journey together!
Lauren can be reached at info@thrivecapebreton.com She is our intake coordinator as well as a therapist in our student clinic. Lauren is accepting new clients to her waitlist
Hi! My name is Samantha Stone. I am currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program at Yorkville University, and I am very excited to be offering services through the Intern Counselling Clinic with Thrive Counselling in May 2024.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Dalhousie University and an Advanced Diploma in Behavioral Interventions from Nova Scotia Community College. I had spent the last ten years working with children and families across Cape Breton and this has helped shape my therapeutic approach. I want clients to feel safe, supported, and fully engaged throughout the therapeutic process. Creating a non-judgmental environment, that promotes collaboration and growth is incredibly important, and developing a plan that is suited to each client’s individual needs and personality is crucial. Due to the unique experience and worldview that each client brings, my approach is more eclectic in nature, pulling from various theories and approaches, as needed.
Living in Cape Breton, and being born in Newfoundland, has led to a deep appreciation for the ocean. I feel at peace when I’m by the water and I cannot imagine a more beautiful place to live. In my spare time you can find me spending quality time with family, friends, and my dog. I also really enjoy traveling, reading, and watching cooking shows. I look forward to connecting with and working with my future clients!
Samantha will begin seeing clients through the student clinic in May 2024. Please contact info@thrivecapebreton.com to be added to the waitlist
Hello! My name is Ethan Usher and I am currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program at Yorkville University. I am extremely excited to be offering services through Thrive Counselling’s student clinic from May to December 2024 as a part of my practicum.
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree (Hons) in psychology from Cape Breton University where I also worked as a peer support worker for the Nancy Dingwall Health Center. Since then, I have been working towards becoming a registered psychotherapist while working and volunteering in the community. I have a fairly eclectic approach to therapy that blends elements of humanistic psychology, solution-focused therapy, existentialism, and mindfulness. I believe that learning is a lifelong pursuit and I look forward to gaining more insight and knowledge through this experience. Ultimately, I believe in meeting a person where they are at and using an approach that works best for them to reach their desired goals.
In my free time, I enjoy playing guitar, getting immersed in a great story, and spending time outdoors with my partner, our golden retriever Honey, and our tuxedo cat Momo. I am very excited to have this opportunity and am very much looking forward to working together and learning from one another.
Ethan will begin seeing clients through the student clinic in May 2024. Please contact info@thrivecapebreton.com to be added to the waitlist
Hi! My name is Robyn Shibinette. I am currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program at Yorkville University and I am thrilled to be offering services at Thrive in the student internship clinic.
Prior to pursing the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program at Yorkville, I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with an Advanced Major in research on nursing student burnout from Cape Breton University. Since graduating, I have worked as a Registered Nurse for 4 years, mainly in acute care units throughout the healthcare field. More recently, my nursing focus has led me to inpatient mental health. As a nurse, my passion has always been connecting and walking with patients through some of their toughest times. This passion for connection and willingness to support individuals and their families through grief, loss, sickness and struggle, is what lead me to a career in counselling.
My hope is that clients can find comfort and acceptance while receiving therapy. My therapeutic approach is collaborative and flexible in nature so you feel you will get what you need most out of therapy. With that, I tend to lean toward an elective, trauma-informed approach with an interest in Emotion-Focused Therapy, Attachment Theory and, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy techniques. Nonetheless, the foundation of all these modalities is building a relationship where individuals feel listened to, supported and understood. Throughout sessions, you can expect to be met with professionalism, humility and humor.
Let’s meet you where you are, and we will go from there.
Robyn will begin seeing clients through the student clinic in May 2024. Please contact info@thrivecapebreton.com to be added to the waitlist
Copyright © 2024 Thrive Counselling and Consulting - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy