OUR PRACTITIONERS

THE CCMHS PROVIDES CANADA-WIDE IN-PERSON AND TELEHEALTH MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES. THE CCMHS DOES NOT PROVIDE CRISIS SERVICES. IN THE EVENT OF A CRISIS, PLEASE GO TO YOUR NEAREST HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM, OR CALL 9-1-1 OR THE TOLL FREE 24H CRISIS LINE AT 1-866-996-0991 FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. THE CCMHS TEAM WILL BE HAPPY TO ASSESS YOU ONCE YOUR SYMPTOMS HAVE BEEN STABILIZED.

Our Holistic Team

The CCMHS collaborative care team involves two Care Coordinators as well as several Psychologists, Counsellors, Psychotherapists, Social Workers, Mental Performance Consultants, Medical Doctors, and Psychiatrists, all of whom are in good standing with their regulatory body, and meet requirements to practice in Canada. This team is unique and comprehensive in that it includes all core mental health and mental performance practitioners who are in a position to positively impact clients seeking to improve their mental health, mental performance, and mental illness symptoms.

Meet Our Practitioners

We have a team of 32 practitioners with diverse skill sets and areas of practice, which allows us to offer high quality, flexible, adaptable, and comprehensive care. Our practitioners cover Canada's wide landscape from Prince Edward Island to British Columbia, and all have experience working in sport settings. We also have bilingual practitioners who can serve our francophone clients. Our team can provide care either in person or via our secure online platform. Click on each practitioner's bio to learn more about them.

  • ANNA ABRAHAM | PSYCHOTHERAPIST | MPC

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    I am a registered Psychotherapist (CRPO) providing counselling and mental performance consultations in my hometown of Ottawa.

    With a passion for tackling mental health in sport, I completed a Master of Arts degree in Counselling and Spirituality from Saint Paul University and a Master of Human Kinetics degree in Intervention and Consultation from the University of Ottawa.

    I am currently the varsity sport Mental Health Coordinator for the University of Ottawa and the Mental Performance Consultant for their Women's Basketball team. I am also the Educator of Performance Psychology at The School of Dance in Ottawa.

    As a lifelong athlete, I have achieved my black belt in tae kwon do and have recovered from several sport-related injuries. I can personally attest to the immense value of mental wellness in the pursuit of athletic performance.

  • MATTHEW BAIN | PHD CAN | PSYCHOLOGIST | MPC

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    I have been on a Ph.D. journey for a few years, specializing in clinical and research psychology with Walden University before taking my ideas and interests to the University of Queensland. I am currently a Ph.D. candidate in sport psychology in the department of human movement and nutrition sciences. I have proudly been a mental performance consultant, privately practicing in Alberta since 2012. Private practice has allowed me to work with diverse individual populations (elite and developing athletes, executives, coaches, and teams). Career diversity has afforded me the opportunities to teach at the post-secondary level, be a member of Canada Games integrated support teams in 2013 and 2017, and design and deliver psychological services and professional development in many subject areas. These opportunities heightened my awareness of the demands of many different professions, people, and processes involved in staying healthy and performing well.

    Education has been a priority in my life. I have prioritized a versatile journey over the years inclusive of an undergraduate degree, two graduate degrees, and currently completing my Ph.D. Through education and experience, the result is both valuable in career exploration and the development of an eclectic therapeutic style. My style is informed using backgrounds such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (and various adaptations, i.e., mindfulness-based CBT), dialectal behaviour therapy, and solution-focused brief therapy. My doctoral work has included exploring and developing ideas looking at attachment and high-performance coaching, efficacy in coaching emerging high-performance athletes, and currently, personality and motivation in high-performance and elite athletes.

    In addition to my professional and educational ambitions, I am a father to two busy and joyful young boys, a proud husband, and a committed community advocate. I also dabble in my past sports, having been a triathlete and swimmer in years gone by and a former University football player. I enjoy learning about how today’s athletes learn and hone their crafts to the highest desired level and remain committed and lifelong participants in the world of sport.

    I have been on a Ph.D. journey for a few years, specializing in clinical and research psychology with Walden University before taking my ideas and interests to the University of Queensland. I am currently a Ph.D. candidate in sport psychology in the department of human movement and nutrition sciences. I have proudly been a mental performance consultant, privately practicing in Alberta since 2012. Private practice has allowed me to work with diverse individual populations (elite and developing athletes, executives, coaches, and teams). Career diversity has afforded me the opportunities to teach at the post-secondary level, be a member of Canada Games integrated support teams in 2013 and 2017, and design and deliver psychological services and professional development in many subject areas. These opportunities heightened my awareness of the demands of many different professions, people, and processes involved in staying healthy and performing well.

    Education has been a priority in my life. I have prioritized a versatile journey over the years inclusive of an undergraduate degree, two graduate degrees, and currently completing my Ph.D. Through education and experience, the result is both valuable in career exploration and the development of an eclectic therapeutic style. My style is informed using backgrounds such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (and various adaptations, i.e., mindfulness-based CBT), dialectal behaviour therapy, and solution-focused brief therapy. My doctoral work has included exploring and developing ideas looking at attachment and high-performance coaching, efficacy in coaching emerging high-performance athletes, and currently, personality and motivation in high-performance and elite athletes.

    In addition to my professional and educational ambitions, I am a father to two busy and joyful young boys, a proud husband, and a committed community advocate. I also dabble in my past sports, having been a triathlete and swimmer in years gone by and a former University football player. I enjoy learning about how today’s athletes learn and hone their crafts to the highest desired level and remain committed and lifelong participants in the world of sport.

  • VÉRONIQUE BOUDREAULT | PHD | PSYCHOLOGIST IN ON & QC | MPC

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    I have a PhD in clinical psychology with a specialization in health and sport psychology from Laval University, Québec. I practice in both Québec and Ontario. I have also been working as a Mental Performance Consultant with INS Quebec athletes and coaches since 2015. Through the years, I have worked in diverse sport and health contexts (high school, hospital, private practice) and with different populations (elite, student-athletes, cardiac patients). Being accustomed to working in collaboration with coaches, kinesiologists, physiotherapists, physicians, and nutritionists, I value being able to offer integrated support to my clients.

    Through my education and experiences, I have developed a strong background in cognitive-behaviroal therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Within my clinical psychology practice, I have mainly worked with adults suffering from anxiety and mood disorders. I am currently a full-time substitute professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Québec in Trois-Rivières, Québec. In this position, I work as a clinical supervisor and teach CBT to doctoral students in clinical psychology. I am also conducting research projects aiming to better understand the performance and well-being of elite athletes.

    Besides my professional activities, I maintain a healthy lifestyle and I am always searching for outdoor adventures to enjoy beautiful scenery and cultivate mindfulnesss. A former athlete in cross country skiing, track and field and mountain biking, I now enjoy these activities as my main hobbies, in addition to my yoga practice and love for backcountry snowboarding.

  • SUSAN COCKLE | PSYCHOLOGIST | MPC

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    I am a registered psychologist (Alberta) with over two decades of experience in counselling psychology. I am also a mental performance consultant and professional member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association, specializing in mental skills for optimal performance. As a former athlete in volleyball, field hockey, and athletics (sprints), as well as a long time runner, I know the value of sport in life.

    I first began my counselling career providing one-on-one and group counselling to children and youth in northern Alberta aboriginal communities. I soon learned that if I played volleyball with the youth in the community, they would be more likely to attend my counselling sessions. So began my early love and passion for the combination of sport and mental health.

    Over the years, I have learned much from developmental to Olympic level athletes and coaches with whom I have worked. I have been inspired by their courage in speaking about the stressors and mental health struggles they face, and their commitment to positive growth and change. This, plus my formal training and ongoing professional development, allows me to provide evidence based-interventions for athletes and coaches dealing with mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, disordered eating, injury recovery, stress in high performance sport, etc. I truly believe that working on mental-health as well as mental skills leads to optimal performance in sport and life.

    It is this belief that drove me to create C4Success, an online mental skills training program. Athletes, coaches, and teams, as well as sport academies are now using this online resource. I have prepared athletes for 3 Olympic games (2 summer, 1 winter), world championships, national competitions and Canada games. I have successfully aided high performance athletes in psychological recovery from injury and in transition out of sport. As a sport parent, I am also interested in supporting parents to best cope with the emotional rigours of high performance sport.

  • TARA COSTELLO | MPC

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    I am a professional member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association. In terms of education, I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Prince Edward Island, and a Master of Arts degree in Human Kinetics with specialization in sport psychology from the University of Ottawa.

    I have over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and teams in their pursuit of resiliency, emotional intelligence, and performance under pressure. I have over 30 years of involvement in sport as an athlete, coach, post-secondary educator, and mental performance consultant. I have my own training/consulting company called Ahead in the Game Inc.

    I have worked with youth and adults from a variety of populations, including professional and amateur hockey players, Special Olympics national and provincial athletes, nationally ranked junior tennis players, Canadian youth Olympic team members, world junior curling champions, and other regional and national athletes.

    I have refined a process that supports athletes in developing a number of key mental habits for success and satisfaction in sport. I am also the creator of the Ahead Sport Mind Training app.

    I work within a team of mental health professionals, servicing clients with P.T.S.D. and other mental health issues, at Serene View Ranch in Alexander PEI. I deliver trauma-informed equine therapy using concepts of mindfulness and self-regulation. I am inspired by the power of horses in helping humans to achieve empowerment and healing.

    I competed in the sport of field hockey at both the Canada Games and varsity levels. I also competed in distance running for over 10 years, including the 10km, half marathon and full marathons distances. For relaxation, I love to paint, sing and go the beach. I live with my husband Patrick and son Nathaniel in rural PEI.

  • ALEXIA DE MACAR | PHD | DIETITIAN

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    I have been working as a performance dietitian for over 17 years. With a PhD in Sports Nutrition and extensive experience in the field, I have been working in several high-level sport and artistic environments (e.g., Institut National du Sport du Québec, Cirque du Soleil, École supérieure de ballet, several NSOs). Having guided countless athletes towards fulfilling their Olympic dream or reaching the podium during major competitions, it allowed me to acquire a profound knowledge of how the world of sports and performance works.

    Over the course of my career, I have developed advanced expertise with athletes and artists who have a difficult relationship with food or live with an eating disorder. In collaboration with Jodie Richardson, Ph.D. and clinical psychologist, we recently founded the organization Dare to Fuel Performance. This project aims to educate, support, and empower all sport and health professionals who work closely with athletes on topics such as early identification, effective intervention processes, treatment and optimal management of eating disorders.

    I firmly believe in taking a collaborative approach where athletes are an integral part of the process and interdisciplinary efforts are essential. This fosters close cooperation with other members of the support team, thereby ensuring that any and all aspects are taken into consideration to help athletes achieve their goals. Based in Montreal, I am bilingual and work with athletes in French and English.

  • POPPY DESCLOUDS | PHD | MPC

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    I was inspired to pursue a career as a Mental Performance Consultant after my long-time training and involvement in the performing arts. I completed my undergraduate degree in Communications and Cultural Studies at Concordia University, and both my Master of Human Kinetics (Intervention and Consultation) and PhD in Human Kinetics (Psychosocial sciences) at the University of Ottawa. I am a professional member and managing council member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association, and work in a variety of performance-based settings including sport, dance, music, and education. My consulting work is focused on helping performers of all kinds to practice and perform optimally with curiosity, optimism, and resilience.

    Through my holistic approach to mental performance consulting, I strive to help clients use their minds and bodies in complementary ways by uncovering, developing, and harnessing their mental, physical, and emotional resources. I have worked with clients from a range of competitive, vocational, and recreational contexts. I have also implemented my work at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, researching and advising on emotional wellness in clinical health and education contexts. My dissertation was focused on the impact of smartphone usage on well-being and performance experiences, and I continue to work and research in the fields of mental performance consulting, athlete mental health, and child and youth mental health and addictions.

  • LORI DITHURBIDE | PHD | MPC

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    I am a Mental Performance Consultant and professional member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association (CSPA). I have also earned the International Olympic Committee’s Certificate in Mental Health in Elite Sport and am a certified Sport Scientist (Mental Performance) with Sport Scientist Canada. I specialize in Mental Performance Consulting and work with Olympic and high-performance amateur athletes of varying ages and backgrounds. My education and qualifications combined with my athletic and coaching backgrounds enable me to provide support and consultation in the area of mental performance, as well as facilitate an understanding of the demands of high-performance sport. I am fluent in French and English.

    I have had various types of involvement in competitive and recreational sport for over 30 years. I grew up in a rural community on Cape Breton Island, participating competitively in sports including hockey, baseball, softball, tennis, badminton, and golf. I have coached competitive male and female hockey, including boys AAA hockey. I also am a certified Competition Coach with Curling Canada and coached Dalhousie University’s Women’s Varsity Curling team to a National Bronze medal performance in 2019. I am currently the lead MPC for Gymnastics Canada Women’s Artistic Gymnastics National Team.

    I am an Associate Professor at Dalhousie University in the School of Health and Human Performance (Kinesiology) and cross-appointed to the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and the School of Physiotherapy. I teach courses in sport and exercise psychology at both the undergraduate and graduate level. My area of research includes team dynamics, athlete and coach mental wellbeing, and interactions between athletes, coaches and technology in sport.

    I obtained a PhD in Kinesiology (Psychosocial Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity) with a special interest in group and team dynamics from Michigan State University. I also hold a Master’s degree in Physical and Health Education from Brock University, and a Bachelor's degree (Honours First Class) in Psychology from Saint Mary’s University.

  • LAURA FARRES | PHD | COUNSELLOR | MPC

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    I am a professional member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association (CSPA), a Registered Clinical Counsellor with BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC), a Chartered Professional Coach (Ch.P.C.) with Coaches Association of Canada (CAC), and a Learning Facilitator for the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).

    I have a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Ottawa. My formal training is in the area of educational psychology and the psychology of performance. For over 20 years, I have had the privilege to support a number of national, provincial and regional organizations as a Mental Performance Consultant.

    I have provided consulting services to BC provincial teams at Canada Summer and Winter Games and I have worked with Canadian athletes at Olympic, Paralympic and Special Olympic Games, and World Championships in a range of sports.

    I have supervised emerging MPCs and counsellors in internship programs through Special Olympics BC and Douglas College Athletics.

    More recently, I have expanded my practice to include clinical counselling services and am currently working with performers from various backgrounds and experiences to address mental health concerns.

    I am also very proud to have contributed to the Canadian Sport Psychology Association over the years as a member of the Managing Council and as Chair of the Review Committee.

    Finally, as an educator, I hold faculty and adjunct professorships at Douglas College (Sport Science Department), University of British Columbia (Theatre Department), and City University of Seattle (Master of Counselling Psychology).

    I am passionate about the field of performance. I strive to create safe and compassionate environments where clients can explore their own understanding of who they are and what they want to accomplish. I believe that individuals are the experts on themselves and active agents in their own change. I view counselling and consulting as a collaborative process where individuals need to be supported to recognize their strengths, explore past, present and future understandings and approaches, and move forward in ways that are meaningful and relevant to them.

  • CLARE FEWSTER | COUNSELLOR | MPC

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    I have a Master of Arts degree in Human Kinetics with specialization in Sport Psychology from the University of Ottawa and a Master of Counselling degree from Athabasca University. I am a professional member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association and serve on the Managing Council as the Alberta Representative. I am also a certified Canadian Counsellor through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

    I have been working as a Mental Performance Consultant in Calgary with athletes of all levels, for almost 20 years. My specialty is working with adolescent and young adult athletes at the National Sport School and Canadian Sport Institute-Calgary, and also within my private practice. I have enjoyed working with athletes who have attended various Olympic and Paralympic Games, including those in Salt Lake City, Rio, and Peyong Chang, and also with local and provincial athletes at the Canada Winter Games. Throughout my extensive career, I have worked with athletes from a huge variety of sports including, but not limited to, gymnastics, speedskating, synchronized and speed swimming, biathlon, alpine, Nordic and freestyle skiing, snowboarding, figure skating, hockey, water polo, golf, equestrian, tennis, and soccer. I have been both the Mental Performance Consultant and Counselor at the National Sport School in Calgary for over 15 years, helping athletes to develop their mental fitness, build confidence, create self-awareness, and ultimately increase their capacity to perform on demand.

    I continue to participate in sports and occasionally compete in triathlons when it fits into my busy family schedule. With two boys aged 11 and 13, I find myself enjoying and supporting their soccer, hockey and lacrosse endeavours. I understand the challenges that children and families face as they navigate through the pressures of sport, school, technology, and social life, as well as increasing mental health concerns.

  • SARAH GAIRDNER | PHD | MPC

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    I am a lecturer (University of Toronto) and Mental Performance Consultant in Toronto, Ontario. After completing my MSc degree, which explored neuroendocrine function in food restriction, and my PhD, which took an interdisciplinary approach to understanding career transitions out of sport, I began my practice as a Mental Performance Consultant. I am currently completing my clinical counselling degree. I focus on mental health in athletes with a special interest in disordered eating/over-exercise, retirement transitions, and performance psychology. My aim is to assist athletes in finding balance between wellness and performance.

    I was a former gymnast and Canadian National team member, and now enjoy many sports recreationally. My other passion, my three young children, inspire me to work towards a sport culture, which fosters personal growth, health and life-long enjoyment through athletics.

  • ZARINA GIANNONE | PHD | PSYCHOLOGIST | MPC

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    I am a Registered Psychologist (#2613) in British Columbia who is committed to helping athletes achieve their dreams, conquer their fears, and reach their full potential. I completed my PhD in Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia, and obtained a specialization in clinical and applied sport psychology.

    Over the past decade, I pursued specialized training that focused on skill development and excellence in high pressure, performance contexts such as sport, performing arts, business, military, and emergency medicine. I offer mental health and mental performance services to adolescents and adults in British Columbia and work with clients from diverse sports, competition levels, and backgrounds.

    My therapeutic approach is shaped by my firsthand experiences as a high-performance soccer player. I utilize an action-oriented, goal-driven, and collaborative approach that helps clients embrace their strengths and identify solutions to complex life circumstance. I am skilled at using a wide range of therapies that address to the unique needs of each client.

    I have a special interest in progressing policy, research, and psychological treatment for mental health in sport. I have taught the “Psychology of Sport” and other courses at the University of British Columbia and have demonstrated leadership in my roles as a Director on the Canadian Psychological Association Board of Directors and the British Columbia Psychological Association Board of Directors. My award-winning research focuses on identity development and intervention among athletes and adults throughout the life span.

    In my spare time, I enjoy exercising, travelling, dining, and playing with my miniature dachshund, Piccolo.

  • ERIN HALL | PHD | PSYCHOLOGIST

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    I am a registered clinical psychologist and psychology CEGEP teacher in Montreal, Quebec. I completed my doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Boston University, and did my clinical training through Harvard Medical School, and Bellevue Hospital Center/ New York University School of Medicine. During my training, I was a member of different multidisciplinary teams including inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, a clinic for survivors of torture, and a clinic for people living with HIV. In my current private practice, I am a generalist with a clinical specialization in anxiety, depression, life and relationship stress/transition and trauma. I also routinely work with athletes at various stages of their careers.

    My diverse clinical experience has deepened my passion for understanding and helping people. I believe in empowering my clients to help them achieve their goals. My approach is evidence-based and customized to the individual in a warm, collaborative, and empathic environment. I always try to meet clients where they are and to foster their strengths and innate resilience. I am committed to maintaining an inclusive practice where clients of all genders, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, and neurodivergence feel safe and valued.

    Through my clinical work and personal experience in many levels of competitive sport, I have learned that both athletes and coaches have a unique set of skills, strengths, and challenges. While there are common themes in the athletes’ and coaches’ realities, it is essential to understand each person’s individual experience. I am passionate about the relationship between the athlete experience and mental health and am thrilled to be part of the CCMHS. It is a privilege to work with athletes and coaches and other sport personnel to help them achieve their mental wellness goals.

    In my spare time, I love being active outside preferably in, on or around a body of water! I can also be found walking my dog, Comet Skywalker, sitting in the stands at swimming pools and arenas cheering for my kids and their teammates, or humbly improving my tennis game.

  • LISA HOFFART | PSYCHOLOGIST | MPC

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    I am a Registered Psychologist and a Mental Performance Consultant in private practice. I am registered with the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists as well as the Canadian Sport Psychology Association as a professional member. I work with athletes from grassroots to international levels, helping them to develop and implement mental performance skills and to maintain and enhance mental health and wellness.

    My background in both sport psychology and counselling psychology allows me to take a holistic approach when working with athletes. Rarely is performance confined to just the athletic domain, as it can be influenced by all areas of life. I have the competency and skills to help athletes develop and apply their mental performance while also ensuring that mental health and wellness is considered and enhanced.

    I am also an advisor with Game Plan, Canada's national athlete wellness program. Through this program, I work with Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan athletes, helping them to develop their skills outside of sport. As a result, athletes are able to focus on health, education, and career opportunities both during their high-performance career and beyond.

    I have worked with Team Sask at numerous Canada Games since 2011. I have supported athletes, team, and coaches with their mental performance prior to and at the Canada Games. I was also part of the Team Canada mission staff at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

  • NAOMI JAMES | MPC

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    I am a Mental Performance Consultant (MPC) whose mission is to empower athletes to overcome obstacles both in sport and in life, to reach their full potential. As a former university athlete, I have firsthand experience of what it’s like to be an elite athlete.

    I completed my Master’s degree in Human Kinetics with Concentration in Intervention and Consultation at the University of Ottawa. Presently, my company, Naomi James Performance Consulting, is based in Toronto where I help athletes achieve greatness. My approach is person-centered and collaborative, as I work with athletes to help them find their own way.

    I have worked in a variety of contexts with diverse clients from youth to the elderly. I am currently the Mental Performance lead for the National Basketball Youth Mentorship Program (NBYMP). I also work with the Women’s Basketball Team at York University, and in a number of other contexts.

    As former athletes, my partner and I believe in continuing our passion for sports in fun and competitive ways.

  • STEVEN JETT | PHD | PSYCHOLOGIST

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    I am a registered psychologist in the province of Ontario. I earned a doctorate in Counselling Psychology from Indiana University and a master's degree in Clinical Psychopharmacology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey.

    For the past fifteen years, I have practiced in both sport psychology and clinical psychology. I work with elite athletes and coaches from a variety of sports. I have a great deal of experience working with clients dealing with negative self-talk, performing under pressure, mood and anxiety issues, post-traumatic stress, and recovery from injury.

    My therapeutic approach is collaborative and client-centered. I understand that clients’ primary goals are often to feel better, stay better, and perform better.

    I played small college basketball in the Midwest. After my competitive playing career, I coached youth soccer and basketball. I am thankful for my involvement with sports throughout my life. Playing and coaching competitive sports has been so important for me to: (a) push past my comfort zone, (b) prioritize what’s important, and (c) form lifelong friendships.

  • RACHEL JEWETT | PHD CAN | MPC CAN

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    I have a Master of Arts degree in clinical psychology from Ryerson University and I am currently a PhD student working toward registration as a clinical psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. I also have a Bachelor of Kinesiology and a Master of Science degree with a specialization in sport psychology from the University of Toronto. I am a student member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association and I am completing an applied internship to become a Mental Performance Consultant.

    I am a student practitioner at the CCMHS working under the supervision of registered psychologists to gain experience supporting athletes with mental health and performance concerns. My clinical background includes training in cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and I have mainly worked with adults experiencing a range of anxiety and mood disorders. In September 2020, I am also beginning clinical training in the treatment of eating disorders. My mental performance consulting experience includes an ongoing position with the University of Toronto Track and Field program that involves group and individual consulting with varsity athletes and collaboration with coaches and other integrated support personnel.

    In addition to my educational and professional experiences, I have a history of participation in varsity and high-performance sport. I was lucky enough to be exposed to a range of team and individual sports in high school, including soccer, equestrian, and volleyball. In university, I specialized in track and field and running competitively remains one of my primary activities. I am passionate about sport participation and understanding the relationship between competitive sport and mental health and well-being.

  • EMI KOYANAGI | SOCIAL WORKER

  • KAREN MACNEILL | PHD | PSYCHOLOGIST | MPC

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    I have the unique experience of having both competed and consulted on the World Stage. I am a Mental Performance Consultant (MPC) and registered psychologist with over 20 years of experience, having worked with athletes competing at the last 5 Olympic Winter Games, and competed myself at the international level for over a decade. I am the Lead Mental Performance Consultant and Lead Mental Health Counsellor for the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and provided on-site support to the Canadian team at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Korea. I will perform the same role for the 2021 Olympics in Japan.

    As part of my day-to-day routine, I have a broad scope of practice focused on promoting mental health, developing mental fitness and building resilience. I am a registered psychologist and have a private practice helping leaders, athletes and individuals navigate mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, stress management, trauma, relationship issues, and transition/career exploration. I am the lead MPC with Ski Cross Canada and provide support to multiple individual athletes for a wide range of sports. In addition, I am a founding partner with headversity, a mental wellness tech company that measures, tracks and trains resilience to help people think, feel and be better.

    In terms of leadership and contributions to my professional community, I have served as a Managing Council member for the Canadian Sport Psychology Association, a trustee for Canadian Athletic foundation, and a member of Tourism Calgary’s Calgary Sport and Major Event advisory committee. I am the chair of the COVID-19 Mental Health and Mental Performance Taskforce group, which aims to address the ongoing psychosocial needs of Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes, coaches, leaders and support staff. I am also a member of a working group charged with developing a mental health strategy for the Canadian Sport System. I was a recipient of the Avenue Top 40 under 40 Award and was a finalist for the 2018 Women of Inspiration award. My passion and drive for helping others be their best also translates into my life as a mother, wife, and outdoor enthusiast.

  • DONNA MCDONAGH | PHD | PSYCHOLOGIST

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    I am a Registered Psychologist (Ontario) with almost three decades of experience. I work in the area of forensic mental health (federal government) while also maintaining a robust private practice in the areas of trauma, anxiety, and emotion/mood regulation.

    My treatment philosophy is eclectic but strongly based in formal Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) training and rooted in solid assessment and evidence-based practice. I incorporated these principles within a general framework of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

    I have been working with high-performance athletes for several years. As a former athlete (rowing) and a runner, as well as the mother of a competitive dancer, I appreciate the values that sport and competition bring to the enrichment and balance of life.

  • JENNIFER MISURELLI | PHD CAN | PSYCHOTHERAPIST | MPC | DIRECTOR, EDUCATION & OUTREACH

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    Jennifer Misurelli is a PhD candidate and member of the SEWP lab in the School of Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa. She is a certified Level 2 swimming coach and has been coaching athletes for over a decade, including varsity athletes at the University of Ottawa.

    Her coaching experiences have inspired her doctoral research, which focuses on the mental health literacy of sport coaches in Canada. Under the supervision of Dr. Natalie Durand- Bush, and in partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC), her project pertains to the implementation and evaluation of workshops designed to assist coaches in promoting and fostering mental health in their training and competition environments. As a Psychotherapist (RSW), Mental Performance Consultant (MPC), and as the current Director of Education and Outreach at the Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport (CCMHS),

    Jennifer is passionate about supporting individuals, teams, and organizations in the development of mental health policies and practices that promote performance and wellness. Due to her childhood experiences with a parent diagnosed with schizophrenia, Jennifer recognizes the importance of attending to the whole person in sport. As an athlete, she required support both inside and outside of her training environment. Jennifer channelled this learning into her development as a woman coach and hopes to inspire other coaches to explore their power through mental health.

  • SAŠA MUDRINIĆ | PHD CAN | C. PSYCH ASSOCIATE (supervised practice) | PSYCHOTHERAPIST

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    I am a former competitive athlete with an educational background in psychology. My lifelong connection to sport began in my formative years while growing up in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia. In my professional work, I have helped clients move past psychological barriers such as performance anxiety, depression, self-confidence issues, mood changes due to physical injury, and relationship challenges/team dynamics.

    I am registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario under supervised practice and the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. I completed my BA in research psychology, my MA in counselling psychology, and I am currently working toward completing my PhD dissertation in clinical psychology. My MA dissertation focused on contact sport athletes and their expression of aggression in their personal lives. In addition to working in private practice settings, I have worked in sports media and marketing, as well as game analysis for a professional soccer team in San Diego, CA.

  • JEAN-MICHEL PELLETIER | PHD | PSYCHOLOGIST

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    I’m a clinical psychologist specializing in sport. As a hockey goalie and tennis player during my teenage years, I asked myself many questions regarding the mental aspect of my athletic performances.

    Why did certain coaches make me feel more energized and motivated while others gave me the impression I was incompetent?

    How could I explain that one single error at the beginning of a game could affect my confidence for the rest of it and even subsequent games?

    Why did my performance significantly increase when my twin brother played on my team?

    To answer these questions, I decided to pursue doctoral studies and I focused my thesis on motivation in sport. My research pertained to the quality of motivation and how this predicts physical activity. I completed my PhD degree in 2016 at l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières.

    As a registered clinical psychologist, I use cognitive-behavioural and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) approaches to help clients optimize performances and overcome mental blocks. I also treat anxiety and depression related to sport.

  • CONNOR PRIMEAU | PHD CAN | MPC | CARE COORDINATOR

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    I am a Mental Performance Consultant (MPC) and one of the Care Coordinators at the CCMHS. I completed a Master of Human Kinetics (MHK) degree with a specialization in Intervention and Consultation from the University of Ottawa before becoming a Professional Member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association (CSPA).

    I strive to help performers of all kinds maximize their potential and enhance their well-being. I have experience working with athletes from various sports at several levels of competition, including provincial, national, international, varsity (U Sports/NCAA) and professional levels.

    My passion for the field of sport and performance psychology was developed through many years of participation in elite sport.

    Presently, I am a PhD candidate at the University of Ottawa and my research focuses on the design, implementation, and evaluation of a peer support program for athletes experiencing maltreatment in sport. I am particularly studying the interplay between athlete peer support, mental health, and maltreatment in sport.

  • Lorena Ruci | MA | PhD | RP | C. Psych Associate

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    I am a C. Psych Associate and Registered Psychotherapist providing psychological services at the Sports Medicine Clinic at Carleton University. I have a BAHon from Mount Allison University, an MA and PhD in Psychology from Carleton University and a MA in Counselling from the University of Ottawa. In my clinical practice, I specialize in concussion management, sport psychology, anxiety, depression management, and ADHD assessments.

    My research interests span the cross disciplinary areas of self-regulation, motivation and mental health, particularly in competitive sports. Since 2017, I have coordinated and facilitated concussion support groups at Carleton University. I am a proponent of the researcher-practitioner model and I am dedicated to reducing mental health stigma and developing research-based interventions designed to improve people’s lives. I am an Adjunct Professor at Carleton University and I teach at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University.

    In my spare time, I train for half marathons, participate in charity volleyball tournaments with my team of 10 years, and continue to perfect my homemade yogurt skills.

  • TAREK SARDANA | MD

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    I am a Family Physician in the Ottawa area. I own and operate my own consulting company, Aviation Medicine Intl (AMI).

    My areas of expertise include Medical Clinical Management, Aerospace Medicine, Urgent Care Medicine, Medical Support to Sports Teams, and Medical Support in Remote and Austere Environments.

    I retired from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 2016 after 25 years of service. My last position on active duty was as the Senior Staff Officer, Aerospace Medicine, for the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS). I was responsible for all aerospace medicine policies and practices, including issues related to aircraft accident investigation and prevention. I also provided expert advice on such issues as aircrew fatigue, aircrew mental health, hypoxia and neck strain in helicopter and fighter pilots.

    I served as the Flight Surgeon at 410 Tactical Fighter Squadron at 4 Wing CFB Cold Lake, Alberta where I flew over 100 missions in the CF-18. In 1995, while at CFB Cold Lake, I was deployed for six months to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights, Israel. I was also deployed in 1994 for six weeks as the Flight Surgeon on OP SCOTCH, the airlift support for the UN mission into Rwanda. In 2004, I completed a 90-day deployment to Haiti as the Task Force Surgeon responsible for all 600 CAF members deployed on OP HALO.

    I completed my Doctorate of Medicine (MD) at the University of Ottawa in 1992, where I now lecture in the Department of Family Medicine. I am an Associate Fellow with the Aerospace Medical Association and a member of the International Academy of Aviation & Space Medicine. In 2018, I received my Area of Focused Practice Diploma in Aerospace Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (DRCPC).

    In my spare time, I enjoy flying. I am an active pilot with over 500 hours of airplane and glider flying experience. I also love sports and volunteering my time as trainer on my son’s Midget AAA hockey team.

  • SHELBI SNODGRASS | MC | RCC | CCC | MPC | CARE COORDINATOR

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    I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), and Mental Performance Consultant (MPC). My role with the CCMHS is as Care Coordinator. I hold a Master of Counselling (MC) degree from Athabasca University where my thesis research explored the role of spirituality in addiction recovery. I primarily work in private practice and I’m an associate faculty member of the Master of Counselling Program at the City University of Seattle. Additionally, I am a Professional Member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association (CSPA) and serve as lead of the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee (EDIA) on the Managing Council.


    As a former varsity athlete, I am passionate about the field of performance. I have experience supporting Team Canada athletes and have worked with various provincial organizations and post-secondary institutions within British Columbia. My approach to consulting and counselling centers around collaboration, the exploration of healthy identity development, self-empowerment, and leadership skills.

    I value a systems perspective to behaviour and nurture the human being in the performer. Therefore, I aim to create a safe and inclusive environment for individual clients and teams. I believe sustainable growth requires community, conscious decision making, and a lifestyle commitment towards achieving goals within and outside of sport.

  • SHAUNNA TAYLOR | PHD | COUNSELLOR | MPC

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    I am the current Chair of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association and an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia in the High Performance Coaching and Technical Leadership program.

    I am dedicated to holistic athlete and coach development through my work as the Executive Director of Pacific Sport Okanagan in British Columbia, and serve as Chair of viaSport BC’s Girls and Women Advisory Group. I am also a member of the International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) Women in Sport Committee.

    I have been consulting with coaches and athletes from grassroots to the Olympic/Paralympic level for 20 years, involved in athlete and integrated team support for over 8 Major Games cycles. I have a special interest in creating a sport system that promotes holistic athlete development and enables athletes to reach their full potential in and beyond sport.

    I earned my doctoral degree in Human Kinetics (Sport Psychology) from the University of Ottawa, and I am a certified counsellor. I maintain a private practice and I am a service provider to nationally-carded athletes through the Canadian Sport Institutes in BC, ON and QC.

  • CLAUDE TELLIER | PSYCHOTHERAPIST

  • NATASCHA WESCH | PHD | COUNSELLOR | MPC

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    I am a Mental Performance Consultant and professional member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association (CSPA) and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). In addition, I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) registered with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). I specialize in Mental Performance Training and Consulting and work with Olympic, professional, amateur, and recreational athletes and performing artists of all ages and backgrounds. My education combined with my elite athletic, coaching, and administrative backgrounds enable me to provide holistic support in the areas of mental performance, counselling and mental health, as well as facilitate a thorough understanding of the demands of high performance sport. I am fluent in French and English.

    I have been involved in various aspects of elite competitive sport for over 35 years and I have an extensive academic background. I am a former international rugby player, varsity hockey player, and competitive gymnast, and I understand first-hand the qualities, characteristics and mental skills required for peak performance. I represented Canada in the sport of rugby on the world stage for over a decade as an athlete, and was a dual-sport varsity athlete in hockey and rugby at both Concordia University and the University of Western Ontario. As a coach, I have been involved at the high school, club, provincial, national, and international levels for over 35 years. Early in my career I coached competitive gymnastics. Later, I established and developed one of the most successful university rugby programs in Canada at Western University, was instrumental in the development of junior women's representative rugby in Ontario and Canada, and led Canada's National Senior Women's Team to the first ever Women's Rugby 7s World Cup in Dubai. I have also been involved in elite sport administration serving as Athlete Representative on the Rugby Canada board of directors and as the Director of Women's Rugby on the board of directors for Rugby Ontario. Currently, I continue to coach minor hockey and mentor elite coaches through the National Coaching Institute Ontario.

    From an academic perspective, I have a multi-disciplinary background. I completed post-doctoral work in Health and Rehabilitation Psychology at McMaster University, obtained a PhD in Sport Psychology specializing in imagery and sport injury rehabilitation from the University of Western Ontario as well as a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Western. I also hold a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology/Biochemistry from Western, and a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science/Athletic Therapy from Concordia University.

  • RITA WYCZYNSKI | MPC

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    I am a Mental Performance Consultant whose mission is to support, guide, inspire and empower athletes in their quest to become the best that they can be. My personal, professional and academic experiences in exercise physiology, marketing, event management, sport nutrition and mental performance and wellness span over my 30 years in sport and have shaped my approach to consulting.

    Through my mental skills training company, PowerShift Sports, I approach my work with my clients from a holistic perspective to help them understand the critical link that exists between performance, various lifestyle choices, mental health and overall wellbeing. By cultivating positive mental coping skills, I develop not only resilient athletes but also resilient individuals who will have tools and strategies to help them reach their performance goals and to help them navigate life’s many challenges.

    My consulting model focuses on balance, positivity, emotional self-regulation and mental health to achieve performance excellence. My principal areas of practice include: stress management, anxiety, burnout, recovery from injury, sport identity crisis, transitions, confidence and focusing issues. Mental health has been an expanding area in my practice due to the growing demand as it relates to sport.

    I have worked with a multitude of athletes and coaches from the club to provincial, CIS and national stream levels. I am a professional member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. I am also a member of the group “Women for Mental Health” at The Royal Ottawa Hospital. I am the co-author of the resource “Game Winning Nutrition”, a nutrition guide for athletes.

    My spouse, three adult children, and I have always lead a very active lifestyle and have practiced a multitude of summer and winter sports at both the recreational and competitive levels.

  • LAURENCE ZALMANOWITZ | M.ED | PSYCHOLOGIST

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    I’m a registered psychologist practicing counselling and performance psychology in the province of Alberta. I have a Master’s degree in counselling psychology from the University of Western Ontario where I researched motivation in elite paralympic athletes. Since then, I have worked in university mental health centres, athlete-centred multi-disciplinary clinics and private practice. I work with athletes at all levels of sport on various concerns that may impact life both on and off the playing field. I primarily utilize cognitive behavioural therapy, solution focused therapy, mindfulness-based interventions and I am trained in EMDR.

    Sport has always played a large role in my life. I have spent over 25 years as a high-performance athlete competing in wheelchair tennis and wheelchair basketball. While I have experienced firsthand the mental and physical benefits of sport, I also know and recognize the challenges that an athlete may face. In my role as a practitioner, I help individuals navigate those challenges. By approaching them with a sense of curiosity, we can collaborate to discover new insights, more effective ways of coping and find meaningful solutions to meet their unique therapeutic goals.

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