KYLA COQUETE
BSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker, Counsellor - Currently Accepting New In-Person and Virtual Clients
Kyla is a Registered Social Worker, a Counsellor, as well as a Labour/Birth and Postpartum Doula. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Manitoba in 2013 and recently became a certified doula in June 2023. Kyla has primarily worked in the field of child and family services where she worked alongside children, their families, collaterals and foster parents to create supportive environments rooted in understanding, compassion, and connection. She also gained valuable experience in the healthcare sector, primarily at Children's Hospital, where she assisted families in overcoming barriers to medical and mental health care, facilitated connections to community resources, provided education on child development, and offered counselling during critical moments such as diagnoses, treatment, and recovery.
Kyla possesses specialized training in Emotion-Focused Therapy and frequently incorporates this modality alongside Cognitive-Behavioral techniques in her work. She is deeply committed to an empowerment model, emphasizing holistic and person-centered care. Kyla recognizes that each individual is part of a network, whether personal or community-based, and she actively explores these networks with her clients to gain a comprehensive understanding of their support systems, coping mechanisms, and relationship dynamics. She values the unique stories of every individual and collaborates with children, youth, and families to validate their experiences, help them find their voices, and embark on their healing and growth journeys. Her areas of expertise include helping children and youth navigate generalized worries and anxiety, family transitions (such as welcoming a new sibling, navigating divorce, or adjusting to a new parental figure), and fostering healthy peer relationships.
When Kyla is not working, she can be found either spending time with her husband, three children and loved ones or immersing herself in professional development/educational opportunities.
MARY-ANN MITCHELL-PELLETT
MED (COUNSELLING), PHD, CCC
Certified Counsellor - Currently Accepting New In-Person and Virtual Clients
As a Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association, Mary-Ann has been in private practice since 2021 and utilizes an eclectic approach that aligns with the needs of younger clients, such as Expressive Art Therapy, Sand Tray, Play Therapy, Narrative/Storytelling Therapy, Mindfulness, and somatic approaches.
Mary-Ann has additional training in Expressive-Arts Therapy and she is a currently a member of the Canadian Association for Play Therapy, working towards certification.
As a former school counsellor and educator for 25 years, Mary-Ann spent several years providing individual and group counselling, along with developing school-wide and parent-based programs to support the wellbeing of students. She has completed a Masters program in Counselling (M.Ed. thesis route) from Brandon University, Post Graduate studies in Counselling Psychology (Athabasca University) and a PhD in Educational Contexts (University of Calgary).
LARA COPPOLA
MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker, Counsellor - Currently Accepting New In-Person and Virtual Clients
Lara is a registered Social Worker with the Manitoba College of Social Workers. She earned her MSW from York University in 2018. With over a decade of experience in the field of Social Work, Lara has gained extensive expertise in working with children, youth, and families.
Lara has dedicated years of her career to roles within the child welfare system, school settings, and community health. In these positions, she has offered support, advocacy, and counselling services to children, teenagers, and families facing mental health issues, family violence, addiction problems, and trauma.
Lara holds certification in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and is currently currently on the path to becoming a certified Play Therapist. She has additional training in Trauma-Informed Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Play Counseling.
Using a systems approach, Lara helps individuals explore the challenges in their lives and discover solutions for positive change. Working from a strength-based lens, Lara supports children and teens in their journey towards healing by discovering new ways to cope, understand and feel more empowered in their lives.
SUSAN EILERS, BA (ADV), DVATI, RCAT
Registered Canadian Art Therapist - Accepting Clients for Waitlist Only
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Susan is a registered Art Therapist with nearly 20 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and their families. She completed her graduate-level training in Art Therapy in 2004 and, since that time, has worked in private practice settings, schools, community agencies, and client homes, providing individual therapy, child-caregiver dyad sessions, sibling therapy, and group therapy. Her areas of expertise include Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), Attachment, Anxiety, Anger Management, and trauma. She also loves working with neurodivergent (ASD, ADHD, etc.) children, youth, and families.
Susan believes in each individual's innate wisdom and desire to succeed, and that competency and resiliency blossom when individuals are witnessed and met with compassion, both in their strengths and challenges. Art Therapy provides individuals with opportunities for physical and emotional regulation, self-exploration, and externalization of challenges through engaging in the creative process. Susan's approach is strengths-based and client-centered and incorporates elements of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), Internal Family Systems (IFS), play therapy, and attachment and trauma-informed therapies, along with the creative process, to strengthen the connection between mind, body, and spirit to enhance self-esteem and self-awareness.
Outside of work, Susan is a mother to a spirited teenager and a lively preteen. She enjoys spending time with her family, being active, and finding new ways to bring creativity to her home and daily life.
DR. CONNIE BOUTET
PH.D., C.PSYCH
Registered Clinical Psychologist, Certified School Psychologist - Currently Accepting New Virtual Clients
Dr Boutet is a Registered Psychologist with the Psychological Association of Manitoba. She received her Ph. D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Manitoba in 1994. She is also a Certified School Clinician in Manitoba (1999). Dr. Boutet has extensive experience working with the education system in Manitoba in her roles as a School Psychologist, Clinical Supervisor, Student Services manager, and a Psychology Consultant for the Department of Education.
In 2016, Dr. Boutet resumed her passion for providing direct psychological services within the community. Her treatment interests include children and youth experiencing learning, behaviour, social, emotional, and mental health difficulties. “Dr. Connie” has extensive experience working with anxiety, depression, and ADHD in this population and is committed to supporting school–age children reach their potential in school and in life.
Dr. Boutet approaches therapy from an ecological perspective, looking at the fit between life demands experienced by the client, both external (environmental) and internal (self-expectations), and the client’s personal resources to meet these demands, including coping skills, social supports, personality and temperament, physical health, and physical resources. When life demands exceed an individual's ability to cope, stress occurs, which can result in emotional distress, behaviour problems, physical symptoms, and/or social difficulties. Within this model, therapy focuses on creating a better match between demands and individual resources by addressing specific stressors, teaching coping techniques and symptom management strategies, and increasing access to critical supports.
After 30+ years of traveling to the west coast of Canada for holidays, Connie and her family relocated to British Columbia in June of 2022, where she continues to offer virtual treatment for residents of Manitoba. Connie is enjoying the physical beauty of BC but misses seeing friends, family, and clients in person.
SANDRA FRANZ,
RMFT-S
Family Therapist/Counsellor - Accepting Virtual Counselling Clients for Waitlist Only
Sandra Franz is a member of the Canadian Registry of Marriage and Family Therapists and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (RMFT-S). She holds a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Sandra is a wife, mother, and Amma (Icelandic for grandmother) residing in rural Manitoba.
Recently retired from her position at Manitoba Shared Health in the field of Adolescent Mental Health, Sandra has extensive experience working with children, teens, and families. Her clients and their families sought therapy and treatment for various concerns, including anxiety, depression, regulation difficulties, as well as complex trauma and academic and family challenges. She also has extensive experience working with neurodiverse individuals.
Sandra possesses specialized training in attachment and trauma-informed therapies, along with expertise in Mindfulness Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Additionally, she is a certified practitioner in Self Regulation Therapy and Brainspotting.
Sandra firmly believes that the client family is the expert of their own experience. She recognizes that during times of stress and life transitions, individuals and families may feel less resilient or stuck. It is her belief that a supportive therapeutic relationship is essential to promoting readiness to change and creates a safe space to learn new skills and reconnect to creativity and existing strengths.
CIJI KHAN
RSW, MA COUNSELLING PSYCH
Registered Social Worker, Counsellor - Currently Accepting New Virtual Clients
Ciji Khan is a Registered Social Worker in Manitoba and has her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. Alongside her academic pursuits, she takes pride in being a devoted mother to an energetic little boy.
With a career spanning 15 years in the child welfare field, Ciji has honed her expertise in working with children, youth, and families. She adeptly utilizes cognitive-behavioural therapy techniques while maintaining a strength-based and person-centred approach. Her experience also includes counselling neurodiverse youth and their families, as well as individuals and families living with addictions.
Ciji firmly believes in the inherent worth of every individual, regardless of lifestyle, race, culture, or religion. Her diverse background includes supporting individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, and various forms of trauma. Drawing upon a range of modalities, she skillfully guides individuals on their healing journey, ensuring they find a safe and welcoming environment when seeking her support.
TESSA NUSSBAUM, M.ED. CP, CCC
Certified Counsellor - Currently Accepting New Virtual Teen and Parent Coaching Clients
Tessa is a Canadian Certified Counselor (CCC), school counselor, teacher and parent to four young children. She has a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and Master of Education in Counselling Psychology. She is an experienced child/teen counsellor who specializes in trauma informed therapy that is attachment and play based. She also is passionate and skilled at supporting parents.
Tessa has significant training in play therapy, including Theraplay, and is a certified Circle of Security Facilitator. Tessa is excited to use toys, games and talk therapy to support children and parents. Tessa’s areas of expertise include play and talked-based therapy for OCD, depression, anxiety, self-harm, teaching self-regulation and co-regulation, parenting toddlers, perinatal mental health, providing support for navigating the educational system and supporting neurodiverse kids and their parents.
Tessa’s style has been described as compassionate, gentle, creative and knowledgeable. She is always looking for client’s strengths. Tessa integrates the following modalities into her therapy: play, somatic, cognitive behaviour, solution focused and acceptance and commitment. Tessa has a high degree of training and experience in child development, building secure attachment and gentle parenting.