KYLA COQUETE
BSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker, Counsellor
Intake Coordinator
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.
LARA COPPOLA
MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker, Counsellor
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.
MARY-ANN MITCHELL-PELLETT
MED (COUNSELLING), PHD, CCC
Certified Counsellor
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).
SHANTAL COTTICK
BSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker, Counsellor
Shantal Cottick is a Registered Social Worker with the Manitoba
College of Social Workers. She has five years of clinical experience
working primarily in community health settings with children, youth
and adults providing mental health support.
Shantal strives to create an inclusive and safe space with every
individual she works alongside with. She believes in the power of
forming genuine connections and attachment-based work. Her
approach is drawing from Dialectical and Cognitive Behavioural
Therapies, as well as Mindfulness-based practices to address a
range of concerns including anxiety, depressive symptoms, and
behavioural challenges. She is also passionate about utilizing
creative means through art and play. Additionally, Shantal will often
will work collaboratively with guardians and caregivers to provide the
best possible care.
Shantal grew up in rural Manitoba and has an appreciation for the
serenity of the country. She enjoys spending time with her three cats-
Moose, Lola, and Gigi and exploring new spots around the city with
her partner.
SUSAN EILERS, BA (ADV), DVATI, RCAT
Registered Canadian Art Therapist
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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
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.
TESSA NUSSBAUM, M.ED. CP, CCC
Certified Counsellor
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.
CASSANDRA BUCHAN, HBA, HBSW
Registered Social Worker, Counsellor
Cassandra is a dedicated Registered Social Worker affiliated with the Manitoba College of Social Workers. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg and an Honours Bachelor of Social Work from Lakehead University. Currently, Cassandra is in the final year of her Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy program at the University of Winnipeg, with an expected completion date in June 2025.
With over fifteen years of experience in social work, Cassandra has primarily focused on supporting children and families in various roles. She has a wealth of experience in family mediation and conducting court-ordered family assessments.
Cassandra is also trained in Level One Theraplay and is a certified Circle of Security Program facilitator. She employs trauma-informed and attachment-based approaches to guide children and families through challenging times, recognizing the critical importance of the mind-body connection and integrating somatic practices into her work.
Outside of her professional commitments, Cassandra enjoys camping with her husband, son, and their dog, Mango.