OUR Team
amanda maciver, BA (she/her) - MACP counselling intern
Amanda is in the final stages of her Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology and is currently practicing as an intern student. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioural Sciences in which she majored in Psychology and Sociology.
Amanda believes that a healthy mental state impacts the other facets of a person's life and that counselling is beneficial to improving their overall well-being. She prioritizes the client as the centre of the therapeutic process and works from a Humanistic, person-centred approach that is tailored to the individual and their specific needs and value system. Amanda's areas of interest include issues related to interpersonal relationships (partners, family members, friendships), setting healthy boundaries, parental attachment styles, trauma, PTSD, spirituality, depression, and anxiety. She has experience with first-responder stress and has worked with mothers and expectant parents through situational stress and resource strengthening.
The relationship Amanda has with her clients is a priority in her practice and she seeks to understand the client and their views on health and healing in order to reach the client's desired outcomes. She is 2SLGBQT+ affirming, culturally copetent, and available to residents of Alberta. Amanda resides on Treaty 7 territory in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) which is the ancestral territory of the Siksikaitsitapi.
Have questions? Email Amanda.
denisse martinez, BCR (she/her) - MACP counselling intern
Denisse is a counselling intern in the final stages of her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree. She is a committed lifelong learner with a Bachelor’s degree in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies. Denisse has worked in the social services field for over 7 years in various settings, such as behavioural support and case management with neurodivergent children, youth, and adults of diverse backgrounds.
Originating from Mexico, Denisse highly values her cultural identity and sense of community while highlighting their influence on mental health. Denisse’s practice advocates for values of diversity, inclusion, and intersectionality with a relational cultural approach. Denisse also works from a Person-Centered, Strength-Based and Trauma Informed Approach focusing on intergenerational trauma.
Denisse offers counselling sessions to children, youth and adults. She is interested in neurodiversity, behavioural concerns, anxiety, depression, life transitions and other mental health concerns.
Denisse is 2SLGBTQ+ affirming and available to residents of Alberta.
Denisse also offers counselling in both English and Spanish.
Have questions? Email Denisse.
elena groen, MC (she/her) - registered psychologist/associate director of supervision and programming
Elena is a graduate of the Master of Counselling program from the University of Calgary. Over the past number of years, she has gained experience working with diverse individuals including neurodiverse children and adults, young adults, individuals in crisis, and people experiencing systemic oppression. Elena’s specializations and areas of interest are in neurodiversity, anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationships and interpersonal problems, grief and loss, and general mental health concerns.
In her work with individuals and families, Elena seeks to form a collaborative partnership with clients. Elena works from a stance of empathy and non-judgement in seeking to meet the client where they are at. She takes an integrative approach to counselling and draws from Narrative Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, Experiential therapy including art and drawing, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Elena provides supervision support to practicum students and provisional psychologists and runs program development and research opportunities for Cultivate.
Elena is L2SGBTQ+ affirming, available to residents of Alberta. She is NOT accepting new clients.
frances bucknor, MA (she/her) - associate counsellor
Frances holds a Masters in Counselling Psychology and Bachelors degrees in Criminology and Sociology.
Originating from England, she has spent many years exploring Canada, in particular, Canada's Arctic Circle, and as a result, has been lucky enough to collaborate and grow with individuals from many different cultures and walks of life.
Frances possesses a diverse history in the Justice, Social Work, and Mental Health fields and feels strongly that every individual deserves access to the resources required to heal, thrive, and embrace life on their own terms. Along with a passion for social justice and lifelong learning, as a BIPOC woman, she is committed to diversity and inclusion for all.
Frances approaches therapy with the understanding that we are all experts in the management of our own lives and as such enjoys evidence-based approaches such as Person Centered Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and of course Mindfulness and Acceptance based approaches.
Frances is 2SLGBTQ+ affirming, available to residents of Alberta and is NOT accepting new clients.
Have questions? Email Frances.
garrison bergen, BEd (he/him) - educational consultant/certified teacher
Garrison Bergen is a certified teacher and member of the Alberta Teacher’s Association. As a teacher for Rocky View Schools, Garrison teaches the social sciences at the senior high level. Complimenting his BEd is a BA: Behavioural Science with a focus on cognitive neuroscience from Ambrose University. Garrison is currently researching ways to support and motivate learners through gamification and virtual reality.
Garrison is currently offering the following services: (1) guidance for parents and children dealing with behavioural, learning and communication issues, and overall poor school performance; (2) personalized extended learning opportunities for students who excel in or require assistance in the areas of science, math, English language arts, and/or social studies; and (3) gamification (learning through games) training and demonstration for educators and students.
Garrison is 2SLGBTQ+ affirming.
ghaida abosafi, BSC (she/her) - MACP counselling intern
Ghaida is a student counsellor in the process of completing her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biological science. Her background and experience taught her that biology, mental processes, and socio-economic status are all interconnected. She is eager to enhance the skills she has learned throughout her education to help individuals in a counselling setting.
Ghaida is a passionate advocate for BIPOC and is committed to creating a safe and collaborative space for clients to develop their sense of identity and self-awareness by supporting them in reaching their therapeutic goals. Ghaida draws from a variety of modalities including Narrative, Mindfulness-Based CBT, and client-centered therapies. She currently offers counselling sessions for adults (18+). Her areas of interest include depression, stress management, anxiety, and spiritual issues.
Ghaida offers counseling in English and Arabic.
Ghaida is 2SLGBTQ+ affirming, available to residents of Alberta.
Have questions? Email Ghaida.
jessica silva, MC (she/her) - associate counsellor
Jessica has a Master of Counselling degree from City University. In addition, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology as well as a diploma in Social Work.
She has over 7-years of experience in in-patient mental health settings. Additionally, she has experience with various forensic risk assessments and administering, scoring, and interpreting neuropsychological, intelligence and personality assessments. Jessica also has experience supporting neurodiverse teenagers, adults, families and high-risk children and youth.
Jessica’s areas of interest and specialization include working with individuals of all
ages with anxiety, depression, attachment and relational issues, trauma, anger,
self-esteem-related issues, immigration, work and life stress, and career counselling.
She uses a person-centred, trauma-informed and strength-based approach. Furthermore, she draws from various modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Mindfulness techniques. She is also an EMDRIA-approved Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist.
Jessica is L2SGBTQ+ affirming and is located on Treaty 6 territory in Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton). She is NOT accepting new clients across Treaties 6, 7 and 8 boundaries known as Alberta.
Have questions? Email Jessica.
joel roos, MA (he/him) - registered psychologist/clinical director
Joel’s background in mental health comes from a varied career with community non-profits, public healthcare settings, and various private educational institutions. Since 2013, Joel has been providing graduate and post-graduate level clinical supervision and education for learners in his areas of interest including family systems, behavioural health and chronic disability and disease management, and in neurology specific to neurodevelopment disorders and neurodiversity.
At Cultivate, Joel’s primary role is to provide clinical support and supervision to all staff and students and to oversee the day-to-day caseloads of all Cultivate clinicians providing services to the public. Joel maintains a small clinical practice with clients that have previously engaged his services and regularly involves his team members as collaborators in his clinical work and teaching.
Joel’s ongoing opportunities for fun and play in his work include public education, creative problem solving with larger organizations, education and training for the Cultivate team, and finding ways to integrate his love of lego and video games into his clinical work.
Joel is 2SLBGTQ+ affirming and is NOT accepting new clients.
Have questions? Email Joel.
karalee colmer, BA (she/her) - MACP counselling intern
Karalee is a student counsellor in the process of completing her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. She has spent several years supporting women, children, and youth in various settings and in crisis situations. She is eager to utilize the skills she has acquired as a front-line worker and throughout her education to help individuals in a counselling setting.
Karalee believes in meeting clients where they are at in their healing journey and provides support and understanding from a trauma-informed lens. Her therapeutic approach is largely client-centred and non-directive. She is committed to creating a safe and collaborative space for clients to develop their self-awareness and be supported in reaching their therapeutic goals. She utilizes various evidence-based modalities such as Solution Focused Therapy, DBT, and EFT.
Karalee is 2SLGBTQ+ affirming and available to residents of Alberta.
Have questions? Email Karalee.
keira shendaruk, BSW/RSW (she/her) - MACP counselling intern
I am a counseling intern at Cultivate on the journey to completing a Master of Arts in Counseling
Psychology degree. I currently have a Bachelor of Social Work degree and am registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers. Over the past several years I have offered a supportive hand to individuals and families coming from many walks and stages of life. Some primary areas I have worked in include long-term and group care, crisis response, family school counseling, and child abuse.
Life is messy and complex, offering us the hardest challenges along with the most profound lessons and beautiful moments. In the midst of all these experiences I am there to walk with my clients as a witness to their unique stories and an ally on their journeys. I do what I do because at my core I care about people and I strive to offer a safe space where clients feel truly seen, where they can build trust in their capabilities and experience a sense of wholeness and healing.
Though I draw from narrative, experiential and mindfulness-based therapies in practice, I am always
open to exploring the integration of different approaches according to what works best for the
individual. I enjoy working with all ages: children, youth, and adults, as well as couple and families. And I have special interest in areas of trauma, mental health, relational and attachment-based issues, shame, abuse, spirituality, and grief and loss.
I am 2SLGBTQ+ affirming and available to residents of Alberta.
Have questions? Email Keira.
kelsey fiss, MA (she/her) - registered provisional psychologist
Kelsey has a graduate degree in counselling. Her areas of interest and specialization include depression, anxiety, strengths coaching, couples and marital counselling, post-partum issues and adjustment, parenting concerns, grief, loss, and spiritual issues and concerns. She is available to work with large groups and organizations to facilitate mental health discussions, training and materials.
Kelsey works from an integrative approach and works primarily from attachment-based, emotion-focused, and neurobiological frameworks, making use of mindfulness practices, and art and play therapy techniques. Kelsey is passionate about working with clients to face the challenges that are holding them back from leading the life they desire.
Kelsey is 2SLGBTQ+ affirming, available to residents of Alberta. She is NOT accepting new clients.
Have questions? Email Kelsey.
mckenzie lukacs, MC (she/her) - associate counsellor
McKenzie is currently in the process of obtaining her provisional psychology license and she firmly believes the therapeutic relationship is a partnership that learns and grows together. She aims to create a warm and safe(r) space that is focused on social justice, decolonizing, intersectionality, fat-liberation, unlearning normative values, and she is endlessly curious about new information and perspectives.
McKenzie is passionate about 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC advocacy, sexuality, kink, neurodiversity, size inclusivity, sports performance, relationships, and boundary setting. She uses various therapeutic modalities, such as narrative, systemic, humility, trauma- informed, solution-focused, somatic, and harm-reduction practices.
McKenzie is Queer, anti-diet, and has a background in high-performance sports. She is located on Treaty 7 territory in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) and is currently accepting new clients across Treaties 6, 7 and 8 boundaries known as Alberta.
Have questions? Email McKenzie.
meghan reed, BA (she/her) - MACP counselling intern
Meghan is a counselling intern in the final stages of her Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and has over 6 years of experience working in home-based and classroom settings assisting students, young children, and their families with a variety of therapeutic needs. Through her experiences, she has developed a passion for advocating for mental health initiatives in her community.
Meghan uses a collaborative approach by tailoring therapy to each client’s unique needs. She draws from a variety of modalities including Person-Centered Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Strengths Based approaches, and Mindfulness based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Meghan works with children, youth, and adults, and her areas of interest include anxiety, depression, stress management, attachment and relationships, trauma, spiritual issues, and self-esteem. She is passionate about helping people recognize their inner strengths and to develop skills that will help them thrive throughout their lives.
Meghan is 2SLGBTQ+ affirming, available to residents of Alberta.
Have questions? Email Meghan.
natalie siu-mitton, MA (she/her) - canadian certified counsellor, registered dietitian
Natalie is a graduate of the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program at Yorkville University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition and is a Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor. Her background and experience has taught her that people are more than just one aspect of their being but rather, a dynamic interaction between their lived experiences, biology, mental processes, and physical and social environments.
With over 15 years of experience as a Registered Dietitian, Natalie has worked in a variety of settings giving her the opportunity to support individuals from many intersections of life. In her work with clients, Natalie strives to create a safe, non-judgmental, anti-oppressive, inclusive, and collaborative environment. Her integrative approach draws upon modalities such as Person-Centered Therapy, Narrative Therapy, DBT, ACT, and Emotion-Focused Therapy.
Natalie provides counselling to children (ages 10+), youth and adults. Her areas of interest include: life transitions, health psychology, chronic pain, identity development, disordered eating and intuitive eating, women’s health issues, acculturative stress, trauma (big T and little t), grief and loss.
Natalie is 2SLGBTQ+ affirming, HAES®-aligned, and weight inclusive. She is available to residents of Alberta.
Have questions? Email Natalie.
olivia reverie, MA (she/her) - registered provisional psychologist
Throughout her Master of Counselling, work experience, and volunteer roles, Olivia engages in various modalities that will explore each client's values, strengths, differences, and needs, through DBT, SFT, Narrative Therapy, ACT, and trauma-informed, harm reduction based practices. She fosters a holistic approach, integrating both mind and body practices, including somatic interventions, for long-term and sustainable alignment.
Olivia's passions include 2SLGBTQ+ identity development and transition support, neurodiversity (ADHD & Autism), assertive communication and boundary setting, trauma, attachment, relationships, divorce/separation, and reintegration for individuals, and their supports, who have experienced incarceration.
Olivia is passionate about fostering a safe(r) space and practice for all 2SLGBTQ+, kink, BIPOC, abilities, sex work, and HAES® humans and experiences.
She is located on Treaty 7 territory in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) and is currently accepting new clients across Treaties 6, 7, and 8 boundaries known as Alberta.
Have questions? Email Olivia.
ranee fallorin, BA (she/her) - MACP counselling intern
Ranee is a counselling intern in the final stages of her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology
degree. She currently holds a Bachelor’s degree in Community Rehabilitation and Disability
Studies. Ranee has worked in the social services field for 7 years with neurodivergent individuals
and individuals from diverse backgrounds. She has experience working with educators, parents, and children on effective behavior management strategies and is a strong advocate for inclusion
by promoting the social adaption of settings and expectations to best fit the needs of the
individual.
Ranee uses a holistic and collaborative approach in her practice that explores the client’s needs, strengths, and values drawing from a variety of modalities including Solution Focused Therapy,
Strength-Based approaches, Person-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Her counselling approach focuses on meeting clients where they’re at and acknowledges that they’re the expert in their life.
Ranee offers counselling sessions for children (10+), youth, and adults. She is interested in neurodiversity (ADHD, Autism, ODD, and FASD), behavior concerns, anxiety, stress management, depression, trauma, identity development, grief and loss, and divorce/separation.
Ranee is 2SLGBTQ+ affirming and is located on Treaty 7 territory in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) and is
currently accepting new clients across Treaties 6, 7, and 8 boundaries known as Alberta.
Have questions? Email Ranee.
ricardo avelar, MEd (he/him) - registered psychologist
Ricardo has worked in various fields, including non-profit organizations, K-12 schools, and post-
secondary settings. He holds a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology, a Bachelor of Education in English Language Arts, and a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from the University of Lethbridge. Prior to his counselling career, Ricardo taught high school English in rural, urban, and international settings for ten years.
He feels privileged to support youth and adults with a wide range of concerns, such as anxiety,
depression, career guidance, communication skills, neurodiversity (ADHD), relationship challenges,
stress management, and trauma. He has specialized knowledge in sex therapy, queer identity
development, and working with individuals who have experienced sexual violence. Ricardo uses a
holistic and collaborative approach to counselling and integrates narrative, culture-infused, mindfulness-based, trauma-informed, and somatic therapies when working with clients.
Ricardo offers counselling in both English and Spanish.
Ricardo is 2SLGBTQ+ and kink affirming, available to residents of Alberta.
Have questions? Email Ricardo.
stephanie schoenberg, BA (she/her) - MACP counselling intern
Stephanie is a counselling intern in the final stages of her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Intercultural Studies and a Diploma in Holistic Nutrition. For the past 15+ years she has worked in various social service settings supporting diverse individuals. She has also spent time studying, volunteering, and working in various parts of the globe including Belize, Jamaica, Germany, China, and South Korea.
Stephanie works from a humanistic, person-centred, trauma-informed lens and takes a stance of collaboration, empathy and non-judgement, meeting clients exactly where they are at. She is passionate about helping people recognize their inner strength, resilience, and uniqueness in order to create uniquely meaningful lives.
Stephanie offers counselling sessions for adults aged 18+ who may be experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem struggles, grief and loss, and existential issues. Stephanie draws from a variety of modalities including Existential, Jungian, Narrative and Mindfulness-Based CBT therapies.
Stephanie is 2SLGBTQ+ affirming and available to residents of Alberta.
Have questions? Email Stephanie.
veronica jackson, BA - MA counselling intern
Veronica is a counselling intern in the final stages of her Master of Arts degree in counselling psychology. While completing her bachelor's degree in psychology, Veronica has obtained over 5 years of experience working with children and youth in ensuring trusting relationships.
Through this experience, Veronica was able to develop a passion for helping create safe and
therapeutic environments for others.
Veronica takes a person-centred approach to her counselling and understands the individuality
of each client. In this approach, Veronica aims to build a partnered approach, as she believes
everyone is the expert on their own life. Her areas of interest include anxiety, depression,
neurodiversity and attachment.
Veronica is 2SLGBTQ+ affirming and available to residents of Alberta.
Have questions? Email Veronica.
COVID-19 NOTICE
Due to COVID-19 and our desire to keep our team, clients, and greater community safe and healthy, our team provides limited in-person services. If you would like to be seen in-person please let your counsellor know and they will be able to tell you if that option is available.