CIRRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS—– Ms. Tessa Barrett is a Clinical Social Worker with a passion for teaching and employing the skills of mindfulness, self-compassion and present moment awareness to help individuals reduce suffering, enhance well-being and optimize experiences of happiness and joy. Ms. Barrett completed her Master of Social Work (Health and Mental Health stream) at the University of Toronto, where she interned at the Centre for Mental Health and Addictions (CAMH) in Toronto. She has been working in community-based outpatient Mental Health and Addictions programs across Nova Scotia since April 2015.

At Mindful Therapies, Ms. Barrett provides psychological treatment to adults experiencing a range of difficulties including depression, general anxiety and panic, substance use, trauma, difficulties with regulating emotion and adjusting to life transitions.

Her approach to treatment draws from a variety of evidence-based models including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical-Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT). Ms. Barrett is also trained in Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, evidence-based treatments for PTSD. She has experience working specifically with Veterans and RCMP for the treatment of Operational Stress Injuries.

As a certified yoga instructor (200-hour RYT), mindfulness and increasing present moment awareness are weaved throughout Ms. Barrett’s work, where she is skilled in guiding experiential exercises and meditations in-session.

CIRRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS—– Ms. Tessa Barrett is a Clinical Social Worker with a pas... Read More

Ms. Buckland (she/her) is a highly trained and experienced Clinical Social Worker. She is especially passionate about working with folks in the perinatal period, which includes pregnancy, post-partum, and the early years of parenting. Ms. Buckland has both clinical training and lived experience in navigating the perinatal period, and genuinely grasps the challenges of this time where folks are often bombarded with information and advice from the internet, social media, healthcare systems, family members, and friends; much of which can feel more overwhelming and triggering than helpful.

Ms. Buckland also has extensive expertise in working with trauma, with a specialized focus on attachment trauma, sexualized violence, gender-based violence, relational trauma, familial trauma, generational trauma, systems trauma, and the long-term impacts of oppression and marginalization. Ms. Buckland maintains a lens that is anti-oppressive, feminist, relational, and grounded in neuroscience to support folks on their healing journey.

Ms. Buckland is committed to building therapeutic relationships centered on compassion, care, and collaboration, and fosters a presence that is warm, non-judgemental, safe, and inviting. Adrienne is committed to ensuring that the therapeutic journey feels fitting for each client, and will tailor her practices accordingly. She is eager to provide therapeutic support, resource navigation, and advocacy to folks from all walks of live, and invites and celebrates diversity of lived experiences.

Along with her graduate work, Ms. Buckland has post-graduate training in perinatal mental health, Internal Family Systems, EMDR, and structural dissociation. She likes to use an eclectic approach to therapy and also brings in aspects of social justice work, narrative-informed techniques, CBT and DBT-based strategies, mindfulness and meditation practices, and creative approaches to the therapeutic journey. Ms. Buckland is a strong feminist, queer ally, and anti-oppressive practitioner who is always open to meaningful conversation and feedback from clients.

Ms. Buckland works with youth 16+, adults, seniors, and families.

Ms. Buckland (she/her) is a highly trained and experienced Clinical Social Worker. She is especia... Read More

Ms. Danielle Butler is a Clinical Social Work Therapist, licensed with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. She completed her Master’s Degree from Dalhousie University and has over 10 years’ experience providing culturally-sensitive and non-judgmental services to youth (13+) and adults.

Ms. Butler’s work experience and treatment areas include supporting individuals who are struggling with:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Grief and loss
• Caregiver burnout
• Psychosis
• Everyday life stressors

Ms. Butler also works with Nova Scotia Health supporting individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness, specifically schizophrenia and bi-polar.

Ms. Butler draws from various therapeutic approaches including;

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Motivational Interviewing
• Mindfulness
• Solution Focused Therapy.

Danielle has a warm and relaxed approach to therapy and is truly passionate about helping others work through their difficulties.

Ms. Danielle Butler is a Clinical Social Work Therapist, licensed with the Nova Scotia College of... Read More

Dr. Campbell-Balcom received her Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland after earning a master’s degree in Counselling at Acadia University, and has recently returned ‘home’ to Dartmouth, NS. Dr. Campbell-Balcom offers a warm, open and non-judgmental approach to her therapeutic work. She combines her passion to support personal growth in her clients with her background and education in international development and social justice. Dr. Campbell-Balcolm’s doctorate research focused on anti-discriminatory practice; with this experience, she is very keen to continue working with diverse cultures and identities with sensitivity. Dr. Campbell-Balcom works with adults (18+) with a range of difficulties including anxiety, low mood/depression, transitions, relationship difficulties, issues of self-worth, and recovery from the effects of PTSD and trauma. In particular, she has experience working with family of origin issues and complex trauma.

Her therapeutic approach is integrative and draws on her specialist training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Person-Centred Therapy, while also drawing on Mindfulness-Based therapies, Schema Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy.

Dr. Campbell-Balcom received her Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at Glasgow Caledonian Univer... Read More

NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS- Dr. Clement is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Michigan School of Professional Psychology and a Master’s in Forensic Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has diversified experience in a variety of settings including rural and urban community mental health, university health services, inpatient psychiatry and medicine, and private practice. Dr. Clement completed her residency in the valley (2009/2010), and has stayed in Nova Scotia since that time. She has worked in a number of areas within the health authority, including forensics, operational stress, and adult mental health. Dr. Clement believes in meeting each client with a sense of compassion and curiosity, and values the significance of empathy and therapeutic alliance as both the foundation and catalyst for enhanced self-awareness, personal growth and meaningful transition. She works with adolescents (15+) and adults, providing individual and group therapy for people challenged with issues related to chronic medical conditions, trauma, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, sexual orientation, sexuality, attachment, school/workplace stress and life transition. Dr. Clement’s training is grounded in humanistic and existential theory, which she considers to be at the core of her therapeutic approach with clients. However, she also integrates theories of mind/body science with psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural and mindfulness-based approaches. She also has expertise in several trauma-focused therapies including EMDR, CPT, and PE.

NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS- Dr. Clement is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with a Docto... Read More

Brittany is a Clinical Social Worker who received her Masters in Social Work from Dalhousie University. She has experience in both non-profit and clinical settings and draws from her background working with survivors of abuse. Brittany practices from a warm, non-judgmental, and person-centered approach. She is passionate about exploring values, rediscovering self, and building on the skills and resiliency people are already bringing to the table. She works with individuals struggling with a range of issues, including anxiety, low mood, life transitions, issues of self-worth, and healthy boundary-setting. Brittany’s therapeutic modalities include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness-based Therapy. She integrates these approaches with an empowerment, strengths-based, and trauma-informed lens. She is also trained in the WPATH Standards of Care and has experience providing readiness assessments for hormones and gender affirming surgeries.

Brittany is a Clinical Social Worker who received her Masters in Social Work from Dalhousie Unive... Read More

Mr. Colin Gjesdal is a Clinical Social Worker who received his Masters Degree from Dalhousie University. With over 10 years of experience working in both hospital-based outpatient clinics as well as private practice settings, he has worked with youth, adults, and families to improve their mental well-being and quality of life. Mr. Gjesdal has a keen interest and expertise in behaviour change (including addictions), spiritual and religious exploration, and moral and ethical decision making. He is a warm and knowledgeable clinician who helps his clients not only better understand the nature of their difficulty, but also provides solution-focused and practical skills that assist in addressing their concerns.

Mr. Gjesdal has been trained and is competent in several treatment strategies, all of which are considered best practices including motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and mindfulness-based therapy.

Mr. Colin Gjesdal is a Clinical Social Worker who received his Masters Degree from Dalhousie Univ... Read More

Ms. Guenette’s therapeutic style is warm, collaborative, and led by genuine curiosity. She is committed to providing an open and compassionate environment where her clients can feel heard, respected, and supported. Her background in cultural theory and philosophy informs her passion for co-creating new possibilities that help clients navigate difficult circumstances, shift unhelpful patterns, rediscover themselves, and enhance their skills and capacities. Ms. Guenette provides individual therapy for adults (19+) experiencing anxiety and panic, low mood, family of origin and relationship concerns, emotional distress, life upheaval or challenging transitions, and difficulties managing overwhelm or burnout. She has a special interest in concerns related to ecological issues and climate change (or, ‘eco-anxiety’). Ms. Guenette’s therapeutic approach is integrative and trauma-informed––she draws from Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Existential Therapy as well as body-focused and mindfulness-based strategies to tailor her approach to her clients’ particular needs. Ms. Guenette is a Counselling Psychologist (Candidate Register) with a Master of Science in Counselling Psychology from the University of Calgary. She has experience working with a highly diverse clientele in university wellness settings.

Ms. Guenette’s therapeutic style is warm, collaborative, and led by genuine curiosity. She is com... Read More

Ms. Selina Haltom, Registered Social Worker, recently returned to Nova Scotia from North Western Ontario where she worked professionally with children, youth and adults impacted by sexualized violence. With over 15 years of therapeutic experience, Ms. Haltom looks to create a safe and judgement-free therapeutic space for each client. Ms. Haltom practices mind-body work and enjoys working with clients who struggle with common forms of anxiety, triggers, intimate relationship challenges, self-esteem, nightmares, panic attacks, intrusive thoughts and parent/caregiver support work.

In addition to her Master’s degree in Social Work, Ms. Haltom has specialty post-graduate training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, Internal Family Systems therapy, Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFT), and Sand-Tray therapy. Sessions can also include creative approaches, traditional CBT work, and narrative-informed practice.

Ms. Selina Haltom, Registered Social Worker, recently returned to Nova Scotia from North Western ... Read More

Ms. Liberty is working at Mindful Therapies under the supervision of Tessa Barrett, MSW and offers appointments both at the Dartmouth and Halifax locations. Sarah offers low-cost ($50 per session) therapy, and is available until the end of April 2025.

Ms. Liberty is working at Mindful Therapies under the supervision of Tessa Barrett, MSW and offer... Read More

Currently Not Accepting New Clients Dr. Taillefer completed her clinical training at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario. Her training is primarily rooted in cognitive-behavioural therapy, including third wave approaches; acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, and mindfulness. Stephanie has expertise in treating posttraumatic stress disorder using Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy. Dr. Taillefer works with adults (18+), providing individual and group therapy for obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (obsessive-compulsive disorder, hair pulling, skin picking, hoarding), trauma, anxiety, mood, relationship difficulties, and difficulties with adjustment/transition. She also specializes in working with members of the military, veterans, and first responders.

In her spare time, Dr. Taillefer enjoys the Nova Scotia coastline, participates in equestrian activities, and competes internationally in the sport of dog agility with her border collies and cocker spaniels. Through her own sporting endeavors, she has developed an interest in sports psychology, and enjoys working with athletes to improve the cognitive aspect of their performance.

Currently Not Accepting New Clients Dr. Taillefer completed her clinical training at Ryerson Univ... Read More