Kelowna & grand Prairie Counselling

Amy Litster is a member in good standing of the Canadian Professional Counsellor’s Association, and has completed her schooling through the Kelowna College of Professional Counselling. She is extremely passionate about supporting people through times of difficulty and hardship.

Amy enjoys the outdoors and activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping. In her spare time she enjoys playing fast pitch baseball and wake surfing. Amy is also a huge dog person, and usually has at least one or two of them by her side. Amy has lived in Kelowna for 4 years with her significant other and two dogs.

Amy appreciates how hard it can be to take that first step and come into counselling. The relationship that builds between client and counsellor is a very important aspect of her work and she believes it vital that you choose someone you are comfortable confiding and talking with.

Amy is a Counsellor at our Grande Prairie Office.

Alexandria Rich completed her Bachelor of Social Work Degree at UBCO. She is currently enrolled for the Masters of Counselling Program through Gonzaga University. Alexandria has lived in the Okanagan her entire life.

She worked at the Kelowna Women’s Shelter for over 14 years helping women and children leave abusive relationships, and has extensive experience with this matter.

Alexandria has always had a passion for helping others. She realized at a young age that she possessed a natural intuition and had high emotional intelligence and excellent communication skills, so the counselling field was an excellent fit.

Alexandria possesses a natural ability to draw people out of their comfort zone and assist them in disclosing their deepest personal information. She believes people are their own experts in their own lives; and so, people need to be involved in decisions in their lives. Alexandria fosters this by demonstrating empathy, validation, and unconditional positive regard for her clients.

Alexandria’s hobbies and activities include hiking, reading, riding her pink cruiser bike, baking and fashion.

Alexandria’s personal and professional experiences have led her to be knowledgeable and thrive in the following areas:

• Helping individuals leave abusive relationships or individuals thinking about leaving abusive relationships, whether it be a spousal, family, roommate, or work relationship.
• People who have dealt with others with personality disorders including Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Sociopaths, and Psychopaths. Alexandria feels a lot of Counsellors do not truly understand the effects and damage that personality disorders can cause to others. She has had personal experience with this, which has given her a greater understanding and compassion for people impacted.
• Supporting individuals who have experienced life-altering injuries and/or illnesses
• Supporting individuals and families dealing with a loved one who suffers from dementia
• Supporting individuals with addiction issues
• Anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges

Alexandria is a Counsellor at our Kelowna Office.

Note: Alexandria will be taking a brief
medical leave starting in the middle of February.

Katie Fahy has an MA in Social Work, and is passionate about supporting people to work through issues that challenges that they face in their lives.

Katie believes that every person is individual and their needs should be considered as such. She understands that counselling can often feel overwhelming but she can provide a safe and calm place for people to explore what's really going on for them.

Katie has worked in a range of areas including:

• Youth residential homes for teenagers with behavioural challenges
• Facilitating groups to support women and children who have experience domestic violence
• Supporting individuals who have experience trauma
• Working with children in care system and family preservation

Katie is passionate about helping youth and individuals and is keen to support people on their journey to recovery.

Katie also helps couples thrive by providing them with the skills, tools, and support that are needed to help a relationship be happy, healthy, and successful.

Katie is a Counsellor at our Kelowna office.

Carli Fredrickson is a recent graduate from the University of Calgary, having received her Bachelor of Social Work. Carli has hopes to pursue her Masters in the future.

Carli is born and raised Grande Prairie, and because of that, is very passionate about her community. Carli has been involved in a variety of local agencies including Northreach Society and The Salvation Army food bank.

Carli has always been interested in a helping profession, starting her career off by pursuing massage therapy which has led to over six years of offering clients relaxation and relief of stress. Carli hopes to take this passion to help people to the next level through counselling.

In her free time, you’ll find Carli spending very little time inside and instead spending any sunny days doing what she loves most, kayaking. Carli also enjoys camping, hiking as well as spending time with her lovable kitty, Pixie.

Carlie is a Counsellor at our Grande Prairie office.

Joanna MacGillivray is a Psychology graduate from St. Francis Xavier University. She also has a social work degree from the University of Calgary.

Joanna is originally from Nova Scotia and received her Bachelor of Arts with major in Psychology from St. FX University, in her hometown of Antigonish. She has lived in Alberta for the past eleven years and during that time she became a mother to three boys, got married in the Mayan Riviera, and received her Social Work degree through the University of Calgary.

She enjoys staying active and getting outdoors for runs, hikes, and camping trips. She also enjoys traveling and loves getting back to Nova Scotia in the summer months. She has several hobbies that include silversmithing, crafting, reading, and writing.

In the past five years, Joanna has worked for Alberta Health Services, with Addiction and Mental Health in Grande Prairie. Most recently she worked in Acute psychiatry on a multi-disciplinary team in the QEII hospital.

Joanna looks forward to helping clients address negative blocks and patterns while teaching them how to problem solve and become their own agents of change. She looks forward to helping couples navigate their relationships and supporting them in creating healthy lifestyles and becoming the best version of themselves.

Joanna is a Counsellor at our Grande Prairie office.

Cassie Smith has a Masters in Social Work from the University of British Columbia here in the stunning Okanagan. Cassie has been a social worker since 2011, working mostly with youth supporting them with anxiety, depression, addiction and mental health illnesses. Cassie also has experience working with parents/caregivers helping them to understand their youth and providing tools and support to build healthy parent/child relationships.

Cassie understands that therapy can be difficult, but hopes she can give her clients a safe-space to open up and work through what is happening for them. Cassie uses a client-centered approach to developing therapeutic relationships with her clients and enjoys walking alongside her clients to help them reach their therapeutic goals.

Cassie has formal training in solution-focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed practice, and cognitive-behavioural therapy.

Cassie has two cats, likes to snowboard and go for hikes, rock climbing, is learning how to mountain bike (adventure seeker!).

Cassis is a Counsellor at our Kelowna Office.

Kelly Wilson is a member of good standing with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (#13912) and has her MA in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. She also has a degree in social work from the University of Calgary.

Self-discovery and growth is a life long journey and Kelly believes that change can be achieved by using a variety of evidence-based, client-centred, holistic techniques and therapeutic modalities which considers the mind, body, and spirituality of an individual. Working in collaboration with you, Kelly will develop counselling strategies that are tailored to meet your individual needs and goals. Through your personal insights, you and Kelly will identify your strengths and create new skills that will enable you to cope with life's challenges in a healthier and more meaningful way.

Kelly believes that a person’s physical and mental health go hand in hand, so it is vitally important to live the most balanced life a person can. With that in mind, when Kelly is not busy accompanying others in their journey, you can find her out in nature either hiking, kayaking, or camping, at home reading a good book, or spending quality time with her friends and family.

Kelly has experience working with:

• Adults and youth with complex trauma and behavioural issues
• Women, men and youth who have experienced domestic and sexual violence
• Individuals with Autism and ADHD
• Couples
• Registered CVAP Counsellor (Crime victim assistance program)

Kelly is a Counsellor at our Kelowna office.

Janine Thompson has Master of Social Work Graduate Degree in Clinical Counselling from the University of Calgary. She is also a Registered Professional Social Worker and has spent over 15 years in the helping profession.

Janine was naturally drawn to counselling because of her empathetic, kind and nonjudgmental nature. She offers a caring space for you to explore your struggles while working towards your growth. Her belief is that everyone has the strength to overcome whatever troubles they face with a little assistance. Her many years of study, reflection and work allow her to draw on a wealth of tools and knowledge to help you work through whatever your circumstances.

When she is not working, she loves spending time with her adult children and two dogs. Her passion to understand people carries over into her passion to understand the world through travel, the outdoors and road trips.

Janine is a Counsellor at our Kelowna Office.