Meet Our Team

Kristen has extensive experience in the child welfare system and has been working with children and families since 1995. Kristen’s areas of clinical expertise include general coping and stress management, parent and child conflict, emotion regulation, and co-parenting conflict. Kristen is a trained Voice of the Child report practitioner. Additionally, Kristen has expertise in assessing parenting capacity and parenting plans (Section 30 assessments) and offers reconciliation counselling to facilitate sustainable parenting arrangements that maintain the child’s best interest as the guiding principle. Kristen’s practice is client-centered and informed by the principles of mindfulness. She uses strategies from Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy and is informed by current findings in the neuroscience of mental health. Kristen has a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Carleton University and a Master of Social Work Degree from Memorial University. She is a registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Works, a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers, and a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.

Alyssa is excited to provide client-centered therapy for individuals, couples and families, informed by Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy(EMDR), and Mindfulness. She provides trauma-informed practice that emphasizes meeting clients where they are at in their journey towards personal growth and healing. Alyssa offers support to individuals in crisis, grief/bereavement, or those experiencing or have a loved one experiencing addictions/substance misuse. Alyssa joined Gowthorpe Therapists after 13 years of experience with vulnerable families and children. She specializes in assisting clients to find solutions, improve communication, and develop healthy life practices. Alyssa has expertise in working with children and adolescents, while coaching parents and caregivers. She enjoys supporting individuals prenatally and in the post-partum journey. Alyssa obtained her undergraduate degree from Trent University and her Masters of Social Work from Wilfred Laurier University. She is also certified in Drug and Alcohol Treatment. Alyssa is a Registered Social Worker and a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers.

Rebecca Brant, MSW, RSW holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Carleton University. Her areas of experience include Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Indigenous Issues (therapy with women, children, and youth from a holistic and trauma-informed approach), crisis intervention, children in care, IPV and domestic violence, intergenerational trauma, and grief and adjustment. She consistently works from a trauma-informed perspective with therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, and Solution-Based Therapy to address mental health concerns, such as, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, and trauma. Rebecca is a Mohawk woman and a Registered Social Worker with the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Josh is a Registered Social Worker and holds a Bachelor and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Carleton University. Josh began his social work career at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) assisting families and children - specifically in the area of complex medical needs and the associated stressors. Josh values self-determination and strives to meet each individual where they are at, regarding them as the experts in their own journey. Josh is pleased to provide support in grief and loss, trauma, and, anxiety and depression. He provides individual and family support. Josh clinically draws from Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness and Solutions-Focused interventions. Josh is also employed with Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board where he supports youth with complex needs.

Shaunacy has extensive experience with individuals clients, couples, and families. She provides client-centred therapy as an overarching framework and has completed additional trainings in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical-Behaviour therapy (DBT), Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, AASECT approved Sex Therapy, relationships, and gender-diversity. Shaunacy has been invited to learn from and participate in training experiences around the world and has completed her Masters of Philosophy (MPhil) from the University of Glasgow and her Masters of Counselling Psychology (MACP) from Yorkville University. She is currently a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and holds memberships with the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health and the World Association for Sexual Health.

Play is foundational to how children come to understand the world and their place within it. Amy utilizes the symbolic function of toys and play to support younger children in processing, expressing, and organizing a myriad of experiences. Passionate about working with adolescents, Amy recognizes feeling misunderstood or dismissed, creates a sense of isolation and loneliness during this period of immense transition. Using a relational and creative approach, Amy prioritizes connection as she supports teens in navigating the unique challenges and intense emotions that adolescence brings. Amy's individual work with adults is grounded in emotionally-focused therapy as she supports individuals in identifying and exploring the unmet attachment needs underlying painful emotions, behaviours, and relationship patterns. Foundational to who Amy is as a person, how she shows up in the world, and how she works therapeutically with all of her clients is belief in the power of a compassionate witness. She believes that when one is truly seen by another - their strength and their struggle - validation and a felt sense of safety emerges which transforms the way one begins to relate to both self and other. Amy is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and a member of the Canadian Association of Play Therapists. Amy has over 16 years of experience working with children and families within the child welfare system as well as personal experience as an adoptive parent. Amy completed a Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University and, prior to that, an undergraduate degree in Social Development Studies from the University of Waterloo as well as a diploma in General Social Work Studies and a certificate in Child Abuse Studies. Her therapeutic work is grounded in attachment theory and she has extensive training in dyadic developmental psychotherapy, play therapy, and emotionally-focused therapy.

​Danielle provides evidence-based, client-centered, trauma-informed therapy for individuals, couples and families. Danielle obtained her MSW from Windsor University. She is experienced in the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focussed Therapy. Danielle has experience working with clients who present with anxiety, borderline personality disorder, childhood abuse/trauma, depression, PTSD, cPTSD, self-harm, suicidal ideation, stress and self-confidence/esteem. She has experience working with marginalized populations and specializes in working with clients who are part of the LGBTQ2IA+ community.

Santina is a Registered Psychotherapist with over 6 years of experience working with children and families in a variety of different clinical settings. She possesses an Honors Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Child, Youth and Family Studies from the University of Guelph, a diploma from McMaster University in Child Life Studies and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University. Santina specializes in Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Grief and Bereavement for children and youth. She is passionate about not only working with children and youth, but also their families to meet them at the level they are at to best support them. Santina utilizes a variety of play techniques to help children and youth feel comfortable and open to engaging in the therapy process. When working with clients, Santina uses numerous strategies and techniques from several therapeutic approaches including: Solution-focused Therapy (SFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). Santina has worked with a variety of mental health and life concerns affecting both youth and adults including but not limited to; anxiety, depression, ADHD, ASD, divorce and separation, military deployment and separation, families experiencing PTSD, grief, behavioural concerns, bullying, and hospitalization (including diagnosis and procedure explanation, preparation and coping techniques). On a personal note, Santina enjoys an active lifestyle, spending quality time with friends and family, hiking, and traveling.

​Jolie began her journey in the field of family violence and facilitates growth and healing ensuring a holistic approach. Jolie has over 15 years’ experience and comes with a wealth of knowledge supporting women, men, and youth in all areas of abuse, grief/loss, self-harm, panic attacks, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, traumatic loss, and comprehensive wellness. Jolie is a Mohawk woman, and a  Registered Social Worker. Jolie holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Ryerson University as well as a Master of Social Work degree from Wilfred Laurier University.  Jolie is a Social Worker with Hastings and Prince Edward School Board where she offers support to youth with complex mental health needs.