Meet Our Team

Dr. Gowthorpe’s team provides individual (adults, teens and children), couple therapy, and family therapy for a wide range of issues.  She is passionate about the well-being of her clients and the entire team provides compassionate, professional therapy – we value the opportunity to work with people and the confidence they show in us.  In addition to counselling services, she, along with her professional team, offers custody assessment, mediation services, parenting capacity assessment and parenting plans. Dr. Gowthorpe, RSW offers clinical consultation and expert opinion in the area of child welfare, adolescent therapy, custody and access and clinically managed access.
All team members are educated in trauma and research-based treatments.

Therapists Team


HBSc., HBSW, MSW, RSW

Charlene Cowling

Charlene specializes in individual (adult, adolescent and child), couple and family therapy. Charlene holds a Master of Clinical Social Work from the University of Manitoba and Honours Bachelor degrees in both Social Work and Psychology. She has over 20 years of experience in the mental health, child protection and education field and advanced certifications in Solution Focussed Brief Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and trauma work. Charlene has been a guest speaker at both local and international conferences on a variety of topics and  has instructed at St. Lawrence College. Charlene's compassionate approach to counseling facilitates effective and meaningful change in the lives of the people she works with. She is passionately dedicated to helping others find solutions that suit their individual situations. Charlene’s experience includes, but is not limited to: individual (child, youth, adult) counseling, marriage, couple, family, relationship and separation counselling, anxiety, depression, assertiveness, trauma, abuse, managing anger, calming strong emotions, eating disorders, parental alienation, and LGBTQ+concerns. Charlene is a Registered Social Worker and a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers.

MSW, RSW

Kristen McCoy

Kristen has extensive experience in the child welfare system and has been working with children and families for 24 years.   Kristen’s areas of clinical practice include general coping and stress management, trauma processing, parent and child conflict, emotional regulation, as well as relationship counseling. Additionally, Kristen has expertise in assessing parenting capacity and custody and access arrangements and offers clinically managed access and parenting coordination to facilitate sustainable parenting arrangements.  Kristen’s practice is client-centered and informed by the principles of mindfulness. She uses strategies from Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as well as Cognitive Processing Therapy. Kristen obtained a Bachelor of Social Work from Carleton University and a Masters of Social Work from Memorial University. She is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers & Social Service Workers and a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. 

MSW, RSW

Cathy Waite

​Cathy has provided therapy in a variety of community mental health settings since 1995, as a Behaviour Therapist, a Child & Family Therapist and a Registered Social Worker. Cathy loves helping her clients overcome personal challenges by creating a safe, caring, supportive therapeutic environment, focusing on their strengths and empowering them to determine what matters most. Common issues discussed in counselling may include behavioral changes, worries, managing stress, self-esteem, depression, anxiety, trauma history, and relationship concerns. Cathy encourages self-compassion, self-care and focusing on small successes to facilitate meaningful change. Some of the therapeutic approaches she incorporates into sessions include Mindfulness, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy. Cathy also teaches full-time at Loyalist College in the Child & Youth Care program. When she’s not at work, Cathy can be found relaxing at her lakeside cottage with her husband Brent, her son Jack, and her Bernese Mountain Dog, Katy.

MSW, RSW

Jolie Brant

​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.

MSW, RSW

Breanna Shanque

​Breanna enjoys working with her clients to create individualized treatment plans that addresses their specific needs. She specializes in grief and loss, anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma recovery, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.  Breanna enjoys working with adult, teens and children.  She takes a comprehensive, evidence-informed approach to promote resilience and overall well-being.  Breanna received her Masters of Social Work degree from the University of British Columbia. Prior, to her graduate studies, Breanna attended Western University and completed her Honours Bachelors of Social Work Degree, Majoring in Thanatology (the study of death, dying and bereavement). She is a registered member of the College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers (RSW).

MSW, RSW

Joshua Pierce

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.

MSW, RSW

Anastasia Burns

​Anastasia is a Registered Social Worker specializing in building emotional resilience across the lifespan. Anastasia earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour and then went on to complete a Master of Social Work. Anastasia provides therapy to individuals, couples, children, youth and families using evidence-based, trauma-informed therapy. She has completed extensive training in Play Therapy with a special interest in attachment and trauma. Additional therapeutic modalities include:  Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectal Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy and EMDR. Utilizing an individualized approach, Anastasia applies these therapeutic techniques to support individuals, couples and families in overcoming adversity stemming from anxiety, depression, grief, parenting challenges, emotional dysregulation, traumatic experiences, and addressing challenging life experiences.

Mediators and conflict specialists


BSW, LLB

Jane Howlett

​Jane Howlett, BSW, LLB has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Western Ontario, and a law degree from Queens University. These complimentary degrees have provided her with a unique perspective from which to practice family law. She credits her education and experience as being instrumental in assisting her in understanding the particular needs of family law clients.  While living in Ottawa, while her children were younger, Jane was formally trained as a family law mediator, and she practiced exclusively as a mediator before moving to the Belleville area more than ten years ago. Whether supporting clients by providing more traditional family law litigation services or working more collaboratively, she is a strong proponent of alternative dispute resolution processes and, in particular, mediation.  Jane's education and extensive experience has resulted in her often being asked to share her knowledge and experience with others in the field, both in Belleville and in Kingston. Jane has mentored local high school law students and taught professional ethics and responsibility at the paralegal program at Loyalist College. Jane is currently employed as senior legal counsel with the local children's aid society, but her belief in the value of mediation has moved her to continue to support separating and divorcing adults in resolving their family law issues through mediation.

MA (CAM)

Paul Robichaud

​Paul is a conflict practitioner with twenty-five years of experience in the child and family services private sector. His passion for child rights and protection motivated him to find innovative methods to calm conflict and fuel growth. Paul provides life coaching, supports collaborative problem solving, and is a member of the AFCC. Paul holds an M.A. in Conflict Analysis and Management from Royal Roads University.   His field of expertise encompasses relationship conflicts in family, organizational, and community systems; whether it be, inter-personal, inter-group, or intra-group conflict.  Paul provides assessment services, mediation, parenting plans, clinically managed access, parent coaching, reunification therapy, family conflict counselling, parent teen/child conflict analysis and resolution.

Management Team


CEO, Founder

Dr Julie Gowthorpe, RSW

Dr. Gowthorpe holds a Doctorate in Social Work from University of Toronto and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from McGill University. Dr. Gowthorpe is a former Regional Director for the Ontario Association of Social Workers. She has taught at Carleton University and provides guest lectures to academic classes and business organizations. She is seen at local and national events and Canadian and U.S. television.

Practice Manager

Krista Shortt

Clients will quickly recognize Krista Shortt as the person who ensures they have all the information needed to make their experience welcoming and informed.  Krista joined the team several years ago, transitioning from the esthetics industry.  When not at work, Krista enjoys health and fitness along with her husband, Paul and three daughters.

Office Administrator

Alysha Sweet

Alysha welcomes all clients with professionalism and kindness. With a background in client service in the health industry, Alysha is accustomed to ensuring clients have the best administrative experience when working with Gowthorpe Therapists. Alysha brings an infectious personality with energy and positivity to the team and client experience.

Accounting Manager

Eric Simard

Eric is responsible for overseeing financial management in the practice. An avid adventurer and environmentalist, Eric spends free time travelling, biking and diving.

Internet and Media Support


Social Media

Sophie Simard

Sophie is presently in 2nd in Business at the University of Guelph. Committed to the environment, social justice and corporate ethics, Sophie supports client relations through social media, while assisting with office logistics.

IT Support

Luc Simard

Luc is constantly searching for new ways to problem-solve and the next adventure. Committed to sustainable living, Luc assists with Website management and team technical support.