Kells Staff
Kells Counselling has a team of therapists that are commited to ethical and healing inteventions for individuals, couples, and families. Kells is made up of an assortment of Masters-level therapists, registered provisional psychologists, registered psychologists, and clinical social workers, each with specific skill sets and specialties. Clients are assisted in choosing a therapist by our experienced intake coordinator, Liz Ryckman, based on the client's needs, goals, and schedule. |
 Janet Ryan-Newell |
Janet Ryan-Newell
B.Ed., M.Ed. with distinction, Executive Director, Certified Teacher, Registered Pshychologist, Adjunct Professor
Janet holds an M. Ed. with Distinction in both Counselling Psychology & Psychometric Assessment. For the first decade of her career Janet worked with Edmonton Public Schools, both as an Elementary School Teacher and as a School Psychologist.
In 1991, together with her husband Rory (deceased), Janet opened Kells Counselling. In 1997 they co-founded Crossroads Family Services, a private Foster Care Agency which grew to serve central and northern Alberta. Over the last decade Crossroads has cared for thousands of displaced children. Janet currently works for Crossroads Foster Care Agency as the Executive Director. Moveover, Janet is mother to 4 birth children, 2 adopted daughters & many foster children. Janet tells us that parenting is her favourite job!
With over 25 years of learning and advocacy, Janet has developed an extensive base of expertise through working with: Family Supports for Children with Disabilities, FCSS Mental Health Services, numerous School Boards, and the Alberta Children’s Services & Justice Systems. Janet’s distinctive approach is further contextualized by her years of front line experience as a parent, foster parent and teacher and by her expert knowledge in Parenting, Child & Teen Development, Family Interventions & Learning Function.
The result is Janet’s direct,
unique & often humorous style!
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 Patrica Gingras |
Patricia Gingras
M.Sc., Registered Psychologist
Patti holds a M.Sc. and a B.A. in Psychology. She was awarded the U of A Golden Key National Honour Society Award and the Who’s Who Award, which is presented to the highest achieving Master Level Student in American Universities.
Patti completed her post graduate work in the Calgary Regional Health Authority where she gained extensive experience working with relationship issues, pain disorders, depression, anxiety and eating disorders, chronic illness, stress, and grief. In addition to provision of clinical services, Patti facilitates workshops and is an Adjunct Professor at Loma Linda University (Canadian Campus). Patti is also developing a specialization in Nutritional Psychology while studying under the expertise of Julia Ross, the clinical director of the Recovery Systems Clinic in San Francisco, and the author of the books The Mood Cure and The Diet Cure.
Patti continues to pursue her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a major in Health Psychology.
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 Laura Clark |
Laura Clark
M.Ed., Registered Psychologist
Laura Clark is Kells' senior-most psychologist. With over 20 years of expertise, Laura practices as both a registered Couselling Psychologist and an Assessment Specialist. Laura devotes a regular portion of her practice to the assessment of learning disabilities, both privately and for Edmonton Public Schools.
Laura also has a tremendous capacity for walking with her clients on their healing journeys. She is a skilled EMDR trauma therapist, who shares her expertise through her work with:
- Relationship Issues
- Family Therapy
- Child Sexual Assault
- Healing From Abuse
- Play Therapy
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- Attachment
- Self Esteem
- Depression & Anxiety
- Grief & Loss
- Adult Survivors
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 Kathleen Gingras |
Kathleen Gingras
M.Sc., Registered Psychologist
Kathleen has specialized training in working with couples, families and children. Kathleen especially enjoys Narrative Therapy and Solutions Focused therapy. She just completed the first half of the training to provide EMDR therapy. Kathleen specializes in work with:
- Struggling Families
- Anxiety & Depression
- Life Transition & Stages
- Wellness & Healthy Emotional Balance
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- Grief & Loss Issues
- Nutrition and Psychology
- Bereavement
- Challenging Teens
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 Lauren Appleby |
Lauren Appleby
M.A., Registered Psychologist
Lauren is trained as both a counselling therapist & an assessment specialist. Lauren delights in assissting individuals to break through learning and emotional barriers so they can grow into "all they were meant to be!"
Lauren's primary counselling focus area is in management of anxiety and depression in children, adolescents, and adults. Lauren also works in the area of pro-social group programming for children. She has currently completed the first half of training in EMDR. Lauren has focused her assessment work in the areas of:
- Home Assessment
- Clinical Assessment
- Parenting Assessment
- Learning Function Assessment
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 AnneMarie Whitton |
AnneMarie Whitton
M.Sc., Registered Psychologist
AnneMarie brings both compassion and competence to her work with families and individuals. AnneMarie's counselling experience includes work with Cornerstone Counselling, the Sexual Assault Centre and F.C.S.S. in Fort Saskatchewan. AnneMarie especially enjoyed her work in Pastoral Care & Psychology at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. AnneMarie's therapy specialties include:
- Individual & Family Therapy
- Couple Counselling
- Family of Origin Issues
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- Depression & Anxiety
- Self-Esteem
- Grief & Loss
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 June Knobel |
June Knobel
M.S.W., Clinical Therapist
June Knobel is a member of the clinical Specialty Registry, Alberta College of Social Workers. June has worked as a Therapist, Child Welfare Front Line Worker, Clinical Specialist, Clinical Consultant and Clinical Supervisor in both prevention and treatment focused agencies including: Private Practice Agencies, the Government of Alberta, Hospitals, and FCSS.
June is dedicated to the treatment of the whole person through physical and emotional wellness. She specializes in: Energy Psychology, Play Therapy, EMDR, Attachment Work, Structural and Systematic Family Therapy and Marital Therapy. June does extensive work with children, youth & their families experiencing difficulties related to:
- Family Violence, Abuse/Exploitation
- Medical, Developmental &/or Mental Health Related Disabilities
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- Grief & Loss
- Attachment Disruptions
- Divorce & Separation
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June is also our key supervisor for the training of specialty therapists for Kells!
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Shelly Teske
M.A., Registered Psychologist
Shelly's therapeutic skills have grown from her compassion for others as they work through various situations, as well as her belief that every individual can reach their potential of personal wellness and healthy living. Her background includes working as an elementary school teacher both locally and internationally, and she has worked as a counselor with individuals and families affected by brain injury. Shelly enjoys working with children and adults, and utilizes such approaches as cognitive-behavioural, solution focused, and client-centred therapy. Shelly has also just completed the first half of training to provide EMDR therapy.
Shelly's areas of interest include:
- Grief & Loss
- Life Change/Adjustment
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Inter-Relational Concerns
- Stress & Burnout
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 Chandra Ashton |
Chandra Ashton
M.Sc., Counselling Therapist, Specializes in Marriage & Family Therapy and Parent Coaching
Chandra has extensive training in attachment-based interventions with Vancouver-based expert Dr. Gordon Neufeld. She also is trained in the use of Dr. Ross Greene's Collaborative Problem Solving techniques for work with explosive children & their families.
Chandra's positive approach shines in both her therapy work and her coaching. Chandra specializes in work with:
- Hard to reach kids & teens
- Life transitions & stages
- Struggling families
Chandra's unique skillset also includes her fluency in ASL Sign Language & Spanish. As well, Chandra is much sought after for her dynamic workshop facilitation.
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 Joby Scaria |
Joby Scaria
M.S.W. Therapist
Joby loves learning about people and strengthening people's lives. His calm and humorous approach helps others to maintain personal perspective and balance. Joby especially enjoys working with teens and adults who are struggling with direction and life choices. Joby has an extensive work experience & training base in the areas of difficult to manage children & teens. This makes Joby an excellent choice for working with adolescent boys, men, and family groupings that need a healthy & balanced male perspective.
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 Kara Gushuliak |
Kara Gushuliak
M. Sc., Registered Provisional Psychologist
Kara has specialized training working with couples, families and children. Kara's background also includes extensive work with children and youth in foster and group care systems. As well, she and her husband are currently active foster parents. Kara especially enjoys work with teens, little ones and families needing clear direction and warm support. Kara's specialtiies include:
- Struggling Families
- Trauma & Abuse
- Behaviour Management
- Parent Child Communication
- Anxiety & Depression
- Life Transitions & Stages
- Healthy Emotional Balance
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Lisa Skriver
M.Ed., Registered Provisional Psychologist
Lisa Skriver is trained in both counseling and assessments. Her warm and supportive approach to counseling is based on Compassion Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. In addition to her formal training and counseling experience, Lisa also has experience working with children and families within the Alberta foster care system. Lisa’s areas of focus include:
- Individual and Family Counseling
- Family of Origin Issues
- Separation/Divorce
- Self-exploration/Self-esteem
- Family Violence
- Play Therapy
- Assessments: Home, Parenting, Learning, Vocational
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