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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 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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 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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 Kara Gushuliak |
Kara Gushuliak
M. Sc., 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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| 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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| Aliya Manji
M. A., Registered Psychologist
Aliya is the newest member to our team. Aliya obtained her Masters of Arts in Counselling Pychology in 2008 and has been working with children and families for over five years. As a registered psychologist, Aliya specializes in the following areas:
- Stress, Anxiety and Depression
- Relationships and Couple's Issues
- Issues facing children and teens
- Life transitions
- Domestic Violence
- Grief and Loss
- Multicultural and Faith Issues
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| Farzad Zare-Bawani
PhD. Psych, Provisional Psychologist
Farzad recently joined Kells and works in our assessment unit and also accepts clients for individual or group counselling. With a vast range of experience in the hospital, justice/ corrections and school setting, Farzad brings extensive knowledge in the areas of forensic assessment, program evaluation & development as well as working with clients with various unique needs and issues.
Farzad's areas of specialty include:
- Neurological and Forensic Assessment
- Medical, developmental &/or Mental health disabilities.
- Trauma and Abuse - child and adult survivors
- Relationship and couples counselling
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| Marti Lysek-Behiels
M.A., Provisional Psychologist
Marti has a Masters of Counselling and recently joined Kells and works primarily in our EFAP program, but she also accepts clients for individual or group counselling. Her primary background is in the area of childres, couples and families from various settings. Marti's specialties include:
- Grief and Loss
- Trauma
- Sexuality Issues
- Women’s Issues
- Anxiety & Depression
- Couples Counselling
- Divorce/Separation
- Communication Issues
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| Lindsay Wolf-Owczarek
M.A., Provisional Psychologist
Lindsay holds a Masters of Counselling with a specialization in Counselling Psychology. She is a Provisional Psychologist here at Kells. Lindsay has a diverse background of helping individuals. Prior to becoming a therapist, Lindsay worked with those who are sexually exploited. She also has experience working with individuals who have experienced traumatic loss. Lindsay is patient and compassionate with her clients, working from a person-centered, strength-based approach. Lindsay believes every client has the strength to make the positive changes they desire, she believes in empowering her clients to make these changes. Her areas of focus include:
- Grief and Loss
- Trauma
- Sexuality Issues
- Women’s Issues
- Anxiety & Depression
- Couples Counselling
- Divorce/Separation
- Communication Issues
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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.
Chandra is currently on maternity leave.
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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. 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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Kathleen is currently on maternity leave.
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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 completed training in EMDR therapy. Lauren has focused her assessment work in the areas of:
- Home Assessment
- Clinical Assessment
- Parenting Assessment
- Learning Function Assessment
Lauren is currently on maternity leave.
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