Eden Health Care Services > Recovery of Hope > Therapists & Staff
Recovery of Hope counsellors must have a Master’s degree, belong to a professional organization with a code of ethics and be sensitive to spiritual issues. Our counsellors include Registered Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and those trained in Counselling Psychology. We do not offer services with a Registered Psychologist at this time.
What to look for in a Counsellor
Ask about qualifications, experience or anything you’d like to know. A competent counsellor will be happy to talk about any concerns you have. They will not impose their ideas or solutions on you, but will work with you to make changes to meet your goals. Take one or two sessions to decide if the counsellor is a good match for you.
PLEASE NOTE: Not all counsellors are accepting new clients at this time. For the most updated list of who is accepting new clients, please contact our office at 204-477-4673 or email info@recoveryofhope.ca.
Tara Brousseau Snider, MA Counselling Psychology
Tara holds a Master’s Degree from Yorkville University in Counselling Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queen’s University. She has completed her Emotion Focus Therapy for couples. She is a trained Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist. Tara is the current Executive Director of the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba. She sits as Vice-Chair of Addictions Foundation of Manitoba. Tara brings her knowledge of mental illness and depression to helping those who struggle to find recovery. Prior to this Tara worked in the long term care sector as an administrator. She served on the Social Services Advisory Committee which gave her understanding of the complexities of the social support system. She has knowledge of the present health system and can work with agencies and organizations.Tara focuses on mental illness, trauma and depression recovery, grief, seniors, younger adults and couples therapy. Tara has had her own life challenges and brings this life experience and empathy to her counselling role. She has been widowed and a lone parent to four children. She is now blessed with a husband and a blended family of seven adult children and two-daughters-in-law. Tara grew up in Winnipeg and currently lives on a farm outside of the city. Tara has a warm and understanding approach to helping people when their life seems overwhelming. Tara believes all people will find hope and a better life when supported with compassion and understanding.Tara works in Winnipeg at the Harrow office and offers sessions in the evening.
Wayne Friesen, MA Counselling, RSW
Wayne graduated from Providence Theological Seminary with his M.A. in Counselling in 2009. He has worked with Recovery of Hope in the Portage la Prairie office since July of 2011. Since 1998 he has worked with Youth For Christ in a variety of roles, the most recent being withUturn, a transitional housing project for homeless youth in Brandon.Wayne approaches counselling from a client centered perspective and is greatly influenced by attachment theory and Self-Regulation Therapy/ Somatic Experiencing techniques and systems theories. When working with couples Wayne leans on Emotional Focused Therapy as a foundation for his work. He has a warm, compassionate stance that enables him to help clients feel at ease, quickly building strong relationships early. Wayne is married with three children. He enjoys playing and writing music and loves being on the water while fishing.Wayne works in Winnipeg at the Harrow office and offers sessions during the day and evening.
Lori Giesbrecht, MA (Counselling), APC
Lori considers her role as a counsellor a privilege to be able to walk alongside clients on their journey and provide unconditional support and a safe environment for them when life brings its challenges or relationships become difficult. She uses a holistic, person-centered approach that is adapted to fit the needs, personality, and experiences of the client based on their human, spiritual, and social values to help clients to heal, develop new skills, gain new perspectives, and enhance their everyday lives. Lori received her Master of Arts in Counselling from Providence University College and Theological Seminary and draws from a number of therapeutic frameworks including cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, attachment theory, and emotion focused therapy. She works with women and men of all ages who are encountering issues such as depression, anxiety, grief, anger, trauma, life transitions, and parenting. Lori sees clients at the Winnipeg office and has day and evening sessions available.
Sharon Harms, RN, BN, MA Counselling Psychology, CCC
Sharon helps her clients to enhance their resilience as they face life’s challenges. Along with her master’s level training in counselling psychology, Sharon brings extensive experience as a registered nurse and counsellor in working with individuals who experience mental health and addiction issues.Sharon is particularly interested in helping individuals and groups move towards healing and recovery with regard to: addictions (substance and behavioural), anger, anxiety, chronic health problems & pain, depression, difficult life transitions, grief and loss, mental health disorders, relationship skills, self-image, sleep problems, smoking / tobacco cessation, stress and burnout, and trauma.Sharon focuses on the promotion of optimal health in all areas of life: mental, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual. Her approach to counselling draws upon the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a short-term practical psychotherapy treatment that focuses on problem-solving and creating change. Clients experience healing and recovery as they develop healthier ways of thinking, feeling, andbehaving.Sharon works in Winnipeg at the Harrow office and offers sessions during the day.
Harv Janzen, M.Div, MMFT, APC
Harv Janzen is a caring professional who will compassionately walk with you in your journey. He believes in the possibility of hope and wholeness in whatever challenges you may be facing. As a counselling therapist with a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, he uses a variety of approaches such as Emotionally Focused Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. Over the past 15 years, Harv has worked in pastoral ministry, working with individuals, couples and families. He has extensive experience in pastoral counselling and has completed a Master of Divinity Degree in Pastoral Ministry. He is also licensed with Enrich Canada and is trained to help couples assess relationship issues and effectively work through relational challenges. Harv works in Winnipeg (Harrow location), Winkler, and Portage la Prairie. He is offering sessions during the day and evening.
Kevin Klassen, MA Counselling Psychology, CPC
Kevin has worked as a therapist for Recovery of Hope for over 10 years and during this time has travelled to satellite offices in Steinbach, Altona & Winkler. Now that he is employed full time at the Whyte Ridge Baptist church as a pastor, he restricts his time to ½ day at the Winnipeg location. Kevin loves his role as a counsellor. He especially enjoys working with couples, helping young adults plot life/transitional issues and exploring spiritual matters with clients. His style is deeply empathic as well as reflective and authentic as a therapist.Kevinworks in Winnipeg at the Harrow office and offers sessions during the day.
Stephen Parr, MA, RP, CCTP, REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Areas of Focus – Abuse, Anxiety, Couples, Depression, Emotional Regulation, Family Conflict, Family of Origin, Grief/Loss, Life Transitions, Relationships, Self-esteem, Spirituality, Trauma.
Certifications & Training:
- Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies
- Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
- Focusing (Levels I and II)
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (Step 1)
- PREPARE ENRICH
Professional Membership
- College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
- Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals
Stephen’s 20 years working in international, cross-cultural settings in the areas of theological education, leadership and personnel have given him a valuable multicultural perspective on people and organizations. He has worked as a counsellor / Registered Psychotherapist since 2008, and also holds MDiv and MTh degrees, as well as MA in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy.
Stephen uses a variety of therapeutic approaches in accompanying his clients towards wholeness, including Attachment-Focused Therapy, CBT, Emotion-Focused, Narrative and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. He has counselling experience in abuse, anger, anxiety, conflict, cultural adjustment, depression, life transitions, ministry issues, marriage difficulties, pre-marital counselling, self-awareness, self-esteem and trauma. He has also worked with clients with ADHD and Bipolar Disorder. His acceptance and warmth, openness and curiosity, along with an awareness of the centrality of God’s grace combine together to help people make sense of their lives with new insight, resources and skills – both personally and inter-personally. He has a passion for personal development and spirituality. Recently returned to Winnipeg, Stephen enjoys playing music, reading and spending time with his wife.
Laura Peters, M.Ed, CCC
Laura is Canadian Certified Counsellor (Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association) and has a master’s degree with a focus in counselling. She works from a strengths basedapproach and her counselling style has been influenced by a variety of theoretical approaches including: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Choice Theory, Motivational Interviewing, and others. However, she believes a relationship of trust and unconditional regard that is fostered in the counselling setting is the most important catalyst for positive change. Laura feels it is an honour to participate with her clients on their journeys toward healing and well-being. She has worked with clients who have a variety of presenting issues and her most recent area of focus has been mental health, particularly the spectrum of problems related to anxiety and depression. Laura has experience working with adults and youth. In addition to counselling at Recovery of Hope, she also works with individuals and families in a high schoolsetting.Laura works in Winnipeg at the Harrow office and offers sessions in the evening.
Rita Peters, M.Ed Counselling, CCC
Rita enjoys helping people work through life struggles towards a place of greater wellness and has experience working with people from a variety of backgrounds and ages as well as an array of issues and concerns. Rita takes into consideration the individual and their situation while working to create a warm environment where clients feel understood and supported. She primarily takes a developmental attachment approach while incorporating aspects of mindfulness, narrative and cognitive therapies. She is a trained Prepare/Enrich facilitator and uses this training when working with couples seeking to improve or strengthen theirrelationships.Rita is continuing her studies through the Neufeld Institute where she has completed Intensives I and II as well as Advanced Intensive: Becoming Attached. She plans to apply to the Advanced Studies program in the future. She finds what she is learning to be very helpful in her counselling practice particularly in working with children, adolescents, and parenting concerns as well as in parenting her own children.Rita grew up in Pennsylvania and completed an undergraduate degree at Millersville University in Sociology with a strong concentration in Psychology. She touched base with Eden when she first moved to Canada, having worked at Philhaven in Pennsylvania, a facility that has a similar history to EHCS. Upon completing her Master of Education degree in Guidance and Counselling Program at the University of Manitoba she began working for Recovery of Hope in the Winkler office. She lives with her husband and two children in Rural Manitoba. in addition to her work as a counsellor, she spends time homeschooling her children, helping in her church’s Sunday School program and attending soccer, dance and hockey events.Rita has experience working with a variety of issues some of which include depression, anxiety, abuse, victims of crime, grief & loss, parenting concerns, relationship issues and those seeking personal growth.Rita works in Winkler and offers sessions during the day and evening.
Barrette Plett, M.Ed Counselling, CCC
Barrette is an intuitive, warm, and encouraging counsellor. He believes in the resilience, strength, and imagination of every person. His client-centred approach to counselling is grounded in solution-focused theory and technique. Barrette has worked with children and families for years as an educator and counsellor, and has a unique ability to draw out reserved children. He is also experienced working with youth and young adults.Barrette has his Masters of Education in Counselling at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. His thesis exploring the experiences of introverted adolescents won the Governor General’s Gold Medal, but he rarely wears the medal in counselling sessions. Barrette is a Canadian Certified Counsellor and a Professional Member of the CCPA. Barrette is has additional certification as a CPS Provider and as a Simplicity Parenting Family Life Coach. Barrette has worked as a teacher and counsellor in elementary, high school, and adult settings, and as a volunteer with MCC inEgypt.Barrette works in Winkler and offers sessions during the evening.
Diana Suderman, MA Counselling, CPC
Diana received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and her Master’s degree in Counseling from Providence Theological Seminary. She currently works at the satellite office in Winkler, offering phone and in-person sessions.
Born and raised in Southern California, Diana offers a warm, open and nonjudgmental approach to her counseling, allowing her to quickly establish a strong and trusting relationship with her clients. She works from a cognitive-behavioral and attachment approach, customizing it to the clients’ individual needs, while maintaining focus on building from their strengths, empowering and encouraging clients, and focusing on hope. Diana also works from a trauma-informed perspective, having worked extensively with the immigrant, newcomer and refugee population through her work with a non-profit settlement and immigration organization. She is fluent in Spanish, which also greatly helps in offering counseling for those speaking Spanish in their native language.
Diana enjoys helping clients through transitional periods, in particular through grief and loss. She especially enjoys working with women, international clients, couples/marriage counseling, and working with parents of special needs children (drawing on her own experience of raising a child with autism). In her leisure time, Diana enjoys travelling (anywhere) with her husband and children, enjoys taking pictures of God’s beauty through nature, and listening to jazz in the park with her family.
Marcy Vandenbos, MA Counselling, CPC
Marcy has a BA in Social Sciences from the University of Western Ontario, a B.Ed from the University of Winnipeg, and an MA in Counselling from Providence Theological Seminary. With thirty years of experience teaching in elementary and high schools she has a good understanding of the field of education and has a heart for all students, whether they are K-12 or in university. She works with women of all ages who are encountering issues such as depression, parenting or child-related concerns, or staying emotionally involved in their relationships. She also works with individuals, families or couples struggling with everydaylife.In her counselling, Marcy integrates her life experience, which includes her husband, a family of seven children and 18 grandchildren, with her Christian theological, psychological and educational background. She uses approaches that include Attachment Theory, Internal Family Systems Theory and Emotion Focused Therapy. It is her desire to come alongside people who are hurting to help them have a sense of shalom: completeness, wholeness, health, andpeace.Marcy works in Winkler and Altona and offers sessions during the day and evening.
Terry Warburton, MA Counselling, CPC
Terry is a therapist, parent consultant and course facilitator who works in southern Manitoba. She has a Master of Arts in Counselling and has been authorized by the Neufeld Institute as a Parent Consultant and Practitioner (www.neufeldinstitute.com). She understands the ongoing challenges that parents and educators face and is passionate about providing them with support, guidance and practical strategies that can enhance their role with children. Terry is convinced that although parenting can be a tough journey, it can also be a very rewarding experience. She uses an attachment-based, insight approach to help people find meaningful and practical solutions that preserve their most precious relationships. In addition to her work as a parent educator, Terry offers therapy services to those who struggle with depression, anxiety, addictions, trauma and issues within their relationships.Terry is no longer seeing new clients as she focuses her time on her Clinical Director duties.
Valerie Wiebe, MA (MFC)
It is not easy to capture the essence of a successful counselling experience. However, finding a good connection with a therapist and feeling understood can provide the framework for effort that contributes to transformation. At the heart of Val’s work is a focus on the interconnections between a client’s body, mind, emotional and spiritual well-being. She is concerned about how trauma interferes with a person’s well-being, and experience in their world. It is her belief that people have an innate ability to move towards healing and is honored to participate in that journey with her clients.Val has a Master’s in Marriage & Family Counselling and most recently has studied Self-Regulation Therapy, completing a number of courses related to this counselling approach. In over 20 years of working as a counsellor she has worked with people addressing a wide range of issues including grief & loss, depression, anxiety, parenting concerns, and couple conflict.Val works in Winnipeg at the Harrow office and offers sessions during the day and evening.
Andrea Dyck, MA Counselling Psychology, CCCE
Andrea has her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. She is a parent consultant and Certified Childbirth Educator. Andrea has been trained in the attachment-based developmental approach through the Neufeld Institute, including the advanced Intensives I-V. She applies this understanding of relationship and resilience both to supporting parents as well as emotional well-being for people of all ages. Andrea is available to support individuals facing a variety of struggles including relational challenges, anxiety, transitions, depression or grief. She sees therapy as relational support for the natural healing and growth process. Andrea is married with three children, She lived internationally for many years and has broad cross-cultural experience. She lives in Steinbach and is available in the Steinbach and Winnipeg offices.
Lynda Loewen MMFT, RSW
Lynda has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and has a social work background. She is also a professor in Psychology at Canadian Mennonite University.
Lynda’s approach to working with tough situations is based on systems thinking (everything is connected), attachment (early childhood lays down a “template” for our future relationships and experiences) and the developmental model (we get “stuck” in immaturity along the way).
Lynda has been deeply impressed with the resilience of the human spirit, and how we have been created to learn from adversity, and indeed, get better. Her work focuses on this tremendous resilience. She works in the Winnipeg – Harrow location.
Jaymie Friesen, MA Counselling Psychology (candidate) – Practicum
Jaymie Friesen is completing her Masters in Psychotherapy and Spirituality through St. Stephens College (University of Alberta). Jaymie has worked in the field of abuse response and prevention for the last eight years and has considerable experience supporting individuals healing form sexual, spiritual, and relational trauma. Jaymie is also trained as a STAR Facilitator (Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience).
Jaymie uses a collaborative and person-centered approach, prioritizing the needs, goals, and values of the client to help guide the counselling process. Jaymie understands healing and change as a holistic and non-linear process that encompasses the mental, physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual realms of our beings.
Due to Jaymie’s personal life journey, she is also highly knowledgeable about the mind-body states of depression, anxiety, and OCD and draws upon various modalities when supporting people moving through these painful and often unbearable seasons of life.
Jaymie is available to support adults of any gender or sexual identity struggling with depression, anxiety, OCD, relationship challenges, grief, or trauma.
Joyce Sule, Counsellor
Joyce holds a Masters of Counselling from Providence University and Seminary, as well as a Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee of Accreditation (Federation of Law Societies). Joyce, originally from Africa, brings with her a fresh perspective and attitude to the journey of hope and healing. She has been gifted and empowered by a variety of challenges, including personal struggles that have served to position her to offer unconditional acceptance, authenticity and a lived understanding of those considered different. Joyce treasures the opportunity to help and empower others to thrive in their own unique world. Joyce’s therapeutic approaches include: Attachment Theory, Client Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Theory, Emotion Focused, Narrative, Systemic/Family, Spirituality, Solution Focused, Self-Regulation, Developmental and Neurobiology. Joyce works with adults, couples, young adults, teens and children (over the age of 13) out of our Steinbach office.
Melissa Bartel-Sawatzky, Counsellor
Navigating the process of finding a counsellor can be a challenging, vulnerable, and even nerve-wracking experience. By reading this, you have already made the first courageous step towards a new journey and deciding whether this might be a good fit for you. Melissa seeks to be a supportive collaborator who walks alongside clients on their journey, cultivating a warm and non-judgmental space for clients to explore their emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual experiences of life. Her approach to counselling is based on a person-centred, trauma-informed, and holistic framework suited to the individual needs of each client, with a focus on creating connection and belonging. Having grown up on the prairies, Melissa traveled to British Columbia and spent 15 years there, obtaining her Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia, before returning to Winnipeg to raise her two children with her partner. She is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Working primarily with adults, Melissa has supported clients dealing with a variety of challenges, including anxiety, depression, relationship and/or family struggles, grief & loss, self-worth, life transitions, and career exploration. She uses a variety of approaches to counselling, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, Attachment Theory, Experiential/Body-focused work, and is trained in the basic level of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy. Melissa works at the Harrow office in Winnipeg and offers sessions during the day and evening.
Yvonne Stoesz, MSW
Yvonne graduated with her M.A. in Social Work from the University of Manitoba in 1996. Yvonne believes in the power and strength of the human spirit to heal and restore relationships. She has three decades of experience in community, clinic and hospital settings working in areas such as community health, mental health, adoption and community development. She is trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. In therapy, she focuses on cognitive, emotional, physical and spiritual health. Yvonne works out of the Winkler office.
Dallas Wiebe, Counselling Therapist
Dallas is a counselling therapist who holds an M.A. in Counselling from Providence Seminary. He is CCC certified and is a member of CCPA (Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association). He has also been trained as a Prepare/Enrich marriage facilitator. Dallas worked in pastoral church ministry both in Canada and internationally for 14 years, giving him a multicultural perspective on life. His professional and personal life have given him experience in helping others process issues of spirituality, grief, trauma, anxiety, adoption & fostering, life & cultural transitions, mental health issues, and marriage. He believes in providing a trusting and safe place to explore the root of issues in order to heal and find hope.
Dallas’ counselling approach is person-centered and influenced by CBT, Attachment-based, Narrative, and Interpersonal Neurobiology, but tailored to fit the client’s individual needs. He works with adults and teens. Dallas is fluent in Spanish and offers counselling in both English and Spanish.
Dallas and his wife have been married since 2002 and have five children ranging in age from elementary to high school. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing sports, music, and all things outdoors.