Clinical Staff

All Heritage Home therapists have experience in conducting family and couples’ counselling sessions; however, each has a different training and approach to therapy. The following is a brief description of each Heritage Home therapist:

Laurie Bedard, M.A.,C. - Addiction Therapist

Credentials

• M.A.,C. Counselling Psychology
• B.A., Major, Psychology
• B.Ed., Elementary and High School General

Related Professional Experience

• Addictions Therapist
• Private Counsellor - Worked primarily with children struggling with anxiety disorder
• Adolescent Group Home Counsellor - Worked with abused youths struggling with alcohol, drug and/or oppositional-defiance disorders
• Teacher - Worked with troubled and runaway youths in Transitions Programme

Responsibilities at Heritage

Individual and group therapy

• I work primarily from reality based therapies, applying cognitive-behavioural therapies as well as exposure-based therapies.
• My areas of specialization include; the neurobiology of addiction and other disorders, strength based therapy including positive psychology, mood disorders, posttraumatic stress response and relapse prevention.

In the beginning stages of therapy I work with clients to provide a cognitive and behavioural reframing process. A counsellor who is supportive, directive and action oriented can be beneficial and this is the kind of counsellor I endeavour to be.

Portia Dahl, M.A. - Creative Arts Therapist

Credentials

• M.A., Creative Art Therapy
• B.A., Applied Human Sciences
• B.A., Political Science & Legal Studies
• Certificate: Suicide Intervention

Related Professional Experience

• Addiction Therapist
• Mediator – Restorative Justice Cases

Specializations

• Restorative Justice: Resolving family conflicts in order to re-establish trust and obtain closure for issues like theft and/or damage of property.
• Post-Treatment Recovery: A family issue
• Conflict Resolution & Anger Management
• Anxiety & Stress Management
• Family of Origin Issues
• Relationship Issues: Co-dependency, domestic violence & dysfunctional family patterns

Personal Statement

At Heritage Home I provide group and individual therapy for the clients. I have been working in the field of addiction for seven years. I use creative art therapy as a way of illustrating material and enhancing the therapeutic process. Sometimes people are apprehensive about participating in creative art therapy, but my approach tends to help them relax, learn, and have fun. Most importantly, creative art therapy is used to achieve catharsis: experiencing emotions lead to insight that creates sustained change.

Kathleen Rattigan, M.A. - Meditation & Spiritual Counsellor

Credentials

• M.A., Metaphysics
• Diploma – Adult Psychology
• Diploma - Nutrition

Related Professional Experience

• Meditation & Spiritual Therapist
• Grief Counsellor

Specialization

• Natural relaxation relieving anxiety/stress
• Effective Communication Skills exploring negative family dynamics issues

Personal Statement

At Heritage Home I provide clients with an opportunity to awaken the spiritual aspect of their humanity.  Through the use of meditation, guided visualization, positive affirmations, and other advanced and modern teachings, I facilitate the development of becoming mindful, reconnecting with one’s inner self, learning to be comfortable in stillness and reclaiming the ability to unwind in a natural way.

All spiritual practices are based on a non-sectarian viewpoint. My group sessions on meditation provide a forum for open-minded discussions based on how spirituality enhances feelings of physical, emotional and mental well being.  Meditation also teaches clients how to transform fearful and negative thoughts into a positive and life enhancing energy that assists in creating a healthy, natural and productive life practice that is easy to maintain.

Luis Rino, B.A - Counsellor

Credentials

• B.A., Applied Human Sciences

Related Professional Experience

• Addiction Counsellor
• Group Facilitator

Specialization

• Exploring interpersonal conflict issues with family members
• Facilitating the development of effective communication and problems solving among family members

Personal Statement

Before becoming an addiction counsellor for Heritage Home, I was a missionary for the Oblates in Alberta.  During this time I had the opportunity to work with the First Nations communities.  I worked with individuals dealing with the effects of generational trauma, drugs and alcohol abuse.  At Heritage, I not only counsel clients but I also organize and run workshops that my clients have always found to be informative and fun.  Previous to work at Heritage, I created a communications skills training program for men and women in halfway houses to teach them more appropriate and effective ways of communication.  This has been a skill that has benefited not only the addict but the family as a whole once the addict returns home or to the workplace.

Karyn Robertson, Ph.D. Candidate - Psychotherapist

Credentials

• Clinical Psychology; M.Ed.
• Counselling Psychology, B.A

Specialization

Psychodynamic interpersonal psychoanalysis, specializing in:

• Addiction
• Post-Traumatic Stress Response
• Acute Stress Disorder
• Clinical Depression

Phase of Life Transitional Issues:

• Divorce
• Grief
• Sexual Identity
• Post-partum Depression
• Anxiety Management

Personal Statement

With over 15 years of clinical experience specializing in psychodynamic therapeutic work, I bring a clear and grounded sense of the work required in understanding ourselves and the world around us.  I also maintain a private practice in Montreal, Quebec that includes a clinical focus on the post-treatment recovery process.