About
In Newfoundland and Labrador, we are trained as generalist practitioners and do not specialize in any one presenting problem. Our bios have listed areas where we practice most often, but are not an extensive list of the types of presenting problems each clinician would be competent to treat.
The exception to this would be children and adolescents, as this requires specific training. The intake coordinator has extensive knowledge of the types of clients each clinician sees most commonly, as well as each clinician's approach to therapy and how that can best fit with different presenting problems. They may suggest a different clinician based on their knowledge of therapeutic fit.
Directors
Dr. Emily Case
Dr. Emily Case completed her Ph.D. in 2012, graduating from the University of Toronto. Dr. Case has worked at the Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK), in Burlington, ON, and Eastern Health, in St. John's, NL. She has worked in private practice since 2015. She has also taught at Memorial University and has been actively involved in training clinical psychologists. Currently, Dr. Case is a director of the Beacon Centre Inc., where she offers therapy services for children and adolescents presenting with a wide variety of mental health concerns. She has a special interest in providing services to children and their families around anxiety, behavioural difficulties, parenting, and relationship concerns. Dr. Case also has a special interest in working with young children through play therapy. Email: dremilycase@beaconcentre.ca
Dr. Shannon Edison
Dr. Shannon Edison is a clinical psychologist and a director at the Beacon Centre, a private practice in St. John’s, NL. She completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Guelph in 2008. Prior to working full-time in private practice, Dr. Edison worked in a variety of settings, including the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Toronto, ON), Hamilton Health Sciences Centre (Hamilton, ON), and Eastern Health (St. John’s, NL). Dr. Edison has been actively involved in research and teaching. She held an Assistant Professor (PT) position in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University and has taught at the University of Guelph and Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dr. Edison was also the Provincial Coordinator for Clinical Training in Psychology at Eastern Health. As a director at the Beacon Centre, Dr. Edison provides therapy services to children, adolescents, families, and adults presenting with a variety of mental health concerns. Dr. Edison believes in the importance of creating strong therapeutic relationships. From this starting point, she works with clients to determine the therapeutic approach that will best meet their needs and goals. Finally, sharing personal stories of positive, difficult, and funny experiences from the side of her own mountain rather than from the top is something that she values when helping others. Email: drshannonedison@beaconcentre.ca
Dr. Heather Sheppard
Dr. Heather Sheppard completed her Ph.D. in 2006, graduating from University of New Brunswick. Dr. Sheppard has worked at Winnipeg Health Sciences Center, St. Boniface Hospitial, as well as Eastern Health. Dr Sheppard has also worked in private practices since 2003. She has taught at Memorial University and the University of New Brunswick and has been actively involved in training clinical psychologists. Currently Dr. Sheppard is a director of the Beacon Centre Inc., where she offers therapy services with children, adolescents and adults presenting with a wide variety of mental health concerns. In her practice, Dr. Sheppard believes in helping a client to identify and harness their own strength and resilience to create change. She has a special interest in providing services to individuals who have experienced trauma as well as working with helping professionals (e.g., first responders, physicians) and military personnel. Dr. Sheppard also has special interest in working with individuals experiencing grief and life-altering illness (e.g., cancer). Email: drheathersheppard@beaconcentre.ca
Dr. Kristen Williams
Dr. Kristen Williams completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Windsor in 2015. She received clinical training from settings in Ontario and Michigan including London Health Sciences Centre, Windsor Regional Hospital, and Tolan Park Clinic, Detroit. Dr. Williams has worked with Eastern Health and has been actively involved in training psychology residents. Dr. Williams is a director of the Beacon Centre Inc., where she provides therapy services to adolescents and adults presenting with a range of mental health concerns. Dr. Williams works from a client centered approach and believes in working collaboratively with clients to set therapeutic goals. She has special interest in the areas of anxiety, stress, and coping. Email: drkristenwilliams@beaconcentre.ca
Associates
Allison Abbott, M.Ed., R.Psych
Allison Abbott completed her Master of Counselling Psychology in 2001, graduating from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Since that time, she has been a Licensed Psychologist in Newfoundland and Labrador. Allison has worked with Central Health and Eastern Health in the areas of Child & Youth Mental Health, Long-Term Care and Intervention/Autism Services and has also provided private services through the NL Psychology Clinic. Allison has been involved in the training and supervision of provisionally registered psychologists. Currently. Allison is a psychologist at the Beacon Centre where she provides therapy to children, adolescents, families and adults presenting with a variety of mental health concerns. She provides a genuine, non-judgmental space to create a collaborative therapeutic relationship, which she believes is the foundation of any therapeutic process. Her therapeutic approach incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT). She has special interest in providing services in the areas of anxiety, parenting, grief and loss, stress and coping, as well as intervention and assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Allison is trained in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale -2 (ADOS-2) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R) and offers comprehensive assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder across the life span. Email: allisonabbott@beaconcentre.ca
Dr. Caroline Barnes
Dr. Caroline Barnes completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 2017, graduating from York University. She has received clinical training in a variety of settings, including sites throughout Manitoba at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and at Prairie Mountain Health, as well as at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Ontario. Dr. Barnes subsequently worked in community mental health at Eastern Health where she provided psychological services to adults, and was involved in training both practicum students and psychology residents. Dr. Barnes provides therapy to adults presenting with a variety of mental health concerns, with a special interest in anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and difficulties with emotion regulation. Dr. Barnes practices from a client-centered approach, incorporating a range of therapeutic modalities including cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, and emotion-focused therapy. She emphasizes building a strong therapeutic relationship and works collaboratively with each client to create a treatment plan tailored to their needs. Email: drcarolinebarnes@beaconcentre.ca
Dr. Alyssa Butler
Dr. Alyssa Butler graduated from the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program at Memorial University in 2018. She completed her pre-doctoral residency at Eastern Health, and since that time has worked within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health division at Eastern Health. She has been actively involved in training doctoral level psychology students and psychology residents. Dr. Butler provides therapy services to children and adolescents presenting with a variety of mental health concerns. She has a special interest in providing services to youth and their families around anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), stress and coping, and acute trauma. Dr. Butler believes that individuals are the experts of their own lives and contexts. She works collaboratively with clients and their families to develop a treatment approach that best suits their needs and objectives. She draws most heavily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Email: dralyssabutler@beaconcentre.ca
Dr. Dianna Brooks
Dr. Dianna Brooks is a graduate of the Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) PsyD program. She also holds a Masters degree in Experimental Psychology; a testament to her commitment to evidence-based clinical practice and passion for research. Dr. Brooks also has experience teaching at the undergraduate level (Abnormal Psychology 3650) at MUN since her own graduation. Dr. Brooks completed her Doctoral Residency at the MUN Student Wellness and Counselling Centre (SWCC), where she enjoyed working with clients presenting with a variety of mental health issues including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, grief/loss, trauma, OCD, relationship/family issues, and issues related to sexual orientation/gender identity, among other concerns. While working at the SWCC, she was also responsible for the supervision of several doctoral students. At the Beacon center, Dr. Brooks provides services to those age 15+ including individual therapy and a variety of assessments for psycho-diagnostic and psycho-educational purposes. These include assessment for ADHD and Learning Disorders, for example. She is also pleased to provide services for veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces as well as retired and serving members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Using an integrative approach, an individualized treatment plan is created collaboratively with each client, drawing upon elements from a variety of therapeutic approaches. Email: drdiannabrooks@gmail.com
Dr. Krystle Dalley
Dr. Krystle Dalley graduated from the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) program at Memorial University in 2013. She completed her pre doctoral residence at Annapolis Valley Health, whereby she worked with both Children and Adolescent, and Adult Mental Health and Addiction Services. Since that time she has worked within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health division at Eastern Health. She has been actively involved in training doctoral level psychology students and psychology residents. Dr. Dalley offers therapy services for children, adolescents, families, and adults presenting with a wide variety of mental health concerns. She has a special interest in anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), emotion regulation, parenting, stress and relationship concerns. Dr. Dalley believes a strong therapeutic relationship is the foundation of change. Her Therapeutic orientation is client-centered integrative, with grounding in interpersonal, and cognitive behavioural therapies. Email: drkrystledalley@beaconcentre.ca
Dr. Chris Duggan
Dr. Chris Duggan completed the Doctor of Psychology (Psy. D.) program at Memorial University in 2019, as well as pre-doctoral residency in Health Psychology at Eastern Health. Dr. Duggan has also taught at Memorial University, and has been involved in the training and supervision of psychologists. He has worked with various Eastern Health in-patient and out-patient programs, where he frequently worked with people experiencing mood disorders, brain injury/illness, personality disorders, eating pathology, trauma, and substance-related and addictive disorders, among other concerns. Dr. Duggan offers therapy services to adults, adolescents, and families with various mental health concerns, and has a special interest in Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), eating pathology, substance-related and addictive disorders, developmental trauma, grief and loss, and the developmental transition from adolescence to adulthood. He engages clients in a collaborative relationship in order to determine the treatment approach which would best fit their presentation and treatment goals. He is experienced in various treatment modalities and practices, mainly, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy-Informed (DBT-Informed) interventions. Email: drchrisduggan@beaconcentre.ca
Dr. Megan English
Dr. Megan English is a registered psychologist practicing in the areas of clinical neuropsychology and clinical psychology. She received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, ON, in 2016. Dr. English trained in a variety of settings, including hospital-based and private practice neuropsychology services, as well as inpatient and outpatient brain injury rehabilitation, chronic pain management, and mental health programs. She completed her predoctoral residency in the Clinical Neuropsychology Stream at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton, ON. Dr. English previously worked in the Neuropsychology Service of the Medicine Program at Eastern Health. Dr. English engages in research and training. Her current research interests focus on modifying psychological interventions for individuals experiencing cognitive impairment. She also teaches at Memorial University, and has provided supervision to psychology residents. Through her clinical work, Dr. English provides neuropsychological and psychodiagnostic assessment to adults and older adults to develop diagnostic considerations, understand strengths and weaknesses, assess changes in cognitive functioning, and guide treatment recommendations. In addition to assessment, Dr. English offers intervention that targets emotional, physical, and cognitive functioning to help individuals work towards personally meaningful goals and improve quality of life. Mental health concerns often include depression, anxiety, stress, and adjustment to illness or injury. Treatment approaches may incorporate cognitive-behavioural therapy, mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies, and cognitive rehabilitation (e.g., training in mindful-based attention, goal-management, and memory compensatory strategies). Dr. English has particular interests in working with individuals with neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, such as acquired brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, mild cognitive impairment/dementia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Email: drmeganenglish@beaconcentre.ca
Dr. Ben Goddard
Dr. Ben Goddard completed his Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Guelph, ON, in 2011. Towards the end of his training in Ontario he also taught at the University of Guelph and the University of Waterloo. Additionally, he was employed at a long term residential addiction facility. It was during that time that Dr. Goddard developed a rich appreciation for the benefit of clinical intervention and as such he went on to complete a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology at Memorial University of NL. Since that time he has worked within the Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Program at Eastern Health. Dr. Goddard provides therapy services to adults presenting with a variety of mental health concerns. He has an interest in anxiety, stress and coping, depression, grief and loss, and health psychology. Acceptance and commitment therapy, solution focused therapy, and motivational interviewing represent some of the therapeutic approaches utilized. Another area of interest is that of cognitive assessment and intervention. Email: drbengoddard@beaconcentre.ca
Syler Hayes
Syler Hayes is completing his Ph.D. in counselling psychology through the University of British Columbia and has been working as a therapist for eight years. Before completing his residency at Memorial University’s Student Wellness and Counselling Centre, he worked in Vancouver, BC as a registered counsellor, primarily working with clients looking to reduce their problematic substance use or other unsustainable coping methods (e.g., compulsions, self-harming, restrictive eating, anger, etc.) He has worked in residential treatment centres, out-patient clinics, and private practice. He primarily works with adults in individual therapy and has experience working with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds to help them address a variety of concerns (e.g., anxiety, depression, ADHD, anger management, OCD, ASD, time management, etc.). Syler works from a Person-Centered approach with an emphasis on individual choice. All sexual, gender, racial, religious, and cultural identities are welcome.
Dr. Heather McLean
Dr. Heather McLean has been a Registered Psychologist in Newfoundland and Labrador since 2018. She completed her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology through the University of Guelph, receiving training at the Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, Toronto and Hamilton-Wentworth District School boards, and in pediatric psychology clinics. Dr. McLean worked within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health division at Eastern Health for four years as a pre-doctoral resident and as a staff psychologist, bringing a genuine and collaborative approach to her work supporting children and youth with complex mental health difficulties. Dr. McLean provides intervention services to children, adolescents, parents, and families presenting with a variety of difficulties such as anxiety, OCD, relational/attachment issues, trauma, social and behavioural problems, ASD, adjustment, and emotion dysregulation. She has experience with a range of treatments that she flexibly integrates to meet client needs, commonly drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), emotion-focused family therapy (EFFT), and attachment-based approaches. Dr. McLean emphasizes active parent involvement in the treatment process and works to empower and instill confidence in caregivers to take on this role. She has special interest in working with families with young children, as well as with clients with neurodevelopmental and learning exceptionalities. Dr. McLean currently resides in Ontario and offers virtual services to clients in Newfoundland. Email: drmclean@beaconcentre.ca
Dr. Sarah Pegrum
Dr. Sarah Pegrum graduated from Australian Catholic University, Melbourne Australia with her PhD in 2010. While in Australia she worked providing general mental health treatment (Adult Community Mental Health-Launceston), as well as treatment of addictions (Taskforce Community Agency and Caranich). Since residing in St John's, Newfoundland she has worked in Eastern Health (HOPE Program and Adult Mental Health and Addictions). Dr. Pegrum has also taught at Memorial University, and has been involved in the training and supervision of psychologists. Currently Dr. Pegrum is at the Beacon Centre offering services to adults struggling with a wide variety of mental health concerns (including anxiety, stress, trauma, binge eating and personality disorders). Dr. Pegrum is trained in a variety of different therapies that she draws upon to help people move towards a living a life consistent with what is important to them. Email: drsarahpegrum@beaconcentre.ca
Dr. Cally Pevie
Dr. Cally Pevie graduated from Memorial University’s Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program in 2021. She completed her pre-doctoral residency in clinical psychology at Eastern Health in St. John’s, Newfoundland, where she provided outpatient treatment and assessment to adult clients in community mental health, trauma-focused, and health psychology areas. Dr. Pevie provides therapy services to adults who have a wide range of concerns. Her main areas of focus include relationship or interpersonal issues, trauma, mood and anxiety disorders, grief/loss, and existential concerns. Dr. Pevie practices from an evidence-based integrative framework, tailoring therapeutic techniques to the client’s needs. Her therapeutic orientation is rooted in Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and psychodynamic therapy. She also integrates elements of other evidence-supported approaches where appropriate, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and compassion-focused therapy. A firm understanding of attachment theory further informs her practice as she attends to how early childhood experiences influence current interpersonal relationships. She approaches treatment with openness and collaboration to allow clients to work toward their goals in a safe and non-judgmental therapeutic space. Email: drcallypevie@beaconcentre.ca
Dr. Emily Pond
Dr. Emily Pond graduated from the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program at Memorial University in 2020. She has trained in numerous settings, including community mental health clinics, hospitals, residential programs and schools. Dr. Pond completed her predoctoral residency at the London Clinical Psychology Residency Consortium in London, ON. Since that time, she has worked within the Autism Services division at Eastern Health. Dr. Pond offers therapy to children, adolescents and their families presenting with a variety of mental health concerns. She is particularly interested in anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and trauma. Dr. Pond strives to create a collaborative therapeutic relationship with clients to meet their unique needs. She uses an evidence-based therapeutic approach grounded in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and integrates other treatment modalities as needed. Email: dremilypond@beaconcentre.ca
Miranda Pond, M.Sc., R.Psych
Miranda Pond completed her Master of Science (Clinical Psychology) at Acadia University in 1998. She received clinical training at the IWK Children’s Hospital in Halifax. Miranda has worked with Eastern Health’s Janeway Children and Women’s Health Program since1998 in the areas of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Pediatric Medicine/Surgery, Women’s Health and Adolescent Medicine. Currently, Miranda is a psychologist at the Beacon Centre offering individual and/or family-based therapy to adolescents with a variety of mental health concerns. She has an interest in anxiety, stress and coping, grief and loss, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), pain management and heath psychology. Miranda works collaboratively with the client to determine the best therapeutic approach for their needs. Email: rpsychmirandapond@beaconcentre.ca
Dr. Megan Pollard
Dr. Megan Pollard received her Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) from Memorial University. She completed her pre-doctoral residency in Fredericton, New Brunswick where she provided intervention and assessment services to adults in acute care and hospital-based settings. Dr. Pollard has since worked with Eastern Health as part of a Community Mental Health and Addictions team. Dr. Pollard enjoys working with adults presenting with a range of mental health concerns. She has a particular passion for mood and anxiety disorders, interpersonal/attachment-related difficulties, emotion dysregulation, self-esteem, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Dr. Pollard takes an integrative approach to treatment that emphasizes transparency and collaboration to facilitate meaningful connections with her clients and to meet their individual needs. Her therapeutic approach pulls primarily from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. Dr. Pollard is currently completing training in Intensive Short-term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP). Dr. Pollard also has a special interest in comprehensive assessment and provides psychodiagnostic and cognitive assessments to adults. Email: drmeganpollard@beaconcentre.ca
Dr. Leah Puddester
Dr. Leah Puddester completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Ottawa in 2010. She has been a Licensed Psychologist in Newfoundland and Labrador since 2011 and a Licensed Psychologist by the Texas State Board of Psychological Examiners since 2018. Dr. Puddester currently resides in Houston, Texas, where she sees clients in-person at her private practice, and via Tele-Psychology for clients residing in Newfoundland and Labrador. Dr. Puddester has a diversified clinical skill set, offering individual therapy to adolescents and adults with a variety of mental health concerns. She has a special interest in working with depression, anxiety, trauma, and women’s mental health. Dr. Puddester is particularly passionate about working with women in the pregnancy and postpartum period and she holds the Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) from the Postpartum Society International. She takes an integrative approach to therapy. Her practice is rooted in her belief in the resiliency of the human spirit and the power of coming alongside others to promote healing and growth. Her primary focus is on building a safe and trusting relationship with her clients so that individuals can realize their own strengths and capabilities. Dr. Puddester is very excited to be working with The Beacon Centre to provide Tele-Psychology services to clients who, due to life circumstances or geography, are not able to receive services in-person. Email: drpuddester@beaconcentre.ca
Dr. Nicole Rodriguez
Dr. Nicole Rodriguez graduated from Memorial University’s Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program in 2021. She completed her pre-doctoral residency in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she provided assessment and treatment services to adult clients at the Health Sciences Centre, Victoria General Hospital, and the Transgender Health Clinic. Dr. Rodriguez provides services to adults with a wide range of concerns. Some of her main areas of focus include anxiety and mood disorders, sleep disorders (e.g., insomnia disorder, nightmare disorder), personality disorders, grief/loss, adjustment/life transition difficulties, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Dr. Rodriguez works collaboratively with clients to set realistic therapeutic goals, and integrates various therapeutic approaches based on client preference and values, as well as the best available research evidence. She draws mainly from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), while placing a strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and process. Dr. Rodriguez is also pleased to offer psychodiagnostic and cognitive assessment for adults. Email: drnicolerodriguez@beaconcentre.ca
Dr. Stacy Smith
Dr. Stacy Smith obtained her PsyD from Memorial University in 2016. In therapy she uses an approach that makes space for both reflection and action – helping clients build insight and understanding while also taking practical steps towards a valued life. She is integrative and depathologizing, and tailors treatment to each client, drawing on techniques from various modalities including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), EMDR, self-compassion, and psychodynamic/process-oriented therapies, among others. Dr. Smith sees teens and adults (16+) with diverse backgrounds and needs. Some of her main areas of focus include anxiety, OCD, trauma, gender identity, sexuality, relationship or interpersonal issues, grief and loss, reproductive and perinatal mental health, life transitions, and existential concerns, among others. Dr. Smith speaks both English and French, and is solely available for virtual appointments (audio/video), for residents across Newfoundland and Labrador. Email: drstacysmith@beaconcentre.ca
Dr. Marsha Rowsell
Dr. Marsha Rowsell graduated from Memorial University’s Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program in 2019. She completed her pre-doctoral residency at MUN's counselling centre and, subsequently, worked in the area of community mental health and addictions at Eastern Health. During this time, she worked with adults presenting with a range of mental health concerns and provided clinical supervision to residents. Prior to completing her PsyD, Dr. Rowsell completed her Masters degree in Experimental psychology where she was actively involved in research. She has published manuscripts in peer-reviewed scientific journals on anxiety, OCD, and disordered eating. In private practice, Dr. Rowsell provides therapy services to adults presenting with a variety of mental health concerns. She has a special interest in anxiety, OCD, emotion dysregulation, and interpersonal difficulties. She draws from a range of therapeutic approaches, including dialectical behaviour therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, psychodynamic, and emotion focused therapy, while working collaboratively with clients to address their unique needs and goals. Email: drmarsharowsell@beaconcentre.ca
Aruna Thyagarajan, M.Phil, R.Psych
Aruna Thyagarajan is a Registered Psychologist, currently practicing in the areas of clinical psychology and pediatric psychology. Aruna completed her Masters in Philosophy (M.Phil) in Clinical Psychology in 2000, from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences in India. She has worked across diverse clinical settings since completing her education. Aruna has worked with Eastern Health in Newfoundland since 2009, in the area of child and adolescent psychology. Aruna has the ability and the interest to work with a diverse client population (children, adolescents and adults), practicing an integrative therapeutic approach to suit the individual client. She draws from varied therapeutic approaches such as Humanistic, Positive Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness based therapies, above all believing in the authenticity and collaborative nature of the therapeutic process. Email: aruna.t@beaconcentre.ca
Dr. Ada Vaziri
Dr. Ada Vaziri holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and brings over a decade of experience to her role as a Registered Clinical Psychologist and a University Lecturer, teaching 26 courses in Psychology. After moving to Newfoundland, Dr Vaziri joined the Psychology department of Memorial University of Newfoundland to lead research topics such as anxiety, ADHD, and cognition. She is a Registered Clinical Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Newfoundland and works as a Clinical Psychologist at the Beacon Centre. She is passionate about providing therapeutic support for children, adolescents, and young adults facing various mental health challenges. For children, she is interested in providing services related to anxiety, ADHD, trauma and behavioural difficulties. She is particularly interested in working with children through play therapy, Child CBT, and parental management training. For young adults, she is interested in Anxiety disorders, Trauma, ADHD, maladaptive emotional and thought patterns, and interpersonal relationships. She has two main approaches including Schema therapy, a short-term deep-focused approach, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This comprehensive therapeutic approach reflects her commitment to tailoring interventions to meet the unique needs of everyone. Committed to both academia and clinical practice, Dr. Ada Vaziri blends her diverse experiences to offer compassionate and effective therapy services.
Dr. Whitney Willcott-Benoit
Dr. Whitney Willcott-Benoit graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a PhD in Clinical Psychology in 2023. She has trained in numerous settings, including an operational stress injury clinic, university clinic, tertiary care hospital, and private practice. She completed her pre-doctoral residency at the London Clinical Psychology Residency Consortium in London, ON. Trained as a generalist, Dr. Willcott-Benoit offers therapy to adults presenting with a wide variety of concerns. Her areas of focus include: anxiety and mood disorders; obsessive-compulsive disorder; gender identity and sexual orientation; sleep disorders; eating disorders; and trauma/stressor related disorders. Dr. Willcott-Benoit additionally offers assessments for psychodiagnostic and psychoeducational purposes. Dr. Willcott-Benoit approaches treatment from a client-centered and trauma-informed lens, prioritizing collaboration, trust, safety, and choice in every session. She integrates evidence-based psychotherapies to meet her clients' needs, drawing from approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). For those experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), she specifically offers cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and prolonged exposure therapy (PE).
Jennifer White, M.S.W., R.S.W.
Jennifer White completed her Master of Education (Counselling Psychology) in 2012, graduating from Memorial University. In addition, Jennifer completed her Master of Social Work (Mental Health and Health) in 2017, graduating from the University of Toronto. Jennifer is a Registered Social Worker in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Jennifer is a therapist at the Beacon Centre Inc., where she offers individual therapy services with adolescents and adults presenting with a wide variety of mental health concerns. She has a special interest in working with individuals experiencing anxiety, stress, and depression. Email: jenniferwhite@beaconcentre.ca
Staff
Elliott Learning | Billing Clerk
Courtney Youden, M.A. | Psychometrist
Courtney Youden completed her Master of Arts (Forensic Psychology) in 2017, graduating from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. Throughout this program she focused on clinical interviewing and assessment. During this time Courtney also explored her interest in false confession research where she focused on the psychology behind false confessions in criminal cases. Since graduating, Courtney has worked for non-profit organizations as a mental health worker and in a physical rehabilitation hospital where she took on the role of psychometrist and provided cognitive assessments to individuals who recently had adverse brain events such as strokes and TBIs.
