Personal & Professional Empowerment
Stacy Darku is a Registered Counselling Therapist with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. Stacy has been working in the mental health field for over 15 years in different capacities. The essence of her work is to support individuals that are struggling to find themselves and want to heal from their trauma. She specializes in working with individuals that have experienced sexualized trauma, domestic violence, addictions, grief, sexual difficulties, and racial injustice.
Stacy uses a strength-based approach and the modalities she uses are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Exposure Therapy. Stacy's approach is person-centered, culturally informed, and trauma informed and she uses approaches that best suits her client's needs. Stacy holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology-Psychology (honours) from the University of New Brunswick.
Zarrin Ghaferi is a Registered Counselling Therapist with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists, and a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Zarrin has experience working in the field of mental health at private practice, community-based organizations, and in both residential and outpatient treatment facilities. Zarrin offers virtual individual counselling services to adults dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and interpersonal issues.She works with diverse populations, and her experience as an immigrant has also helped her to support other newcomers who are struggling with their identity or are experiencing stress, anxiety, and depression due to migration and settlement. Zarrin can offer services in both English and Persian/Farsi.
Zarrin’s approach is person-centered, trauma-informed and culturally sensitive. The evidence-based modalities she uses are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Narrative Therapy.
Zarrin holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Honours) from Dalhousie University
Samantha is a Registered Counselling Therapist-Candidate with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. She has over 5 years of experience in the mental health field in various settings. She offers individual counselling to adolescents and adults seeking support with depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationships, stress, the immigrant experience, and issues of identity (race, culture, gender, sexuality). Samantha’s warmth, calm demeanor, and person-centered approach are key components of her clinical treatment. She utilizes evidence-based modalities such as Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. Samantha is strength-based and culturally aware in working with clients of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Samantha understands that seeking therapy can be hard and will meet you where you’re at on your journey, creating a safe and empathetic environment. She holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Framingham State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology & Social Work from Regis College.
Linda Al-Jokhadar McLeod is a Registered Counselling Therapist with the Nova Scotia of College of Counselling Therapists. She sees herself as a lifelong learner. Linda holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, a Bachelor of Science and a Masters degree in Applied Human Nutrition from Mount Saint Vincent University. Linda has experience working with diverse populations through community-based organizations, in-person and remotely. She offers counselling services to adults living with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and interpersonal issues.
Linda is a proud Syrian-Canadian. She, her younger brother, and parents arrived in Halifax, Canada in 2000. Linda has since had her own family with her husband, son and stepchildren. Linda sees her experience as an immigrant to be of value when working with newcomers and individuals from varying backgrounds. Linda's approach to Counselling is a holistic one that utilizes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. She is always looking for ways to learn and grow, with her recent focus being on improving her Couple's Therapy skills through the Gottman Method Couples Therapy training program. Her approach to mental health is strengths-based, person-centred, and goal oriented, with the client being the driver, and Linda being their passenger. Linda can offer services in English and Arabic, and can be accompanied by the sweet and loving Bubba the dog if the client sees fit.
Sandi Champion is a Registered Counselling Therapist-Candidate with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. With a strong background as an educator spanning over a decade, Sandi has developed an understanding of human behavior and the unique challenges individuals face at different stages of life.
Utilizing a variety of therapeutic modalities and techniques, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Sand Tray, and Narrative Therapy, Sandi empowers her clients and help to cultivate positive change. She believes in tailoring her counselling approach to meet the specific needs and goals of each individual, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment where clients feel safe and heard.
Sandi holds a Master of Education in Counselling degree from Acadia University, as well as a Bachelor of Education from the University of New Brunswick and a Bachelor of Arts from St. Thomas University.
Rashida Symonds is a counselling therapist, educator, and writer. She started her work by connecting with youth in her community, teaching about history, culture, and self awareness. She later expanded her efforts to include working with adults individually and through group empowerment sessions. Rashida has worked as a faculty member at the Nova Scotia Community College and does community outreach through her organization Reach One Collective. Rashida completed a BA in English at Saint Mary’s University, a B.Ed. in secondary education from Mount Saint Vincent University, and an M.Ed. in Counselling through Acadia University. She grew up in Nova Scotia, as a Historic Black Nova Scotian who also has Indigenous ancestry.
Rashida’s approach to counselling is person-centered, holistic, collaborative, and trauma informed. Her goal is to create a supportive environment for individuals or groups to explore various mental health resources as they decide what works best for them. She emphasizes fostering connections and encourages individuals to explore their own strengths and resilience while building a path to personal growth.
Rashida is drawn to narrative therapy, Internal Family Systems, solution and emotion focused approaches, as well as cognitive behavioural therapy. She recognizes that every individual has a unique story, and that the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of a person work collectively to form a complete dynamic whole. Her work is inclusive and intersectional. She believes that great transform can occur when we are made aware of the tools required for healing. Sometimes our tools are self made, and sometimes our tools are presented to us through endearing members of our support system.
Chantal is a Registered Counselling Therapist-Candidate with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists & Therapeutic Play Practitioner. Chantal has experience with a variety of different counselling modalities that include Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR); Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART); CBT & traditional talk therapies; as well as play therapy and Theraplay-informed practices. Chantal works with children (aged 2+), youth, adults, siblings, parent-child dyads (from babies to adolescents), & families. She also provides Trauma-Focused CBT to children (5-16 years old), with parents/caregivers’ involvement in the process. Chantal has a passion for play and expressive arts, including sand tray. She works with a large range of clients including those with PTSD or trauma symptoms, BPD, anxiety, depression, OCD, neurodiversity, learning disorders, intellectual disabilities, exposure to domestic violence, grief, divorce/separation, bullying, more severe mental health issues such as suicidality & self-harm, adoption/fostering & general life stressors. Chantal is a humanistic person-centred practitioner who works through strength-based and attachment lenses, exhibiting empathy, acceptance, congruence, and unconditional positive regard for all my clients. She is culturally humble and has had the privilege of working with culturally diverse clientele including BIPOC; immigrants and refugees; and 2SLGBTQIA+ populations.
Chantal holds a Masters in Counselling Psychology; EMDR levels 1-3 (and special populations); Masters level qualifications in child-centred play therapy, CAPT play therapy trainings; Level 1 Theraplay; basic training in IFS; Lego Therapy, CBT and Trauma-Focused CBT.
Esinam Counselling's office manager.
Alys is a Certified Canadian Counsellor and Registered Counselling Therapist Candidate with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. Alys earned her M Ed Counselling at Acadia University, and has a Wellness Diploma, MA and BFA. Alys has taken specialized training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and Play Therapy, and is available to work with clients 3 yrs and up.
In her work with adults and young adults, Alys takes a collaborative inclusive approach rooted in feminist-constructivist and queer-affirming principles, fostering a sense of worth and belonging. Alys believes therapy offers a safe and supportive space to process past experiences, re-examine long-held beliefs, and explore behaviors that once served us but may no longer be helpful. Recognizing how early life shapes our present experiences, she integrates Attachment, Family Systems, and ISTDP (Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy) approaches to help clients deepen their connections—with others and with themselves. She also incorporates creative techniques and approaches, understanding that some of our most formative experiences predate language. By working with image and metaphor, clients can bring unconscious aspects of themselves into awareness, allowing for deeper exploration and healing.
In her work with children, Alys draws on Play Therapy techniques. Play Therapy is an empirically supported approach that helps children express feelings, heal trauma, develop emotional regulation and problem-solving skills, and enhance self-esteem. It is an evidence-based therapeutic intervention for children ages 3-12 and older. Play is the language of children, and is the way that kids work through and integrate their experiences, by externalization of images and symbols in a sensory creative medium. Sometimes a non-directive play therapy approach is used where the child chooses all play materials and the therapist reflects the feelings and themes present in their play. At other times, a more directive approach is taken where the therapist chooses games, activities, and projects that she believes will be helpful. Often a combination of these two models is used.
Alys identifies as cisgender female, queer, neurodivergent, a white settler, and a person with disability. Alys particularly enjoys working with women, children, the LGBTQ2SIA+ community, and couples/relationships.
Adrian is a Registered Counselling Therapist born in Monterrey, Mexico, and immigrated to Canada in 2003 after completing his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Adrian found his home in British Columbia where he supported people with intellectual disabilities and those struggling with mental health issues, as well as volunteering counselling services for non-profit organizations before moving to Nova Scotia to complete his studies in Counselling Psychology. Adrian has been focusing his training on trauma and has experience working with veterans, first responders, 2SLGBTQ+, multicultural and minority populations. He uses different methodology approaches to help clients process their trauma, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. As well as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help clients with anxiety, depression, and general mental health maintenance. Adrian is committed to working with clients with the goal of empowering them to live their best lives.
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