Our Team
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Adejare Popoola
Registered Provisional Psychologist
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Amanda Quintilio
Registered Psychologist
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Karlana Noel
Canadian Certified Counsellor
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Corinne Gayton
Registered Social Worker
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Francine Wilson-Symbaluk
Registered Psychologist
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Jennifer Russell
Registered Psychologist
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Katherine O'Toole
Registered Psychotherapist
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Laura Higgerty
Registered Psychologist
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Lesley Levac
Registered Provisional Psychologist
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Matthew Cairns
Registered Psychologist
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Nicole St. Michel
Canadian Certified Counsellor
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Patricia “Trish” Dupuis
Registered Marriage and Family Therapist
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Simone Cormier
Case Worker for IRS & SVRC
Shauna Eriksen
Our beloved Shauna has recently taken a different path from the Mamowichihitowin Program. In keeping with the Indigenous tradition of not needing to say good-bye, we wanted to continue to keep her on our team page because we know we are always connected and forever indebted to all she offered us and this program over the years.
Shauna was the first therapist who ever served this program and has continued doing this for more than 20 years! She has worked in every community that we serve across the Yellowhead region. She then went on to train and supervise all the therapists that have ever served our program, ensuring that we stayed true to the program model and working in right relations with the people, with each other, and with ourselves. Her dedication, tenacity, and leadership has been exceptional. Truly, the magnitude of her offering to us, to these communities, and to this program is beyond words.
We recently asked David MacPhee, president of Aseniwuche Winewak Nation to summarize Shauna’s contribution and he answered simply, “Ki sakihew ayinsîniwak: she loved the people”.
Chekay’io Shauna – We take all that we are and offer it to you in gratitude.
We are not currently accepting students at this time.
Please check back January 2025!
Practicum Students
The Mamowichihitowin occasionally accepts practicum students. However, due to the deep nature of the work we do, we have the applicants go through a rigorous application process to ensure that they will be a good fit for this type of work. When applicants have successfully completed the application process, they can be sure they are in good hands as we offer extensive supervision (individual, group and ad hoc). They will also get specialized training so that they are accustomed to our unique model and to familiarize the students with the population we serve.
JESSICA HOWARD, MACP Student
Hello,
My name is Jessica and I am originally from the Edson area. After traveling the world, living abroad, and relocating for university, I am happy to say that I have now settled back in the area. My husband and I are now raising our sons here, and the small-town life feels right for us.
I have a Bachelor of Arts with a major in psychology from Grant MacEwan University as well as a Bachelor of Social Work from Thompson Rivers University. After graduation, I worked in the child intervention field for many years. Witnessing the transformative power that a good therapist can have, led me to pursue my Master's in Counselling Psychology. The idea of helping facilitate healing and positive change was the type of service I wanted to provide for others.
The saying, “if not now, then when? If not me, then who?” was a part of the push to pursue a counselling degree, as have a genuine desire to help others, an interest in psychology and human behavior, and I wanted to complete the formal education while my children were young.
My areas of interest include working with children and mothers, and I find myself drawn to cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR, family systems, and play therapy.
Having worked closely with the Mamowhichihitown program for years, it felt like a “full circle” process to apply for a student internship with the program. I feel honored to have been selected for this role and am excited for the rich learning experience of working within the program.
In my (very limited) spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking elaborate meals, hiking, mountain biking, and occasionally doing paint by numbers.
NICOLE WALKER, MACP Student
I am currently pursuing a Master of Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University, with an anticipated graduation date of December 2024. Currently, I am located in Grande Cache, where I am completing my student practicum placement at the Mamowichihitowin Program. I felt called to the program’s values and holistic and circular model, with its beautiful integration of Indigenous wisdom. This role has given me the honour and privilege of learning from my colleagues and the community, deepening my understanding and skills in the field of counselling.
My approach to counselling focuses on fostering a relationship grounded in safety, trust, and hope, where clients feel both accepted and encouraged to grow in meaningful ways. It is an immense privilege to walk beside individuals as they face their fears, challenges, and pains. I believe that through this supportive relationship, clients can re-discover their own strengths and resilience, leading to profound personal growth and healing.
Personally, I have always found much healing in nature, which fuels my passion for spending time outdoors. I love spending time in snowy mountains, swimming in lakes, foraging for mushrooms, attempting to garden, collecting rocks, and providing opportunities for more people to connect with the land. These activities not only bring me joy but also reinforce my belief in the therapeutic benefits of connecting to our natural world.
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow within the Grande Cache community, and I look forward to continuing my journey in the field of counselling with a deep sense of commitment and compassion.
All my relations.