Benoit Veilleux has over 31 years of experience in practicing counselling.  He holds a master’s degree in Social Work, he’s a college professor, a member of the OCSSWSW and the founder of Better You Counselling Services.  

Based on his belief that everyone can reach their full potential, he focuses on optimising mental health and performance excellence.  More specifically, his experience includes working with people dealing with trauma, anxiety, phobia, depression, addiction, workplace issues, relationship and family issues, performance struggles and more.  

Using innovative and cutting-edge methods, clients can expect a strong emphasis on psychoeducational and cognitive-behavioural approaches.  Benoit incorporates mindfulness, virtual reality exposure therapy, biofeedback training and polyvagal informed therapy among other things.  

His experience has led him to work one-on-one with children, youth, adolescents, and adults.  He also works with couples, families, organizations, and provides workshops and training to our community.   

Benoit has a great sense of humour and he loves working with his clients to make their lives better. Benoit is very excited to a part of the Better You Counselling team and would be extremely happy to meet with you.

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Vicky Veilleux has over 4 years of experience in practicing counselling. She holds a degree in Social Work and is a member of the OCSSWSW.
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She is a big advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, with a strong foundation in anti-oppressive practice. She focuses on creating a safe space and strengthening mental health and interpersonal relationships. Her
experience includes working with people dealing with eating disorders, anxiety, trauma, depression, grief, addiction, emotional dysregulation, impulsive behaviours and more. Using current techniques, clients can expect a strong emphasis on psychoeducational and 
dialectical behavioural therapy approaches.

Vicky incorporates mindfulness, DBT skills, trauma informed therapy, virtual reality exposure therapy, as well as many more. Her experience has led her to working with children, youth, adolescents and adults. She also works with caregivers, couples and families. Vicky is passionate about her work and loves helping clients create a more meaningful life.

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She is happy to be a part of the Better You team and would be thrilled to meet you.  You are just one step away from becoming a better you.

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Pamela Thompson has over 20 years of experience in Social Work. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science. Pam is a member of OCSSWSW and certified in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). 

Pam’s experience as a school based social worker has allowed her the opportunity to gain extensive competences in working with children, youth, and their families. More specifically, individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, self-harm, conflict, addictions, trauma, suicidal ideations, school refusal and relationship issues.  

Through the use of evidence-based frameworks, clients will benefit from a strong emphasis on psychoeducation and cognitive-behavioural approaches. Pam values building on the strengths of her clients and empowering them to build their own skills in managing their symptoms. She uses her expertise to tailor her treatment plans to the needs of her clients.

Pam is a Living Works certified Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer (ASIST©) and certified as a Living Works safeTALK© trainer. She is available to provide these trainings to organizations and community partners.  

Pam is very excited to a part of the Better you Counselling team and looks forward to meeting and working with you, 

(Being an employee of UCSDB, Pam cannot accept any referrals for UCDSB staff or students. Pam will be more than happy to refer you to another member of the Better You Counselling team).

Lindsay Ferguson has 4 years of experience in practicing counselling and talk therapy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and is a member of the OCSSWSW.

Her career in Social Work allowed her to continue helping those struggling with their mental health, self-esteem, emotional dysregulation, personal relationships and caregiver distress. As a result, her practice is strongly focused on strength-based and feminist theories and approaches. Her hopes are to continue to provide skills to enhance mental wellness and work through possible cognitive distortions, co-dependent relationships, impulsive behaviours or more. Her experience includes working primarily with adults, youth, those living with a dual diagnosis or concurrent disorder, families, caregivers and seniors coping with a range of complex life stressors.

Clients can expect an emphasis on building a strong rapport and safe space while using evidenced-based approaches such as: Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, mindfulness and psychoeducation.

Lindsay takes pride in being personable and having a great sense of humour. She is proud to launch her practice with the Better You Counselling team and would be glad to meet with you.  Services are available in both English and French“.

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Michelle Gosselin is a registered social worker with the OCSSWSW who has over 30 years’

experience providing therapeutic services. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the

University of Ottawa.

She has experience working with individuals of all ages, including couples and families.

Specifically, Michelle has worked with a diversity of clients as they face challenges related to

trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, grief, relationship issues, family issues, communication, and self-esteem, as well as co-dependency issues. She has a particular interest in supporting

caregivers of people living with mental illness and addiction, and she has expertise in working

with survivors of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence.

Michelle strives to provide her clients with a warm, respectful, and collaborative environment

as she helps them reach their goals in therapy. Her approach to therapy is strengths-based and

focuses on clients’ unique needs, while drawing from an evidence-based and integrative

framework. Her theoretical orientation lies within trauma-informed and strengths-based care,

Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as well as many others.

Through her education, work, and personal experience, Michelle is mindful that starting this

journey takes incredible courage. Her life experiences and role as a partner and parent have helped her become the clinician she is today. She is passionate about helping her clients to step

into living their fullest potential.

Michelle offers services in both French and English. Michelle is excited to be part of the Better You

Counselling team and looks forward to working with you.

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Tammy Wells-Petryna is a registered social worker with the OCSSWSW who has over 13 years’ experience providing therapeutic services. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Dalhousie and a specialisation in trauma therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University.

She has experience working with individuals, including couples and families. Specifically, Tammy has worked with a diversity of clients in numerous areas such as anxiety, abuse, depression, burnout, stress, grief, relationship and family issues, communication, and self-esteem, as well as issues with co-dependency. She has a particular interest in supporting those with trauma response symptoms and PTSD and works from a trauma informed approach.

Tammy strives to provide her clients with a safe, secure, respectful, non-judgemental, and co-regulated environment as she helps them reach their personal goals in therapy. She believes that it is important to validate and normalize the fact that we are all unique with our own experiences and narratives.  Her approach to therapy is strengths-based and focuses on clients’ unique needs, her theoretical orientation lies within trauma-informed, Polyvagal Theory, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Safe and Sound Protocols including many others.  Through her education, ongoing training, work, and personal experiences, Tammy is a big advocate of psychoeducation and is passionate about helping others understand who they are and why they do the things they do. By doing so, she helps people find the best ways to move forward so they thrive and meet their fullest potential.

As a partner and parent, Tammy is aware that life experiences can come with many challenges and hardships. She strongly believes that people can improve their quality of life by reaching out and connecting with the right therapist.

Tammy is very excited to be part of the Better You Counselling team and looks forward to meeting with you.

Tammy offers services in both French and English.

Susan is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario and a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Susan has over 20 years of providing quality care in therapy.  She holds a Master’s degree in CounsellingPsychology from Yorkville University and specializes in trauma treatment providing EMDR.  Susan works primarily with adults who face family issues, depression, grief, work related stress, PTSD and domestic violence.  

Her approach is to work with the client in a collaborative and transparent way, allowing for the client to take the lead in their own healing.  She likes for clients to be able to make sense of their own issues with an understanding of what has contributed to their life circumstances.  Susan will draw from the teachings of a trauma informed, family of origin and person-centered approach using narrative, CBT, brief/solution focused, and EFT techniques.  Specifically, she focuses on trauma treatment using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocess therapy and Mindfulness based methods.  

Susan works with individuals, couples and families. She will connect with you to help find the best type of therapy that is comfortable and safe for you to work toward your healing journey.  

Susan holds the perspective that it is a privilege to have the opportunity to be with you as you move into a Better You.

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Melanie St-Martin (She/Her) has 4 years of experience in practicing counselling. She is a Registered Social Worker, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a diploma in Special Care Counselling. She is in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and trained in trauma informed cognitive behavioral therapy as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). Melanie uses a holistic, anti oppressive and social justice-oriented lens. Clients can expect safety, humor, and collaboration in exploring their natural strengths and approaching their challenges with curiosity. Melanie has experience working in grassroots, feminist-based organizations as well as community-based mental health care for children, youth, and families. She also has experience supporting folks navigating mental health challenges, intimate partner violence, emotional dysregulation, self-harm, relationship issues and life transitions. Melanie draws from various counselling techniques that include psycho-education, somatic regulation strategies, cognitive behavioral tools, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance skills. She is humbled to be part of the Better You team and looks forward to meeting you.

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Olivia Noël Dakkak (she/they) has over 4 years of experience in social work and counselling. They hold a Bachelor’s degree in social work and are currently completing their Master’s at McGill University and are a member of the OCSSWSW.
 
They operate mainly through an anti-oppressive and social justice lens that is informed by their lived experiences as a neurodivergent, queer, and non-binary person. Their practice is rooted in humanistic, trauma-informed, harm-reduction and sex-positive approaches.
They are trained in dialectical behavior therapy and CBT practices, crisis intervention, zootherapy, as well as non-violent communication for couples and families. As a certified zootherapist, Olivia looks forward to integrating this innovative therapy in their practice.
 
Olivia has experience working with individuals and families in different settings: in long-term care facilities, community and public sector mental health services and parenting support services.
As a trained birth doula, Olivia also has experience working with people struggling with traumatic birth stories, navigating parenthood as well as pregnancy and postpartum life stages.
 
Olivia is passionate about working with and advocating for the LGBTQIA2S+ communities and their loved ones, neurodivergent individuals, people becoming parents or facing perinatal mental health challenges, facing chronic pain/illness, and more. They offer counselling to people of all ages, individuals, couples, and families.
 
Olivia is very excited to be part of the Better You Counselling team and looks forward to meeting with you.
Olivia offers services in both French and English.

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Anne holds an MA in Counselling, Spirituality and Psychotherapy and is a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She brings compassion, empathy and life experience to her practice, and uses a client-centred approach that recognizes and values your individuality. Her practice incorporates elements of an attachment-based perspective, Internal Family Systems, Emotion Focused Therapy, narrative theory and CBT. However, her main priority is for you to feel heard and understood; and to work together on goals that are tailored to your specific needs and experiences. Anne offers a safe, non-judgemental space to explore what is meaningful for you, how the past has impacted you - and how you want your future to look.

She works with individuals who have issues such as anxiety and depression, trauma and abuse, grief, low self esteem, and Borderline Personality Disorder symptoms. She has experience working with survivors of intimate partner violence and has a trauma-informed approach and an interest in issues impacting women and children.

Anne is very pleased to join the Better You team and excited to meet you and collaborate in your wellness journey.

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