Bill has more than 20 years experience in human services program development and delivery, strategic planning, facilitation and evaluation. Bill also has diverse clinical experience. Bill has a particular interest in holistic and integrated approaches to promoting health and wellness and has extensive experience working with diverse populations locally, nationally and internationally.
Bill received his PhD in Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University where he also completed a Master of Social Work degree. Bill is committed to lifelong learning and has advanced training in areas such as Critical Incident Stress Management, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and Conflict Management. Currently, Bill is completing specialized training in Adventure and Wilderness Therapy – clinical frameworks that align very well with his love of nature and passion for outdoor sports.
As the Director of AMAL Wellness Center Bill is very proud to be part of an interdisciplinary collaborative team that focuses on holistically supporting clients to navigate life challenges and work towards achieving their unique health and wellness goals.
Megan completed her Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Manitoba in 2019. Prior to her role as Intake Coordinator, Megan has worked with various local nonprofits within St. John’s, NL for over 10 years. Throughout her career, Megan has gained skills in both fields of child and youth care and social sciences, while supporting children, youth, and families with a wide range of mental health needs and challenges.
As AMAL Wellness Centre’s Intake Coordinator, Megan approaches her work from a trauma-informed lens and understands the importance of confidentiality, empathy, and respect when a person is reaching out for help or support. Once the intake process has been completed, Megan will assess and match referring individuals with the clinician best suited to their needs based on the therapists’ experience and expertise, including, but not limited to, a wide range of mental health concerns, relationship issues, trauma, LGBTQ++, gender issues, addictions, etc.
Megan is passionate about helping connect individuals to the services and supports they require. She truly enjoys building relationships with clients and referral sources alike, and serving the children, youth, individuals, and families of her community.
Donna has been providing therapy for children, youth, adults, and families for more than forty years. Retired from Eastern Health, she is continuing her private practice as an Associate with Amal Wellness Centre.
Throughout her practice, Donna has focused on trauma, attachment, grief, and relationships throughout the life span. She uses play therapy, as well as dyadic work with parents and children, in her interventions with young children. Donna builds on the strength of the therapeutic relationship and is committed to client centered care.
Edwin Riggs has a Master of Social Work Degree, a Bachelor of Social Work Degree, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Edwin is a clinical social work therapist who has worked with adolescents and adults for over twenty-five years and is also trained as an ASIST suicide intervention facilitator. In his practice, he integrates many theoretical approaches including narrative therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, family systems therapy, and anti-oppressive practice approaches with emphasis on resilience and hope.
Therapeutically, he sees adolescents (age 10+) and adults for counselling in relation to mental health and wellness, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, emotion dysregulation, anger, grief and loss, trauma, life transitions, stress management, and parenting, using a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach with a focus on improving communication and relationships. Edwin’s focus is on helping individuals to have cognitive and emotional awareness with emphasis on healthy coping.
Hazel is a clinical social worker who obtained her Bachelor (1994) and her Master (1998) Degrees in Social Work from Memorial University of Newfoundland Labrador. Hazel has formal teaching experience at MUN’s School of Medicine and School of Social Work. Hazel is an active community presenter in the areas of mental health/mental illness and in parenting.
Hazel grew up in coastal Labrador where formal resources were scarce and community members cared for and about each other. Her roots are grounded in that connectedness which steered her in the career path of a helping profession. Since 2010, Hazel has worked exclusively in the mental health field (Bridges program and Outpatient Psychiatry, Janeway). Hazel’s experience involves working with children and adolescents with a range of presenting concerns such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicide risk, stress, coping, and Borderline Personality Disorder. Hazel also does family-based therapy. Hazel has a particular passion in working with parents of adolescents with complex mental health concerns.
Hazel operates from a strengths-based approach believing that change is best supported through the therapeutic alliance. The goal of therapy, regardless of the approach, is to enhance skills and coping so people can live more fulfilling and satisfying lives. Hazel’s practice is trauma-informed. She utilizes aspects of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Narrative Family Therapy. Hazel is keen to ensure her practice is informed and guided by best practice standards as determined by current research.
Janice Burke is a clinical psychologist who completed her Master of Arts in psychology at the University of Regina in 1992. She is registered to practice with the Newfoundland and Labrador Psychology Board. She has worked with Eastern Health for almost 30 years. Janice’s early career was focused on Child and Adolescent Mental Health and family therapy. Since 2018, she has worked in the Adult Rehabilitation program focusing on adults with chronic pain. She also began a part-time private practice in 2018.
At AMAL, Janice provides therapy to children, adolescents, families and adults who are experiencing a variety of mental health concerns. She has a particular interest in parenting, anxiety, adjustment and developmental issues. While Janice initially trained in Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy, she also uses ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), narrative family therapy, solution focused, and play therapy approaches. Janice is known to bring a sharp wit and respectful sense of humour to her practice as she works collaboratively with clients to address their concerns.
Karen completed her Bachelor of Arts (1999), Bachelor of Social Work (2002), and Master of Social Work (2012) at Memorial University. She has worked as a Social Worker in various capacities for 20 years – the last 10 of which have been specifically in the area of Mental Health. She currently works as a Clinical Social Worker in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program of Eastern Health.
Karen provides therapy in relation to trauma, anxiety, emotional regulation, parenting support, and coping with separation/divorce. She also has a special interest in supporting those coping with ADHD, as well as those dealing with grief/loss.
Karen believes in the power of the therapeutic relationship. As such, she strives to create a trusting and mutually respectful relationship with each of her clients. Karen practices from a client centered, trauma informed, and strengths-based perspective. As well, she uses a variety of therapeutic approaches including directive and non-directive play therapy, narrative therapy, solution focused therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Kelly Yetman is a registered clinical social worker, who has a Master of Social Work degree (2001), and a Bachelor of Social work degree (1993), from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Kelly has over 25 years of clinical experience in mental health and addictions. Kelly works with adolescents and adults using a variety of therapeutic interventions/approaches including Dialectic Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Narrative therapy, and Solution Focused therapy. Kelly works with adolescents and adults with a variety of issues affecting mental health including, trauma, anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, self-harm, suicidal ideation as well as grief and loss.
I believe that the therapeutic relationship is the foundation of what creates change. I operate from a client-centered trauma-informed strength- based lens. I practice from an eclectic trauma-informed lens using skills and techniques/ interventions that are guided by what works best for the client. I use an integrated approach in building competence, resilience and skills to improve mental health and overall functioning. I incorporate humor as an integral part of my therapeutic approach. I am the mother of an adolescent daughter and love nature and hiking. Fitness is a regular part of maintaining balance in my own life. I believe clients are ultimately the experts in their own lives and I work with clients to develop individualized goals to help restore balance and equilibrium in their lives.
Kerri has worked in the field of child and youth care since 2006. She is presently Amal’s Regional Manager for Labrador. Kerri is a certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor and a trainer for The Person Brain Model, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), and Trauma. Kerri previously worked as an instructor in the child and youth care diploma program at Eastern College, and as a classification officer with the Department of Justice. Kerri has also recently been appointed to the Criminal Code Mental Disorder Review Board. Kerri is a Certified Canadian counsellor and has 9 years of clinical counselling experience. She operates from a cognitive behavioral, trauma informed and strengths-based approach. Kerri also has training and clinical experience in Narrative Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy.
Leona Molloy, MSW, RSW is a clinical social worker whose career spans two decades providing support to individuals and families with complex needs. She has held positions in the areas of adult disabilities, youth corrections, child protection, children, and adolescent mental health & addictions, and spent 6 years mentoring at Camp Eclipse, a leadership camp for LGBTQ+ youth.
Leona received a Master of Social Work (MSW) in 2013, in Health/Mental Health from the University of Toronto where she completed an advanced clinical practicum in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) – a stage one trauma treatment that has proven effective in addressing an expansive spectrum of problems including anxiety, depression, emotional dyscontrol, substance use, self-injury and suicidality. DBT is comprised of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness and teaches clients skills to enhance their own intrinsic capacities for Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, Empowerment, Relationship Effectiveness, Self-Awareness and Acceptance. While her preferred therapeutic approach is DBT, she will adapt her intervention based on individualized need.
Leona’s therapeutic approach is grounded in a humanistic and strengths perspective and the belief that nurturing resilience in the context of an authentic therapeutic relationship can help clients establish the safety, awareness, and acceptance they need to move more easily toward the change and wellness they desire.
Leona is a firm believer in the importance of work-life balance and enjoys travel, great food, and taking in live music in our great city and beyond.
Lori is a clinical social worker who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work. As a lifelong learner, Lori has also completed all course requirements towards Play Therapy Certification through the Canadian Association for Play Therapy as well as attaining the Self-Reg Foundations Certificate through The MEHRIT Center. In March 2021, Lori successfully completed requirements as an EMDR trained clinician. Lori is currently engaged in ongoing specialized consultation focusing on integration of EMDR and Play Therapy with a special interest in neurodiversity.
Over her 20 years as an RSW, Lori has enjoyed working with people across the lifespan. Lori dedicated a decade of her practice with Child and Adolescent Community Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Trauma Team and in 2020 accepted a position as a clinical social worker with the Janeway Child Development Team.
Although Lori’s theoretical framework is diverse, her work with children, adolescents, adults, and families is firmly based in a neuro-relational model of practice. Lori’s therapeutic framework is built on the belief that the therapeutic relationship together with the therapeutic use of self, will allow clients to develop the felt sense of safety necessary as they journey toward the life they deserve.
Paulette Kane is a registered social worker and certified Canadian counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, with a Bachelor of Social Work from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and a Master of Arts in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy from Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario. Paulette has nearly 25 years of experience working with children and families in the realm of child welfare/foster care, older adults, community and psychiatric mental health services, grief/bereavement, and spiritual care. She is a full-time therapist with Amal Wellness Centre, and offers support groups in grief & loss, mental health and for refugees & newcomers to Canada.
Paulette holds special interest in trauma informed and culturally sensitive counselling, older adult mental health, grief/bereavement, and end of life care. Her training and experiences have enabled her to develop skills and competence in these areas. In addition, Paulette is a Chaplain who provides spiritual care counselling, crisis and emotional support to patients and staff at the Waterford Hospital.
Paulette brings a warm, calming presence, person-centered, strengths-based, and holistic approaches to her clinical practice. She enjoys working with a variety of clients, including children, adolescents, older adults, women, and men who have experienced trauma, divorce and relationship loss, perinatal & infant loss, and those struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions and isolation.
Rhonda Legge is a clinical social worker who has worked in Newfoundland and Labrador for the past 18 years. Rhonda has a Bachelor’s degrees in both Psychology and Social Work, and a Master’s degree in Social Work. She is a current registered member of the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Social Workers.
Throughout her career Rhonda has worked with families in areas that pertain to mental health and parenting through both individual and group interventions. Rhonda works with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, anxiety, grief and loss, difficulties with divorce and separation, and attachment and bonding. In recognizing the difficulties that accompany having children, Rhonda has a passion in assisting caregivers through the challenges of parenting through supportive interventions, assisting parents with achieving insight into their child’s perspective, and providing parenting information and strategies.
Therapy is conducted through a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and emotionally supportive lens. Rhonda believes in family healing as mental health issues impact an individual’s entire support network. The goal of therapy is to achieve peace and wellness, and the therapy goes wherever the client needs it to go to achieve this goal.
Rob has been working with children, youth and families in the St. John’s area for the past thirty-nine years. Rob holds undergraduate degrees in Sociology, Education and Social Work and attained the Master of Social Work degree in 2000. Rob has worked extensively in the provision of care for children and families as part of his work with various community agencies, our local Child Protection Authority and as a therapist. Currently Rob’s practice is focused on youth, families and adults striving to make meaningful changes in their lives. Rob employs a range of theoretical approaches in his work but sees the power of ‘relationship’ as the primary vehicle for supporting others.
Susan Duggan is a Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience working with children, youth, and families. She graduated from Memorial University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Social Work degree and completed a Master of Social Work degree at the University of Toronto in 2013, specializing in children and families. Susan has experience working in the areas of mental health, youth corrections, youth services, and child protection. She is currently working as a Clinical Social Worker at a long-term residential treatment program for youth who are experiencing complex mental health concerns. Susan has worked with people struggling with concerns such as anxiety, depression, anger/aggression, emotion regulation, trauma, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and LGBTQ issues.
Susan draws on a number of therapeutic approaches, depending on the unique needs of clients. However, much of her professional training and work experience has been focused on Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Susan finds this approach particularly helpful for individuals who may be struggling with emotion regulation and experiencing difficulties coping. She has recently completed training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which is an extensively researched and effective psychotherapy method to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life events, including anxiety, depression, phobias, and panic attacks. For more information about EMDR, please visit the EMDR International Association website: https://www.emdria.org/.
Susan believes that the most important aspect of any intervention is the therapeutic relationship and creating a safe, supportive space for folks to feel comfortable exploring areas of concern.
Hilary is a multidisciplinary artist and health professional who sees the value of the arts within healthcare. She began her journey as a dance artist and teacher in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Always academic, her love of dance drew her to study kinesiology. Feeling pulled towards healthcare, Hilary pursued a master’s in public health focusing on population and community health. This opened her mind to view health from a holistic perspective, where environments, society, and economic trends impact health. Her current interests involve how community intervention and design can influence socialization, loneliness and mental health.
Seeing the benefit of movement and dance for health, her goal has been to integrate dance into her practice as a health care practitioner. Today Hilary is a registered occupational therapist and holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto. Occupational Therapy has been an excellent backdrop for her goal, as it is a well-balanced combination of psychology, cognition, and physical health. She also is a recent graduate from the Centre for Dance Therapy (Les Grands Ballet, Montreal).
Hilary sees the benefit of movement, as it can be a way to work through problems, express emotions, develop self-esteem, strength, and new movement patterns. Always considering the big picture, she enjoys working with people of all ages and abilities to increase function and quality of life.
Chris is a Certified Personal Trainer & Nutrition Coach passionate about helping others reach their fitness goals, whether functional, goal oriented or aesthetic. He works with each client to develop a highly personalized and customized approach to fat loss, strength gains, mobility improvements and conditioning.
Chris believes living a healthy lifestyle begins with maintaining an active and strong body. His aim is to help you identify your fitness goals, design an exercise program that fits your needs and guide you through every exercise and workout. Chris’s holistic approach to fitness and health will have you feeling great, moving better and seeing results in no time.
Jen’s passion and purpose is to use creativity, meditation and movement to inspire others to connect with their truth and follow their joy.
Jen has a diploma in Graphic Communications (CNA 2006) as well as Textile: Craft & Apparel Design (CNA 2016) and has been working in Arts organizations for over 10 years.
Jen’s professional work involves fostering community collaborations that promote creativity, movement, and wellbeing. In 2014, she completed her Yoga Teacher Training Certificate (RYT 200) along with her level II Reiki Practitioner course and has since updated her YTT (2019). She has taught many classes locally and has attended yoga and silent meditation retreats and conferences, including the International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh, India (2014).
Furthermore, Jen has experience working with all ages and groups including children and youth programming as a Yoga Teacher as well as a nature-based facilitator and Art instructor. She has been the recipient of several awards and grants, and most recently completed a month-long Family Artist Residency at Union House Arts in Port Union, NL (2021).
Her personal art practice involves, drawing, painting, natural dyes, and eco-printing with local leaves and flowers.
Jessica Power completed a Bachelor of Music with a minor in Psychology at Memorial University, before going on to receive a Graduate Certificate and subsequent Master’s degree in Music Therapy at Concordia University. Over the past decade as a board-certified Music Therapist, she has completed a number of other certifications, including Understanding & Managing Aggressive Behaviours, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Guided Imagery & Music, and Certified Dementia Practitioner.
Jessica has worked with a number of populations, from young children with developmental disabilities to adolescents in the alternative school system, but most recently focused on seniors with dementia in an Assisted Living Facility in Washington, DC. During her time there, she created and developed a Music Therapy program to serve all residents, regardless of their level of need or ability. She then served as Director of Assisted Living and Creative Arts Therapies for several years before returning home to establish a practice in Newfoundland.
Through a combination of active and passive music interventions, Jessica strives to support and empower individuals in improving their quality of life, be it emotionally, socially, physically, or cognitively. She operates from a holistic and ecological perspective to develop goals, facilitate interventions, and measure progress within the established goal areas.
Jessica passionately and whole-heartedly believes in the healing potential of the arts and self-expression, and endeavours to create joyful, accessible music experiences for all who participate.
Karen is a Certified Mindfulness & Meditation Teacher graduate of several teacher trainings, most prominently the two-year Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher Certification Program with PhD’s Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach through the University of California, Berkeley’s Greater Goodness Science Center and the Awareness Training Institute. In addition, she is certified through the Mindfulness Teacher Training Program with Sean Fargo, founder of Mindfulness Exercises, YogaRenew’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training (YACEP) and has completed the How to Guide Meditation training with Jeff Warren, co-author of “Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics” with Dan Harris (10% Happier).
Karen has studied the topic of meditation and mindfulness for many years and has had a formal daily practice for over a decade. She has completed numerous courses on meditation, mindfulness and Buddhism and has attended meditation retreats in Canada, the U.S., and South East Asia, including a 10 Day Silent Vipassana Meditation Retreat in Bogor, Indonesia.
It is her highest aspiration to share these teachings, skills, and tools to help people experience an easier, lighter, and saner way of Being, through the practices of Awareness, Clarity, Equanimity and Compassion. Workshops, courses and classes in mindfulness and meditation range from 2-hour introductory workshops, to in-depth 4 to 8 weeks courses, and 1 to 2 topic-specific classes, relating to mindfulness meditation practices in supporting mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Karen will instigate your interest and encourage your efforts in learning to incorporate mindfulness and meditation practices into your life, with a practical, accessible, trauma-informed, secular approach…with minimal woo-woo!
In 2013, Maude obtained her diploma as a Special Care Counselor. With this training, she has the necessary tools to accompany and support individuals with adaptation difficulties. She has continued to deepen her education by pursuing a certificate in Social Work and Psychology that she obtained in 2018. Maude is currently a Horticultural Therapy Practitioner (HTP) and in pursuit of her Horticultural Therapist Designation. She’s also actively studying Naturotherapy to become a Naturotherapist. Becoming a Naturotherapist will give her the education required to understand the benefits of nature on the human body. This course will be a great addition to her repertoire, allowing her to become a stronger horticultural therapist.
Maude has been working with vulnerable populations for over 7 years. She sees potential in everyone; her passion for helping humans brought her to this profession. She considers nature as her therapy and her playground, which is why
it is important for her to educate and equip people with the therapeutic knowledge that nature provides.
During a Horticultural Therapy session, you could be in contact with soil, creating zen gardens and terrariums, learning about plant properties and providing sensory stimulation. These activities take place in a warm and respectful environment. Activities will be created with specific goals in mind to suit the needs of a group or individual. Maude’s primary goal is to plant seeds of knowledge that will allow individuals to grow, physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.
Horticultural therapy sessions can be offered in both French and/or English.
Shaundell has been supporting and caring for youth and families in the community for nearly a decade. Being an outdoor enthusiast, she would plan many of her activities and sessions out in nature, because it was something that she loved and wanted to share with the people she worked with. What she noticed was that when she was with youth in nature, they were more relaxed and present, conversation flowed easier, and they really enjoyed it. As time went on, she began to use nature more intentionally in her work and her passion for working in the outdoors with people became so strong that she knew she had to find a way to make nature her focus when working in the community. That is when she found her new path and began to pursue a career of being a Forest Therapy Guide.
Being a guide allows her to use her Forest Therapy Certification, which she received through Global Institute of Forest Therapy, her experience of working with youth and families in the community, and her Psychology degree in supporting people connect to nature in a way that focuses on the health benefits, mental wellness, and the healing nature has to offer.
Shelley’s firm belief is that you don’t have to be flexible to do yoga! Nor do you need to be young or thin, the image of yoga often portrayed in mainstream media. She is passionate about making yoga accessible for all body types, ages and abilities. She gravitates towards alignment-based, slower-paced practices, sprinkling her instruction with down-to-earth, useful information to empower her students and promote healthy and functional aging.
At its simplest, her goal is to have her students leave the class feeling better than when they arrived. She aims to help her students feel better in their bodies: to feel stronger, be more flexible, and move more confidently. She includes stress-reducing practices, allowing not only the body, but also the mind and heart, to release and feel more spacious and calmer.
Yoga, dogs and food (growing it, preserving it and preparing it!) are three of Shelley’s big loves. Shelley began her yoga journey with an Iyengar yoga practice in 1988. She lost a regular practice during her career as a lawyer, but she came back to yoga in 2014 to address back pain and stress. It worked!
Shelley is a Yoga Alliance Registered RYT-200 teacher, receiving her yoga teacher training in 2018 with Meaghan Burridge and Bobbie Bessey. She has additional certifications in Restorative Yoga and Yoga for Osteoporosis, and keeps her zest for learning satisfied with regular workshops and mini-courses. One of her greatest joys is to share what she has learned with her students!
Stacey is currently a Registered Acupuncturist with the College of Traditional Chinese
Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Newfoundland and Labrador, having completed her training at Eight Branches Academy of Eastern Medicine in Toronto of 2017. Stacey was introduced to the world of health and wellness during her undergraduate studies in Fine Arts at OCAD University, where she explored self-healing and mindfulness within the framework of her art practice. Seeking alternative care to help her heal after a serious accident, she was introduced to acupuncture. Immediate relief resulting from her treatments motivated her to learn more about this fascinating form of medicine. After completing her BFA, she enrolled in Traditional Chinese Medicine studies.
Prior to relocating back to her home in St. John’s, Newfoundland in 2020, she began her practice in rural Ontario, co-founding Wild Heart Healings Arts Space, where she offered individual and community-based acupuncture and mindfulness-based art programming for children and youth, supervised daily movement-based classes and organized events and fundraisers for local community outreach; prioritizing 2SLGBTQ+ BIPOC communities.
Stacey’s practice is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), helping guide individuals in restoring their internal balance while alleviating pain and releasing tension from the physical and emotional body. The therapeutic forms Stacey uses include acupuncture, cupping, guasha, moxibustion, acupressure massage, TCM nutrition and lifestyle management. Through these modalities, Stacey helps adolescents and adults address a range of acute and chronic pain, illnesses, diseases, digestion issues, stress management and much more. Areas of Specialization:
Anxiety, depression, stress, addiction, digestion, sleep disorders, back pain, headaches, PMS, dysmenorrhea and endometriosis. Stacey also has various experiences in Mindfulness-based practices, which she incorporates within her treatments, such as visualization and breathing techniques. Stacey’s greatest passion is educating and empowering patients to take control of their own health.