Counselling Interns

Jennifer Mann

Counselling Intern, BA, MACP (In Progress)

Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Victoria and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. With a background encompassing seven years of experience in complex and long-term care, Jennifer has assisted individuals and their families through many significant life transitions. Having a deep understanding of the challenges and complexities involved in navigating such changes, she firmly believes that these transitions present valuable opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.

Jennifer places great emphasis on fostering self-compassion as a means to well-being. Through non-judgmental and inclusive care, she aims to help her clients challenge self-limiting beliefs, cultivate self-acceptance, and foster more compassionate relationships with themselves. Drawing from her extensive experience, Jennifer brings an empathetic and understanding approach to her practice, ensuring that her clients feel safe and supported as they explore their emotions, thoughts, and concerns.

In her therapeutic approach, Jennifer draws upon a range of evidence-based modalities tailored to meet each client’s specific needs. Incorporating techniques from mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, and strengths-based approaches, Jennifer creates a holistic and personalized therapeutic environment for each individual she works with.

Kieran Lowe

Counselling Intern, BSc (Hons), MACP (In Progress)

Allie Szwender

Counselling Intern, MACP (In Progress)

Shae-Lynn Mellors

Counselling Intern, BACYC, MACP (in progress)

Tara Poole

Counselling Intern, BEd, MA, PhD (in progress)

Tara holds a Bachelor of Education degree and a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology degree from the University of Victoria. She is completing her doctoral studies in Educational Psychology at the University of Victoria. Tara is currently pursuing a counselling internship to further develop her skills and gain practical experience in the field of counselling.

Tara has developed a keen interest in helping people overcome their mental health challenges. During her academic years, she took several courses that equipped her with a strong foundation in counselling theories, techniques, and ethics. Her passion for counselling and desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives led her to pursue a career in clinical counselling.

Tara is an Inclusive Learning Teacher in the Greater Victoria School District, where she works with students from diverse backgrounds who have mental health, behavioural, social, and academic difficulties. She has worked with individuals with a variety of mental health issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, conduct disorder, and poor interpersonal skills. Through an integrated approach to wellness, she has helped them to build social and emotional skills, resiliency, choice, autonomy, and improve their quality of life.

As an intern, Tara is excited to apply her theoretical knowledge and practical experience to work with clients under the supervision of experienced professionals. She takes an integrated approach to therapy, drawing on person-centered, solution-focused, mindfulness and acceptance-based, and behavioural modalities that emphasize strength, agency, growth, connection, and resiliency. She believes that through a positive therapeutic relationship, clients can discover their inherent capacity for growth, healing, positive change, and agency.

Tara’s ultimate goal is to become a licensed professional counsellor and help individuals navigate the complexities of life while achieving their goals and finding a sense of fulfillment. She believes that this internship will be an essential step towards achieving her professional aspirations, and she is eager to embark on this journey of personal and professional growth.

Ages or Specific groups of clients: children, youth, and adults

Group, family, couples, or individuals: all

Specializations: ADHD, autism, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, disorganized attachment, self-regulation skills, learning disabilities, substance use

Claudia Donald

Senior Counselling Intern, MACP

Claudia is a calm, compassionate, and hard-working individual who is passionate about mental health. She holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Victoria and has completed her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University. Claudia has been working with youth for the past 15 years as a support worker, out of school care leader, summer camp leader, and preschool teacher. Over the past 7 years, she has been working as a high school teacher teaching French immersion, Spanish, and Psychology as well as coaching the school’s girls volleyball team. Her experience has led her to advocate for those who cannot or do not have access to affordable mental health care. In addition to working with youth, Claudia’s areas of interest are anxiety, (step) parenting, separation/divorce, motherhood, relationships, and life transitions. Her approach brings together elements of Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and Person-Centered Therapy. She meets her clients where they are in their journey and strives to tailor the sessions to her client’s needs.

In her spare time you can find her playing volleyball, taking hikes with her dog, painting, or indulging in some Netflix-watching with her family. She is also fluent in English, French, and Spanish.

Mayuko Helwer

Counselling Intern, MACP (in progress)

Mayu is currently completing her Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. Her background includes 12 years of a psychiatric nursing/case management career, and has worked with individuals with moderate and severe mental health challenges in the hospital and community setting.

Becoming a parent inspired her special interest in supporting children, youths, and families with anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, and ADHD. She provides her clients opportunities to explore solutions to their presenting issues and live a meaningful life.

Her therapeutic approach is integrative and ultimately tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals. She incorporates evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Creating a warm, collaborative, and non-judgemental safe space in therapy, Mayu empowers her clients to build insight, skills and positive growth.