Mary Ajayi is a recent graduate of the Master’s of Counselling Psychology degree at Yorkville University.

Mary brings a wealth of counselling psychology experience, including three years of therapeutic experience with diverse client populations across various settings. In the past, Mary has worked as a guidance counsellor with kindergarten through grade 12 students and as a youth mental health clinician in a community health care setting.

In addition to working with Dr. Vokey, Mary is also employed as a mental health counsellor, providing therapy and guidance to adults and older persons in a non-profit organization.

Mary’s approach to therapy is person-centered, trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and supportive of diversity and inclusion. She utilizes various modalities to help her clients, including solution-focused/strength-based approaches, narrative therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma-focused therapies, and humanistic talk therapy.

She has experience helping clients with many clinical issues including but not limited to trauma, anxiety, depression, and grief. She is particularly passionate about helping individuals overcome systemic barriers and issues, such as gender-based violence.

Dr. Kira Kudar is a Ukrainian clinical psychologist who arrived in Winnipeg in October 2022. She holds a Master's degree in Psychology obtained in 2013, and a PhD in Psychology obtained in 2019. Currently, she is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Manitoba, where she conducts research.

In Ukraine, she worked in a psychology clinic since 2015, mainly with police officers, military personnel, and their families, providing treatment for conditions such as psycho-trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, as well as conducting psychological assessments.

In 2022, Dr. Kudar worked as an assistant for the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), where she identified the needs of Ukrainian refugees and provided them with financial assistance, psychological support, medical aid, and legal advice.

Her personal philosophy is centered around empowering others to take on challenging tasks and helping them obtain positive therapeutic outcomes.

Meghan obtained a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) from the University of Manitoba and recently graduated from Yorkville University, where she received a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology with distinction. It is extremely important for Meghan to note that she is an ally of the LGBTQ+ community.

Meghan sees clients at different life stages, including children, adolescents, and adults; her specialties and areas of interest include supporting people with eating disorders, body dysmorphia, anxiety, depression, self-harm, gender identity, relationships, and self-esteem. Meghan typically uses an integrative approach that can be tailored to every client’s unique needs, involving various evidence-based approaches such as but not limited to cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, solution- focused therapy, strengths-based therapy, and person-centered therapy.

Meghan aims to empower her clients to build insight, skills, and positive growth by creating a collaborative, non-judgmental, and safe space in therapy.

Lara is a graduate student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Manitoba. She is currently completing her Master’s degree and will begin her Ph.D. in the fall of 2023.

Using an integrated therapeutic approach, Lara provides services to children, adolescents, and adults. Lara has training in a variety of evidence-based approaches, including client-centred therapy, CBT, DBT, psychodynamic therapy, and play therapy. She has experience helping clients with issues such as stress, family conflict, depression, anxiety, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

In her academic time, Lara researches the impact of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder on children and their families. Lara strives to provide a safe and supportive environment where her clients can explore their emotions, relationships, identities, and goals.

Jane has a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and has considerable experience working with and understanding people from all different backgrounds.

Jane knows that therapy can look different for everyone and likes to work collaboratively with clients to determine the best steps going forward and work on whatever therapeutic goals they may have. Through the use of compassion, validation, empathy, humour, warmth, and active listening, Jane likes to form strong relationships with clients so that they feel comfortable and safe in therapy.

Jane has a particular focus, interest, and experience working with eating disorders (bulimia and binge-eating), body image, anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia, substance use disorder, ADHD, and various other mental health issues. Life can be good, and Jane hopes she can help guide others to be able to see this for themselves, too.

Shaelyn Stienwandt holds a Master’s degree in School Psychology and is currently a senior PhD student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Manitoba. She sees clients across the lifespan including children, adolescents, and adults. She has particular expertise supporting people with a variety of emotional and behavioural difficulties, including depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, disordered eating and parenting.

Shaelyn uses an integrative approach to therapy which draws on evidence-based elements of CBT, DBT, person-centered therapy, and emotion-focused parenting strategies. Shaelyn offers a warm and nonjudgmental space where she works collaboratively with her clients to support them in navigating towards their goals and healing.