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We are delivering our services in person, online or via telephone.  Please book with a counsellor in the ‘Contact Us’ section or use the link provided here to book an in-person or phone/online session. Click here to book a session. Please call or email if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you, in person or online.

About Us

The Centre for Response-Based Practice provides a welcoming environment and we celebrate diversity.

We invite people from any cultural group or ethnic background, those who identify as LGBTQIA2S+, people of all ages (from children to elders), individuals with a wide range of abilities, and those with any relationship history.

Dr. Shelly Dean (Bonnah), Ph.D., RCC, AAMFT

Shelly’s experience and area of concentration includes working for victims of all ages who have experienced violence or other traumatic events, as well as for those who have chosen to use violence to harm others. Shelly also works on behalf of children and their families to complete a wide variety of reports required in Family Law disputes. She is available to work for other organizations and professionals to provide training in Response-Based Practice, or for Practice Support (clinical supervision), as well as consulting in the areas of supervision, organizational or program evaluation.  Shelly orients her family therapy practice around a relatively small group of children and families. They will never be or made to feel like “just a number”, and will receive her undivided attention.

Shelly was raised in Northern BC and then Kamloops.  Her experience includes 20+ years of direct counselling experience with children, youth, couples and families, consulting with a wide range of organizations, teaching in universities, clinical supervision and organizational development in the social service sector. Shelly has worked with the Centre for Response-Based Practice and her colleagues Allan Wade, Linda Coates & Cathy Richardson for many years in the development of these ideas. Specifically, Shelly has been actively involved in the ongoing development of working with children and youth from a Response-Based perspective, and understanding how young people respond to and resist experiences of violence. Shelly is a licensed Family Therapist, an author, and a graduate of the Doctoral Program at the TAOS Institute.  She is also a proud wife, parent and grandparent.

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Robb Dolson, M.Ed., RCC, CCC

Robb has been working with youth for over 20 years and concentrates on working with individuals including youth and families. Robb is skilled with working with families and with couples and does so in a way that considers the context of their lives and the variety of obstacles in their lives. Robb is experienced in supporting youth (and their caregivers) who are struggling with numerous challenges or who are misusing substances, and he works with young people from whatever place they are most comfortable starting from—without judgement or pressure. Dignity is the cornerstone of Robb’s counseling practice, and the understanding that we all do everything we can to preserve dignity when faced with oppression, violence or adversity. Robb views the challenges that people face in the context of their lives, rather than looking at an explanation that only includes the individual. Alternative location sessions can be prearranged if required.

Robb also has extensive training in conducting assessments for adult violent offenders, intimate partner violence as well as youth perpetrators using a number of assessments. Robb is skilled and has over 5 years of experience in writing Views of the Child Reports for the courts or families wishing to do so to resolve conflict without bias.

Robb was born and raised in Kamloops, BC, and together with his wife is raising 3 children. Robb works in this community as a teacher and a counsellor and is highly respected for his energy and his ability to connect with young people. Robb has been a teacher in the Kamloops/Thompson School District for 17 years and has taught both in Europe and locally. Robb is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), and has completed his Masters Degree both at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops and internationally at Heidelberg University in Germany. Robb has a flexible schedule and is available for sessions afternoons, evenings, early mornings, weekends and holidays. Please contact Robb if you have any questions or would like to see if he would be a good fit for you or your family. 

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Kalie McIntosh, M.C., RCC

Kalie (she/her) offers virtual counselling to clients in British Columbia, Ontario, and Yukon. Kalie’s experience and area of concentration has been working for youth and young adults. Kalie’s background has enhanced her ability to connect with young people in their unique ways, and to work with their timing. As an experienced counsellor, she is dedicated to supporting clients who have experienced a range of adversity and traumatic events. Kalie has experience working with people who have experienced violence as well as people who have harmed others.  At the core of Kalie’s work is the understanding that a person’s dignity must always be upheld, and she focuses on finding the different ways in which people work hard to maintain their dignity every day.

Kalie uses a Response-Based Approach and incorporates other complimentary theories and ideas such as expressive therapy, systemic family therapy, intersectionality and social justice. Kalie tailors sessions to meet the individual needs of each person or family. Kalie has a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and an undergraduate degree from Simon Fraser University. Kalie is a registered clinical counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and a registered psychotherapist – qualifying with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Kalie’s experience includes over fifteen years of direct experience supporting people within the social services sector and five years of direct counselling experience.

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Cathy Richardson, M.C., Ph.D., CCC, RCC

Catherine Richardson/Kinewesquao, Ph.D. is a Métis therapist and a co-founder of the Centre for Response-Based Practice (www.responsebasedpractice.com). She has Cree, Dene and Gwichin ancestry and is the current Director of First Peoples Studies at Concordia University in Montreal/Tiotá: ke. She provides clinical supervision to counsellors including practitioners working with women and family members connected to the issue of MMIWG. Catherine is a Quebec researcher on the Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative with Vulnerable Populations and with the FRIDAA project (Femmes, Recherche, Intervention, Development, Approaches, Autochtone). She does response-based practice and systemic family therapy community trainings for violence prevention/recovery intervention workers. Catherine has been working in Indigenous communities for over 25 years. She is the mother of three children and has published five books, the most recent entitled “Speaking the Wisdom of Our Time” and “Structural Violence Against Youth in Canada: Speaking Out and Pushing Back.” Catherine is interested in promoting healing, recovery and well-being in a spirit of dignity and social justice.

Catherine is joining our Interior team to provide online counselling for individuals, supervision for professionals, and training for organizations. To book an appointment, please email her directly below.

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Darren Jones, M.A., RCC

Darren’s area of specialization is individual, couples, family and youth counselling, and he offers flexibility in scheduling. He comes from an integrative approach when assisting people and believes in honouring the dignity of everyone and their inherent value, as each story  unfolds. Darren specializes in issues of violence (broadly defined) and religious oppression that can happen to individuals through organizations and family systems.

He has more than 25 years of experience within Christian faith tradition as a Pastor with a focus on mentoring at-risk-youth and developing programs for personal empowerment. Additionally, he specializes in the area of supporting spiritual leaders, the interactions with their family, and he is available for consultation and leadership development in church settings.

Darren was born and raised in England and moved to Canada to pursue a career in Pastoral ministry, where he Pastored in Saskatchewan before moving to Kamloops. He is married and has two adult children and a labradoodle and has lived in Kamloops for 23 years.

Darren works through a Response-Based lens, which is supported through an integrative approach to therapy, utilizing family system, Feminist Theory and Narrative model therapy. Darren completed his Master’s degree at Providence University College and Seminary and completed the certificate in Family Therapy through the Centre for Response-Based Practice.

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Christa Van Zyl, M.A.C.P., RCC

 Christa’s area of concentration includes focusing on relationships, and the challenges that can be experienced emotionally and interactionally. Christa pays attention to intuition, and all of the things that people do within their unique environments to preserve their dignity and keep themselves and others safe. She works to uncover the frequent misunderstanding of ‘poor communication’ to be the communication of saving face, preserving dignity, and maintaining dignity. This knowledge is very often what informs our behaviour–past, current and future.

She is available to work with individuals, couples, families and children, and she works flexible hours. Christa was born and raised in South Africa, which gives her a unique perspective on the inequalities of life, and that some people are more ‘equal’ than others in how they are treated. Christa and her family moved to Canada in 2001. In 2010 Christa and her family made Kamloops their home. Christa has two daughters and two furry friends, who all love the outdoors. Christa works from a Response-Based perspective and is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

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Kym Daley B.A., M.A.C.P., RCC

Kym has over 17 year’s experience working for youth, individuals, and families. Her area of concentration includes working for victims of violence and other forms of adversity, perpetrators of violence, supporting transitional life events, and assistance through the wide variety of stressful and worrisome situations that people face. Kym works from a Response-Based framework influenced by Buddhist psychology, and has also incorporated family systems therapy, nature therapy, and a mindfulness approach within her work. Most importantly, Kym honours the inherent knowing and dignity in each and every person. In the last 6 years Kym has become certified as a nature-based mindfulness teacher and has been leading training sessions in mindfulness, as well as mindfulness in nature retreats for individuals and teams.

Kym grew up in Kamloops, BC and has returned to live here, after living for 13 years in California. Her passion for mental wellness through a connection with nature has followed her throughout her life and into her current work.

Kym offers clinical supervision with professionals including social workers, clinicians, and non-profit organizations. She recognizes value in ‘caring for the carer’, creating a safe place for professionals to receive help, and overcome challenges. Ultimately, this is in everybody’s best interest.

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Pete Grinberg, M.A.C.P., RCC

Pete’s area of concentration includes relationship counselling for issues of conflict, violence, betrayal and negative addictive behaviors. Pete has a strong commitment to help individuals who are experiencing emotional pain or feeling overwhelmed. He recognizes the pre-existing abilities of individuals, the unique ways that they have navigated their circumstances and their potential, often in ways that they have not yet recognized themselves. This often restores a sense of equilibrium and helps create a stronger supportive social network. Pete is working primarily online and able to take new virtual clients.

At the heart of Pete’s work is the belief in the resiliency of the human spirit and the possibility of a better life regardless of the present circumstances. First and foremost, Pete understands the importance of upholding every person’s dignity and personal choice. Pete has worked in a corrections facility for more than 15 years and provided education programming in supportive/transitional housing and treatment center settings for more than five years. These experiences have given him insight into working with adults and children who have been impacted adversely by the incarceration of a family member or the use of substances. Pete also works with family members who use all forms of violence. Pete and his wife foster children and still manage to connect regularly with their six grown children.  Pete was born and raised in Toronto, and moved to Kamloops in 1994. He has a Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology from Gonzaga University and an honors undergraduate degree from the University of Waterloo.  Pete is also a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. In his practice, Pete uses the principles of the Response-Based Approach along with an emphasis on the power of the therapeutic relationship between the counsellor and the individual.

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Robbyn Bennett, M.A., RCC

Robbyn’s area of concentration is working with people through a process of exploration about how their thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours are responses to pressures, adverse events, barriers, oppression, and obstacles in their lives. The years of young adulthood through to mid-life can be particularly challenging and include many major life transitions and unique challenges. The way a person responds to these challenges will make a difference in their ability to perform everyday tasks. Robbyn believes in everybody’s ability to change and works with them to understand their responses within the context of their experiences, which creates space for empowerment, compassion, relief, improved health, peace and joy. Some of Robbyn’s areas of focus include former diagnosis and treatment for: anxiety, trauma, emotion regulation, extreme expectations of self, body image and eating disorders, among others. She works almost exclusively online and utilizes the virtual environment to create an approachable, accessible, and effective platform to facilitate recovery and healing.

Robbyn has over 15 year’s experience working in mental health, is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS-RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. She possesses a Masters Degree in Counselling, a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, certification in Response-Based Practice, and is currently pursuing her Doctoral Degree in Psychotherapy. Robbyn is a staunch advocate for inclusion and social justice, prioritizing intersectional, diverse, and culturally informed approaches. She works to always be improving as an ally and ensuring her practice is a safe place for all people. Robbyn practices from several therapeutic modalities, primarily with Response-Based Approach but dependent on the unique needs and goals of the client(s), will incorporate a blend of Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Family Systems, Mindfulness, and/or Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

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Daca Ngo  M.A.C.P., RCC

Daca’s area of concentration includes working for children and families. He is authentic, caring, and always open to humor in his belief that relationships are the key to meaningful change. Daca is trained in Response-Based Practice, along with other modalities of therapy and his primary goal is to collaborate with individuals to explore their strengths, overcome challenges, and cultivate a greater sense of fulfillment and well-being in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

Daca has been a teacher for 14 years, with the last 10 years being employed with the Kamloops/Thompson School District. He has lived and worked in Japan, Mexico, and China.

Daca was born and raised in Kamloops after his parents emigrated from Vietnam in 1979. Being raised in a traditional Asian family and growing up in a western culture, Daca has a unique perspective on the many challenges of diversity, such as hierarchy in the family, gender roles, parenting styles and emotional and behavioural expectations. His first-hand knowledge of how one’s cultural upbringing can form unique responses informs his work in very important ways.

Daca is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) from Yorkville University. Daca also has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Bachelor of Education degree from Simon Fraser University. When Daca’s not in the office or classroom, you can find him playing sports or enjoying nature with his two daughters.

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Angela Booy, M.Ed., M.A.C.P., RCC

Angela’s (she/her) approach to counselling can be described as gentle and client-centered; her experience and area of concentration includes working with humans of all ages who are seeking help for issues including grief or loss, discrimination, violence, and marginalized intersectionality as well as any form of support. As a 2SLGBTQIA+ Response-Based and Internal Family Systems counsellor who works within the LGBTQIA2S+ community and with those impacted by an intersectional identity. Angela works with clients of all ages, genders, sexual identities, and expressions, including allies. Angela’s experience includes over 17 years in the education system as a secondary school teacher, prior to changing careers where she was able to work alongside Indigenous Elders to develop culturally appropriate learning materials for youth and young people to better understand the impact of colonization in Canada.

Angela’s passions include supporting women’s professional sports, reading, and documentary films. Angela is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Education. She is available to meet with individuals in the office or online with flexible hours.

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Laura Cocksedge BCYC, MC, RCC

Laura’s area of concentration includes working in the areas of child development and adult addiction. She is available to work for people of all ages. Laura believes in honouring and upholding the dignity of people with the understanding that many life events are dignity-stripping, and that both the freedom to speak and the responses from others are key. Adversity affects us all; healing begins with understanding, acceptance, and compassion. Laura’s practice is informed by Response-Based Practice, solution-focused theory, meaning-centred theory, feminist theory, and systemic family theory.

Laura has been living and working in the Qathet Regional District for over fifteen years. She moved to Qathet inspired by the land, the sea, and the people to raise her two children. She and her family have taken full advantage of all the outdoor activities the area offers. Laura has a Bachelor of Child and Youth Care and a Masters of Counselling. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. She has over ten years of experience working with children, youth, and their caregivers.

Currently, she works with addition and trauma in a residential facility where she has experience facilitating both men’s and women’s groups as well as one-to-one support. Laura is available online for individual, couples and family sessions through the Centre for Response-Based Practice.

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Julie Laliberte, M.A.C.Y.C., RCC

Julie (she/her) has been working with children, youth, and families for over 15 years in both outdoor and indoor settings. She worked for many years as an outdoor guide and land-based educator, supporting youth in both therapeutic and recreational capacities.

Julie’s playful and creative nature enhances her connection with young people. She also draws from her many years of experience working in sexualized violence prevention and as an advocate for Indigenous families interacting with the child welfare system.

Julie practices from a dignity-centered response based lens, and wholeheartedly believes in getting curious about what people do to resist and maintain their humanity and dignity when faced with harm. Actively working towards a just and safe community through solidarity work and justice-doing is central to her practice.

She is a White settler of Dutch, English, and French Canadian heritage and was born and raised on the unceded and stolen territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ and lək̓ʷəŋən peoples, currently known as Victoria BC. She is now living on the unceded territories of the K’ómoks and Xwémalhkwu, currently known as Black Creek, BC on Vancouver Island. Julie is a registered clinical counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and recently completed her Masters of Child and Youth Care at the University of Victoria. Julie currently offers online counselling appointments and will soon have in-person appointments offered in the Comox Valley.

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Kat Kierans, MC, RCC

Kat has dedicated her career to assisting individuals and couples in navigating life’s challenges with compassion and dignity, particularly focusing on perinatal clients and all topics related to their well-being. She supports new parents and young adults individually and in relationships, recognizing the unique struggles they face. 

Kat specializes in complexities surrounding reproductive health, parenting and being in a relationship. She offers a place for people to speak openly and to acknowledge the myriad of emotions and decisions that come with wanting, or not wanting a pregnancy, experiencing loss, adopting or raising a child. With Kat, people can explore these complexities alongside topics such as parenting-styles, speaking about emotions,, gender roles, queer parenting, intensive-mothering, identity, marginalization, oppression, violence, grief and social pressures. 

When working with couples of all descriptions, Kat works online, giving folks a chance to speak from the safety of their own homes, or even separate spaces themselves. This is specifically helpful for individuals who require physical separation from their partner for various reasons. 

Additionally, Kat is attentive to the contextual challenges that new parents, parents-in-waiting or grieving parents often face, including isolation, relationship difficulties, sleep difficulties, intrusive thoughts, difficult emotions and guilt. She understands the significance of these challenges and strives to provide support and guidance to people as they navigate through this transformative period of their lives. Through a range of therapeutic modalities, including Response-Based Practice, somatic therapy, narrative therapy, existentialism, and solution-focused approaches, Kat creates a collaborative environment where clients can explore their experiences, find understanding, and work towards growth and resilience.

Kat is a mother, a wife, a dancer, and a forever-student of life. She enjoys heated blankets on cold days, the perfect cup of coffee, and actively resisting our busy world by s l o w i n g d o w n.

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Claire Jones, M.A., RCC

With over two decades of experience in nursing and pastoral care, Claire brings a deep well of compassion and wisdom to her counselling practice. Her specializations lie in guiding individuals through seasons of loss, transition, confusion, and so-called burnout—with particular care for individuals across the lifespan, including adolescents, young adults, seniors, and those who care for them. Claire works through a Response-Based lens and draws from an integrative toolkit, including Feminist Theory, Narrative techniques, and strengths-based approaches that seek to uphold the dignity of each person. At the heart of her work is a desire to understand the pre-existing power and wellness within each individual, with sensitivity to each person’s unique story and journey.

Claire completed her MA in Counselling at Providence Seminary and the Response-Based Course for working with Children, Youth, and their Families. Originally from the UK, Claire has called Kamloops home for almost 30 years and has built deep roots in the community along with her husband, and their two adult children. When she’s not at work, you can find her hiking the scenic trails of Kamloops with her two beloved labradoodles.

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Chloe Benson, Office Manager

Chloe (she/her) started working at the Centre for Response-Based practice as the Executive Assistant in 2021.  She has now taken on the role of our Office Manager. Chloe completed her undergraduate degree at Thompson Rivers University in psychology in 2024 and will move on to complete a Masters degree. Chloe came to us with an extensive work history which includes many years in the public sector for various Government Ministries. She also holds a certificate as a Legal Administrative Assistant.

When Chloe is not at school or working in our office, she can be found with her two dogs enjoying everything that Mother Nature has to offer. She is an avid reader and is always open to new book suggestions!

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Dee Howse, Stopping the Violence Counsellor

Tansi,

I am Dee Howse from the Plains Cree Nation. I am a Bruneau descendant from the Papalchase band. I am a Potts descendant from the Samson band at Maskwacis, Alberta.

My families are twice disenfranchised, forced by the Indian Act to leave Treaty 6. I have worked as an addictions counsellor, which has been my connection to the people and to the survivors of the genocide for over 30 years.

I am a mother of three, a Kokum (grandmother) of six, and a Chapan (great grandmother) of three.

Joining RBP has put me into the circle of respectful allies. I am with colleagues who adeptly help people through struggles of having and holding the Sacred Rites of Safety.

The Sacred Rites to have Dignity upheld and honoured.

All My Relations.

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