Senta Counselling Services provides individual psychotherapy, psychological services and couples & family counselling to adults & teens in Barrhaven. In addition to a wide-range of counselling services offered, special focuses involve women’s wellness, teen mental health, anxiety management, perinatal mental health and new parenthood. Reduced rate counselling and sliding scale rates may be available for low income families or individuals who are unable to afford regular rate treatment. In Person, Video & Telephone psychotherapy are available.
Cassandra Petrella, Hons. BA, MA, C.C.C
Clinical Director & Registered Psychotherapist (Independent Practice)
Education & Certification
Cassandra Petrella is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She is also registered as Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She holds a master’s degree in Counselling & Spirituality from a joint program at Saint Paul University & Ottawa University. She completed her degree with a both individual and couples counselling training. Her undergraduate degree was completed at Carleton University in the Bachelor of Arts, Honours Program, in Psychology.
Counselling Experience
Cassandra founded Senta Counselling Services in 2013. She has many years of counselling experience in treatment, research, supervision and education. Special focuses of her work include women related issues, anxiety treatment and counselling for adolescent girls. She also focuses on helping individuals improve interpersonal relationships through both individual and couple counselling approaches. She provides counselling within our Perinatal & New Parenthood Program.
Cassandra is a frequent guest lecturer at universities and organizations. She is often invited to speak on the topics of teen girls mental health and women’s mental health. Since becoming a mother herself maternal mental health and parent mental health has becoming important to her. She has completed extensive training in Perinatal Mental Health, with part of her training being completed at the highly acclaimed Beck Institute. She has founded a new psychotherapy program on Perinatal Mental health & New Parenthood at Senta Counselling Services. This specialized program provides both individual and couples psychotherapy to expectant and new mothers as well as partners/parents.
Cassandra created the not-for-profit organization the I Love Me Campaign, a self-love campaign providing mental health curriculum in Canadian High Schools to teen girls through a 6-Session Self-Love & Mental Health Education Program. Cassandra and her facilitator team volunteer their time to deliver the program in high schools. Cassandra is an advocate for teen mental health and the importance of bringing mental health curriculum to Canadian high schools.
Cassandra is the Clinical Director and Clinical Supervisor at Senta Counselling Services. She also provides external clinical supervisor to psychotherapists, practicum students and therapists in training.
She is a published author in both academic scientific journals and clinical book publications. Much of her publications focus on her research related to the role of touch in developing healthy interpersonal connection.
Personal Approach to Counselling
I understand that life can be unpredictable and challenging at times, whether it’s day-to-day frustrations, ongoing issues or overwhelming circumstances. The first step is to understand that you have it within you to change. In therapy together, we will work towards overcoming the difficulties and obstacles you may be facing personally, at home, in the workplace or school, or with your significant other. You will be free to express and consult with me in an open and safe environment.
As a cognitive behavioural therapist, I take a hands on approach to help clients develop coping skills which will allow them to reduce the symptoms they are experiencing. These coping skills are often life-long techniques which help improve the individuals resiliency in life challenges and helps them to improve interpersonal relationships and personal self-esteem. As a trauma-informed psychotherapist, I often integrate mindfulness practices and an exploration of family histories into our psychotherapy. Therapy will be both emotionally explorative and solution focused in each and every session.
Maryse Hébert, BA, MA
Registered Psychotherapist (Independent Practice)
Education
Maryse holds a bilingual Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from the University of Alberta and a Masters in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University.
Counselling Experience
Maryse has gathered experience in counselling treatment and research, with a special interest in both youths and adults experiencing different concerns including anxiety, depression, self-esteem, self-harm and trauma as well as interpersonal concerns. In addition, Maryse also holds specific experience working with women who are or have been victims of intimate partner violence, including but not limited to physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
Personal Approach to Counselling
Maryse’s treatment approach places a strong emphasis on creating a supportive, caring, and compassionate therapeutic environment. Her counselling methods follow a client-centred, holistic approach tailored to the unique needs of each client. She draws from evidence-based models including cognitive-behavioural therapy, solution-focused therapy and narrative therapy, while also implementing aspects of mindfulness into these practices. Maryse strives to create a collaborative, trusting, and empathetic counselling environment in order to understand each client’s personal experience. She believes in empowering individuals to create the change they desire in their lives as they work collaboratively to explore possible solutions and acquire new adaptive coping strategies to face their difficulties.
Maryse provides services in English and French.
Juliana DeMeis, BA, MA
Registered Psychotherapist
Education
Juliana is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree from Yorkville University, along with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Ottawa.
Counselling Experience
Juliana has counselling experience in providing individual therapy to adolescents and adults experiencing a diverse array of mental health concerns, from anxiety and depression, to difficulties relating to stress, relationships, school, and self-esteem.
Personal Approach to Counselling
Juliana places a strong emphasis on developing a therapeutic relationship built on trust, honesty, and compassion. She strives to understand her client’s lived experiences from an empathic and non-judgmental manner. Juliana believes in working collaboratively with her clients to understand the roots of their challenges and work towards developing effective coping strategies, self-awareness, self-compassion, and personal growth. She strives to foster a safe and supportive therapeutic environment where meaningful and positive change can occur. While Juliana practices primarily from a Cognitive-Behavioural perspective, she integrates elements from other modalities into her approach to best support her client’s unique needs and goals.
Bailey Pakenham, B.Soc.Sc., MA
Registered Psychotherapist
Education
Bailey has completed a Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. She holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences focusing on psychology and criminology, from the University of Ottawa. Additionally, she has a Social Service Worker Diploma from Sir Sanford College in Peterborough.
Counselling Experience
Bailey has gathered counselling experience in counselling treatment with an interest in individuals experiencing addiction, anxiety, and depression through working in community residential treatment programs. She has experience working with youth and adults who are experiencing troubles with housing, employment, and overall wellness. Additionally, she has supported couples and families overcome challenges within their relationships. She provides counselling within our Perinatal & New Parenthood Program.
Personal Approach to Counselling
I believe in creating a safe, compassionate, and non-judgemental space to help you share your
story, understand your needs, grieve your losses, and celebrate your accomplishments. I
believe in embracing individual differences, listening to your own truth, creating connection,
and cultivating time to tune in. My goal is to build a trusting, open, and caring relationship with
clients to assist with feeling confident, supported, and empowered to face difficulties and fulfill
their needs. I believe every person is unique and embodies a variety of strengths to build on for
overcoming the life challenges they are facing. I feel it is an honour to walk alongside individuals
and support them in finding their own answers and shift their sense of self.
Brittany Miller, B.Sc (Hons), MA
Registered Psychotherapist
Education
Brittany holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree from Yorkville University. This follows the completion of a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree with a major in Psychology. Brittany has also completed further training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
Counselling Experience
Brittany has experience in providing individual therapy to adolescents, adults, and seniors. She understands and is open to the different life perspectives that each age group brings into the counselling room. She has worked with a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and grief.
Personal Approach to Counselling
Brittany works from a client-centered lens and believes that a safe and supportive space is essential in therapy. The therapeutic relationship is fostered with warmth, empathy, and a non-judgemental space so you can work as a team to clarify and achieve your goals. Brittany draws from evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and EMDR to support client progress. Together you will embark on the journey of enhancing your well-being.
Yasmin Hollis, B.Soc.Sc, MA
Registered Psychotherapist (Independent Practice)
Education
Yasmin completed her Masters in Counselling and Spirituality with a specialization in couples and family therapy at Saint Paul University in Ottawa.
She also holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences with a major in criminology and a minor in psychology from the University of Ottawa.
Counselling Experience
Yasmin has over 5 years of experience counselling individuals, youth and families experiencing a range of concerns
including: anxiety, depression, trauma, and interpersonal problems. Her most recent experience centered on
counseling youth and their families through an array of emotional, behavioral and interpersonal challenges. She also
has experience with crisis intervention, as she has worked as a mobile crisis clinician, responding to acute behavioural crises in the community. Yasmin completed her graduate internship at a community agency serving female survivors of sexual violence. Yasmin’s special interests center on women’s issues. She places a special focus on in her work on perinatal mental health and trauma. Her own lived experience with the perinatal stage has taught her the importance of supporting women through this special time. She provides counselling within our Perinatal & New Parenthood Program.
Personal Approach to Counselling
I believe in working collaboratively with my clients, in a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental space, to explore
difficult life situations and potential for growth. I take an inclusive, anti-racist, and trauma-informed approach that
allows for clients of a diverse background to feel safe and welcome. In an effort to be inclusive and client-centered, I
take an integrative approach in sessions, lending from modalities such as CBT, mindfulness, and motivational
interviewing, amongst others. I believe all people have the capacity for change and I feel my role is to empower you
to discover this potential.