Meet Our Team of Compassionate Counsellors
Dedicated to Your Journey of Growth & Healing
Dedicated to Your Journey of Growth & Healing
At Awaken Counselling & Wellness, we're committed to breaking barriers in mental health care. Our philosophy centres around the belief that each person's journey is unique, and we provide inclusive counselling services that honour diversity and individual differences. We create a non-judgmental environment where clients feel safe to explore their challenges and grow.
Our Saskatoon Team
Meet Amanda Veszi, BSW (RSW)
Child & Youth Counsellor | Growth-Focused Support
Amanda works with children and youth to support emotional well-being, coping with life transitions, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, self-harm, suicidal ideation, attention-related concerns such as ADHD, and behavioural challenges. She provides a safe, collaborative space where clients can explore their experiences, build coping strategies, and develop resilience.
Her specialized focus is on child and youth emotional and social development. Amanda uses a person-centred, strength-based, and trauma-informed approach to help clients overcome challenges while fostering their strengths.
Meet Ashley Westgard, BSW (RSW)
Counsellor | Trauma-Informed & Integrative Support
Sex-Positive Therapist Specializing in Trauma Recovery
Ashley works with clients aged 16 and older, including couples, to provide a safe, collaborative space where they can explore challenges and work toward meaningful change. She supports individuals and couples with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, self-harm, suicidal ideation, relationship challenges, stress management, life transitions, and attention-related concerns such as ADHD. Ashley also provides couples counselling, including support around infidelity, sexual differences, and consensual non-monogamous or polyamorous relationships.
Her specialized focus includes Complex PTSD, sexual wellbeing, and addictions. Drawing on trauma-informed, client-centred approaches, Ashley helps clients navigate past experiences, strengthen connections, develop coping strategies, and build resilience.
Meet Rebecca Sivertson, BSW (RSW)
Child, Youth & Family Counsellor | Strength-Based Support
Rebecca supports children, youth, and families through a variety of concerns, including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, self-harm, suicidal ideation, ADHD, behavioural challenges, emotional regulation, self-esteem, peer or school difficulties, and life transitions. She also works with parents and caregivers to strengthen family relationships and improve communication.
Her specialized focus is children, youth, and family counselling, including play-based interventions for young children and collaborative strategies to support family well-being. Recognized with Victim Services and approved through NIHB, Rebecca offers compassionate, accessible care tailored to each family’s needs.
Rebecca is currently on maternity leave but will be back soon!
Meet Morgan Baxter-Smith, BSW (RSW)
Morgan works with clients 12 years and older, including couples, to address anxiety, depression, grief and loss, self-harm, suicidal ideation, relationship challenges, stress management, and attention-related concerns such as ADHD. She offers a compassionate, collaborative approach to help clients navigate life transitions and build resilience.
Her specialized focus is maternal and postpartum mental health. Morgan integrates evidence-based, client-centred strategies to support parents and families in strengthening relationships, managing challenges, and fostering overall well-being.
Counsellor | Maternal & Family Support
Meet Lorissa Paschinski, BSW (RSW)
Counsellor | Neurological & Trauma-Informed Support
Lorissa supports clients of all ages, including couples, with a variety of concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief and loss, self-harm, suicidal ideation, relationship difficulties, family dynamics, and attention-related concerns such as ADHD. She works collaboratively to help clients develop practical strategies, improve communication, and strengthen relationships.
Her specialized focus includes neurological diagnoses, complex trauma, and family dynamics. Lorissa draws on her experience to support individuals, couples, and families in understanding their unique needs and fostering meaningful change.
Nicole Tkachuk, BSW (RSW)
Counsellor | Hypnotherapy & Holistic Support
Nicole works with clients of all ages to address anxiety, depression, grief and loss, self-harm, suicidal ideation, stress, self-esteem, relationship challenges, life transitions, and attention-related concerns such as ADHD. She helps clients develop coping strategies, improve emotional regulation, and navigate difficult experiences.
Her specialized focus is hypnotherapy, which she integrates to help clients release unhelpful patterns, increase self-awareness, and support personal growth. Nicole blends evidence-based counselling with a compassionate, client-centred approach to create a supportive space for healing and resilience.
Meet Valerie Cisyk, BSW (RSW)
Youth Counsellor | Strength-Based Support
Valerie works with children and youth to address anxiety, depression, grief and loss, self-harm, suicidal ideation, ADHD, and a variety of emotional or behavioural concerns. She creates a safe, supportive space where young clients can explore challenges, develop coping skills, and build confidence.
Her specialized focus is youth counselling, including emotional regulation, social skills development, and supporting positive behavioural growth. Valerie draws on a strength-based, collaborative approach to help youth navigate challenges and build resilience.
Meet Kyla Primeau
Practicum Student
Kyla is a Treaty 6 Cree (nēhiyaw) woman (iskwēw), a mother, and an empathetic helper who brings the strength of lived experience and guidance of ancestral teachings into her work. Rooted in a holistic (miyo-pimâtisiwin, “the good life”) way of being, she honours the connection between mind, body, spirit, and community in every healing journey. Kyla provides support for people of all ages navigating depression, anxiety, ADHD, addictions, trauma, grief, suicidal ideation, self-harm, stress, life transitions, and the development of healthy coping skills.
Grounded in Indigenous wisdom and trauma-informed practice, she walks alongside individuals as they navigate identity, resilience, and recovery from intergenerational trauma. Her focus is on nurturing balance, emotional well-being, and cultural reconnection, creating a safe, compassionate space where each story is held with dignity. Kyla believes each person carries within them the medicine (mîkisak) needed for healing and honours walking alongside them toward strength, balance, and resilience.
Our Prince Albert Team
Meet Chelsee Vermette, BSW (RSW)
Counsellor | Youth & Young Adult Support
Chelsee has experience supporting individuals from youth to young adults. Her approach focuses on providing an inclusive and trauma informed lens when working with clients. Chelsee’s goal is to create a safe space where clients feel welcome and comfortable to be themselves and provide a supportive environment to set goals and explore current strengths.
Chelsee believes everyone has the ability to grow and she’s here to walk alongside the healing journey.
Dorothy Schluff, BSW (RSW)
Dorothy works with clients aged 12 years and older, including adults, seniors, families, and groups to support life challenges such as anxiety, depression, grief and loss, suicide ideation, and relationship difficulties. She uses a non-judgemental holistic approach that integrates research-based strategies to help individuals build their own unique strengths and resiliency.
Youth Counsellor | Strength-Based Support
Administrative Support
Meet Tearsa Chang
Tearsa brings a thoughtful blend of professionalism and compassion to her role in administrative support. Originally from the Northwest Territories and now calling Saskatchewan home, Tearsa’s background as a paralegal and accounting assistant has equipped her with strong organizational skills and a keen eye for detail—qualities she brings to every aspect of her work.
As a mother of two, Tearsa understands the importance of creating spaces where people feel safe, respected, and heard. Her caring nature and solution-focused mindset make her a steady source of support not only for the counselling team but also for clients and their families.
Known for her empathy and dedication, Tearsa is committed to ensuring each client’s experience is welcoming and seamless from the very first contact.
Ready to Work with Us?
Our team of compassionate counsellors will always provide affordable mental health services for our community. Whether you’re seeking support for healing childhood trauma, exploring couples reconnection exercises, or need guidance with porn addiction help, we’re here to support your journey towards mental wellness.
At Awaken Counselling, we’re committed to breaking barriers in mental health care and providing inclusive, accessible support for all. Let us be part of your journey towards healing and growth.
Recognized with Victim Services and approved through NIHB and Saskatchewan Metis Nation (MN).
