Get to know us
Meet Our Therapists
Available for in-person and online therapy in Ottawa, Pembroke and North Bay.
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Find a Therapist Near You
Lynn Palfenier
With over 20 years of experience, Lynn Palfenier has been a consistent source of support for individuals navigating a range of mental, emotional, and physical challenges. Her training in psychotherapy, occupational therapy, and yoga therapy allows her to offer a therapeutic approach that aligns with the individual needs of her clients.
Lynn’s practice is built on the understanding of the connection between the body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Utilizing techniques from mindfulness, somatic practices, yoga therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and neuroscience-based nervous system practices, she provides an integrative approach. This perspective aims to help her clients lead fuller lives, even when faced with mental, emotional, cognitive, or physical challenges.
A key component of Lynn’s approach is resilience. With a person-centered perspective, she works to foster this resilience in her clients, helping them navigate various challenges. Every interaction with Lynn is marked by compassion, acceptance, and kindness, creating an environment where clients can set and work towards their goals.
Lynn’s experience covers a range of conditions, including pain, trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, insomnia, ADHD, neurodivergence, addictions, chronic fatigue, hyper mobility, and fibromyalgia. She also has experience in supporting veterans and their families. She is also a registered provider through NIHB (Non Insured Health Benefits for First Nations Peoples)
If you’re interested in Lynn’s approach, she is available for collaboration across various therapeutic disciplines including psychology, psychotherapy, occupational therapy, and yoga therapy.
Susan Mills
Susan is a registered psychotherapist qualifying with the College of Registered Psychotherapy and a clinical member of the Ontario Association of Psychotherapists.
Susan has 14+ years of experience working in the mental health industry, focusing on anxiety, ADHD, depression, suicidal ideation, life transitions, trauma, co-dependency and mental health disorders.
The foundation of Susan’s practice is based on a combination of CBT, experiential therapy, spirituality, havening (a Psychosensory modality approach for trauma, anxiety, phobias and panic attacks) and mindfulness, with additional experience in somatic inquiry and energy therapies.
Susan is passionate about working collaboratively with her clients providing them with the tools and support needed to understand the underlying causes of their struggles and help them navigate to a healthier place. Susan provides a safe and non-judgemental space where trust and relationship building takes place.
Please reach out today and book your appointment!
Emily Cartwright
Emily Cartwright is a registered occupational therapist with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) and a member of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists. She is also Board Certified in Neurofeedback through Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA). She received both her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and Bachelors of Health Science with Honours Double Major in Health Science and Psychology from Western University.
Emily’s clinical experience includes working with all ages in home care, acute care, community development, and rehabilitation. She is passionate about co-creating care plans with clients and their supports including family, friends, and other providers that fit into their daily lives. She works with clients to build skills and strategies, adapt their environment, find appropriate aids/adaptive equipment, and make home modifications in order to meet their goals. Emily has a specific enjoys working with clients with neurological impairments to improve their quality of life and engage in the activities that are the most meaningful to them.
Emily has completed additional training in motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, brain injury rehabilitation, mindfulness based stress reduction, assessing for suicide risk in kids, and applied suicide intervention skills training.
Alesha Allan
Alesha Allan is a registered occupational therapist with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO). She received her master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Alberta in 2016 and her bachelor’s degree in psychology and biology from Dalhousie University in 2012.
Alesha’s clinical experience includes working with individuals of all ages in various areas of practice, including brain injury and concussion, concurrent mental health conditions, emotional regulation, and pain management.
She has experience working with veterans and serving military members. As a military spouse, Alesha has unique experience and understanding when working with veterans, serving military members and their families.
Alesha has worked with individuals who have been in motor vehicle accidents and has experience working with individuals with attention deficit disorder (ADD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and learning difficulties.
Using her unique skills, Alesha formulates a comprehensive treatment plan in collaboration with each client, with the use of multiple modalities including neurofeedback therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, and equipment provision as needed.
Alesha is certified in the Progressive Goal Attainment Program (PGAP) and Neuro-meditation. She is ADP certified, granting her the authority to authorize ambulation aids and wheelchairs (power and manual).
Laura Friberg
Laura Friberg is a registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, and an Ontario-certified teacher with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in neuroscience. She is an enthusiastic nerd for all things related to brains, science and mental health.
In addition to her work at the clinic, she is a professor at Algonquin College and a teacher/course developer at Ontario eSecondary School.
Susan Kennedy
In over 20 years of practice, I have gained much insight and expertise in supporting a diverse client population. This includes children, youth and their families, through individual, group, couple and family sessions. Often clients shared the belief they were to blame for their individual and/or their family’s struggles, feeling that this made “sense” of their world (“it’s gotta be me, right?”). This burden impairs one’s ability to live a rich and fulfilling life (passion, healthy relationships and joy). Self-blame and guilt can create an immense barrier and this can be especially true for young people, closing doors and opportunities for personal growth. By tapping into existing strengths, abilities, and exploring alternate stories, the best outcome in therapy is remembering one’s values and abilities and regaining social “connection” and the skills for life happiness. These conversations can be held by using many therapeutic perspectives – for example, a Solutions-Focused and a Mindfulness lens which helps us all to understand our emotions and thoughts in a powerful way.
With a trauma-informed lens, therapy can help create safety for clients and helps them to explore the thoughts/feelings that either misguide or overwhelm them. It’s also amazingly effective when one can build on the “exceptions to the problem” and remember their inner skills and strengths. Sometimes though, it’s also about learning extra skills in order to manage emotions with self compassion and acceptance. Cognitive and Dialectical
Behaviour Therapy (CBT/DBT) provides just these kind of skills and can empower people in their ability to manage and to have self-control. It can be so valuable to recognize that we sometimes just need to learn skills and that we are not born flawed or left too damaged by
trauma.
I describe myself as conversational, humorous and creative in my approach which proves to be so essential in contributing to helpful and effective conversations on attaining success with therapy goals. I believe it is also important to educate clients on therapy styles so that they can choose the right fit for them.
I am a certified and practicing member of CRPO (College of Registered Psychotherapists of
Ontario) and have received extensive training over my years of practice.
Ereny Saleh
Ereny’s main passion is helping others reach their best potential and achieve their goals.
Ereny holds an undergraduate degree in pharmaceutical science from her home country. Her medical background allows her to obtain appropriate knowledge about general health and well-being. Interacting with diverse cultures has profoundly enhanced her compassion and humility for all humanity. This invaluable experience has shaped her personal journey towards helping others seek clarity and direction, finding balance and a deeper understanding of oneself. She has a unique understanding of the transition challenges that immigrants face.
As an integrative therapist, she includes client-centred and psychotherapeutic techniques, such as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), Spirituality, Change Management and Creative Communication strategies.
She believes that coming to therapy is one of the most powerful and effective paths to gain insight into the root of your problems, learning skills and the techniques to support recovery. In a safe, non-judgmental, compassionate and comfortable environment, Ereny will help you move forward and reach your goals. Her clients describe her as warm, understanding, empathetic and enthusiastic. She ensures that therapy is efficient and helpful and moves you along your wellness journey. Let’s try it!
Anne Howard
Choosing to seek help can be a life-changing and challenging decision. A qualified practitioner’s support can help you better understand your current situation and empower you towards reaching your goals and healing.I have a special interest in Trauma (PTSD, Complex Trauma or Complex PTSD) and Anxiety, but I also work with a wide range of mental health concerns. I provide a safe and respectful therapeutic space for you in my trauma-informed practice, and I strongly believe in a client-centered and collaborative approach that supports and empowers you. I draw on and incorporate different therapeutic modalities and interventions to help you develop new tools and strategies, reconnect with and learn more about yourself, and create a general sense of wellbeing. These include EMDR, grounding and mindfulness meditation techniques, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive-Processing Therapy (CPT), emotion-focused therapy, somatic experiencing, a bit of humour, and lifestyle factors such as nutrition and exercise. I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). I have a certificate in Clinical Traumatology and a background in health and fitness. I am passionate about my work and strive to continue learning and staying up to date with research and training that further develop my multidisciplinary approach to client care. I genuinely believe that people can heal; as Peter Levine said – “Trauma cannot always be prevented; it’s a fact of life. But it can be healed.”
Daniel Keogh-Lim
Daniel Keogh-Lim is a registered occupational therapist with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario and a member of the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists. He completed a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in psychology and a Master of Science degree in occupational therapy, as well as additional master’s-level courses in psychotherapy.
Whether you’re meeting with Daniel for occupational therapy or psychotherapy, you can expect to feel like you’re meeting a real person who treats you like a good person. In fact, central to Daniel’s approach as a therapist is his strong belief that all people are fundamentally good, and that all the aspects of us that cause suffering in ourselves and/or others deserve equal compassion and understanding (without condoning harmful actions). The ideal he aims for as a therapist is for his clients to learn to become their own therapists, at least in some significant ways, which he believes everyone has the capacity for.
As an occupational therapist, Daniel listens to you (and observing when necessary) carefully in order to understand what the most meaningful/important activities and roles are in your life, and what is currently preventing you from being able to more fully engage/participate in them. If you aren’t clear on your goals for therapy, he will support you to figure that out, and can help onto hope for you if you’re feeling hopelessness at any point as you strive toward your goals. From there, he problem-solves with you to find ways to work around your current limitations. Daniel is particularly experienced working with clients facing barriers in their daily lives due to mental health challenges, neurodivergence (such as learning disorders), brain injury, and chronic pain, but is trained in numerous other areas.
When it comes to psychotherapy, Daniel is deeply committed to providing trauma-informed, person-centred therapy. He mainly draws from models of therapy that are somatic (body-based), mindfulness-based, and compassion-based, however, he also has training in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). Daniel is equally experienced working with children, teens, and caregivers as he is with adults of all ages and older teens seeking therapy more independently. He will always honour the part of you that chooses to participate in psychotherapy, as he recognizes this is often not an easy thing to do.
When he’s not working or geeking out on therapy stuff, he can be found exploring in nature, staying active, and listening to or playing music.
Rena Tennant
Rena is a registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and a clinical member of the Ontario Association of Psychotherapists. She has a psychology degree from Laurentian University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Addictions.
Rena has over 13 years of clinical experience working with civilians and veterans with PTSD, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, addiction, and grief.
Rena encourages clients to be collaborative in their treatment. She believes there is always an opportunity for growth and change, and supports clients as they explore their pathway to increased wellness. Rena integrates multiple treatment modalities including CBT, DBT and neurofeedback, and offers clients a holistic, supportive approach to treatment.
In addition to her clinical work, Rena has a passion for teaching and has four years experience as a psychology professor teaching Introductory Psychology and Group Therapy. In keeping with the teaching interest, she provides supervision to students completing their practicum requirements in psychotherapy. She is also an experienced trainer, tailoring workshops to organizational needs.
Elizabeth Eacrett
Elizabeth is a licensed occupational therapist with over 16 years of clinical experience across hospital,
clinic, and community settings. She works with youth and adults navigating challenges related to mood,
attention, and organization associated with mental health and chronic health conditions, ADHD, and
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Elizabeth is passionate about supporting individuals to engage more fully and functionally in their life
roles and activities to enhance quality of life. Her work focuses on helping clients to develop effective
coping strategies; build executive functioning, stress management, and social skills; and create practical,
personalized solutions for organization, including routines and systems that work for them.
Her approach is holistic and individualized, neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and strengths-
based. She integrates techniques from mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), CBT for
insomnia, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) into
treatment.
Elizabeth is registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario, she holds a Master of
Science in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto, and she is a
member of the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists (OSOT).
In addition to her clinical practice, Elizabeth has contributed to quality assurance initiatives for the
College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario and has provided equine-assisted psychotherapy in an
equestrian setting for Veterans and youth with autism. She has also developed training and educational
programs related to workplace mental health and suicide prevention.
Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys
gardening, spending time in nature, and creative pursuits, such as painting and dance.
Taylor Gagnon
Taylor Gagnon recently completed her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is currently pursuing registration in Canada. She previously completed a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology at Saint Mary’s University. Taylor has experience supporting individuals navigating mental health challenges, life transitions, and return-to-work planning.
Taylor is deeply passionate about mental health and believes that healing and growth are facilitated through individualized care and support. She takes a collaborative, trauma-informed, and client-centred approach, working alongside individuals to identify their strengths, overcome barriers, and develop practical strategies that enhance well-being and participation in everyday life.
As part of the Renew team, Taylor provides neurofeedback services and is dedicated to helping clients better understand and regulate their nervous systems. She strives to create a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental environment where clients feel heard, empowered, and equipped to move towards their goals.
Stephanie McHugh
Stephanie is a registered Occupational Therapist with a background in mental health. She earned her degree in Psychology and Neuroscience from Carleton University and completed her Master of Occupational Therapy at Western University.
She has experience working with clients in both hospital and community settings and supporting individuals experiencing trauma, suicidal ideation, anxiety, depression, PTSD, psychosis, personality disorders, eating disorders, and sleep disorders. She also has experience supporting veterans and members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
As an Occupational Therapist, she focuses on helping her clients build sustainable routines, improve daily functioning, and re-engage in meaningful roles and activities. She uses a client-centered approach, adapting evidence-based modalities to meet each client’s unique needs, including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I), CBT for Eating Disorders (CBT-ED), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based interventions.
Stephanie views therapy as a collaborative process and is passionate about supporting her clients in living full and meaningful lives.
Ashley Hemmings
Ashley Hemmings is a registered Occupational Therapist with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. She graduated with a Masters of Science in Occupational therapy from McGill University after obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Concordia University.
Ashley’s clinical experience includes working with individuals of all ages, in areas of practice such as acute-care, role-emerging, mental health and physical rehabilitation. She has a profound interest for neurodegenerative conditions and utilizing various therapeutic modalities that improve quality of life for these individuals.
Ashley currently works with serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces as well as veterans who are living with various physical and mental health conditions.
Chelsea Cloutier
Chelsea Cloutier is a registered psychotherapist who has worked with individuals of all ages in both assessment and treatment realms. Her experience includes working with individuals with various presenting concerns including ADD/ADHD, post-traumatic stress disorder, trauma, time management, procrastination, anxiety, depression, self-confidence, worthiness, inner critic and learning disabilities.
Guided by a client-centered approach, Chelsea believes that clients are the expert of their own journey. She strives to provide a warm and non-judgemental space for clients to explore their concerns at their own pace. She works to help clients gain self-awareness and discover their resiliency and strength with the aim of promoting growth. Chelsea focuses on fostering a strong therapeutic relationship that allows the client to feel safe and heard.
Chelsea has recently become EMDR Level I trained. She incorporates this as another therapy modality with clients. Through this process, clients learn effective resourcing skills, process emotional blocks, and develop more adaptive emotions and ways of thinking about oneself and experiences.
Chelsea currently resides in North Bay, Ontario. She practices virtually and at the Renew clinic in North Bay.
Francois Larouche
Francois Larouche is dedicated to helping individuals overcome challenges and achieve personal growth. With experience in CBT, mindfulness, and relationship counselling, François offers a bi-lingual French and English supportive environment for healing and self-discovery. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, or seeking to enhance your relationships, he provides evidence-based strategies tailored to your unique needs. François also has experience working with athletes and is interested in continuing to work with individuals who are experiencing sports related issues. He lives in North Bay Ontario and offers in-person and virtual services at the Renew clinic in North Bay.
Kevin George
Kevin graduated from the University of Manitoba. Following years of work in the high-tech industry, he joined Renew in 2014 after seeing the dramatic results it was producing with Renew’s clients.
After several years of working with neurofeedback clients, Kevin has moved into a management role. Kevin’s goal is to make each client’s experience with the clinic a pleasant and stress-free experience.
Kevin lives in Ottawa with his wife and two sons, Wyatt and Seth.
Sharie Woelke
Sharie Woelke is an occupational therapist and registered psychotherapist who is board certified in neurofeedback through the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance. She is the clinical director of Renew Neurotherapy and holds an MEd with a concentration in Instructional Design in Distance Education.
With over 22 years of clinical experience, she has worked with veterans and civilians with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, brain injury, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disorders, chronic pain, stroke, and more.
Sharie has provided both community and hospital-based intervention. Sharie uses a client-centred, integrative approach to therapy (CBT, Acceptance and Commitment-Based, Solution-Focused, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Insomnia, etc.), adapting the approach to the client’s needs.
Sharie is the author of Brain Injury Rehabilitation Basics: A Guide to Providing Community-Based Rehabilitation, published through the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, and Foundations in Brain Injury Rehabilitation, an online course distributed through Brain Elevation, and CAOT.
She is the author of the Navigating Neurofeedback online course series, designed to make learning neurofeedback accessible and to support clinical integration for learners.
She is the learning designer and co-author for online learning workshops provided through ISF Associates, an organization dedicated to providing quality education, tools and resources, and high-quality research in the field of neurofeedback.
Kim Kirkwood
Kim graduated from the University of Guelph. Following several years working in the field of science and technology, she changed fields and began working as a rehabilitation assistant, where she feels she can make a difference helping individuals. She primarily works with clients who have suffered a brain injury.
Along with her role of rehabilitation assistant, she is a clinic manager at Renew.
Dr. Jeffrey Phillips
Dr. Phillips is a practising psychologist who grew up in North Bay. He worked at The North Bay Psychiatric Hospital for 5 years and Hands Children’s Mental Centre as a supervisor and clinical manager for 9 years. He has been in private practice for a total of 30 years and has done so on a full-time basis for over 20 years.
His studies took him to Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Western Ontario and York University.
After graduating with a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Counselling Psychology from York University, he returned home to North Bay to work with adults at the regional psychiatric hospital for 5 years. He then moved on to perform the duties of Clinical Supervisor at North Bay’s Children’s Mental Health Centre, working with children and families as well as associated community resources such as schools. A part-time practice evolved into a full-time practice in 1995.