Our Humans
We have a team of rad humans helping other humans.
Therapists
Founder
Ashley Wanamaker, MC
Registered Psychologist
My name is Ashley Wanamaker (she/her) and I’m a Registered Psychologist, accidental Tik Tok therapist, Founder of Being Human Club (BHC), and colonizer who lives and works on Treaty 7 land in Mohkínstsis, also known as Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
As a white woman in Canada, BHC is my attempt to use my privilege to help dismantle systems of oppression, and advocate for marginalized communities, on an individual and systemic basis.
In other words, I’m a messy human, who somehow managed to get some of the smartest and most skilled humans she knows to create an inclusive mental health space during a pandemic.
Just like humans, BHC is composed of many parts. BHC is a safe and inclusive space. BHC is social justice. BHC is weird. BHC is therapeutic. BHC is Queer. BHC is advocacy. BHC is trauma-informed. BHC is a resource centre. BHC is punk. BHC is a start up. BHC is feminist. BHC is community. BHC is creative. BHC is messy and imperfect.
Ultimately, BHC is a place to reclaim the art of being human.
Co-Founder
Megan Kontrimas, MC
Registered Psychologist
Megan Kontrimas (she/her) is our resident introvert, particularly on social media, but if you are lucky you may catch sight of her awesome awkwardness on our IG stories every once in a while. Megan is a Registered Psychologist, the co-founder of BHC, and although she is pretty risk-averse, she dove headfirst into an amazing opportunity to develop a feminist mental health centre with some of the best humans she knows.
Indira Caro, MC, RPsych
www.indiracaro.ca
I’m Indira (she/her), a first generation Canadian originally from Colombia. I completed a BA in Psychology and a Master of Counselling at the University of Calgary. I am a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists.
I am also a Clinical Certified Trauma Professional and an EMDR trained therapist. My work experience includes anxiety, depression, multicultural counselling, PTSD, trauma, loss and grief, anger management, and life transitions. I use evidence based approaches to support my clients and their needs.
I believe counselling is a calling, and it stems from an inner drive to support others in finding a sense of fulfillment and belonging. I feel honoured to be part of my clients' stories, and I am constantly inspired by their courage and positive intention to change and undergo personal growth.
I believe that engaging in a collaborative therapeutic process can help people live happier, healthier, and more productive lives. Thus, my goal is to provide caring, compassionate, and accepting support to set the foundation for a trusting relationship. I use a client-centred, holistic approach since I believe in the interconnection of mind, body and emotions, and in the importance of experiencing a whole life.
I offer daytime, evening, and weekend appointments in English and Spanish. I provide counselling to pre-teens, adolescents and adults.
Michelle Dubiel, MSW, RSW
Meet Michelle Dubiel (she/her). She is a Registered Social Worker who works with individuals (adults and teens). You can find Michelle at BHC in the evenings and on Saturdays as she currently has two work “homes.” Being at BHC was such an easy decision because of not only the underlying values as well as the incredible individuals that spear headed the space to become alive.
Michelle is originally from Windsor, Ontario which sits on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, which includes the Ojibwa, the Odawa, and the Potawatomie. Michelle was called out to make Mohkínstsis aka Calgary her home after completing school. In her spare time, you can catch Michelle spending time with her not one but two dogs. Michelle enjoys exploring the outdoors, wandering aimlessly around the city, and drinking copious amounts of tea.
For many people, lives can feel so busy and non-stop. Michelle strives in providing individuals a space to slow down and reconnect with themselves. She brings a individualistic approach to therapy as there is no “one size fits all.” She tailors sessions with a focus on feeling, understanding, and addressing root concerns while working with the mind and body. Michelle brings her personality (hello humour) and humanity into each session. Be prepared to laugh and cry all in one session!
Michelle is currently not accepting new clients however, is accepting clients for wait list for the near future.
Joanna Nowotarski, MC, RPsych
www.jncounselling.ca
Hi there! My name is Joanna Nowotarski (she/her) and I am a Registered Psychologist. I provide individual therapy to adolescents and adults who are experiencing trauma impacts, anxiety, depression, and general mental health challenges. Over the past few years, I have been able to develop my skills and passion for working with individuals who have experienced sexual violence, recognizing its multifaceted and multilayered challenges and injustices on the individual and community.
My goal is to provide my clients with a genuine and safe space to share their experiences. I approach every client and their challenges as an ally; appreciating each person’s uniqueness and individuality, and recognizing that individuals are the agents of their own healing and change.
Adrienne Krause, MACP
Registered Provisional Psychologist and Certified Canadian Counsellor.
Hello! It’s so great to see you. I’m Adrienne (she/her), and I’m a Registered Provisional Psychologist and Certified Canadian Counsellor. I hold a Masters of Art Degree in Counselling Psychology, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a focus in family and gender studies. I have a keen interest in working with individuals and couples, from teens to adults, and from all walks of life, who may be struggling with identity, trauma, life transitions, family/relationship issues, neurodivergence, and general issues related to mental health and well-being. My goal is to help empower you to live a full and meaningful life, and to find out what that means for you.
I am of the belief that people need people. Thus, my therapy is relationship driven. I will meet you in your humanness- imperfect, messy, stressed, depressed, anxious, confused- all of it. I strive to embody philosophies of inclusion, intersectionality, feminism, and non-judgement.
I operate from primarily existential, trauma-informed, and humanistic approaches. I believe that therapy isn’t one size fits all and tailor my approach based off my experience and understanding of your needs.
When I’m not connecting with clients, you can find me trying to make my son laugh, running and attempting other various sweaty endeavours, reading the latest psychology/fantasy/mystery novels, or taking a nap.
My personal approach to counselling includes a person-center and feminist approach to therapy with a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, non-judgemental, multicultural, inclusive, sex- and body-neutrality lens.
In sessions, I utilize somatic and neurobiological approaches, as well as, mindfulness and strength-based interventions. I’m also an EMDR trained therapist.
I work with clients struggling with anxiety, self-esteem, depression, relationship issues, family of origin issues, trauma, and PTSD.
As a sex therapist, I have worked supporting clients experiencing distress around their sexuality and/or identity, clients who were transitioning, and clients working towards their self-acceptance, pleasure, and healthy sexual relationships, among many other concerns.
I really enjoy connecting with my clients and working together to develop therapeutic work that is based on the client’s needs, abilities, desires, and hopes. I strive to develop a space where people feel they can be their authentic selves, that fosters the client’s empowerment, and where their vulnerabilities are met with kindness and radical acceptance.
Currently accepting new clients, individual and couples, in English and Portuguese
Lauren Cowley, MC
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Lauren (she/her) provides counselling for both individuals (adults and youth) and couples. Her areas of focus include self-esteem and identity, trauma, family/relationship issues, disordered eating, trauma, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, stress management, and general mental health challenges.
Lauren is currently accepting new clients.
Dr. Elisabeth Saxton, PsyD
Registered Psychologist
Elisabeth (She/Her) is a clinical psychologist providing assessment services for adults as well as supervision for provisional psychologists. She is licensed in British Columbia, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories. As a consultant, she can provide clinical opinions and is available to educational events/workshops. Elisabeth’s areas of expertise include trauma, persistent pain, occupational health, and program development.
Elisabeth is currently accepting new inquiries.
Angela Chan, MC
Registered Psychologist
Having worked in both private practice and agency settings, Angela has honed her strength and passion for supporting individuals who have experienced depression, anxiety, anger, addiction, abuse, family/relationship stress, and faith-based trauma. Additionally, Angela specializes in working with self-identified people-pleasers, who struggle with over-giving, burnout, and issues of self-worth.
Angela views counselling as a collaborative process, approaching change both relationally and holistically. Her approach encompasses physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual aspects of well-being.
Having been in the client chair herself, Angela knows the value of having a safe space to share and develop personalized strategies to take the next step, and she strives to provide nuanced and culturally-sensitive support that is tailored to her clients’ strengths and unique situations. Therapy changed Angela’s life, and she is passionate about her call to empower clients to reclaim joy, gain peace, and take steps towards their own definition of a life worth living.
It is Angela’s honour to provide practical and trauma-informed care to adults, couples, and youth (12+) Alberta. With curiosity and compassion, you can plan, explore, and journey alongside her.
Angela is currently accepting new clients.
Sarah Kinnie, MSW
Registered Social Worker
counsellingsarahkinnie@gmail.com
Meet Sarah Kinnie!
Sarah is a Registered Social Worker who works individually from a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive lens with adult humans experiencing depression, anxiety, and trauma. Sarah is trained in a variety of therapeutic interventions, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) and Expressive Arts Therapy.
Sarah is known around BHC for her deep compassion, boundless curiosity, and strong sense of humour. If you’re ready to laugh and cry in the same session, Sarah may be the right therapist for you.
Sarah is currently accepting new clients!
Heather Samarron ,M.S.W
Registered Social Worker
www.NewAuthorshipNarrative.com
My name is Heather Samarron (they/them or she/her), I am a Registered Social Worker with the Alberta College of Social Workers and hold a Bachelors and Master of Social Work degrees, and I specialize in the practice of Contemporary Feminist Narrative Therapy (CFNT) and Sex Therapy through a CNFT lens! What all this means to clients is that I bring a person-in-society, trauma-informed approach to understanding your stories and experiences, exactly as they happened to you, and all from the perspective that people are not problems but that people live alongside problems all the time. Striving to understand exactly who you are, what stories you carry, and the context in which our lives take place can help as we strategize exactly what freedom looks like to you and how you can truly become the author of your next chapters.
My work is rooted in bodily autonomy and consent as overarching principles, and I see these as extending into all areas of life. From freedom of religion, to ongoing decolonization and anti-oppressive practices, to sex and sexuality, to gender identity and expression, to fat liberation and body emancipation, and on and on I firmly believe that each person has the innate human right to do with their body, heart, and mind whatever they see fit so long as it doesn’t take away or limit the same right for every living being. This also means that I get to hear stories with genuine curiosity and awe, because there is no singular “right way” to live.
Part of my work that I love dearly is how I get to use therapeutic documents. These documents take many creative shapes and forms, including letters, stories, and, most commonly, poetry. The goal of these documents is to hold the heart of the conversation that we’ve had and give us a place to start our next conversation, but it also gives me a chance to say, “Hey, am I understanding you right?” This means that I will bring a creative something to our second session and beyond, written just for you, that are inspired by and hold your words. I freely admit it can be odd to sign up to have someone read a poem about you to you, but my sincere hope is that we get to marvel at the healing power of our words and perspectives as we look back on how far you’ve already come.
I am currently accepting new clients through my private practice (New Authorship Narrative Therapy) at the Being Human Club, and I can’t wait to meet you!