Our Counsellors

Our counsellors have a range of professional backgrounds ensuring that you are matched with the best counsellor to meet your particular needs.

They have been trained in a number of different therapeutic approaches to help you work on addressing issues effectively. We also have access to a number of professionals in the community (and outside of Yukon) who have particular areas of expertise for referral as needed.

Barb Nimco – MSW, RSW

Barbara graduated with a Master Social Work Degree from the University of Calgary in 1977. Having worked in a variety of social work fields, the lure of the North captured her imagination, and in 1986 she moved to the Yukon.

Shortly after, she was contacted to be an EAP Referral Agent with her then employer –the Federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs. This opened the door for Barbara to establish a private practice in the EAP industry which has lasted close to three decades. This work has complemented her strong belief in the values and ethics of the social work profession.

Her interest has been to work with people and organizations, helping them achieve goals in the most healthy and harmonious way possible. In 2014 Barbara received the “Distinguished Service Award” from the Canadian Association of Social Workers.

Currently, she has been approached by the University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work to be a dedicated champion/ mentor to social work students and to share the dedication with community and funders on behalf of the Faculty.

Barbara overseas the Company’s operation ensuring EAP standards and procedures are maintained to the highest quality.

Sue Grabner – BSW, MA (Counselling Psychology) CCC   (Advisor and subcontractor)

Sue now’s works out of her private practice and can be reached at http://www.suegrabnercounseling.com

Sue has been a counsellor in the Yukon since 1988. Her counselling career began in Calgary, AB at the Distress Center/Drug Center and Teen Line followed by Canadian Mental Health Association Suicide Bereavement Program.  When she moved to the Yukon, Sue began working at Yukon Family Services (now Many Rivers) providing counselling services to residents of Whitehorse and for one year, providing itinerant services to residents of Watson Lake. After working with Yukon Family Services for 11 years, she left to raise her 3 young children, eventually returning to work as a clinician with Yukon Mental Health Services. Sue went on to open a part time private practice and works with Nimco & Associates as a counsellor and Clinical Manager.

Sue works with adults and children, individuals, couples and families using an eclectic approach to therapy that allows for the flexibility to find a language and model of change that works with the client. Sue has a strong belief in the resiliency and the capacity for change and adaptation in human beings and brings this energy into the therapeutic relationship as she guides, teaches, supports and challenges people to face what limits them and to embrace their capacity.  Sue is constantly seeking training to enhance her skills so she can offer a broad range of therapeutic approaches to her clients. The most recent training Sue attended was EMDR Therapy Training.

Areas of interest: Individuals, children and youth, stress management, depression, anxiety, parenting, attachment issues, family of origin, life stages/ transitions, grief, loss, addictions, retirement planning, health, trauma, PTSD, First Nation, work-place issues, conflict resolution.

Sheila Benson – M. ED, (Counselling Psychology), RCC

Sheila is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Victoria. She has worked as a clinical counsellor for the past 20 years in diverse settings, both in BC and in the Yukon. In Whitehorse Sheila has worked at Mental Health Services, Many Rivers Counselling and Support Services, Nimco and Associates Inc, and has also been in private practice. In addition, Sheila has provided counselling services in the communities of Faro, Ross River, Teslin, and Carcross, and over the years has worked with a variety of people on a range of issues. Working primarily with individuals and groups, Sheila is familiar with the joys and challenges of creating meaningful change in one’s life and is keen to assist in the process.

Areas of Interest: Depression; anxiety, emotional dysregulation; interpersonal/relationship issues; and difficulty managing life’s problems. Stress management; life stages and transitions; well-being and flourishing; First Nations;  trauma; grief and loss; addictions; career development; retirement preparation and concerns; and work-place issues.

Sharon Wade, PhD – Health Sciences, MA (Counselling Psychology)

Sharon is a registered psychotherapist practicing in the Yukon since 2014. Prior to coming to the Yukon, Sharon worked as a generalist counsellor for a non-profit counselling agency in Southern Ontario. Sharon utilizes an integrative approach to counselling and is formally trained in Somatic Experiencing. Sharon has experience working with a number of issues, including anxiety, panic attacks, depression, post-partum mood disorders, trauma, relationship issues, and personal or job stress. Sharon enjoys working with a variety of populations and is committed to helping clients achieve their counselling goals through a client-centered approach.

Areas of interest: Couples, families, individuals, youth, stress management, depression, anxiety, parenting, attachment issues, family of origin, life stages/ transitions, grief, loss, addictions, retirement planning, health, trauma, PTSD, First Nation, work place issues, conflict resolution.

Louise Hardy, MC:AT, CCC, RCAT – Master Counselling and a Registered Canadian Art Therapist

Louise has been working as a Certified Canadian Counsellor and Art Therapist in the Yukon for the past 11 years. She was born and raised in Whitehorse and is committed to the good health of our culturally diverse territory. She has worked at Seniors Services and Adult Protection for Yukon Government, Kwanlin Dun First Nations Health Centre and in private practice as an Art Therapist. She believes human beings, with the educated, compassionate support of a therapist can activate their innate capacity to heal emotional, physical and spiritual wounds. Not only to heal but create a thriving life, rich with meaning.

Areas of Interest: Working with the effects of multi- generational trauma on individuals and communities, caregiver stresses due to chronic or terminal illness in a family, couples therapy based on Imago training, working with elders and seniors and working with couples, Post Traumatic Stress Disorders, grief, loss and workplace stressors.

Kim Rogers – BSW, RSW

Kim is a long-time Yukoner who has a social work background and over 20 years of experience in clinical counselling and workshop facilitation. In Whitehorse she has worked for Many Rivers, Hospice Yukon, Kaushee’s Place, Disability Services and the Women’s Directorate.

Kim is a creative and spiritually-minded person who has a down-to-earth energy. She provides an atmosphere of comfort, guidance, and gentle support for those she journeys with. Her counselling philosophy is that people access answers to complex questions within themselves, and with a little help those answers can take shape. She enjoys designing customized ‘toolboxes for growth’ that are unique to each person she works with, based on their personalities, goals, gifts, and needs

Areas of Interest: : identity-building, life direction, self esteem, assertiveness skills, healthy boundaries, communication, interpersonal and family relationship issues, caregiver stress, workplace stress, depression, grief and loss, and couples’ work.

In addition to traditional talk therapy approaches, Kim also has training in Expressive Arts Facilitation. This is an approach which assists people either individually or in groups to use creative tools such as art, journaling, music, photography, movement etc. to intuitively express emotions, work through life challenges, make decisions, strengthen identity, or explore needs and goals.

Tandi Brown – MC Counselling Psychology CCC (currently away on leave)

Tandi has been a counsellor in the Yukon for the past 8 years having worked with Many Rivers Counselling & Support Services as well as currently working with Nimco & Associates and the Kwanlin Dun First Nation Health Centre. She also completed practicum work with the Child Development Centre and has worked as a community-based research consultant on a CYFN AHTF-funded project for First Nations and mental wellness. She works with adults, youth, and children, individuals and families utilizing a responsive and intuitive approach underscored by her belief in the human instinct for freedom, respect, and dignity. She supports clients to work gently at doing the hard work of accepting the wide range of human experience and offers perspective and compassion in the process.

Areas of Interest: Families, individuals, youth, stress management, depression, anxiety, parenting, family of origin, attachment, life stages/ transitions, grief, loss, addictions, trauma, PTSD, First Nation, work place issues.