Dawn Maskine, Therapist

Agriculture Informed Therapy™
Areas Served: Nova Scotia, Canada

Welcome, my name is Dawn, and I have been working with individuals and groups in the fields of health and wellness for over 20 years. Using narrative, trauma informed, and somatic approaches, I follow the philosophy that people are not their problems, behaviours, or past. If we can externalize and deconstruct the latter, by tapping into values and strengths, then there is potential to rewrite your narrative moving forward. My hope is that you feel safe and supported.

Larissa Verhoeven Giffin

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Registered Social Worker
Areas Served: New Brunswick and Nova Scotia

Growing up on a dairy farm I always knew I wanted to help people so I put my work ethic into becoming a therapist.

If you are looking for support dealing with transitions, mental health concerns, substance use, or family relationships and you want to explore how to communicate, handle stress, and connect with others, I'd be happy to help.

My role is to provide tangible support like teaching skills, sharing tools, setting goals, and giving encouragement to help you make the changes you want to.

Everyone needs help sometimes, even strong capable people like you. Looking forward to connecting with you soon

Christina Murphy, Registered Counselling Therapist – Candidate

Agriculture Informed Therapy™
Areas Served: Virtual: Nova Scotia, In Person: Kentville NS

Christina is a compassionate and experienced therapist dedicated to helping clients navigate complex emotional landscapes. With a background in supporting individuals affected by intimate partner violence and substance use, Christina brings a trauma-informed and nonjudgmental approach to healing. Having lived and worked in rural communities, she understands the unique challenges these environments can present—such as limited access to resources, heightened stigma, and the importance of close-knit community dynamics. This lived experience informs their ability to meet clients where they are, with empathy and cultural sensitivity. Christina supports clients in aligning with their values, building psychological flexibility, and fostering long-term resilience through an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and attachment focused lens. Whether addressing relationship trauma, addiction, or navigating life transitions, Christina is committed to walking alongside each person on their journey toward greater clarity, connection, and self-compassion.

Amberlee Boulton, Social Worker (Registered Clinical Specialist- Provisional)

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Master of Social Work, Registered Social Worker
Areas Served: In person: Antigonish, Guysborough, Cape Breton, NS, Virual:Nova Scotia, Ontario, Alberta

Amberlee is a registered clinical social worker (RCSW) that earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) in 2020, specializing in Leadership in Human Services. Since 2023, she has practiced as a clinical therapist, working with children, youth, and adults supporting clients navigating transitions, processing grief, and healing from trauma. In 2016, she became a market gardener, supporting a 10-acre farm, growing seasonal crops. Her farm is part of a 6-farm cooperative that supports over 150 CSA food boxes for her region. Having supported farmers in grief work, family planning, and understanding burn out, Amberlee respects the unique mental health stresses and resiliency farmers experience. She is proud to be part of NFMHA’s Nova Scotia’s inaugural Ag-informed class and will support and prioritize your care.

Diana Moldoveanu, RP (Qual), CCC

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Registered Psychotherapist
Areas Served: in-person on demand: Greater Montreal Area, South Shore, Laval, Laurentians; online: Canada wide.

Diana is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC) who utilizes a strength-based approach to counselling, drawing on positive psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing. She has expertise in helping clients navigate challenges authentically and stays up to date with the latest scientific findings. With a strong European family background in rural living and farming, Diana is committed to counselling and inspiring Canadian farmers of all origins. Diana offers counseling in English, French, Romanian and Spanish.

Cathy Leaper, MSW

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Registered Social Worker
Areas Served: Sarnia-Lambton

Cathy was raised in a multi-generational family and presently lives on a cash crop farm. She is a Registered Social Worker and obtained her MSW in 1994. She is a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Cathy has practiced in child welfare, hospital, and community counselling centres for the past 32 years. Cathy is currently employed at the Family Counselling Centre in Sarnia. Using such modalities as Brief Solution Focussed Therapy, Family Systems Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, she seeks to walk alongside and motivate people to reach their psychosocial goals.

RaeAnne Bekkers, Counsellor

Agriculture Informed Therapy™
Areas Served: Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia

Farmers are going through a lot of difficult circumstances in our world - the weather, government regulations, financial strains and global markets. This puts a great deal of pressure on each farming business and farming family. During these turbulent times, it is important to take care of yourself. As a counselor, I want to be a safe space for you to share the difficulties you are facing. Together, we can work towards an idea, a solution or a way forward. You are not alone.

Kristen Hoggard, Dip.Counselling, Level 7

Agriculture Informed Therapy™
Areas Served: West Wales and Nottinghamshire, UK

I am in my fifth year of becoming a psychotherapist and Transactional analyst. I have a lifetime of farming experience and I am offspring of a hardworking and kind farming family going back five generations (I think that counts as pedigree!) I live and work in the UK with a small private practice of individuals, couples and groups alongside my National Health Service work. I also milk as my much-needed cow coregulation time and a bit of a workout! I am passionate about working with family constellations and cycles of development to help individuals understand where they came from and support them in writing their own Life scripts going forwards. Please feel free to contact me for more information or a consultation.

Karen Skinner, MSW, RSW

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Registered Social Worker
Areas Served: Virtually throughout Ontario and in person in St. Marys Ontario.

Karen grew up on a dairy farm and is familiar with some of the additional stressors that come along with farming and being a member of a farming family/community. This has developed a passion for working with individuals in rural communities to meet their specific needs. Karen uses a person-centered, strength-based approach with her clients. She offers virtual (phone to video) counselling to Ontario residents through her private practice as well as in person appointments in St. Marys Ontario.

Raquel Griffin, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW

Agriculture Informed Therapy™
Areas Served: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario

I am a Registered Social Worker and Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor based out of Kjipuktuk (Halifax, Nova Scotia). I specialize in eating disorders, anxiety, and grief. I am most passionate about helping folks repair their relationship with body/food/eating. I often look to support people and areas that are underserved or underrepresented, so I have a lot of experience working with queer/2SLGBTQ+ people, neurodiversity, and now farmers.

Carissa Weber, MA, LPC, CSAC

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Licensed Professional Counselor
Areas Served: Wisconsin, USA

Carissa is an active wife and mom of three. She and her husband own and operate a small farm in Central Wisconsin. As a therapist, Carissa’s approach is to create a partnership with you, where you’ll work together to identify your needs and make progress toward the goals that you set for yourself. Carissa’s office is 100% virtual to better serve individuals living in rural areas

Mercedes Ruiz

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Registered Counselling Therapist
Areas Served: Nova Scotia

I’m a Registered Counselling Therapist with over 15 years of experience, offering therapy in both English and Spanish. After completing the Ag-Informed Therapist Training, I specialize in supporting farmers and agricultural workers facing grief, anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress related to farm life. Using techniques like Gestalt therapy, EMDR, mindfulness, and hypnosis, my approach focuses on emotional well-being, offering a compassionate and holistic alternative to traditional therapy. I offer both in-person sessions in Dartmouth and virtual therapy options.

Ian Mayo, MSW

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Registered Social Worker
Areas Served: Sarnia-Lambton

Ian was raised in Wallaceburg and has connected to the experience of farming through marriage. He is a Registered Social Worker and is a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers since completing his BSW in 2009. Ian completed his MSW with a focus on individual, family and group counselling in 2012 and is currently employed at the Family Counselling Centre in Sarnia. Ian has previous experience in child welfare. Ian’s work is guided by modalities such as Brief Solution Focussed, Cognitive Behavioural, Dialectical Behavioural, Acceptance and Commitment and Emotionally Focused therapies. He seeks to meet people where they are at in their unique process and help them move forward guided by their strengths and values.

Mary Jane McDowell M.S.W., R.S.W

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Registered Social Worker
Areas Served: Throughout Ontario via telephone and virtually, also in Prince Edward County Ontario.

Since 1997, Mary Jane has been working in mental health care in her rural community of Prince Edward County. This professional experience has provided her with a genuine appreciation for the farming community, and an understanding of the unique challenges faced by farmers and their families.

Mary Jane understands that reaching out can be difficult and is committed to offering services that are supportive and non-judgmental. As a registered social worker, Mary Jane offers counselling for issues such as anxiety, grief, depression, difficult life adjustments, and associated stress. Adhering to best practices, she uses therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy. Mary Jane is available virtually throughout Ontario.

Kirsten Camartin, MSW, RSW, DTATI

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Art Therapist, Registered Social Worker
Areas Served: Grey and Bruce Counties

I believe people have the solutions to the challenges that arise and that each of us has a desire to feel better. I offer creative workshops that focus on particular topics such as stress and burnout, accepting circumstances that cannot be changed, and getting to know the role of your inner critic. Stay tuned for a workshop near you.

Wendy Hawkins, MSW, RSW, RP

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Social Worker
Areas Served: Wendy provides virtual counselling across Ontario.

Wendy has provided counselling for over 30 years. She specializes in treating a wide range of conditions including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, grief, past and current trauma, and complex trauma. She is both a Registered Psychotherapist and a Registered Social Worker.

Janet Tomlinson

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Registered Counselling Therapist
Areas Served: Nova Scotia, CANADA

Though I never grew up on a farm, farming was in my family. Therefore, from a young age, farming and farmers were learned to be appreciated and supported. Fast forward, I marry into a family who had been dairy farmers and learned so much from speaking with them over the years. Farming was still so evident in my father in laws blood. I now have a hobby farm and though a lot of my practice is in equine therapy, many people who come just enjoy having an office outside and being around animals and the atmosphere is one that is more than likely known to farmers.

Stephen Bunnell, LCSW

Agriculture Informed Therapy™
Areas Served: Idaho, Utah, Washington, Arizona

Stephen is a 4th generation farmer and Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is able to understand and assist in the lifestyle and dynamics of farming. Stephen grew up working on his family's dairy in Utah, and currently lives in Idaho with his family where they raise beef cattle, as well as providing online individual and couples counseling to farmers and people living in rural areas throughout the western United States.

Stephen has many years experience working in the mental health field with a variety of issues including emotional and mental health challenges, substance abuse/addiction, relationships, trauma, etc… Stephen’s approach to therapy is using evidence based treatments to help individuals and families to process challenges, build skills, and access their strengths. All of these factors help with improving connection to relationships, values, purpose, and self, which in turn helps us to find a greater sense of peace.

Jenna Ibach

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Master of Social Work
Areas Served: Licensed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario

I hold a Masters of Clinical Social Work with a Trauma Informed Practice Specialization. I have lived experiences in the agricultural sector that allow me a unique perspective when providing mental health support for farmers and other agricultural members while appreciating the hard-working lifestyle of families in the agricultural industry. Growing up on a farm allows me to connect on a deeper level due to my understanding of the highlights, the challenges, and the unique experiences, we as farmers encounter.

Brenda Johnson

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Registered Counselling Therapist
Areas Served: Registered in Nova Scotia but can practice in an Inter-Provincial in other provinces

I’ve been fortunate enough to live in a rural community along side a variety of farmers and growers. I see the dedication, strength and skills needed in choosing a lifestyle in Agriculture, which can be stressful in putting the pieces together. The best support I can offer is being a person to listen with compassion, respect and value the everyday efforts people make, and help without judgement in problem solving when extra tools can come in handy. In reaching out for therapy, you need to have the security of an authentic and compassionate person who can move you from feelings of vulnerability or shame and instead find your story and the motivation to make changes. Everyone benefits when one person can find a positive change, and working together in therapy can help you as well as those in your family. I offer diverse experience including anxiety, addictions, violence and conflict, relationship conflicts, loss and many other issues.

My services include all ages including children, genders and diverse needs, and creating a unique approach which is best for you. Appointments can be for individuals, in groups or in families. My services include face to face as well as online and phone.

Carrie Pollard, MSW, RSW

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Registered Social Worker
Areas Served: Carrie provides virtual counselling across Ontario.

As a farmer, I understand the unique challenges of working in agriculture and the impact on your own well-being and relationships with others. With twenty years of clinical experience, I offer individual and couples therapy virtually across Ontario, so you can access it quickly and easily from any private space you can find at home or on the farm. I also offer in-person appointments in Mount Forest, Ontario. Contact me and we will talk about the stresses and challenges you’re facing and work on building the resources, supports and resilience you need to balance everything on your plate.

Adrian K. Cameron

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Registered Counselling Therapist
Areas Served: Nova Scotia

Adrian is a Registered Counselling Therapist born in Monterrey, Mexico, and immigrated to Canada in 2003 after completing his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Adrian found his home in British Columbia where he supported people with intellectual disabilities and those struggling with mental health issues, as well as volunteering counselling services for non-profit organizations before making Nova Scotia to complete his studies in Counselling Psychology. Adrian has been focusing his training on trauma and has experience working with first responders, 2SLGBTQ+, multicultural and minority populations. He uses different methodology approaches to help clients process their trauma, and is committed to working with clients with the goal of empowering them to live their best lives.

Brian MacAulay

Agriculture Informed Therapy™
Areas Served: Canada

Brian is passionate about working with the NFMHA. Brian’s areas of focus include: trauma and PTSD, sexual abuse, domestic violence, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief and loss, divorce and separation, managing injuries/physical disabilities, bullying and life stage transitions. Brian is trained in Agriculture-Informed Therapy.

Tracey White, RCT

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Registered Counselling Therapist
Areas Served: Nova Scotia

Navigating life’s challenges can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Recently I completed training with the National Farmer Mental Health Alliance and the NS Federation of Agriculture and am please to be certified in Ag-Informed Therapy. I am doubly proud because my Dad and my Grandfather were farmers! With over 25 years of experience as an educator, I have worked extensively in supporting children and their families—a passion I continue in my counseling practice. I also specialize in helping my adult clients with major life transitions, including illness, divorce, and the loss of a loved one where they may feel a lack of control over their situation. I use a relational, client-centered approach to counseling, integrating strategies from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a strengths-based focus. Whether virtually or in person, I’m here to support you on your journey.

Michaela-Katie Gilhooley, Psychotherapist

Agriculture Informed Therapy™
Areas Served: Nova Scotia (Lunenburg Country), Ontario (virtually)

Michaela is trained as both a psychotherapist in Ontario and a Counselling Therapist in Nova Scotia. She holds a bachelors of Art in Child and Youth Care Counseling from the University of Victoria. Michaela earned her Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University while working full time at a government funded mental health clinic in Northern Ontario.

Virginia Charlesworth, MSW, RSW

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Registered Psychotherapist
Areas Served: Ontario

Virginia offers therapy to children, adolescents and adults, in the form of individual, couples and family sessions. She has a passion for maternal health and wellness, parenting and families. She holds a Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor of Mental Health and Human Services from Franciscan University in Ohio. Her work is grounded in a strengths-based approach. She offers a holistic consideration of all facets of people’s lives, not only their mental health. Virginia has experience building resiliency for her clients, through mindfulness, self-regulation, and crisis intervention strategies. She has worked with clients on the Autism spectrum and uses attachment theory to root her interventions in a recovery model of healing for her clients. Virginia uses Internal Family Systems, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Play Therapy, narrative therapy and She works with couples relying on Emotional Focused Therapy.

Jess Campbell, BA, MACP, AIT

Agriculture Informed Therapy™, Registered Psychotherapist
Areas Served: virtual across Ontario

Jess is a dairy and crop farmer and the owner of Fresh Air Counselling, a 100% virtual practice that serves mostly women in agriculture. Clients who come to therapy with Jess typically struggle with their identity/who they are in this life beyond mum/wife/farm partner, managing high-functioning anxiety, people-pleasing and perfectionist tendencies, strained relationships with in-laws and other farm family members, and, intense mental/emotional stress. With a person-centred, strengths-based approach, Jess helps her clients by teaching them tools and strategies to combat overthinking, and how (and why!) to prioritize self-compassion, self-care and the value of being human.

Desaray Skretting, Counselling Psychology Intern

Agriculture Informed Therapy™
Areas Served: Virtual and in person in Alberta

Desaray grew up on a beef cattle and crop production farm. She currently resides in Calgary and is completing her practicum there. She is able to see Alberta clients virtually or in person. Desaray understands the challenges of rural or farm life, where the emphasis on hard work and self-reliance can sometimes lead to emotional struggles feeling isolating or overlooked. Book with Desaray for compassionate, accessible therapy tailored to rural life—offering support grounded in understanding farm culture and mental wellness.