CSAC employs an Executive Director and five Trauma Counsellors. Our organization is led by a small group of volunteers who sit on the Board of Directors and assist with the programs and services we provide in our communities.
Jamie Matthews – Executive Director – jmatthews@colchestersac.ca
Jamie joined CSAC in September 2020 as our Executive Director. Jamie brings with him over a decade of non-profit leadership experience. Having experience in fund development and in marketing and communications, we are thrilled to have Jamie join our team! He is originally from Cape Breton where he attended CBU in the Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies program, which is also where he developed his passion for supporting those in the vulnerable sector. He then moved to Toronto to attend Ryerson University as a graduate in their Gerontology program. While there he worked for numerous national print and online publications, developing multi-million dollar advertising campaigns for some of our countries most recognizable brands.
After being away for 10 years, he returned home to the Maritimes and made a career shift into the non-profit sector. Having worked at the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick, the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame and at Hospice Fredericton, he has developed a proven track record in helping non-profits reach their full potential. In addition to his fundraising and marketing experience, he has also worked with numerous Boards to create a highly engaged team of both staff and volunteers. Jamie also brings with him great compassion for those in need of support. Whether it is supporting those struggling with a diagnosis of dementia, motivating underprivileged children to become active in support, or with those coping with end-of-life, and now with those impacted by sexual assault – Jamie is a passionate advocate for those needing support and a voice. We are excited to have Jamie join our team!
TRAUMA COUNSELLORS
Sara-Lynne Lantz – Trauma Counsellor and Client Intake Supervisor – slantz@colchestersac.ca
Sara-Lynne (she/her), a ten year Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and Registered Counselling Therapist Candidate, holds a Master of Education in Counselling from Acadia University and has been a Trauma Counsellor with the CSAC since 2016. She strives to create a trauma-informed and empowering space for all gender identities and cultures through individual and small-group counselling and support and psychoeducational programming. Utilizing a client-centred approach, Sara-Lynne
implements multiple techniques and strategies including, but not limited to,
Strengths-Based Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction,
Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy, and Arts-Based Therapy.
Sara-Lynne strongly believes in working collaboratively with clients and community organizations to create holistic programming, support services, and psychoeducational workshops and presentations to help individuals learn and develop healthy strategies and a greater understanding of trauma.
Prior to working at the CSAC, Sara-Lynne was a School Counsellor for five years with the CCRCE.
Malory Beazley – Trauma Counsellor – mbeazley@colchestersac.ca
Malory (she/they) is a Registered Counselling Therapist – Candidate (RCT-C) with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists and holds a Master of Education in Counselling from Acadia University. As a queer feminist counsellor, Malory understands the importance of trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally-relevant responses to sexualized violence, as well as prevention through accessible, equitable, and inclusive education. She has experience working with survivors of sexualized violence and concurrent mental and emotional challenges including anxiety, depression, gender and sexual identity, shame, self-esteem, emotional regulation, and unhealthy relationship dynamics. She is also a group facilitator for the “Waves of Change” Bystander Intervention Training program to help post-secondary students identify and intervene in sexualized violence on university campuses.
As a heart-centred counsellor, Malory believes in a holistic (mind-body-spirit) approach to healing that integrates feminist, person-centred, strength-based, and mindfulness therapies. She believes that everyone has the innate capacity for growth, empowerment, and connection to self and others. In counselling, Malory strives to create a safe space where people feel seen and heard. She is here to listen to your story, help you unpack how sexualized violence is affecting your life, and work together to develop healthy coping strategies. She welcomes clients from all backgrounds, cultures, religions, genders, sexualities, and abilities. You are not alone.
Stacy Darku – Trauma Counsellor – sdarku@colchestersac.ca
Stacy has obtained his Masters of Counselling Psychology degree through Yorkville University. She began her career working at a homeless shelter for women in New Brunswick. Stacy has worked with people that have faced addictions, trauma, sexual abuse, and domestic violence. Stacy uses a variety of therapeutic approaches and will adjust to support the client’s needs. Stacy supports clients facing trauma by unpacking their trauma and help them learn skills to cope with their trauma. She utilizes elements of Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Focusing. Stacy’s aim is support our community and support people that are facing trauma. Stacy’s hours are Monday to Friday from 6pm-8pm and Saturdays from 9am-3pm which is ideal for people who work or are in school.
David Johnstone – Trauma Counsellor – djohnstone@colchestersac.ca
David has obtained his Masters of Counselling Psychology degree and is a registered Counselling therapist- Candidate with Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. He began his career working at the Canadian Mental Health Association working with young adults as well a variety of different age groups. He has worked with clients of abuse, trauma and domestic violence. David Integrates a variety of therapeutic approaches, based on what works best for his clients and strives to help clients with the necessary skills to achieve lifelong change and is interested in seeing clients successfully reach their therapeutic goals by implementing the client’s pre-existing strengths, values and skills. He utilizes elements of Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, as well as aspects from Rogerian techniques to best serve his clients. David Strives to create a safe place for his clients to process their experiences while helping to support the community in its growing needs in the area of counselling.
Nicole Williams – Trauma Counsellor – nwilliams@colchestersac.ca
Nicole holds a Masters of Counselling degree and is a Registered Counselling Therapist- Candidate with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. She began her career working with victimized youth and their families. She has since worked with both offenders and victims involved in domestic violence, sexual assault, and childhood sexual abuse. Nicole integrates a variety of therapeutic approaches, dependent upon the individual needs of each client. Nicole works from a strengths-based, client centered approach, aiming to empower and build upon client’s pre-existing strengths, values, and skills. She utilizes elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy in her work. Trauma-informed practices guide Nicole in her work, and she strives to first and foremost create a safe space for her clients to process their experience. Nicole is currently completing her certification as a Play Therapist, and is trained in the Safe and Sound Protocol, which is a music-based trauma treatment.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair – Deb Pryor (East End Community Association)
Vice-Chair – Alysse Taggart (Province of NS)
Treasurer – Niki Henderson (NorthEast Truck & Trailer)
Secretary – Jenna MacKeil (Sobeys Inc.)
Lesa Douglas – Member-at-Large (Anchored Psychological Services)
Susan Henderson – Member-at-Large (Canadian Mental Health Association – CEH Branch)
Cathy Hinton – Member-at-Large (Ward 3 Town of Truro Councillor)
Cheryl Young – Member-at-Large (Registered Nurse)