The CSAC employs an Executive Director and four counselling therapists. The CSAC is led by a small core 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 – info@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!
Sara-Lynne Lantz – Trauma Therapist – colchestersexualassaultcentre@gmail.com
Sara-Lynne became a part of the CSAC in September 2016. Through individual and small-group counselling and support and psychoeducational programming, she strives to create a trauma-informed space that provides clients with the tools to empower and build on their strengths. Utilizing a client-centred approach, Sara-Lynne implements multiple techniques and strategies including, but not limited to, Strengths-Based Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy. Prior to working at the CSAC, Sara-Lynne was a School Counsellor and English teacher for five years with the CCRCE.
As an active advocate and support person, Sara-Lynne works to collaborate and connect with professionals and organizations in the Truro-area to best support the clients of the CSAC. She aspires to continue to work with clients who have experienced trauma, while furthering her training to provide greater holistic support and psychoeducation to families to help them learn and develop healthy strategies and an understanding of trauma. In addition, Sara-Lynne strongly believes in education and prevention programming for youth; creating and facilitating presentations on consent, online safety, healthy relationships, and trafficking and exploitation.
Nicole Williams– Counseling Therapist- nwilliamscounselling@outlook.com
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.
David Johnstone– Counseling Therapist- david.c.johnstonecsac@gmail.com
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.
Stacy Darku– Counseling Therapist- stacydarku@hotmail.com
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.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Chair – Deb Pryor (East End Community Association)
Vice-Chair – Alysse Taggart (Province of NS)
Treasurer – John Butts (JNE Accounting)
Secretary – Jenna MacKeil (Sobey’s Corporate)
Lesa Douglas, Member-at-Large (Anchored Psychological Services)
Niki Henderson, Member-at-Large (NorthEast Truck & Trailer)
Susan Henderson, Member-at-Large (Colchester Mental Health Association)
Cathy Hinton, Member-at-Large (Ward 3 Town of Truro Councillor)
Cheryl Young, Member-at-Large (Registered Nurse)