Westshore Location

Dr. Jillian Roberts

Registered Psychologist (Supervision) (#1398)

Dr. Roberts supervises our doctoral residents at our locations in Sidney and Westshore. In this role, Dr. Roberts provides experienced guidance, knowledge and expertise ensuring all doctoral resident services are of the same high quality and excellence standard Dr. Roberts herself has provided for over 20 years.

Dr. Roberts contributes to the Globe and Mail and Today’s Parent, among other platforms, and is a highly sought-after expert by journalists in the field of child psychology. She is the author of two best-selling and award-winning series of children’s books. “Just Enough” explains topics like birth and diversity to children ages 3-6, while “The World Around Us” introduces kids ages 5-8 to issues like poverty and online safety. She is also the author of “Kids, Sex & Screens: Raising Strong, Resilient Children in the Sexualized Digital Age”, a book for parents seeking to help their preteens navigate our hyper-sexualized world.

In addition to being a highly sought after registered psychologist, tenured professor and author, Dr. Roberts is also a wife and a mom to three children.

Kate Cluley

Clinical Director

Kate Cluley is currently completing a Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology at California Southern University. Previously, she completed a Master’s degree at the University of Calgary in School and Applied Child Psychology. She previously received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Ryerson University. Kate has previous work experience in both private practice and school settings (PK – Grade 12) as part of a multidisciplinary team. Kate works under the supervision of Dr. Jillian Roberts.

Dr. Alison McCleary

Doctoral Resident

Alison is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who recently completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Adler University. In therapy, Alison tries her best to create a collaborative space to explore, grow, and heal. She works hard to practice what she preaches, dedicating clinical time to ensuring that the client is receiving a uniquely-tailored therapeutic experience. Alison primarily uses an existential-humanistic approach to therapy, which centres the relationship between the therapist and the client. Underneath that umbrella, Alison offers Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectal Behaviour Therapy, and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy. Alison’s approach allows clients to share their stories while also building new, necessary skills and getting to know their inner selves better. Alison prioritizes meaning-making, personal exploration, and authentic connection.

Keeley Sponton

Counselling Matching Manager, Counselling Intern

Currently completing her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) at Yorkville University, Keeley’s therapeutic journey has involved an extensive history of working with children and youth diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This background has provided her with a deep appreciation for the nuances of working with diverse populations, highlighting patience, flexibility, and creativity in her practice.

As a counselling intern, Keeley brings a blend of empathy, warmth, and compassion to her therapeutic journey. By understanding that each individual is unique, she tailors her approach to fit the specific needs of clients, drawing from various therapeutic modalities including person-centered, strengths-based, cognitive and behavioural, and solution-focused techniques. Her goal is to foster a safe environment for clients to feel heard, valued, and empowered in navigating life challenges whether it be through exploring thoughts and feelings, developing coping skills, or identifying strengths and resources.

During her practicum, she aims to gain opportunities to expand her skills by working with diverse populations of all ages. Each interaction provides a chance for her to support others and continue to learn and evolve as a counsellor. She values the privilege of learning from each client, recognizing the ongoing potential for mutual growth and understanding through a collaborative framework.

In her spare time, you’ll find Keeley outdoors with her 5-year-old rescue dog, Maya. Whether it be hiking, camping, or exploring and adventuring the island, she finds comfort and relaxation in being with nature (and in being with her furry companion!)

Laura Gardner

Psychometrist, IEP Consultant

Hi! My name is Laura and I am trained as a Master’s level Inclusive Education Teacher, Reading Recovery Teacher, Elementary Classroom Teacher, Behavioural Interventionist/ Autism Support Worker, and Psychometrist with over 10 years of combined experience. The majority of my career I have spent as an Inclusive Education Teacher (also known as Special Education, Learning Support, Learning Assistance, etc.) in SD61 and SD63. My roles have included collaborating with parents, teachers, educational assistants, doctors, therapists, and other specialists, creating and implementing IEPs, advocating for specialised assessments and supports, supporting students inside and outside of the classroom, supporting families, and much more. One of the parts of my role that I was most passionate about is supporting families in navigating through the process of assessment, diagnosis, the creation of an effective IEP, and connecting with the supports that are available to their child within the school system and in the community.

Tara Poole

Counsellor

Tara holds a Bachelor of Education degree and a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology degree from the University of Victoria. She is completing her doctoral studies in Educational Psychology at the University of Victoria.

Tara has developed a keen interest in helping people overcome their mental health challenges. During her academic years, she took several courses that equipped her with a strong foundation in counselling theories, techniques, and ethics. Her passion for counselling and desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives led her to pursue a career in clinical counselling.

Tara is an Inclusive Learning Teacher in the Greater Victoria School District, where she works with students from diverse backgrounds who have mental health, behavioural, social, and academic difficulties. She has worked with individuals with a variety of mental health issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, conduct disorder, and poor interpersonal skills. Through an integrated approach to wellness, she has helped them to build social and emotional skills, resiliency, choice, autonomy, and improve their quality of life.

Tara is excited to apply her theoretical knowledge and practical experience to work with clients under the supervision of experienced professionals. She takes an integrated approach to therapy, drawing on person-centered, solution-focused, mindfulness and acceptance-based, and behavioural modalities that emphasize strength, agency, growth, connection, and resiliency. She believes that through a positive therapeutic relationship, clients can discover their inherent capacity for growth, healing, positive change, and agency.

Tara’s ultimate goal is to become a licensed professional counsellor and help individuals navigate the complexities of life while achieving their goals and finding a sense of fulfillment. She believes that this internship will be an essential step towards achieving her professional aspirations, and she is eager to embark on this journey of personal and professional growth.

Ages or Specific groups of clients: children, youth, and adults

Group, family, couples, or individuals: all

Specializations: ADHD, autism, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, disorganized attachment, self-regulation skills, learning disabilities, substance use.

Claudia Donald

Counsellor

Claudia is a calm, compassionate, and hard-working individual who is passionate about mental health. She holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Victoria and has completed her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University. Claudia has been working with youth for the past 15 years as a support worker, out of school care leader, summer camp leader, and preschool teacher. Over the past 7 years, she has been working as a high school teacher teaching French immersion, Spanish, and Psychology as well as coaching the school’s girls volleyball team. Her experience has led her to advocate for those who cannot or do not have access to affordable mental health care. In addition to working with youth, Claudia’s areas of interest are anxiety, (step) parenting, separation/divorce, motherhood, relationships, and life transitions. Her approach brings together elements of Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and Person-Centered Therapy. She meets her clients where they are in their journey and strives to tailor the sessions to her client’s needs.

In her spare time you can find her playing volleyball, taking hikes with her dog, painting, or indulging in some Netflix-watching with her family. She is also fluent in English, French, and Spanish.

Mayuko Helwer

Counsellor

Mayu is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (#22826) and Registered Psychiatric Nurse (#7708895) practicing in Victoria B.C. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University of Victoria, and Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. With over 15 years of working closely with individuals with mental health challenges, she brings in vast experience, knowledge, and evidence-based practices to your counselling sessions. She is a trauma-, neuro-, and polyvagal-informed therapist who believes in creating safety and connection as the most important foundation in therapy. She views mental health challenges as opportunities to explore one’s adoptive patterns and thrive with appropriate skills. She offers a variety of evidence based modalities to fit your therapy needs. She has formal trainings in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Mindful Based-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (MB-CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR).

Stephanie Guilman

Psychometrist, Research Assistant

Stephanie graduated from James Madison University in 2014 where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. During her undergraduate career, Stephanie’s research on the importance of bilingual mental health services was published by the James Madison Undergraduate Research Journal. Since moving to Vancouver Island in 2017, Stephanie has built a career in health & wellness, most recently working in program coordination with a lifestyle medicine clinic. Stephanie looks forward to exploring her passions for psychology & research as a Research Assistant with Dr. Jillian Roberts.

Additionally, Stephanie is a certified yoga instructor in Victoria, British Columbia, her studies rooted in Vinyasa, Hatha, and Yin yoga. With a trauma-informed approach to teaching yoga, Stephanie welcomes all to dive deeper into the art of moving and sitting. She is passionate about medicinal movement and believes that connection can be the catalyst of collective healing.