Please speak with your Primary Care Provider to see if you are eligible for our Mild to Moderate Mental Health Counselling Services.
*Please note Fraser Health has PLS available (immediate interpretation available) for language support ** Clinicians may move around based on the volume and needs of patients
Kiana Abedi,MSW, RSW PCN CLINICAL COORDINATOR
Other Language(s): Persian (Farsi dialect)
On leave as of mid-May
Biography
Qualifications: Registered Social Worker with a Masters in Social Work
Experience: Has worked in MHSU for over 10 years. She was a Therapist on Surrey MHSUS’ ASTAT (Adult Short Term Assessment and Treatment) team, one of the largest community outpatient psychotherapy programs in BC. She offered solution focused, behavioural, psychodynamic, family systems, CBT, DBT and narrative approaches for moderate to severe mental health and substance use clients. She also brings experience from working across a range of substance use services such as Heartwood Centre for Women (PHSA), Maple Ridge Treatment Centre (FHA), BC Responsible and Problem Gambling Program (Ministry), and Richmond Addiction Services.
Fun Fact: She has a 2.5 year old son named Ryan
Andre van Rooi, MHA, BSc PCN CLINICAL COUNSELLOR
Primary Neighborhood: Edmonds
Biography
Qualifications: Masters of Health Administration, Certified Clinical Exercise Psychologist and Certified Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) facilitator
Experience: Served as a Case Manager/Clinical Counsellor with Burnaby MHSUS, managing a case load of 60 patients living with chronic persistent mental illness and concurrent disorders. He has worked collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team setting with team psychiatrists. Andre utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, motivational interviewing, and a ‘recovery approach’ with his clients. Other Language(s): Afrikaans
Fun Fact: Andre currently plays competitive soccer in VMSL, and used to be a professional television actor
ANGELIA AIZAWA, MC, RCC PCN CLINICAL COUNSELLOR
Primary Neighbourhood: Edmonds Other Language(s): Japanese
Biography
Qualifications: Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master of Counselling and a Bachelor of Psychology
Experience: Angelia has experience working with Mental Health and Substance Use teams in Burnaby and Maple Ridge. She previously worked as an intake clinician and case manger. Angelia has experience working with clients with chronic and persistent mental illness and concurrent disorders in a team-based care environment. She utilizes a client-centered approach and combines different modalities to suit client needs such as acceptance commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectal behavioral therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and trauma-informed practice.
Fun Fact: She enjoys painting, has a love for cats and volunteers for a cat shelter
Biography
Qualifications: Registered Social Worker with a Masters in Social Work
Experience: Has worked in MHSU for over 10 years. She was a Therapist on Surrey MHSUS’ ASTAT (Adult Short Term Assessment and Treatment) team, one of the largest community outpatient psychotherapy programs in BC. She offered solution focused, behavioural, psychodynamic, family systems, CBT, DBT and narrative approaches for moderate to severe mental health and substance use clients. She also brings experience from working across a range of substance use services such as Heartwood Centre for Women (PHSA), Maple Ridge Treatment Centre (FHA), BC Responsible and Problem Gambling Program (Ministry), and Richmond Addiction Services.
Fun Fact: She has a 2.5 year old son named Ryan
Biography
Qualifications: Masters of Health Administration, Certified Clinical Exercise Psychologist and Certified Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) facilitator
Experience: Served as a Case Manager/Clinical Counsellor with Burnaby MHSUS, managing a case load of 60 patients living with chronic persistent mental illness and concurrent disorders. He has worked collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team setting with team psychiatrists. Andre utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, motivational interviewing, and a ‘recovery approach’ with his clients. Other Language(s): Afrikaans
Fun Fact: Andre currently plays competitive soccer in VMSL, and used to be a professional television actor
Biography
Qualifications: Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master of Counselling and a Bachelor of Psychology
Experience: Angelia has experience working with Mental Health and Substance Use teams in Burnaby and Maple Ridge. She previously worked as an intake clinician and case manger. Angelia has experience working with clients with chronic and persistent mental illness and concurrent disorders in a team-based care environment. She utilizes a client-centered approach and combines different modalities to suit client needs such as acceptance commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectal behavioral therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and trauma-informed practice.
Fun Fact: She enjoys painting, has a love for cats and volunteers for a cat shelter
Mehrdad Talakar, MED, MA PCN CLINICAL COUNSELLOR
Primary Neighborhood: Hastings-Brentwood
Other Language(s): Persian (Farsi dialect)
Photo by Vincent L. Chan
Biography
Qualifications: Clinical Counsellor with a Masters of Counselling Psychology and a Masters in Psychology
Experience: Previously worked as a counsellor at Jim Pattison Primary Care Centre in Surrey and Maple Ridge Treatment Centre, as well as an individual and group Therapist for Daytox Creekside Withdrawal Management for mental health and addiction recovery clients. Mehrdad uses CBT, DBT, client centred, schema therapy and gestalt approaches with clients.
Fun Fact: Keen on poetry, musician playing (Tanbour and lute Middle Eastern instruments) and love nature
Nancy Kataria, MC, RCC PCN CLINICAL COUNSELLOR
Primary Neighborhood: Edmonds Other Language(s): Punjabi, basic Hindi
Biography
Qualifications: Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Masters in Counselling
Experience: Has experience in Substance Use Counselling, Couples Counselling, and has worked with at-risk youth and individuals with developmental delays. She brings a solution-focused and strengths-based approach to her practice.
Fun Fact: She has a guinea pig
Esther Ofori, MA, RCC PCN CLINICAL COUNSELLOR
Primary Neighborhood: Hastings-Brentwood Other Language(s): Basic Russian
Biography
Qualifications: Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Masters in Education Psychology
Experience: Previously worked as a Youth Concurrent Disorders therapist, Family Support Services counsellor, and a Healthy Relationship Counsellor. Esther uses various approaches such as CBT, DBT, EFFT, SFBT, client centred, and IFS with clients.
Fun Fact: Loves to dance and braid hair
Biography
Qualifications: Clinical Counsellor with a Masters of Counselling Psychology and a Masters in Psychology
Experience: Previously worked as a counsellor at Jim Pattison Primary Care Centre in Surrey and Maple Ridge Treatment Centre, as well as an individual and group Therapist for Daytox Creekside Withdrawal Management for mental health and addiction recovery clients. Mehrdad uses CBT, DBT, client centred, schema therapy and gestalt approaches with clients.
Fun Fact: Keen on poetry, musician playing (Tanbour and lute Middle Eastern instruments) and love nature
Biography
Qualifications: Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Masters in Counselling
Experience: Has experience in Substance Use Counselling, Couples Counselling, and has worked with at-risk youth and individuals with developmental delays. She brings a solution-focused and strengths-based approach to her practice.
Fun Fact: She has a guinea pig
Biography
Qualifications: Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Masters in Education Psychology
Experience: Previously worked as a Youth Concurrent Disorders therapist, Family Support Services counsellor, and a Healthy Relationship Counsellor. Esther uses various approaches such as CBT, DBT, EFFT, SFBT, client centred, and IFS with clients.
Fun Fact: Loves to dance and braid hair
Talino Bruno, PhD, MA PCN CLINICAL COUNSELLOR
Primary Neighborhood: Metrotown Other Language(s): Basic Italian
Biography
Qualifications: PhD in Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education; MA in Counselling Psychology
Experience: Talino started his career working as substance use therapist in the Youth Custody system. His experience working with youth and their families allowed him to obtain a position with MCFD in an Integrated Mental Health team. This team was eventually moved into the Fraser Health Authority where Talino has worked for the past 18 years. He has supported and provided counselling to youth and adults dealing with various mental health and substance use issues. He has also provided counselling and support for families affected by these issues and developed psychoeducational groups for the community. He supports his client using a broad range of modalities such as CBT, DBT, and Strength/Solution based therapy.
