PCN Counsellors
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
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.
Other Language(s): Persian (Farsi dialect)
Fun Fact: She has a 2.5 year old son named Ryan
Andre van Rooi, M.HA, B.Sc
PCN CLINICAL COUNSELLOR
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
Primary Neighborhood: Edmonds
Sharon Kwok, MSSc, RCC
PCN CLINICAL COUNSELLOR
Qualifications: Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Masters of Social Science in Clinical Psychology
Experience: Has experience providing psychological assessment and psychotherapies with adults in individual and group settings. Formally trained in conducting brief neurocognitive screening assessment for early detection of suspected MCI that informs a holistic treatment plan for clients. Sharon supports clients through CBT, DBT, Mindfulness and trauma informed practice.
Other Language(s): Cantonese, Mandarin
Fun Fact: Author of a children’s comic books series in Chinese on mental health and building good habits
Primary Neighborhood: Metrotown
Mehrdad Talakar, MED, MA
PCN CLINICAL COUNSELLOR
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.
Other Language(s): Persian (Farsi dialect)
Fun Fact: Keen on poetry, musician playing (Tanbour and lute Middle Eastern instruments) and love nature
Primary Neighborhood: Hastings-Brentwood
Robert Twiddy, MA
PCN CLINICAL COUNSELLOR
Qualifications: M.A. in Community Mental Health Counselling
Experience: Started career providing counselling and case management for youth with severe attachment trauma, under psychiatric supervision. Worked at MRTC for 10 years providing substance use counselling, programming, and case management. Was a part of FHA clinical lead for Trauma Informed Practise; provided FHA Core Addictions Practice/Knowledge Exchange workshops; worked at Burnaby Substance Use Services for 7 years providing substance use counselling; and most recently, for the past 8 months, worked for BMHSUS on Team B providing substance use support/counselling/case management. Rob uses a wide range of counselling techniques including Existential, DBT, CBT, Gestalt, and client centred approaches.
Fun Fact: plays rec. hockey
Primary Neighborhood: Hastings-Brentwood
Nancy Kataria, MC, RCC
PCN CLINICAL COUNSELLOR
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.
Other Language(s): Punjabi, basic Hindi
Fun Fact: She has a guinea pig
Primary Neighborhood: Edmonds
Esther Ofori, MA, RCC
PCN CLINICAL COUNSELLOR
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.
Other Language(s): Basic Russian
Fun Fact: Loves to dance and braid hair
Primary Neighborhood: Hastings-Brentwood
Talino Bruno, PhD, MA
PCN CLINICAL COUNSELLOR
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.
Other Language(s): Italian
Fun Fact: Plays guitar and soccer
Primary Neighborhood: Metrotown