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
KARIN RAI, BA, MA
PCN Mental Health Clinical Coordinator
Other Languages: Punjabi, basic Hindi
Qualifications: M.A., Simon Fraser University, Facility of Education (Complementary Mental Health Services); Clinical Counsellor; Adult Education Instructor and Mediator/Coach.
Experience: Karin worked in Community Mental Health for over 15 years. She was a Therapist Langley Primary Care. She offered short term solution focused, behavioural, psychodynamic, family systems, CBT, Trauma informed and narrative approaches for mild to moderate mental health clients. She has been a group facilitator for “Strengthening Families Together, Helping Canadian Live with Mental Illness”, Changeways Core Program, Perinatal Depression Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Treatment and Mental Wellness Parenting CBT Therapy Treatment. She also brings experience from working across Fraser Health (Maple Ridge, Surrey, Abbotsford, Langley) as an Adults Education Instructor (train the trainer), Researcher, and Mediator/Coach.
Fun Fact: Loves to do Bollywood Zumba and go for long walks in the community.
TALINO BRUNO, PhD, MA
PCN Clinical Counsellor
Primary Neighbourhood: Metrotown
Other Language: Basic Italian
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.
Fun Fact: Plays guitar and soccer
BARRETT CARTER, MC, RCC
PCN Clinical Counsellor
Primary Neighbourhood: Metrotown
Qualifications: Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Masters in Counselling
Experience: My past clinical experience includes supporting youth and adults struggling with substance use, mental health issues or both. I have also facilitated substance use education and prevention groups for a local school board. My practice is primarily informed by person centered and strength-based therapies and will draw from other approaches such as ACT and SFBT when required.
Fun Fact: My wife and I have a combined height of 12’6”
NANCY KATARIA, MC, RCC
PCN Clinical Counsellor
Primary Neighbourhood: Edmonds
Other Languages: Punjabi, basic Hindi
Qualifications: Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master in Counselling
Experience: Nancy has experience working in the mental health sector for many years, focusing primarily on anxiety, depression, stress management, ADHD, BPD and life coaching. Nancy provides a welcoming, non-judgemental space & brings a solution-focused and strengths-based approach to her practice by focusing primarily on developing coping skills along with goal setting to help achieve a better quality of life. She has worked with both youth and adult in the past in both Mental Health Clinics and Substance Use Clinics for addiction recovery.
Fun Fact: Nancy used to be on a competitive dance team.
JULIA KUBOW, BA, MSW, RSW
PCN Clinical Counsellor
Primary Neighbourhood: Hastings-Brentwood
Qualifications: Registered Social Worker with a Masters in Social Work and a Bachelor of Psychology
Experience: Julia worked as a case manager with Burnaby Mental Health and Substance Use, where she worked with clients with chronic mental illness and concurrent disorders. She previously worked with John Howard Society and the Elizabeth Fry Society, where she worked with clients with persistent multiple barriers who were involved in the justice system, advocating for their rightful justice and fair treatment. She also brings experience from Victoria, working with addiction recovery clients at Island Health. Julia uses Solution-Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and she is committed to a trauma-informed, strengths-based practice. Julia believes that the role of the counsellor is to guide the client toward creating greater awareness of their strengths and activating their internal resources.
Fun Fact: Julia enjoys paddleboarding throughout the year
MEHRDAD TALAKAR, MED, MA
PCN Clinical Counsellor
Primary Neighbourhood: Hastings-Brentwood
Other Language: Persian (Farsi dialect)
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
ANDRE VAN ROOI, MHA, BSc
PCN Clinical Counsellor
Primary Neighbourhood: Hastings-Brentwood
Other Language: Afrikaans
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.
Fun Fact: Andre currently plays competitive soccer in VMSL, and used to be a professional television actor
KIANA ABEDI, MSW, RSW
PCN Clinical Coordinator
(ON LEAVE)
Other Language: Persian (Farsi dialect)
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