Alison attended Wilfrid Laurier University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology & Anthropology. Later she attended York University to get her Bachelor of Social Work, and University of Calgary to complete her Masters of Social Work - specialization Leadership in Human Services.

Alison started Spark Wellness with a passion for wellness & mental health; and the belief that mental health support should be available to everyone, and provided by people who care deeply about their clients and their success. She believes that the relationship with your therapist is essential to making change and improving your mental health and wellness. That relationship, coupled with expertise & lived experiences of a therapist are huge determinants to success.

Her clinical experience spans two decades in hospice and end of life care, supporting military families during deployments, and with children and adults in community mental health.

In her sessions, Alison values empathy, humour, curiosity and kindness. Her compassion and empathy provide a safe, judgment free and nurturing place for you to improve your emotional well being.

Message from Alison:

“So many of us struggle at various points in our lives and there is no shame in reaching out for help. You don’t need to go through this on your own. If you are here, you might be looking to make a change, or seeking clarity or support in some part of your life. We welcome you with compassion and the belief that you are the expert in your own life - we are here to support your journey. I look forward to getting to know you and helping empower you to find your Spark once again!”

Alison can help you improve your mood, depression, anxiety, or OCD symptoms; create balance in your life; improve disordered eating and body image, build your self confidence, and help you be the best version of yourself! If you are a youth, young adult, parent, and/or caregiver reach out. Move towards the life you want & deserve, find balance and improve mental wellness.

In her personal life Alison enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters, & extended family; rv-ing, reading, playing games and relaxing by the campfire.

Farhana is a Registered Social Worker with specialization in Mental Health and Addictions issues. Farhana’s educational credentials include a Bachelor degree in Medicine, a Masters degree in Mental Health and Addictions from the prestigious University of Toronto, and another Masters degree in Public Health. She has completed several trainings and courses on different psychological treatment modalities, crisis management, cultural competency, trauma informed care, suicide prevention, medication assisted treatment in addictions, and counselling psychology.

Farhana brings over 8 years of counselling experiences to our practice. She has been serving as a mental health counsellor in different community organizations both nationally and internationally for a substantial period of time. She is certified in CBT and has expertise in DBT, EFT, MI, SFBT, narrative, solution focused and strength based approaches.

She is passionate about serving her clients to improve their quality of life. Farhana believes, individuals can be their own therapist if they have the specific tools to work on their thoughts, moods, and behaviours. Having lived experience of anxiety, depression, anger and relationship issues and overcoming those successfully by using different resources, she is motivated to work with different population groups to help them in mastering and managing their emotions and developing a problem solving attitude.

Message from Farhana:

“Greetings and warm welcome on behalf of Spark Therapy. Thanks for contacting me. I am excited to collaboratively work with you on your presenting issues. I hope you’ll like my enthusiastic personality and client-centered care approach. I will guarantee you to ensure a safe and non-judgmental space to discuss anything you’d want to. I am hoping working together will bring a new light to cherish!! Can’t wait to start our therapy sessions!”

If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, phobia, PTSD, substance use problems, anger issues, job related problems, relationship issues and so on, and looking for a safe space to discuss your issues, do not hesitate to request Farhana!

Favorite Quote: “The grass isn’t greener on the other side or can’t be green by its own. The grass is greener where you water it!”

Patricia believes in following where our intuition leads us. This approach has taken her across Canada and around the globe in a search to understand herself and the world.

She grew up in a Prince Edward Island fishing family and started her working life as a teacher before moving into social justice efforts that focussed on the rights of our most vulnerable people, including women, children, and people with disabilities. In the early 2000s, she discovered art therapy, a blend of artmaking and therapy. This is a creative and flexible practice that enables people to see themselves, their goals, and their relationships in new ways and safely address any unresolved trauma.

Patricia worked as a therapist in Vancouver, serving a variety of clients – school-aged children, homeless youth, sex trade workers in the Downtown Eastside, and older adults living with the effects of long-term substance abuse. Then, she moved to the western Arctic where she served as Interim Manager and Child, Youth, and Family Counsellor for the region’s mental health and addictions program. She served a variety of clients and concerns, with a special emphasis on recovery from experiences related to violence and addictions. After that, she worked for the local education authority, providing service to school-age children and consulting with service providers and caregivers on children’s needs and issues.

Patricia’s time in the north coincided with an explosion of knowledge about trauma, in general, and the traumatic after-effects of colonization in Canada. She found it to be a challenging and rich experience that has helped her understand humanity more deeply. Along the way, she did additional training in sand tray therapy and in somatic experiencing therapy, two approaches that help people connect with the images and sensations that we carry within our bodies.

Patricia has returned home to her small cottage in rural PEI where she makes art and sees clients remotely.

Patricia is interested in people at all ages and stages. She has considerable experience helping children build their strength and wishes to blend that practice with supporting youth and adults, particularly those who are grappling with big life changes like moving, separating from a partner, shifting careers, or dealing with illness, disability, or other losses.

Patricia also consults on child development and trauma. You can find more on her work at www.threequestions.ca.

Myra Summers ( nee Maloney) was born and raised in Hamilton and has been living in Bruce Grey for the last 24 years . Myra is a graduate of the Child and youth program from Mohawk College. Myra also completed her Level II Reiki practitioner certification.

Myra comes to us with 30 years experience in the mental health field. Her diverse experience includes working with youth in detention facilities, group homes & court systems; with the last 24 years working for a children's mental health agency . She was honored to have spent 7 of those years working for the Military, providing support for those serving and their families.

Myra is a trainer for ASIST -Suicide Prevention.

Specializing in trauma , PTSD , anxiety, grief & loss, depression, Myra has worked closely with children and adults. She brings compassion and kindness and a deep awareness of emotional energy to her practice and clients. Myra considers all of the factors affecting health and wellness to better understand your story and work to find ways to improve your symptoms.

Myra has extensive experience working with youth and parents helping in behavior management & development as well as navigating the challenges of separation and divorce.

Myra’s enthusiasm, humour and passion for empowering her clients, leaves a lasting impression on those who work with her.

Myra is a firm believer in the important role of spirituality when working with mental health. She practices and teaches mindfulness to children and families. As a certified Reiki Practitioner, Myra feels the power of this technique helps the healing process within us. Myra can work with you providing Reiki to help alleviate and sooth the symptoms of anxiety, depression and many more.

Myra has enjoyed raising and spending as much time as possible with her two now young adult children. Together they love getting together with family and friends as well as being out in nature, camping and sitting at a campfire.

She is excited and is blessed to be part of Spark Wellness to share her gift of healing!

Favorite Quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world” M Gandhi