Counselling Services Current Students

Andrea Brassard

In 2009, Andrea received her Master of Arts in Creative Arts Therapies from Concordia University in Montreal. Andrea has worked with diverse populations, specializing in neuro-biological intersubjectivity, addictions, yoga for addictions, youth and family support, complex mental health and intergenerational trauma.

Andrea’s worldview is holistic and ecological. She believes there is always an entry point into healing our brain-body-world systems and loves to engage earnestly in this exploration with others. She believes in every individual's innate capacity for healing, and her approaches to wellness are as varied as are the individuals and groups she works with.

Andrea is deeply grateful to her clients and colleagues, who have taught her tremendously about healing, courage, and creativity. She is humbled, inspired, and fortified by the strength she witnesses in others.

“Together we are stronger, and I am here for you if you need a compassionate, kind and curious perspective.”

Susan Butland (she/her)

Susan has worked at TRU since 2011, as an Academic Advisor, an Accessibility Services Advisor and as a Counsellor since 2016 when she completed her Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia.

Bringing curiosity, respect, and a humanistic perspective to her practice, Susan provides a safe, non-judgmental space for students to share concerns and strategize solutions.

She believes that everyone has the capacity within to heal and transform themselves, and she welcomes the opportunity to be part of this process with you.

Susan incorporates various approaches into her sessions, including:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Nervous System Regulation

 When she is not working Susan enjoys traveling to new countries, reading crime fiction and adventuring in the outdoors.

Angela Davis (she/her)

Angela is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and earned her master’s degree in Psychotherapy & Spirituality from St. Stephen’s College in Edmonton.

 A Hakomi trainer since 2015, Angela has been helping people discover ways to transform unconscious patterns and core beliefs. She has a keen interest in teaching embodied ethics and exploring the use of power, from the personal to the systemic.

From both Tsal'alhmec and English settler heritage, she works to bridge different perspectives and honour both traditional and hybrid ways of healing. Angela’s therapeutic lens is relational and includes viewing environmental, social and cultural factors as impacting people’s lived experience.

“I believe healing happens through awareness and inviting curiosity rather than force is the key to change.”

When not at work, Angela might be playing with fabric and textiles, gardening, or listening to music with her partner and their two orange cats.

Kathy Lauriente (she/her)

An RCC since 2001, Kathy has been part of TRU’s counselling team since 2006. Her clinical practice takes place on the Williams Lake campus.

Her holistic clinical orientation is largely informed by narrative and systemic theory, situated within a broader context of feminist and trauma-informed practice.

Before joining TRU, Kathy worked in Vancouver and the Kootenays, primarily in trauma-related work with adults, children, and families. She has also been involved in regulatory work for the Clinical Counselling profession for over 25 years and spent over a decade teaching in TRU’s Faculty of Education and Social Work.

Kathy is an artist who works in acrylics and multimedia and enjoys riding the highways on motorcycles with her husband, with whom she shares a small ranch in the Chilcotin, along with a few horses and too many dogs.

Cliff Robinson (he/him)

Cliff earned an MEd in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia. Post-graduation, Cliff worked for 10 years in community-based agencies, delivering career counselling and vocational rehabilitation to people with disabilities. Her has been at TRU since 2005.

In addition to general personal, career, and academic support duties, Cliff also serves as a liaison with the School of Trades and Technology. His counselling style is heavily influenced by the Narrative, Acceptance and Commitment, and Cognitive Behavioral/Cognitive Processing Therapy movements.

When not on campus, Cliff will most likely be at home, starting-but-never-really-finishing some house or yard renovation project.

Kristin Robinson (she/her)

Kristin has a master’s in social work from Carleton University and a BA in Psychology and English from Bishop's University.

A registered social worker, Kristin specializes in sexual violence support, often collaborating with the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response team on various programs and initiatives.

She understands that post-secondary life can cause enormous stress, and supports students with particular emphasis on anxiety, relationships and breakups, trauma, and issues related to body image.

Kristin is an eclectic counsellor with a counselling approach based in feminist and anti-oppressive practices. She uses a structural understanding of how systems and the world impact our individual mental health and well-being. Additionally, Kristin use a variety of modalities such as:

• Accelerated experiential dynamic psychotherapy (AEDP)
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Narrative therapy
• Polyvagal theory
• Solution-focused brief therapy.

“As a counsellor, I’m playful, compassionate and transparent. Most importantly, I show up as a whole person, bringing my authentic self to every session. I believe human connection and community are healing.”

Shyann Vosper (she/her)

Alongside her Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Shyann has also completed advanced training in mental health, neuroscience-informed, and relational therapeutic approaches from various institutions.

Known for being humanistic, emotion and solution-focused and trauma-informed in her approach, she helps students navigate stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, relationship challenges, grief and loss, career planning, and life transitions.

Shyann believes that students are the experts in their own lives and works alongside them with empathy, curiosity, and respect.

She also specializes in mental health in sport, supporting student-athletes in navigating performance pressures, injury, identity, balance, and overall well-being.

Using an integrative and holistic approach, Shyann draws from a variety of evidence-informed modalities, including:

• Satir Transformational Systemic therapy
• Narrative therapy
• Morita therapy
• Mindfulness and self-compassion practices
• Polyvagal theory
• Neuroscience

Mark Zhang (he/him)

Mark, a Canadian Certified Counsellor, received his master’s degree in counselling psychology from Adler University.

Having worked in multiple postsecondary settings, he is invested in students' holistic well-being and hopes to support them as they navigate academic, personal, social, and spiritual paths.

His counselling style is influenced by approaches such as Internal Family Systems and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, while seeking to provide a safe space for individuals to reflect, evaluate, process, and examine.

Mark facilitates “Sense of Belonging” programming and presents creative workshops at the Writing Centre.

When not working, he enjoys playing volleyball and hiking with his 80-pound bernedoodle Clifford.