Our Staff
Brian Schrock, MSW, RSW – Clinical Specialist
Executive Director
Education: Master of Social Work (1993), Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Professional Memberships: Registered with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers, Clinical Specialist.
Professional Interests: Depression, anxiety, conflict resolution and communication, family relationships, couples therapy, abuse/trauma.
Theoretical Orientation: Brian is influenced by Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family systems. He works from a client-centered approach incorporating these techniques when the needs of a client determine this.
Location: Brian works out of the Truro office and via video.
Personal Interests: Brian enjoys watching a good movie and traveling with his family.
Paula Weaver, MSW, RSW
Therapist
Professional Memberships: Registered for the Private Practice of Social Work with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers.
Professional Interests: Anxiety, children and adolescents, addictions, and family systems
Theoretical Orientation: Paula does not adhere to one particular model of treatment. Rather, she utilizes a range of approaches based on the presenting concern and the client’s needs. Paula’s training is in a psycho-dynamic and family systems approach. She also uses Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), which is an evidence based approach found to be effective when treating anxiety and depression. Her approach is client-centered, working with the individual to find the model that works best for them.
Location: Paula works out of the Truro office.
Personal Interests: Paula enjoys traveling, camping, antiques and exploring the history of people/places.
Paula Weaver, MSW, RSW
Therapist
Professional Memberships: Registered for the Private Practice of Social Work with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers.
Professional Interests: Anxiety, children and adolescents, addictions, and family systems
Theoretical Orientation: Paula does not adhere to one particular model of treatment. Rather, she utilizes a range of approaches based on the presenting concern and the client’s needs. Paula’s training is in a psycho-dynamic and family systems approach. She also uses Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), which is an evidence based approach found to be effective when treating anxiety and depression. Her approach is client-centered, working with the individual to find the model that works best for them.
Personal Interests: Paula enjoys traveling, camping, antiques and exploring the history of people/places.
Janice Michels, MA, MAdEd, RCT
Therapist
Education: Master of Biblical Counselling (1993), Providence Seminary, Otterburne, MB
Master of Adult Education (2005) St. Francis Xavier, Antigonish, NS
Professional Memberships: Registered with Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT) and the Professional Association of Christian Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
Professional Interests: Depression, anxiety, addictions, grief, parenting, and communication.
Theoretical Orientation: Her primary therapeutic approaches are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. Janice will also use tools or methods from other models, such as Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy, according to the therapeutic needs of the individual client.
Location: Janice works out of the Dartmouth office and via video.
Personal Interests: Janice enjoys reading Classic British literature, watching German soccer, and listening to a variety of music. She also enjoys watching mysteries.
Cynthia Hunt, MSW, RSW
Therapist
Professional Membership: Registered Social Worker with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers
Professional Interests: Anxiety, Depression, grief, relationships and communication.
Theoretical Orientation: Cynthia practices from a strength based, client centered approach. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are her primary therapeutic approaches, while also drawing on other methods and tools depending on the specific needs of each client.
Location: Cynthia works primarily out of the Sackville location
Personal Interests: Cynthia loves to spend time hiking in nature and camping with family and friends. She also enjoys music, film and learning new things.
Cynthia Hunt, MSW, RSW
Therapist
Professional Membership: Registered Social Worker with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers
Professional Interests: Anxiety, Depression, grief, relationships and communication.
Theoretical Orientation: Cynthia practices from a strength based, client centered approach. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are her primary therapeutic approaches, while also drawing on other methods and tools depending on the specific needs of each client.
Location: Cynthia works primarily out of the Sackville location
Personal Interests: Cynthia loves to spend time hiking in nature and camping with family and friends. She also enjoys music, film and learning new things.
Vivien Marira, MA, RCT-C
Therapist
Education: Master of Arts in Counselling (2011), Briercrest Seminary
Professional Memberships: Registered with Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT)
Professional Interests: Women impacted by abuse/trauma, parenting, children/adolescents, attachment issues, anxiety, Depression and Grief/loss.
Theoretical Orientation: Vivien’s primary therapeutic approaches are Emotionally Focused Therapy, Family Systems Theory and Narrative Therapy. She believes that every client has the tools and abilities inside of them to solve their problems alongside a supportive and caring person.
Location: Vivien works out of the Truro and Lower Sackville offices, and via video.
Personal Interests: Vivien enjoys trips to the beach with her husband and two kids, foraging for wild mushrooms, listening to podcasts and gardening.
Rachel Quirt, MA, RCT-C
Therapist
Education: Master of Arts (MA) in Counselling & Psychology, Yorkville University, NB; Bachelor of Religious Education (BRE), Masters College & Seminary, ON; Behavioural Science Technology (BST), St. Lawrence College, ON.
Professional Membership: Registered Counselling Therapist-Candidate (RCT-C) with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT)
Professional Interests: Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Communication, Trauma, and Group Therapy.
Theoretical Orientation: Rachel works from a client centered approach, providing clients with a safe space for exploration. She draws from theories such as Person-centred Therapy (PCT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Rachel also utilizes other interventions and techniques depending on the client’s needs. When working with couples, she tends to draw from the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focussed Therapy (EFT).
Location: Rachel works primarily out of the Truro location and via video.
Personal Interests: Rachel “Rae” loves to be creative, whether it’s drawing/painting, graphics, writing, speaking, or organizing spiritual retreats/events. She is a lifelong learner and enjoys reading all kinds of material to sharpen her understanding and skills in everything she does. Rachel also enjoys spending time with family and friends, engaging in long conversations over coffee, dining out, attending movies and live theatre, or travelling.
Rachel Quirt, MA, RCT-C
Therapist
Education: Master of Arts (MA) in Counselling & Psychology, Yorkville University, NB; Bachelor of Religious Education (BRE), Masters College & Seminary, ON; Behavioural Science Technology (BST), St. Lawrence College, ON.
Professional Membership: Registered Counselling Therapist-Candidate (RCT-C) with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT)
Professional Interests: Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Communication, Trauma, and Group Therapy.
Theoretical Orientation: Rachel works from a client centered approach, providing clients with a safe space for exploration. She draws from theories such as Person-centred Therapy (PCT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Rachel also utilizes other interventions and techniques depending on the client’s needs. When working with couples, she tends to draw from the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focussed Therapy (EFT).
Location: Rachel works primarily out of the Truro location and via Video.
Personal Interests: Rachel “Rae” loves to be creative, whether it’s drawing/painting, graphics, writing, speaking, or organizing spiritual retreats/events. She is a lifelong learner and enjoys reading all kinds of material to sharpen her understanding and skills in everything she does. Rachel also enjoys spending time with family and friends, engaging in long conversations over coffee, dining out, attending movies and live theatre, or travelling.
Karen Pratt
Program Assistant
Personal Interests: Karen enjoys scrap booking, sewing, tole painting, yard sales, and spending time with her family. For the past 25 years she has held a variety of positions with Girl Guides of Canada.
