Practice Owner, Manager, Registered Counselling Therapist & Supervisor
Erica Baker-Gagnon - RCT
Erica (they/them) is a white settler, queer, non-binary, neurodivergent, plus sized, able-bodied therapist working in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq peoples. They are a dynamic and empathic counselling therapist responsive to diverse contexts and clientele. Erica is entirely nonjudgmental and works with many clients with diverse issues, including exploration around mood and/or personality disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD/ASD, gender identity, sexual orientation, relationship configurations and dynamics, systemic issues, social justice and many others. They are comfortable working with individuals from all communities, including BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, kink, consensual non-monogamy, sex work, etc. They see individuals and couples/people in relationship dynamics. Erica is also comfortable with and happy to write the letters of support required for GAC and works under the WPATH 8 SoC.
Erica currently supervises Masters’ level students who work at their practice and who see clients from the practice's waiting list. They also supervise new therapists - RCT-Cs. Erica is passionate about training future and current therapists to do affirmative, informed work with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Erica is a Registered Counselling Therapist with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT), license #RCT-19-004. They got their Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counselling in 2015 and then began seeing clients in Montreal. Erica has been working in private practice in Nova Scotia since 2019. They have also provided many workshops and presentations to various groups on topics related to mental health, 2SLGBTQIA+ issues, relationship issues and more. Erica is accepting new clients on a 2-4 month waiting list.
Therapists (Counselling Therapists and Social Workers)
Chalace Slipp - RCT-C
Chalace (they/he) is a queer, non-binary and poly counselling therapist who approaches therapy from a place of groundedness and play. They are warm, curious and open to finding ways to best support their clients through on-going consent and care for their therapeutic relationships. Chal holds a person-centered, psychodynamic, anti-oppressive lens that encourages their clients to gently unravel parts of themselves through creative interventions, mindfulness and psycho-educational tools. Chalace is also comfortable with and happy to write the letters of support required for GAC and works under the WPATH 8 SoC.
Chal has a background in drama therapy, a therapy modality that allows them to offer unique techniques to manage and improve stress, personal blocks and interpersonal patterning that no longer serves their clients. While remaining trauma informed and queer-centered, Chal supports clients in connecting with their subconscious through integrative practices. They have been practicing for almost three years and are learning new modalities and ways to decolonize their therapy practice since graduating with their Masters in Creative Arts Therapy from Concordia University in Montreal.
They spend their time living off-grid with their cat, dog and other wild creatures who also live on the gay north mountain. They enjoy hosting ecstatic dance evenings, open-mic nights and are a performance art nerd. They appreciate good food, cozy evenings with loved ones by the fire and long soaks in any body of water. Chal hopes to find the most supportive and consistent way to engage with the therapeutic process and to collaborate with folks who are polyamorous, kink-centered, neurodivergent, LGBTQIA2S+ and within the disability community.
They are available virtually and in-person at their office in the so-called ‘Annapolis Valley’. They are a settler and acknowledge their roots are on Mi’kma’ki territory where they grew up and live today. They are currently seeing clients from their office in Bridgetown. At home, they practice their newbie carpentry and homesteading skills. Chal looks forward to connecting and seeing if they could be a good fit for your therapeutic needs. Their license NSCCT # is RCT-C23-073. Chalace is accepting new clients.
Emily McBride - RCT-C
Emily (she/her) is a compassionate counsellor with a Master’s in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology from Queen’s University. She identifies as a queer, able-bodied, cisgender, white settler living in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people.
Grounded in unconditional positive regard, authenticity, and curiosity, Emily creates a warm, respectful, and open therapeutic space. She believes her clients are the experts of their own lives, and her role is to support them as they navigate their experiences, emotions, and challenges. Emily strives to provide affirming, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed care, offering a personalized experience that honors the individuality of each client. She draws from various therapeutic modalities, including person-centered, emotion-focused, narrative, strengths-based, and internal family systems therapy.
Whether you feel most comfortable meeting in person, virtually, by phone, or even over text, Emily is committed to working with you in the way that feels comfortable for you. Emily is also comfortable with and happy to write the letters of support required for GAC and works under the WPATH 8 SoC. Outside of her practice, she is an avid reader, all-season dog walker, and dedicated meditator.
Emily is currently accepting new clients, and her NSCCT license number is RCT-C24-123.
Gretel Park - RCT-C
Gretel (she/her/hers) is a white, queer, cis-gendered, able-bodied therapist who uses a person centred approach and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (pronounced ACT!). Gretel graduated with her Masters in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and her Bachelors degree from Saint Mary’s University. Gretel offers services for folks who are looking for support with anxiety, stress, depression, sex, sexuality, gender, identity, and relationships. Gretel has over 10 years experience working with youth and children and offers support for youth as they explore their sex, sexuality, gender, and anything in between! Additionally, Gretel has experience supporting women and queer folk navigate emotionally abusive and/or unhappy relationships. Using a feminist lens along with a non-judgmental and psycho-educational approach, Gretel provides therapeutic services with unconditional positive regard, empowerment, and support for her clients.
Outside of work, Gretel enjoys spending as much time as possible outdoors either climbing, camping, canoeing, skiing, or hiking!
Gretel offers online, over the phone, and in-person therapy services at Diverse Roots - whatever feels most comfortable for you! Gretel is also comfortable with and happy to write the letters of support required for GAC and works under the WPATH 8 SoC. Her NSCCT license # is RCT-C23-055. Gretel is currently taking on new clients.
Heather Baglole - RCT-C
Heather (she/her) is a warm and authentic counselling therapist that identifies as queer, white-settler, cisgender, neurodivergent, and plus size. She welcomes clients who want help authoring new, supportive stories for their lives that challenge restrictive, dominant cultural narratives, including: 2SLGBTQIA+ people, folks in non-traditional relationships and kink communities, neurodiverse and disabled folks, and plus size people of all genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds. She is grateful to live and work on Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaw, and strives to continue learning how to decolonize her practice.
Heather works in a collaborative and non-judgmental manner, embracing an integrative approach that combines techniques from person-centred and feminist methods, Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, narrative therapy, and existential therapy. She is excited to continue developing her skills in somatic and arts modalities, and she strives for a trauma-informed, harm reduction approach that acknowledges the uniqueness of each person’s lived experience. In addition to counselling, Heather works as an ADHD group coach and local program developer at ADDvocacy. Heather is also comfortable with and happy to write the letters of support required for GAC and works under the WPATH 8 SoC.
Heather is available for returning clients for sessions in-person, virtually, or by telephone and is accepting new clients on a 1-2 month wait list. Her licence number is RCT-C23-056.
Joleen Macinnis - RCT-C
Joleen (she/her) is a queer, cisgender, white, able-bodied counselling therapist candidate. Her commitment to 2SLGBTQIA+ affirmative and trauma-informed therapy drives her dedication to creating a safe and inclusive therapeutic space for diverse clients.
Her demeanour is characterized by warmth, collaboration, and a completely non-judgmental disposition. Joleen integrates multiple theoretical orientations into her approach, drawing from Person-centered, Psychodynamic, Narrative, and Internal Family Systems, enabling her to tailor her counselling to the distinct needs of each client. Joleen is also comfortable with and happy to write the letters of support required for GAC and works under the WPATH 8 SoC.
Joleen aims to empower clients through self-exploration, equipping them to navigate challenges, embrace strengths, and pursue aspirations. Embracing diverse lived experiences as foundational, her counselling space embodies validation, transformative potential, and unconditional positive regard.
Rooted in her identity as a white individual, she maintains a deep awareness of her privilege, propelling her dedication to fostering cultural sensitivity within her practice. Working and residing within Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaw people, amplifies her gratitude and understanding, while her unwavering commitment to lifelong learning drives her continuous growth and active efforts to decolonize her practice.
Joleen is accepting new clients on a 1-2 month wait list. Her license number is RCT-C24-051.
Margo Quinlan - SWC
Margo Quinlan (she/they) is a queer, trans, neurodivergent social worker and therapist dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through compassionate, personalized care. Her clinical practice is kink and sex positive, particularly while she is supporting couples and polycules in building strong foundations of secure emotional attachment. As a marginalized practitioner living in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq peoples, Margo brings a deeply reflective approach to the systemic barriers affecting her clients, and a commitment to fostering collective liberation through personal healing. Margo's license number is SWC #9885.
With a decade of experience in activism and organizing in Baltimore, Maryland, Margo has led transformative efforts to advance queer and trans rights, including improving trans healthcare, advocating for prison abolition, supporting birthing justice and healthcare equity, and promoting housing rights. Her background in community organizing informs her therapeutic approach, providing insight into the systemic roots of minority stress and its impact on her clients.
Margo’s therapeutic practice is rooted in a humanistic approach, emphasizing empathy and a non-judgmental space where clients are encouraged to share their experiences and stories. Her clinical experience spans substance use and addictions counseling, family counseling, and youth and adolescent counseling. Drawing from personal experiences with addiction, homelessness, and survival sex work, Margo practices with a harm reduction standpoint. She believes firmly in the somatic healing potential of BDSM and kink, particularly for queer and trans individuals. Margo is also comfortable with and happy to write the letters of support required for GAC and works under the WPATH 8 SoC.
Margo earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore City in 2014 and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Women and Gender Studies at Saint Mary’s University. She has shared her knowledge through workshops, panels, and educational sessions across the US on queer and trans health and wellness. Outside of her professional life, Margo enjoys spending time with her children, her partners, and her precious queer community. Margo is currently accepting new clients.
Mylène Arseneau - RCT-C
Mylène (she/her/elle) identifies as queer, white, Acadian, able-bodied and cisgender. She lives and works on the ancestral and unceded territories of the Mi'kmaw. Her therapeutic modalities include internal family therapy (IFS), narrative therapy, emotion-focused therapy (EFT) and psychodynamic therapy.
Mylène's goal is to support clients in their journey toward growth and healing in any way this may look like for the clients. She also aims to validate how they are being impacted by the current dominant systems in place and support clients in gaining agency over these narratives.
Mylène's journey in sexual and reproductive health, social justice and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community has brought her here to support clients in their path toward emotional and mental well-being. Mylène is a warm, empathetic and open-minded counsellor who respects clients as the experts of their own lives. She looks forward to collaboratively creating a safer space where clients can deepen their understanding of themselves.
Mylène est bilingue et est en mesure d'offrir de la thérapie en français! Si vous désirez recevoir de la thérapie en français qui prend aussi en considération votre identité queer, Mylène est outillée pour vous supporter dans votre cheminement thérapeutique. Étant Acadienne, Mylène comprend aussi la réalité des personnes queers vivant dans des communautés rurales. N'hésitez pas à contacter Diverse Roots Therapy si vous avez des questions ou désirez prendre un rendez-vous avec elle.
Mylène is available for sessions with new and returning clients in-person, virtually, or by telephone. Mylène is also comfortable with and happy to write the letters of support required for GAC and works under the WPATH 8 SoC. Her licence number is RCT-C24-018.
Therapists in Training (Masters Level)
Alicia Quin (Yorkville University)
Alicia (they/them) is a queer and neurodivergent Master of Counselling Psychology student at
Yorkville University. They previously completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (honours) at
Saint Mary’s University. Alicia is comfortable with and happy to write the letters of support required for GAC and works under the WPATH 8 SoC.
At the core of their philosophy is an understanding of the significance of childhood experiences
and upbringing on development and wellness. Alicia approaches counselling with a trauma-
informed, nonjudgmental stance that builds safety and security, encouraging the exploration of
early childhood experiences and their contribution to behaviours, patterns, and attachment styles
in adulthood.
Realms of counselling that Alicia feels drawn to include narrative therapy, somatic therapy, and
internal family systems therapy. Their approach is rooted in intersectionality, inclusivity,
accessibility, and anti-oppression, always.
Out of the office, Alicia can be found working on their small off-grid homestead where they
grow vegetables and tend to many chickens, a goose, and their two dogs and cats.
Delaine Tiniakos-Doran (Acadia University)
Delaine Tiniakos-Doran (they/she) is a white settler, queer, non-binary, and neurodivergent counselling therapy student (2025) at Acadia's Master's of Counselling program. Delaine settled in Mi'kma'ki after leaving her home in Athens, Greece when her parents separated and holds the responsibility of the treaties with great reverence on these unceded and ancestral lands of the L'nu.
Delaine's approach to therapeutic work centers the agency, dignity, and inherent 'enoughness' of each client. They work with all clients in a variety of topics ranging from gender and sexuality, birth trauma, postpartum mood disorders, parenting, navigating neurodivergence in an affirming way (ADHD, ASD, C-PTSD), as well as anxiety, depression, and disordered eating. Delaine is also comfortable with and happy to write the letters of support required for GAC and works under the WPATH 8 SoC.
Delaine works through a trauma-informed, fat-positive, anti-oppressive, intersectional, and queer affirming lens, working to meet clients right where they are. Her perspective is that you have all the expertise on your experience, your needs, and your life, and she has some expertise to offer on the therapeutic process. Together, they hope you will make a great team.
Sam Sternberg (Yorkville University)
Sam (she/her) is a Master of Counselling Psychology student at Yorkville University. She believes in everyone’s capacity to heal and grow and seeks to create an affirming and nonjudgemental space to help facilitate this. She works with people to explore their goals and draws from diverse therapeutic approaches to offer support. Sam is particularly interested in how our stories and their meanings shape us; how our childhood experiences influence our current selves; and how the spaces and systems we live in impact us as individuals and communities.
Sam identifies as queer, cisgender, spiritual, and able-bodied. She works with a trauma-informed, justice-oriented framework and welcomes everyone to bring their whole selves to the therapeutic relationship. Sam is also comfortable with and happy to write the letters of support required for GAC and works under the WPATH 8 SoC. After growing up near the Salish sea, Sam is grateful to now call Kjipuktuk home.
Affiliate Therapists (Not Currently Working at DRT)
Seth Wahlin-Stern - RCT-C
Seth (he/him) offers individual counseling to children and youth around gender identity especially as it relates to school functioning. Seth uses his unique blend of expertise related to learning, childhood development, and gender to help clients understand and embrace their identities, and to cope with challenges that can arise from minority stress. As a School Psychologist, Seth brings ten years’ experience navigating the space between systemic structures and the needs of diverse learners including African Nova Scotian and Indigenous students. He finds creative solutions to help clients reach their goals using skills from a variety of therapeutic approaches.
Seth is a Registered Counseling Therapy Candidate with the Nova Scotia College of Counseling Therapists, license #RCT-C22-013. He is supervised by Erica Baker-Gagnon, RCT, and is an affiliate member of Diverse Roots Therapy; he does not work for the practice. He is also licensed as a Registered Psychologist with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology. He provides services through Smith-Burke Psychology (https://smithburkepsychology.
Admin Team
Reagan Kuzyk
Reagan (She/Her) is the administrative assistant in the mornings at Diverse Roots Therapy, located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq peoples. She identifies as a queer, white, cisgendered, plus-size individual who really values and understands the meaning of "come as you are, whoever you are". . For years, she's worked with individuals living with physical and intellectual disabilities both in residential and in school settings, and has extensive training on ASD, ADHD, Down Syndrome, Fragile X, and more. She is happy to make new connections and learn other people's stories as part of the human experience.
Reagan also works as a vocal coach and piano instructor, and is an accomplished local singer-songwriter. Her goal through her music is to be relatable and to let people know that they aren't alone in their struggles or in their trauma. Having been trained in mindfulness, she strives to create a safe space for people to explore and learn more about music, and ultimately themselves, in an inclusive and stress-free environment. She works with folks as young as 4 and as old as 69, and while classically trained, she works with a variety of genres including but not limited to metal, punk, pop, jazz, blues, folk and classical.
Fun Fact: Reagan reaaaaaallllyyyy loves Pineapples!
Jake Smith
Jake (He/Him) is the vibrant force behind Diverse Roots Therapy's social media presence, nestled in the heart of Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq peoples. As a proud member of the Queer Community, Jake embraces his identity as a queer, white, gender fluid individual who radiates authenticity and self-expression.
With a kaleidoscope of experience spanning direct sales, business operations, and social media marketing, Jake brings a multifaceted approach to his role as the social media specialist . To Jake, the true essence of business lies in the connections forged along the way. Whether it's sparking conversations online or fostering lasting relationships over coffee dates, he thrives on the art of building meaningful relationships.
Beyond business and marketing, Jake's passions extend to makeup artistry and cooking. As a self-taught makeup enthusiast, he finds joy in helping others express themselves through makeup. In the kitchen, Jake loves to create new dishes that leave a lasting impression on guests (and their tummies too)!
At his core, Jake is driven by a commitment to creating safe, inclusive, and welcoming spaces for individuals of all backgrounds and identities. From curating fabulous Instagram feeds to Facebook forays, Jake infuses his work with creativity and passion, all while navigating the intricacies of business strategy and brand development.
Jake's favorite line: Have a hunky-dory day, dolls!