Meet the Valley Art Therapy Ltd. Team!
Valley Art Therapy Ltd. is a group practice where practitioners work together to support our local communities. We are dedicated to providing excellent services and evidence-based approaches that facilitate change and develop wellness and growth.
Alecia Weinheimer
Counsellor - BHJ, Solution Focused Level 2
My career has been focused on working with children, youth, and families. I bring experience working with addiction, relationship and behavioural issues, mental health, and children-in-care.
I love working with youth and teenagers, as well as supporting families through difficult life stressors. You can expect a non-judgemental, honest and caring setting in your work with me. I use client centred and solution focused approaches. I will assist you in focusing on your strengths and setting goals to navigate through any issues you are dealing with.
When I’m not working I enjoy time working with our cattle, and enjoying country living. I love large animals, music and being creative, as well as spending time with my family.
Availability:
Russell Office - Wednesdays
Birtle Office - Bi-weekly Fridays
Cassidy Entz
Counselling Practicum Student
BA, Master of Arts Counselling Psychology Candidate - Yorkville University
As a practicum counsellor at Valley Art Therapy, my work is with male, female, and non-binary youth ages 10 to 18 year old. My counselling practice is client-centred, and grounded in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), as well as Emotion-Focused, Psychodynamic, and Solution-Focused therapies. I’m deeply passionate about working with children and youth. I’m also dedicated to addressing the impact of intergenerational trauma on young people.
In your work with me, you can expect a warm, empathetic space where you feel safe, valued, and heard. My approach focuses on empowering your voice, building strong connections, and fostering trust to encourage personal growth. Together, we can work on building resilience, managing stress and change, and improving emotional regulation and self-confidence.
I am passionate about supporting youth in care, promoting healthy relationships, and addressing trauma and addiction. While I continue to grow in my professional journey, my goal is to provide genuine support and understanding as we work toward fostering emotional well-being and personal growth.
I grew up in the small community of Churchbridge, Saskatchewan. After earning my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Saskatchewan, I began my career as a youth support worker in a Saskatoon group home. Shortly after, I moved back to my rural roots and started working as a youth caseworker in a Transitional Home for Youth while pursuing my Master’s in Counselling.
When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me going for a run, reading a good book, spending time with my family and animals, or having fun creating art and colouring with my niece and nephew.
I’m so excited to connect with you and be part of your journey!
Availability:
Birtle Office - Thursdays 11:00-6:00
Dana Corr
Canadian Certified Counsellor, Art Therapist, Director – M.Ed., RCAT, CCC, SEP
Professional Memberships: Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association, Canadian Art Therapy Association, EMDR Canada
Specialized Training: EMDR, Flash Technique, Somatic Experiencing Advanced II, Focusing, Sandplay, Safe and Sound Protocol, Trauma
I work with people across all age groups, currently focusing on young children and adults impacted by trauma. If you are finding that your current day functioning is being impacted by your past trauma, or you are wanting to move through difficult life events, then I may be a right fit for you in your therapeutic healing. In your work with me, you can expect to move at a pace that feels safe, without always having to put words to complicated or traumatic experiences. Our work is grounded in the somatic experience of the body and our nervous system survival responses (Polyvagal Theory). While I am a self-proclaimed non-artist, I know first-hand the crucial role that art can have in therapy. Art, expressive arts, and creativity are integrated in my work to empower clients in achieving deep and powerful healing.
I love supporting therapists in-training and those new to the field through offering practicum placements at Valley Art Therapy, acting as a Faculty Advisor with Brandon University, and providing consultation. This maybe stems from my 25+ years in education, as a teacher, school counsellor, and principal.
When I’m not at work, I can be found at home enjoying time with my family, savouring the views on our black Angus cattle ranch, and reading books!
Availability:
Birtle Office – Thursdays, Fridays
Jillian Henry-Wilkinson
Counselling Practicum Student
BSc., RN, Master of Arts Counselling Psychology Candidate
In addition to my practicum work at Valley Art Therapy, I am also a Child Youth Mental Health worker with Prairie Mountain Health. This experience, along with being a Registered Nurse, supports my work as a counsellor.
I work with youth between the ages of 10 and 18 with an integrative approach that responds to clients holistic needs. Grounded in strengths-based, solution focused, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, I love helping clients with a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, anger management, and trauma
My passion is working with children and teens because I feel that they are the future, and supporting them has profound impacts on everyone in our community. In counselling sessions, you can expect a safe place to dive into your thoughts and feelings to further your healing journey.
As a mom of three boys, I have a house full of sports, outdoor activities and lots of laughs. I believe that laughter can be the best medicine, and I try to add humour to my healing journey. I grew up in small town Roblin, and knew early on I wanted to give back to my community any way I could. I graduated from the U of S in 2018 with a degree in nursing, but I knew I needed to go further to help in ways I thought my community needed most. I returned to school in 2022 to get a Master’s degree in counselling psychology.
I love art, writing, music (singing), and gardening! When I am not at work or school you can find me cuddled up with my boys, two dogs or three cats! My husband reminds me daily that everyday is an adventure waiting to happen.
Availability:
Birtle Office – Fridays
Melanie Wotton
Care Coordinator - B.Ed.
Hi! My name is Melanie and I am the Care Coordinator at Valley Art Therapy.
I have a Bachelor degree in Education from the University of Saskatchewan.
I worked as a teacher for 20 years with kids from grades K-8, and I have two children. Both my professional and personal experiences have made me familiar with the benefits of art therapy and counselling. My experiences have also taught me excellent organization and time management skills. I’m looking forward to helping you find the care that is best for you and your unique situation, and supporting you during your time at Valley Art Therapy.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking with my daughter, water skiing and spending time at the lake in the summer.
Michelle Fredbjornson
Grief Coach - Life Coach
My background is in holistic healing, with various certifications that have combined with my own life experience to bring me to coaching.
Life happens...and it isn't always what we thought it would be. I have experienced and felt just how hard life can be. When life takes us out of our comfort zone, we can start the search for direction, and in this, we can find the greatest experience and a deeper connection to ourselves.
In your work with me, you can expect a holistic coaching experience focused on your own personal growth and wellbeing. In sessions, we will explore together any stressors or limitations that are creating conflict in your life and how to move through them, while developing tools to move you toward your goals. Sessions are intended to create clarity and accountability as you grow and evolve into the person you want to be.
When I'm not coaching, you can find me behind my "hair therapy" chair, with horses, capturing scenic photos, or with my family and friends. Looking for the signs of connection is part of my everyday life, an important tool as I heal and grow in my own experience.
Availability:
Birtle Office - Tuesdays, Thursdays 10:00-5:00
I am an Art Therapist, having earned my Diploma of Art Therapy at the WHEAT Institute. I am also an artist, a certified Level One Yoga Instructor, and Reiki Master. While working as a high school art teacher, I started my art therapy practicum with Valley Art Therapy. I was able to explore my passions within my art therapy practicum, and now I am excited to be working with Valley Art Therapy, both in schools (Waywayseecappo and Major Pratt) and in our Russell and Birtle offices.
I love working with youth and teens, and use a foundation in mindfulness practices. In your work with me, you can a expect a mindful, intention-based exploration of the self through the different mediums of art and art expression.
I truly believe in self-care, and for me that is creating art with friends and alone, reading sci-fi fantasy, and spending time with my family. This allows me to be present on my path to helping others start their own journey to self-discovery and healing through art.
Robyn Nerbas
Art Therapist, DWHEAT
Professional Memberships: Canadian Art Therapy Association
Availability:
Russell Office – Mondays 10:30 - 5:30
Birtle Office - Tuesdays 11:00-6:00
Shannon Fullerton
Counsellor, M.Ed. Land Based Indigenous Knowledge, M.Ed. Guidance and Counselling
Professional Memberships: Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association
I am always continuing my education to ensure that I have a toolbox of helping modalities to assist my clients in their unique journeys. I am knowledgeable in the diverse Metis and First Nations cultures, traumas, and traditional healing. Similarly, I have extensive knowledge and experience with child development, learning, and behaviours. One day, I would love to focus on equine therapy.
My top priority is creating a strong rapport with my clients so they will move forward in their healing journey. My counselling methods come from a strength-based, trauma informed approach, knowing that with guidance every person has the answers within themselves.
I love the great outdoors, fishing, quadding, and sitting around the campfire. It is the best medicine! Interesting fact, I own 11 horses and I race a pony chariot and my sons have joined me in the sport of horse racing. My younger son, Ryder races chariot like me and my older son, Holden, will be in his rookie year of racing a chuckwagon. I have taught at 6 First Nations communities in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Also, I have taught grades 3 to 12.
Availability:
Swan River - Thursdays
Terri Lynne Lawrence
Counsellor
Bachelor of Management, Master of Arts Counselling Psychology
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
Availability Tuesdays Birtle Office 4:00 - 6:00
I am already so excited you are contemplating having someone come alongside to create new momentum – it is a complete honour to be that person and be entrusted to partake in your journey.
I am a born and raised country girl from Virden, MB. At 18 years of age, I moved to Alberta with my high school sweetheart to complete my Bachelor of Finance Degree focusing all my attention and drive to business, the financial sector, real estate and banking. While I gained a lot of invaluable experience and understanding how psychology affects success in business, marketing and sales, it wasn’t until I became a mother of two when I started to look for more depth in life. I treasure the journey we all are on and have a passion for wholeness; mentally, spiritually, financially and physically.
It is an honour to come alongside someone and be entrusted to listen to their lived experiences while drawing out their inner gold for them to truly see their own beauty. I have a passion to help people come to know their irreplaceability, worth and destiny, in a one-to-one setting. I believe we all hold and have access to power within ourselves to heal, grow and flourish. Societal pressures, parental pressures, workplace pressures can all collide and cause us to question our value and worth; take time to find your superpower and rediscover your inner beauty, calling and accomplish your goals that we can find together.
Let's look at creating the momentum you need to achieve high levels of productivity, self-awareness and restructure the life you deserve. Using a person-centred and strengths-based approach, I would love the opportunity to stand alongside you and draw out your inner strengths, be it in relationships, mental health, financial behaviour or parenting.
Approaches Used:
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Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
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Client-Centered
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Existential/Humanitist
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Solutions Focused Therapy