Get To Know Us
Kirstie Davis
MSW, RSW​
Owner, Davis Counselling​
Experienced. Skilled. Caring.
Kirstie has been a Registered Social Worker (RSW) since 2000. She has provided care at multiple community agencies, including the AIDS Committee of Ottawa, The Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre, Youth Services Bureau, the Ottawa Hospital, Catholic Family Services, and CHEO. She has provided training and presentations on Mental Health to many organizations, including Ottawa Police Services and Carleton University. She has extensive training and experience working with vulnerable populations and people in crisis, and spent many years at CHEO providing emergency mental health care, long-term trauma therapy for children and youth who experienced sexual trauma, and support to youth and families with acute and chronic illnesses.
Kirstie has specialized skills in working with adolescents and adults with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, trauma, chronic illness/pain, and other life stressors, including COVID-related grief. She has a special interest in trauma therapy, and is a registered provider with the Victim Quick Response Program, through Ottawa Victims Services. She uses evidence-based therapies including EMDR, CBT, and TF-CBT in her practice. ​Kirstie offers care by video or in-person.
Trish Stenson
MSW, RSW, CEC, BCETS, psychotherapist
Trish brings to Davis Counselling over 35 years of therapy experience both in private practice and corporate settings. Trish is pioneer in the areas of sexual abuse treatment and trauma having been a senior therapist at Canada’s first comprehensive intrafamilial sexual abuse treatment program, Anderson and Mayes, established in1981.
She is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and co-founded the first LGBTQ+ counselling agency in Calgary in 1988.
Her corporate experience as National Manager of Trauma Services for Shepell FGI EAP and as National Clinical Director for Ceridian EAP services provided Trish invaluable experience in organizing and overseeing workplace conflict and trauma. Some of her interventions included organizing for interventions re: Sept 11, SARs, downsizing events, criminal cases, suicides, bank robberies just to name a few.
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In addition Trish is an experienced Certified Executive Coach. Trish has specialized skills in many areas but currently she is most interested working with people struggling with:
• LGBTQ+ issues
• Trauma and its long-term impact
• Anxiety and depression
• Workplace stress and struggle
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Trish offers care by video only.
Carol Openshaw
MSW RSW
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Carol brings to Davis Counselling a diverse career in Social Work for 25 years, working with children, adolescents and adults. Carol’s interest in clinical social work practice is to support adults who are experiencing difficult transitions, including but not limited to: grief and loss, caregiver stress and distress, depression and anxiety, workplace dissatisfaction, struggles with self-esteem and self- worth, managing the challenges that face blended families, and caring for aging parents. Carol offers a safe, confidential and non-judgmental approach for all clients, and provides a supportive and compassionate space to explore worries, fears, and her clients’ goals to achieve a balanced, happy life.
Carol has provided therapeutic care at several Ottawa area programs including the Youth Services Bureau, the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa, and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Since 2012, her practice has specialized in the area of pediatric palliative care. Carol has provided therapeutic interventions to families all along the trajectory of their children’s illness, and she has an understanding of the complexities of emotions faced by all family members coping with new diagnosis and treatment.
Carol’s passion is providing bereavement therapeutic support for individuals and couples coping with the loss of a loved one. Carol’s area of specialty in bereavement is therapeutic care for those grieving perinatal loss, and program development and advocacy for these families. She understands the depth of grief and trauma experienced by families,and believes in the importance of accompanying them as they adjust to their new normal. Carol is well versed in supporting all presenting types of perinatal loss, including neonatal death, stillborn loss, infertility issues, medical termination for medical reasons, and miscarriage loss. Carol believes that with patience, support, understanding, and perseverance, families will begin to live hope and happiness again!
Carol has enjoyed offering mental health training and presentations over the course of her career, including to the Ottawa Police Service, Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa, CHEO, and the CHEO Foundation. She has significantly contributed to online bereavement education, including to Canadian Virtual Hospice, and is recognized as a grief expert.
Carol has an interest in supporting individuals coping with a variety of issues, and understands that depression, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, and unhappiness with coping with daily life demands can happen to anyone at any point in life. Carol uses well recognized evidence-based approaches in her treatment, including Emotional Focused Therapy, CBT, Narrative therapy, and Solution Focused therapy.
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Carol offers care by video only.
Alicia Biafore-Khan
MSW RSW
Alicia has been a registered social worker (RSW) since 2016. She has a particular interest in trauma informed care and attachment focused interventions. She currently works full time at CHEO’s Outpatient Mental Health Clinic supporting children, youth and their families who have experienced traumatizing events.
At Davis Counselling, Alicia supports teens and young adults who are struggling with a variety of mental health concerns. Alicia also supports parents who are looking to reconnect with and better understand their children.
Alicia believes in the key principles of trauma informed practice which are safety, trust, choice,collaboration and empowerment. In working with her, you will notice that she prioritizes the therapeutic relationship and listens attentively without judgment. She will support you in gaining a better understanding of yourself and those you care about, help you identify what you truly value and encourage you as you make the changes you need to thrive.
Alicia uses well recognized evidence-based approaches in her treatment, including Brainspotting, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Alicia is also a certified facilitator of the Circle of SecurityⓇ and ConnectⓇ parenting programs.
Alicia offers care by video only.
Catherine Bouchard
MSW RSW
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Catherine is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals of all ages facing challenges related to their mental well-being. She employs a range of therapeutic approaches including CBT, Crisis Intervention, Strength-Based and Grief & Bereavement Therapy.
Catherine's current focus is on treating teenagers with eating disorders, utilizing evidence-based therapies like FBT and EFFT. She provides clinical services to youth and their families at a tertiary care facility, offering support in a variety of settings including inpatient, partial hospitalization and outpatient services.
Throughout her career, Catherine has devoted herself to supporting parents as they cope with their child’s newly diagnosed medical condition, life-limiting illness or experience perinatal loss.
Catherine has held positions at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Consular Affairs at the Embassy of Canada to the United States, Ottawa Children's Aid Society (CAS) and the Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre (OCTC).
For the convenience of her clients, Catherine is able to provide care in both French and English, either through video sessions or in-person consultations.
April Krause
MA, MSW, RSW
April is a social worker with experience in youth mental health, with a primary focus on working with teenagers who struggle with their mental health. April graduated from Carleton University with a BA in Child Studies, and then acquired a MA in Legal Studies, before completing her MSW at Wilfred Laurier University. April currently holds a full time role as a Social Worker at CHEO’s outpatient mental health clinic, supporting children, youth, and families with a range of challenges and strengths. April started her journey in youth mental health at Youth Net (CHEO) in 2014, where she worked as a facilitator working in crisis intervention and group facilitation. At Davis Counselling, April is eager to support teens looking for a safe space to talk, grow, and work together on goals for bettering their mental health. April uses a variety of approaches in her work, pulling from CBT, solution focused therapy, DBT skills, and more. April has a strong commitment to youth engagement principles, and uses a trauma informed lens in her work.
April is open to both virtual and in person appointments.