Staff

Celina Symmonds

Executive Director

Nora Bassingthwaighte

Director of Programs and Services

Nora Bassingthwaighte

Nora was born and raised in Medicine Hat, and she has a desire to serve the community. Her job experience is varied ranging from the library, management, and camp work to piano teaching and some brief cross-cultural experience.

Nora is a certified counselor with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Counselling. Her eclectic style uses elements from the following therapies: cognitive-behavioral, narrative, psychodynamic, solution-focused, and emotionally focused therapies. She has a passion to see people walk in freedom and health. Some of the topics that Nora counsels include anxiety, depression, grief, family life, and child issues. She seeks to be client-driven and creative in how each of these is approached, empowering each client on their journey.

On a more personal side, Nora is analytical and deep. She has a love of learning and growth. Music and photography exhibit her artsy side. A love of nature is also meaningful to her.

Ben Feere

Ben Feere was born and raised in Medicine Hat and is in the process of raising his own family within the community. Ben was once a good hockey player and musician and enjoys those activities to this day despite now being “only okay” at them. Ben is comfortable working with individuals, couples, and families in all of their forms. While Ben approaches his own life from a Christian perspective he is very comfortable working with clients of any faith or non-faith background.

Ben currently holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling and has additional training in Psychology, Social Sciences, Theology, and Biblical studies but his greatest asset is his deep care and ability to make clients feel safe and comfortable to explore their lives in a judgement free environment. Ben uses an conversational style and integrative approach with elements of Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Brief-Solutions Focused Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Family Systems among others. This allows him to address problems in a logical way while allowing the client and their stories to be honored.

Ben is comfortable working with a wide variety of problems including trauma, depression, anxiety, addiction, relationships, career problems, and others. Whether you already know what your counselling goals are or barely know where to start Ben is here with a listening ear.