Staff

Howard Friesen

Executive Director

Ellen Mastel

Administration and Finance

Keri Bradford

Administrative Assistant

Howard Friesen – Clinical Manager

Howard Friesen has served families in our community for over forty years and brings a wealth of relevant counseling experience to assist his clients. Howard is comfortable working with many different family structures: nuclear, single-parent, blended, and extended families. He is also experienced in working individually with all demographics- children, adolescents, adults, elders, and the elderly.

Howard strongly believes that positive relationship change occurs in families when members begin to explore and practice new ways of strengthening their attachment, bonds, and connection with each other. Howard enjoys working with couples and families using Dr. Sue Johnson’s Attachment Model. Howard is skilled in assisting clients to feel emotionally safe and secure by facilitating their counseling journey of beginning to have real and important conversations in their emotional reattachment process.

Howard also works within the areas of personal development and well-being assisting his clients in the areas of self-worth, self-care, emotional regulation, grief and loss, separation and divorce, gender issues, and conflict resolution.

Howard is a very proud member of the Medicine Hat team of counselors. He has raised his family in our wonderful community of Medicine Hat that he proudly calls home.

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, camp, and pastoral work to piano teaching and some brief cross-cultural experience.

Nora is a certified counselor with a Bachelor’s in Christian Studies and 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.

Lindsay P. Heier

As a certified counsellor, I bring the world of my experience and professional training into therapy. Being born in Canada, I appreciate my heritage, however, my different jobs and mission in life have brought me to work in various locations including Nicaragua, Bahamas, Costa Rica, and the United States. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and a Master’s degree in Clinical Counselling from Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. My job history as a teacher, Dean of Student Life, trained chaplain and pastoral associate has increased my depth of knowledge and life experience.

Chaplaincy training involved, Trauma and Crisis Counselling, Grief Therapy and Pastoral Care in a medical setting. As a couples counsellor, I have completed level 1 and 2 in Gottman Therapy which focuses on couples counselling. Also, other areas of counselling competencies are Stress and Anger Management, Grief Therapy, Addiction Counselling, Marriage prep and Couples Counselling, therapy for depression and trauma. I have a passion for assisting all types of people on their life journey to discover the best version of themselves by finding the courage to make simple life changes. I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your time and consideration.

Jeanette Devore

Jeanette Devore is an advocate for older adults and is driven by dedication to quality service. She was recognized for blending personal and professional commitments in promoting the well-being of older adults; demonstrating leadership; and, achieving high academic standing in Gerontology Studies at Mount Royal.

Jeanette has the honour and privilege of raising two of her grandchildren. Together, they explore historical sites and parks besides shopping for bargains. All the other grandchildren join in for walking two puppies, caring for three cats and cozying up around a camp fire. For added fun, Jeanette plays cards once a month with old friends and enjoys musical theatre where her son can often be found.

Dakota Szola

At the present time, Dakota is on Maternity Leave. We hope she will be back with us in the fall.