At MANDALA, we focus on an individual approach to counselling and play therapy.

What we do

Counselling is most often viewed as ‘talk therapy’ in which a counsellor and client talk about what is significant and of importance to the client as a means to improve their current circumstances such as: managing stress or other symptoms; adjusting to life transitions such as becoming a parent, losing a job or having a health crisis or injury; dealing with loneliness, isolation, grief, loss or bereavement; experiencing relationship or family difficulties or trauma; and exploring gender identity or sexuality). In a counselling role, I work together with my clients to help them work through common stressors and challenges in their lives.

Play therapy is a specialized type of counselling or therapeutic intervention in which play materials (such as puppets, games, toys, sand tray, story telling, and books) and music, art, drama, and movement are used in addition to or to replace talk therapy for clients of varying ages who have difficulty using words to express what they have experienced in the past or are currently experiencing.

Paula Hennessey

BA (Hons), MEd, C.C.C., N.D.

Over the last twenty five years, I have enjoyed a very rewarding career in the areas of early intervention, early childhood learning and development, and program and policy development within the health, community, social services, and education sectors. I’ve gained a lot of experience working with children, youth and families as an early childhood educator, a child and behaviour management specialist and youth care worker. I have been involved in leadership roles with Newfoundland and Labrador provincial autism pilot project/autism services, KinderStart and other transition to school programming, full-day kindergarten, early literacy and play based learning initiatives.

Counselling is a passion for me. I value the importance of confidentiality and working with individuals in a supportive and non-judgemental way. I have experience and specialized training in play therapy, attachment and trauma, applied behaviour analysis, grief and loss, addictions, anxiety and depression.

Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, CCPA (# 10003887)

Academy of Naturopaths and Naturotherapists of Canada, ACNN (#21-6565)

Canadian Association of Play Therapy, CAPT (PTI-NL-1629)

Canadian Psychological Association, CPA (# 56717)

I am verified as a Canadian Certified Counsellor by Psychology Today.

Services

LGBTQ2SIA, indigenous peoples and newcomers to Canada are welcomed.

I work individually with children (preschool, school-age), youth and adults; with families; and in groups. I use an individual approach to counselling and play therapy. I draw upon a number of counselling approaches that best fits individual clients needs including applied behaviour analysis, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), cognitive behavioural play therapy (CBPT), client-focused, solution focused, motivational interviewing, narrative, creative and expressive arts, play therapy, as well as crisis prevention and intervention. I welcome clients who are dealing with:

Anger Management
Anxiety Disorders
Attachment
Bereavement
Health Concerns
Workplace Injuries
Depression
Grief and Loss
ADHD
Development and Learning

Career Development and Counselling
Parenting/Co-Parenting
Coping and Skills Development
Personal, Family or Relationship Difficulties
Separation or Divorce
Stress
Therapeutic Family Access
Trauma
Addictions

What to expect?

Counselling options include in person, telephone or online.
Sessions are typically one hour in length (approximately 50 minutes + ten minutes for documentation)
You may self-refer via emailing [email protected]
You will be contacted by telephone or email to set up an appointment – either in person, telephone or virtual (whichever is your preference)
During your initial session, you will be informed of consent, confidentiality and limits of confidentiality.
Session cost and payment options, including health care coverage will be discussed.
You’ll have the opportunity to talk about the reason(s) you would like to attend counselling.
As your counsellor, I will work with you to develop a plan and goals for counselling that you are comfortable with.
Your progress will be reviewed with you regularly.
You will be asked for feedback on sessions and counselling process to ensure it is a positive experience and working for you.

NOTE: It is important to arrive/be ready for your appointment a few minutes before hand so that your session can start on time.

Fee Structure and Payment

Individual sessions	$115/hour
Family	$125 – 150/hour
Group	$125 – 150/hour
Therapeutic Family Play and Supervised Access	$115 – 150/hour
Education and Training Sessions	$75 – 150/hour

For payment, I accept e-transfer, cash and invoicing or direct payment for approved Employee and Family Assistance Programs (EFAP) and/or health insurance providers. Please check with your employer or insurance company to verify that you will be covered.

Private counselling is not covered by MCP, although it may be covered by extended health insurance if you have coverage for a Canadian Certified Counsellor.

Counselling services are also covered by many insurance providers, under naturopathic services. Check with your insurance or health provider for payment/coverage options.

For insurance verification purposes, my:

*Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association professional membership number is #10003887.

*Canadian Association of Naturopaths and Naturopatherapists registration number is #21-6565.

Session Cancellation: I understand that sometimes emergencies and other important circumstances come up that prevent clients from making it to a scheduled appointment. I respectfully ask that 24-hour notice be provided to cancel an in-person appointment and 3 hours notice be provided to cancel a virtual appointment. Appointments cancelled without sufficient notice, or clients failing to appear for appointment without sufficient notice, are subject to billing for the full session fee.