_edited.png)
Get to Know Us
We are a group of dedicated therapists and strong women committed to walking alongside you through life’s challenges. While each of us has unique areas of focus, we are united in our belief that healing happens through connection, safety, and genuine care.
Our Team
A group of thoughtful, compassionate clinicians who care deeply about the work we do and the people we serve. Each therapist brings their own strengths, personality, and experience — but we share a common goal: to create a space where you feel safe, understood, and supported.
Nicole Bourque, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW
Clinical Social Worker/Therapist
Nicole Bourque is a registered member in good standing with the New Brunswick Association of Social Workers. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from the University of New Brunswick (Fredericton), a Bachelor of Social Work from Dalhousie University, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Waterloo.
Over the course of her career, Nicole has worked in a variety of settings supporting children, youth, adults, and seniors. For the past eight years, she has practiced within the multidisciplinary Integrated Service Delivery Model at Addictions and Mental Health Services, where she focused on at-risk children, youth, and their families. This experience has given her a strong foundation in providing comprehensive, collaborative care.
Nicole is passionate about helping her clients feel safe, comfortable, and supported. She is known for her empathetic, down-to-earth approach, creating a non-judgmental and client-centered environment where people feel truly heard. She has experience supporting individuals through challenges such as depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem concerns, sexual abuse, relationship difficulties, behavioral challenges, and grief and loss.
Nicole also has specialized training in counselling survivors of sexual violence and draws on a variety of evidence-based counselling modalities to meet each client’s unique needs. She continues this great work through Family Plus at Kit’s Place, a community-based centre providing services to sexual assault victims and their families.
​
Outside of her professional life, Nicole is an animal lover who especially adores her sweet dog Winny, who is the light of her life. She brings that same warmth, compassion, and genuine care into her work with clients.
Bronwyn Kierstead, BEd, MEd, CCC, LCT, RPT
Licensed Counselling Therapist
Bronwyn Kierstead is a registered member in good standing with the College of Counselling Therapists New Brunswick. She has her Bachelor of Arts in History from Bishops University, her Bachelor of Education from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and her Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of New Brunswick (Fredericton)
Bronwyn is a warm, caring, and skilled therapist who brings a trauma-informed lens to her work with children, families, and now adults as well. With a background in teaching and in her current role as a school counsellor, Bronwyn has extensive experience supporting people of all ages through life’s challenges.
She specializes in Play Therapy and Child-Centered approaches, creating a safe, nurturing space where children can freely express themselves, while also extending her practice to help adults navigate stress, relationships, and personal growth.
Bronwyn is dedicated to building strong, trusting therapeutic relationships, believing that healing begins with safety and connection. She works closely with families to explore the roots of complex childhood behaviors, helping children and caregivers understand and make sense of difficult patterns. To support growth and resilience, she integrates Solution-Focused strategies, Cognitive Behavioural Interventions, and Gestalt methodologies, providing clients with practical tools for emotional regulation and lasting positive change.
Known for her warmth, sense of humour, and genuine care, Bronwyn brings a lightness and empathy to her work that helps clients feel at ease. Outside of her professional life, she loves animals—especially her beloved dog, Lady Bernard—who brings her endless joy and companionship.
Heather Vass (Ayer), BEd, MEd, LCT-C
Licensed Counselling Therapist Candidate
​Heather Vass (Ayer) is a registered member in good standing with the College of Counselling Therapists New Brunswick. Heather has a Bachelor of Education from the University of New Brunswick and a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of New Brunswick. Heather is currently a Licensed Counselling Therapist - Candidate (LCT-C) as she works through her Supervision hours.
With many years of experience as an educator before entering the counselling field, Heather brings a wealth of knowledge, warmth, and compassion to her work with adults. Heather enjoys helping clients feel comfortable, understood, and supported from the very first session.
Heather has specialized training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and also draws from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Narrative Therapy to support individuals navigating disordered eating, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Her approach is trauma-informed and evidence-based, while always honoring the unique strengths and experiences that each client brings to the therapeutic process.
Dedicated, kind, and empathetic, Heather creates a safe and supportive space where clients can build emotional regulation skills, learn healthy coping strategies, and cultivate resilience. She is deeply committed to helping people foster self-awareness, acceptance, and meaningful change in their lives.
Outside of her professional role, Heather is a devoted mom and a dedicated helper at heart. She loves spending time with her sweet dog, Ace, who keeps her on her toes and brings joy to her days.
Caroline Sanford BA, BSW, MSW , RSW
Clinical Social Worker/Therapist
Caroline Sanford (Newman) is a registered member in good standing with the New Brunswick Association of Social Workers (NBASW). She has been a practicing Social Worker since 2017, with experience in Addiction & Mental Health and private practice settings. She holds a Master of Social Work from St. Thomas University, a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Maine at Presque Isle, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Brunswick.
Caroline provides counselling to individuals and couples navigating life transitions, relationship strain, birth experiences, postpartum adjustment, separation, and personal growth. She has a special interest in supporting young mothers and women managing anxiety, perimenopause, life stress, and relational challenges.She understands how overwhelming it can feel to carry so much while trying to hold everything together. Clients often seek her out when they are tired of repeating patterns, feeling disconnected in relationships, or wanting to better understand themselves.
Her approach is trauma-informed, relational, and grounded in evidence-based practice. Caroline integrates the Stages of Change model, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), meeting clients where they are and working at a pace that feels steady and sustainable.
Caroline is known for being warm, down-to-earth, and refreshingly human. She brings insight, steadiness, and humour into the therapy room, helping clients feel at ease while engaging in meaningful, impactful work.
​