Our Mental Health Professionals

Adrien Tempier, MSc (Neurobioligical Psychiatry & Psychology), RP

 

Adrien Tempier is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). He brings a distinctive neuroscience-informed perspective to psychotherapy, integrating contemporary knowledge from neurobiology, psychology, and psychotherapy to understand the complex factors that shape mental health and recovery. His approach recognizes emotional well-being as the product of interacting biological, psychological, relational, and environmental influences. Rather than viewing symptoms as personal shortcomings, Adrien helps clients understand them as adaptive responses to life experiences and supports them in creating lasting, meaningful change. 

Adrien’s clinical training spans London (UK) and Canada, including Montréal, Saskatoon, and Ottawa. This breadth of international and Canadian experience has shaped an integrative, evidence-based approach that is both scientifically grounded and tailored to each client’s unique needs. 

His practice integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Motivational Interviewing, and other evidence-based approaches. His work is further informed by attachment theory, psychodynamic principles, Gestalt therapy, narrative therapy, interpersonal neurobiology, and neuroaffective perspectives, allowing him to address not only current symptoms but also the underlying patterns that contribute to emotional distress and resilience. 

Adrien works with youth, adults, and older adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, burnout, substance use concerns, relationship difficulties, emotional dysregulation, and major life transitions. He collaborates with clients to deepen self-understanding, strengthen emotional awareness, develop psychological flexibility, and build practical skills that support resilience and long-term well-being. 

Beyond his clinical practice, Adrien has held leadership roles within community mental health services, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and supporting programs that promote accessible, person-centred care. This broader systems perspective enriches his understanding of the social determinants of mental health and the complex contexts in which people live, work, and heal. 

As a bilingual psychotherapist, Adrien provides therapy in both English and French. He strives to create a warm, respectful, and non-judgmental therapeutic relationship where clients feel genuinely heard, understood, and supported. His goal is to help individuals reconnect with their strengths, live more consistently with their values, and move toward a richer, more meaningful life. 

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Amal Ahmed, MA, RP

Amal’s foremost focus is to provide a safe, warm, and validating therapeutic space where clients can feel heard and understood. She uses an integrated approach to help raise awareness and facilitate emotional processing, drawing from narrative and attachment family therapies with the hope of expanding on clients’ strengths.

Amal has experience working with a variety of clinical issues, such as depression, anxiety, burnout, life transitions, and relationship challenges. She has also worked with individuals struggling with anger, school difficulties, and challenging family dynamics.

Amal is a Registered Psychotherapist and has completed a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Spirituality.

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Katherine Marr, MA, CCC, RP

Registered Psychotherapist

Katherine believes that human beings are beautifully complex and perfectly imperfect. In her work, she strives to help people reduce their sense of overwhelm, increase their sense of belonging, find freedom from suffering, improve their relationships with themselves and others, and enhance their overall quality of life.

Katherine has been working in the mental health and social services field for over twenty years, primarily within the child, youth, and family services sector. She began her career as a child and youth care worker and program coordinator in schools, community agencies, youth mental health treatment centers, and detox and addiction recovery programs. Since 2011, she has been practicing counseling and psychotherapy in Ottawa, expanding her work to include adults of all ages, managing mental health services, and providing clinical supervision to other therapists.

Katherine holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Vancouver, B.C. She is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Additionally, Katherine is a Certified Yoga Therapist with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), a mindfulness and meditation teacher, and is nearing completion of her practitioner training in Somatic Experiencing with Somatic Experiencing International.

In her work with children, youth, and their families, Katherine relies on her foundational training in Adlerian psychology and incorporates various approaches, including Emotion-Focused Family Therapy, Family Systems Theory, Collaborative Problem Solving/Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS), Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Positive Discipline, and Positive Youth Development. Most recently, she completed her training as a Forest and Nature School Practitioner with the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada. When working specifically with children, Katherine integrates nature, movement, and art forms into a playful and engaging therapy process.

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Layla Matar, MA, RP

Registered Psychotherapist

Layla’s key importance is creating a safe space for clients to feel comfortable and relaxed to open up and unpack throughout their therapeutic journey. She brings a warm, non-judgmental approach to her sessions and seeks to be a caring witness to her clients and their stories. She wants her clients to feel safe and accepted for their full selves.

Layla uses an integrative and collaborative approach by drawing from different therapy and counselling theories; her work is tailored to best meet her clients’ needs. The approaches Layla uses help guide her clients to discover their hidden strength and resilience. Layla works with her clients’ strengths to support them in unpacking and exploring the issues and distress that bring them to therapy. The key therapeutic approaches which inform her practice are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Art Therapy, Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT), and Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT).

Layla is experienced in working with adult individuals and couples. Her experience involves working with depression, anxiety, trauma, self-development, childhood wounds, interpersonal relationships, and relationship conflicts.

Layla is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She graduated from Saint Paul University with her Master’s in Counselling and Spirituality and has a Graduate Diploma in Couple Counselling and Spirituality.

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Marina Andrawis, MSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker

Marina has worked at Jewish Family Services (JFS) since the end of her placement, she started as a summer student. She has had the opportunity of working with the Refugee and Vulnerable Newcomer (RVN) team providing counselling services to youth and adults in the Arabic language. She has experience working with seniors, caregivers, at risk youth, racialized individuals, persons with disabilities and individuals dealing with intimate partner violence (IPV).

Marina strives to create a warm, welcoming and non-judgmental space for clients to be able to share their stories and feelings without hesitation. Marina approaches work with clients with a collaborative, strength based and trauma informed lens. Marina uses different modalities based on the client needs: Narrative therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Solution-focused brief therapy.

Marina holds a bachelor of Sociology and religious studies and a Master of Social Work, as well as a Social Service Worker Diploma. She is a registered social worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers.  Marina has worked in a variety of settings within the field of social services for 5 years.

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Marwan Abou Diwan, MSW, RSW, Psychotherapist

Clinical Manager, Centre of Couples and Relationships.

Marwan A. Diwan is an internationally educated social worker who holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and Educational Counselling, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Sciences. He also has a Master’s degree in Living Languages/Translation and offers counseling services in English, French, Arabic, and Spanish. Additionally, he provides clinical consultation and supervision to other clinicians in the community.

Marwan is experienced in working with adult individuals and groups dealing with a wide range of emotional and psychological issues. His areas of specialty and interest include interpersonal relationships, depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, trauma/PTSD, grief and loss, chronic mental health and Refugee and Vulnerable Newcomers, LGBTQ+, People living with HIV and identity-related issues.

Marwan is trained with a range of therapeutic models including, Humanistic approach, Narrative Therapy, EMDR, Hypnosis, Drama Therapy, etc. In collaboration with the individuals, he works with, Marwan tailors a personal care plan to assist individuals in returning to a place of health, ease, balance and comfort. Marwan work is person-centred and strength-based and respects everyone for who they are and who they want to become. Marwan’s working philosophy is that the individual’s inner and external resources are the main drives for their recovery and will help them in achieving meaningful change in their life.

In his home country, Lebanon, Marwan has combined his clinical counselling work with other professional activities with the Danish law enforcement agencies in the fields of anti-radicalization, communication, leadership, and other soft skills areas.

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Sophie Jolicoeur-Bécotte, BMT, MT-BC, MTA.

Music Therapist

Sophie Jolicoeur-Bécotte is a Music Therapist–Board Certified (MT-BC) and holds an Honours Bachelor of Music Therapy with a Minor in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University. She has also completed advanced levels in vocal performance and piano through the Royal Conservatory of Music. In addition, Sophie has completed training with the International Neurologic Music Therapy Training Institute. This strong academic, clinical, and musical background equips her with a deep understanding of the therapeutic benefits of music, particularly in mental health settings.

As a compassionate and skilled music therapist, Sophie uses the power of music to support mental health and emotional well-being. She has experience providing music therapy in various settings, including adult mental health services and special education classrooms. Sophie’s approach involves creating a safe, supportive space where clients can explore their emotions and experiences through music, fostering healing and growth. At The Counseling Group, she offers specialized music therapy sessions designed to help individuals navigate challenges, reduce stress, and improve overall mental health. If you or a loved one are seeking a personalized and innovative approach to mental health support, connecting with Sophie could be the first step toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.

No musical experience is needed — just an open heart!

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Victoria Martindale, M.Ed., RP, CCC

Registered Psychotherapist

Victoria approaches her work with warmth, compassion, and empathy. She strives to create a safe space for her clients to process emotions, live in line with their values, and find meaning in their experiences. Victoria has experience working with youth and adults. She has a particular interest in working in areas of self-esteem, trauma, anxiety/panic, depression, grief/loss, and identity issues. Victoria is an LGBTQ+ positive counsellor and has past experience working as a counsellor in Post-Secondary School and private practice settings.

Victoria’s therapeutic practice is primarily influenced by a Narrative, Strengths-based, and Collaborative perspective. She also incorporates techniques from self-compassion, Mindfulness, Positive Psychology, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Victoria holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of Ottawa. She is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Victoria works at Jewish Family Services of Ottawa as part of The Counselling Group and The Walk-In Counselling Clinic.

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