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. 

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.

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.

Matthieu Kim, MSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist.

Matthieu is a Registered Social Worker in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and is also a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW), who practices on the traditional, unceded territories of the Anishinaabe Algonquin nation. As a settler of this land, Matthieu is aware of the negative systemic impacts of colonialism, and how these historic and current wrongdoings can hinder a person’s ability to thrive in society.

In his work with children, youth, and their families, Matthieu looks to support individuals through a person centred lens and aims to build a therapeutic relationship by working collaboratively with clients to help guide them as they take the steps necessary to achieve their goals. In his practice, Matthieu draws from multiple modalities, both Western and those rooted in non-Western knowledge. Primarily, Matthieu draws from Dialectic Behaviour Therapy, Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Emotion-Focused Family Therapy.

Matthieu has been privileged enough to have honed his practice in a variety of settings including community and healthcare-based children’s mental health organizations, as well as within the education system here in Ottawa. During these experiences, he supported individuals with anxiety, depression, personality disorders, self-harming behaviors, as well as social-emotional difficulties including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and behavioral challenges. Throughout his career Matthieu has worked with individuals who historically have been identified as marginalized and he has found success in taking the stance of informed not knowing and hopes to bring cultural humility to these relationships.

Matthieu completed his MSW at Carleton University in Ottawa. He also has a bachelor’s degree in Honors Psychology from the University of Guelph, where he specialized in Child and Family Studies.

Nancy Al Kayal, M.A.C. Psych

Certified Psychologist

Nancy is a psychologist registered with both the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec and the College of Psychologists of Ontario.

She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in educational psychology, a master’s degree in clinical psychology, and a diploma in mediation, along with various certifications. Her therapeutic approach is integrative, blending Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cue-Centered Therapy (CCT), Art Therapy, Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), mindfulness techniques, and methods from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Gottman therapy, and psychodynamic therapy.

Fluent in French, Arabic, and English, Nancy offers therapy in all three languages to individuals, couples, and families of all ages. She believes that everyone deserves to feel safe and comfortable, which helps them focus on their well-being, navigate personal challenges, and promote personal growth.

Sierra Bridgwater, MA, RP

Registered Psychotherapist

Sierra uses a warm, empathetic, and client-centred approach in her work. She aims to create a supportive space to empower clients throughout their therapeutic journey while helping them identify and achieve their unique goals. She holds a compassionate, non-judgemental space to allow clients to feel cared for and validated.

Sierra tailors her therapeutic approach to meet each client’s needs. She uses an integrative person-centered approach which draws on various modalities from Psychodynamic Therapy, Attachment-based therapy, Narrative therapy, and Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT). Along with these modalities, she uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) tools and Mindfulness-based techniques.

Sierra is experienced in working with adult individuals ages 18 and over, as well as couples. Her areas of experience include working with interpersonal relationships, relationship conflict and communication issues, trauma/ PTSD, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, stress, and self-esteem. Sierra is an LGBTQ2S+ positive counsellor and aims to honour the experience of all her clients.

Sierra received her Master’s degree in Counselling and Spirituality with a specialization in Couple and Family Counselling from Saint Paul University and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Carleton University. She is also a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).

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!