Bach Counselling

Our Counsellors

Heather Bach, MA, CCC - Clinical Director

Heather Bach brings 20 years of experience and training to her role as Clinical Director of the Bach Counselling Group. With her Master of Arts in Psychology she is certified with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Heather works primarily with couples and individuals using evidence-based approaches in dealing with relationship issues, separation, anxiety, depression, trauma, disordered eating and ADHD.

She designed and developed the North Shore Program for Children Affected by Family Violence and the Kelowna Trauma Program for marginalized women. Heather has extensive training and experience in her work with family relationships and therapeutic groups. In her work with couples and families, greater understanding and more fulfilling connections are established. Heather is skillful and solution focused.

Cited as an expert by the media, she has been the subject of numerous interviews in print, radio and television. She routinely presents at events and forums.

Kellie Shamenski MSc, Clinical Counsellor

Kellie brings over 11 years of experience as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in both Los Angeles and New York City. She is passionate about helping individuals, families and couples identify and work through their challenges to greater life satisfaction. Kellie works with challenges that include but are not limited to: relationship struggles and impasses, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, trauma, and parenting. Her clinical approach includes: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy and Trauma-Focused Therapy. Kellie places a strong emphasis on a trauma and attachment informed approach in her counselling work with clients. Understanding the context of behaviour and belief patterns and their impact on the brain and the body and relationships can be essential for successful results in counselling and long lasting change. Kellie provides a skillful and results oriented counselling to improve individual lives, their relationships and fosters greater connection within couples.

Kristofer Scott MA, RCC Clinical Counsellor

Kristofer is a registered clinical counsellor with a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. As an integrative-counsellor, Kristofer uses of variety of evidence based-therapies such as cognitive-behavioural (CBT), person-centered, and solution-focused therapies to meet the needs of his clients. From an attachment and trauma-informed perspective, Kristofer facilitates in an environment of acceptance and trust where clients identify and overcome barriers to their wellness. With a history of teaching in a high school setting for over seven years, Kris brings practical focused perspective to client’s work offering goal oriented skills and tools to foster well-being, and authentic living. Kristofer counselling adults and youth dealing with anxiety, ADHD, depression, self-esteem, grief, anger, stress management, and relational and communication issues. Kristofer also facilitates cognitive focused educational groups on managing anxiety.

Diego Ferrero MA, CCC Clinical Counsellor

Diego Ferrero brings 20 years of experience and clinical training counselling adults and youth clients dealing with anxiety, depression, family complications, trans-gender in all different phases of their transition, and communication. Having worked in both Mexico and Canada Diego is a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association holding a Master’s in Counselling Psychology. Using Solution-Focused, Dialectical Behavior and Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Diego counsels his clients to meet their personal goals. Fluent in Spanish, French, and English, Diego has significant experience working with child and youth and mental health services along with multicultural advocacy.

Felicia D'Amato MA, RSW Clinical Counsellor

Felicia D’Amato is a registered social worker holding a Master’s of Social Work from the University of British Columbia. With over 5 years of experience counselling youth and adults dealing with anxiety, depression, psychosis, addictions and complex disabilities, Felicia uses a variety of evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Emotion-Focused, and Gottman Therapy. Felicia has experience working with youth in residential and community settings. She has a special interest and experience working with adults with disabilities and senior adults with dementia supporting the individuals and families navigating new transitions in their lives as a result. Utilizing a strength-based approach, Felicia tailors treatment plans for individuals, families, and couples based on their goals.

  Zainab Giwa MA, CCC Clinical Counsellor

Zainab Giwa is a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association with over seven years of experience supporting her clients to gain insight, change behaviours and improve their relationships. Counselling individuals, youth, couples, and families, Zainab helps clients struggling with anxiety, depression and relationships struggles utilizing solution-focused, emotionally focused and cognitive behavioural therapy. With an inclusive and trauma-informed perspective, Zainab incorporates emotionally focused and Gottman therapy in her work with couples identifying barriers and working toward greater intimacy and joy in their relationships. Zainab is highly committed to the success of her clients in reaching their personal and wellness goals.

  Kelly Kuppers MA, RCC  Clinical Counsellor A Registered Clinical Counsellor for over 11 years, Kelly assists her clients in unravelling negative patterns in addiction, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and post-traumatic stress disorder to find greater joy, functioning, and healthier relationships. Her work includes the use of Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapies. Kelly’s clients include individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, addiction, historic trauma, and relationship issues. 

Taiba Patel MA (Cand.) Clinical Counsellor Taiba is completing her Master’s in Counselling Psychology with Yorkville University. She is trained to use a variety of evidence-based therapies including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), emotionally focused therapy, mindfulness and solution-focused therapy. In addition, Taiba has also completed certifications in mindfulness and related practices. She has worked with adults and older adults dealing with schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), development challenges, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and dementia. Working with executive functioning challenges common to ADHD, Taiba assists clients in reaching their goals and overcoming barriers to their wellness. She integrates mindfulness and CBT and other therapies in the treatment plans, thus assisting clients in moving from depression, anxiety, stress management, to improved self-regard, relationship and communication.  

Maja Miljkovic MA (Cand.) Clinical Counsellor

Maja has a background of social work with families and youth with the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development. From within a restorative justice framework Maja helps clients through conflict resolution to rebuild healthier family and peer relationships.

Practiced in cognitive behavioural therapy, Maja has a particular interest in emotionally focused and narrative therapies. She collaborates with clients through a mindful approach to identify and release struggles related to anxiety, depression, and interpersonal conflict. This clarity supports clients to make positive solution focused quality change for themselves in their lives.

Cath Blythe MA (Cand.) Clinical Counsellor

Cath brings many years of experience in community nursing, prenatal, postpartum and parenting education, and midwifery in Australia. She specializes in education and facilitation for youth and families, and has worked extensively in sexual health education.
With a special interest in healthy relationships, Cath counsels individuals working through transitions, postpartum complications, relationship challenges, anxiety and depression. Cath brings lived experience of parenting three young adults to her work. With authenticity she creates a safe and inclusive space where Cath utilizes cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a mindful and solution focused approach with a trauma informed lens in her work.
She is thrilled to join the Bach Counselling Group while completing her graduate internship for her Master’s in Counselling Psychology.

Anna Khokhlova MA (Cand.) Clinical Counsellor

Anna Khokhlova is completing her Masters of Counselling graduate internship with Bach Counselling. Working primarily with youth and young adults, Anna addresses barriers to better functioning including anxiety, depression and grief

Using a variety of therapies including narrative, cognitive-behavioural, and acceptance and commitment therapies, Anna helps clients identify and work through life challenges to gain increased confidence, a stronger and more secure sense of self. Some stressful life events can result in barriers to being present and engaged in life transitions successfully. With counselling, these challenges can be transformative and result in greater confidence and growth. Anna assists clients in navigating life transitions to independence and thriving.

Additionally, Anna counsels clients through the process of immigration establishing a new set of skills, cultural norms, relationships and community. Through a trauma and attachment informed lens, Anna tailors the therapeutic process to suit the client’s unique needs and reach the individual client goals for wellness.

Abby Hsiao RD Registered Dietician

A registered dietician and a graduate from the University of British Columbia, Abby specializes in working with individuals and families dealing with disordered eating thoughts and behaviours. She works with the Vancouver Coastal Health Eating Disorder Program with children, youth and adults. Abby provides nutritional assessments including body image and mood and facilitates her clients to build healthier relationships with food, body and themselves.