The Student Health, Wellness, and Support Sector could not run without its steadfast administrative staff. They provide invaluable support in day-to-day operations of both the Student Health and Wellness Centre and the entire sector.
Meet the team - Student Health and Wellness Centre
Whether at the Student Health and Wellness Centre, the Wellness Lounge or the Health and Wellness Office, the professionals that form your circle of care are here for you. Meet the individuals who are passionate about supporting you in your health and wellness journey!
Admin
Afaf Bou Sleiman (Fifi)
Pronouns: she/her
Clinical Office Administrator, Student Health and Wellness Centre
Lebanese, I am glad to have the chance to come to Canada and start a new life with different cultures. In my free time, I like to go for walks in the beautiful nature. I like to meet and listen to students, in order to help them according to their needs. I am always available for any questions or conversations that could improve situations.
Josaphat Joseph
Pronouns: he/him
Intermediate Administrative Assistant
Josaphat Joseph is a young man from Montreal with a B.A. in Sociology from McGill University. He is fully bilingual from Haitian descent and has moved with his wife and 2 daughters to the Gatineau/Ottawa region in 2016, after having spent 10 years in the Quebec Public service at the Curateur Public.
He likes to call himself the young veteran or the handyman, as he prides himself in his experience and multiple skills in the admin world. He has now been with the University for 3 years, following his Executive Assistant role at Citizen Advocacy of Ottawa (now Able2), assisting the direction and staff, and coordinating a couple mental health projects and working groups.
His passions are basketball and music, and you can find him from time to time, playing basketball at Montpetit over lunchtime with the students, in an attempt to remain young as long as possible. In his free time, he likes to find all kinds of activities to do with his family.
Mental health
The Psychotherapy and Mental Health Services team is committed to supporting mental health and wellness in the student population. From Psychotherapy to support groups and more, the team offers a wide range of resources and services to help students along their mental health and wellness journey.
Adriana Oatu, M.Ed.
Pronouns: she/her
Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and CCC
Adriana holds a BA in psychology from Romania and graduated from the uOttawa MEd Counseling program upon her arrival in Canada. She has been integrating various psychotherapeutic approaches to support individuals connect with their inner knowledge and skills and move forward towards living a fulfilling life. Adriana has experience working with individuals from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and addressing work/school/life stressors and challenging life experiences such as abuse, violence, trauma, grief and loss.
In her spare time, Adriana enjoys spending time in nature, working with her hands (pottery, gardening, knitting) and she is an avid reader of Terry Pratchett’s satiric novels series.
Anne Leblanc, M.Ed. (Counselling)
Pronouns: she/her
Senior Psychotherapist
Anne is a graduate of the master's program in Educational Counselling at the University of Ottawa and has been working on campus for 13 years. She enjoys working with the student population providing them with a safe, accepting environment in which they can feel comfortable sharing their personal concerns. Anne aims to help students educate themselves on several mental health topics, gain insight on their identity and emotions, cope with symptoms of depression and anxiety, develop stress management/self-care techniques, and manage difficult relationships. Her approach to therapy is client-centered - actively listening to client’s needs, collaboratively working with them to meet their goals and tapping into their strengths. Anne also likes to stay engaged in learning and teaching by acting as a clinical supervisor to students aspiring to become therapists. In her spare time, Anne enjoys spending time with her family, being out in nature and photography.
Ashley Scott, M.Ed. (Counselling)
Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and CCC
Ashley has been working at the University of Ottawa Student Psychotherapy and Mental Health Services since 2009. Ashley completed her undergrad in Psychology at Carleton University in 2007 and her graduate work in counselling at the University of Ottawa in 2009. Ashley works from a client centered, integrated approach and enjoys incorporating aspects of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Attachment Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Positive Psychology. Ashley enjoys working with all students and is particularly interested in grief, anxiety, sexuality and male issues.
Asma Nsiri, M.Ed., RP (Qualifying)
Pronouns: she/her
Mental Health and Wellness Counsellor – Telfer School of Management
Asma is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and has completed a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto.
Asma has particular experience working alongside adult clients who have experienced childhood and adult trauma in both individual and group capacity within clinical outpatient and research settings such as the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Women’s College Hospital, the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture, and Naseeha youth helpline.
She has supported individuals with various concerns such as: trauma, relationship and intergenerational challenges, spirituality and culture, addictive behaviours, anxiety, depression, and stress/burnout-related issues.
Asma’s therapeutic approach is collaborative, non-judgemental, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed. It honours the client’s own wisdom regarding their emotional and life experiences. Asma incorporates a systemic lens in her practice to explore how broader systems such as society, culture, and family shape our individual experiences and our relationship with the self.
With the therapeutic relationship as a safety anchor for the client to reconnect with their inner wisdom and self, Asma draws from different modalities that match the client’s needs and goals, such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Somatic Therapy, Feminist Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.
Bernadette Ingungu, RP(Q), CCC
Pronouns: she/her
Senior Psychotherapist
Bernadette has a master's degree in counselling and spirituality from Saint Paul University in Ottawa. Her work is client-centred — she offers clients empathetic listening in a safe, confidential environment that allows them to confide in her, establish their therapeutic goals and work on their well-being. For Bernadette, establishing a good therapeutic bond with the client is essential.
Bernadette uses a humanistic approach based on clients’ strengths and abilities, to help them explore their internal and external resources and deal with their problems. Her approach incorporates many therapeutic tools from solution-based therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, emotionally focused therapy and attachment theory. In addition to individual therapy, Bernadette also offers family and couples therapy.
Bernadette has 17 years of community work experience in Ottawa serving people of diverse social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. She has worked with people on anxiety, low self-esteem, family and sexual violence, interpersonal relationships, depression, integration, addiction and more.
She speaks French, English, Spanish and Lingala.
Caroline Bradley, M.Ed., RP, CCC
Pronouns: she/her
Senior Psychotherapist
Caroline has over 10 years experience working in the field of psychotherapy. Caroline has been working at the University of Ottawa’s Student Psychotherapy and Mental Health Services since November 2019 before which she was working in Nova Scotia at the Saint Mary’s University Counselling Centre. Caroline also has extensive experience working in Ottawa’s Community Health and Resource Centres.
Caroline has a very client centered approach to counselling. She strongly believes in empowering clients and therefore works collaboratively with clients to determine appropriate counselling goals and treatment plans. Caroline has been trained in several therapeutic models and uses various components of these models in her work with clients. Specifically, Caroline utilizes components of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focussed Therapy and Attachment Theory. Caroline has experience working with a diverse population on various issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship issues, family issues and grief.
Chantelle Legere
Pronouns: she/her
Mental Health Intake Officer
Meet Chantelle, our dedicated Mental Health Intake Officer at the University of Ottawa. With three years of experience working in health promotion and various other services on campus, Chantelle is passionate about helping students access the right mental health services tailored to their unique needs. Chantelle completed her Bachelors at the University of Ottawa which has given her an insider's understanding of the student experience. She is a compassionate and empathetic listener who truly cares about the well-being of students. When she's not assisting students, Chantelle enjoys collecting house plants, trying new recipes, and getting out and about as much as possible!
Dr. Isabelle Guertin, D.Ps., C. Psych
Pronouns: she/her
Clinical Psychologist
Isabelle completed her doctorate in clinical psychology at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières in 2017. Prior to joining the mental health team at the University of Ottawa in March 2022, Isabelle worked as a psychologist in a psychiatric hospital in Montreal. Her professional activities include individual psychotherapy, group therapy and psychological assessment. She promotes an integrative framework in her practice with a focus on psychodynamic and mentalization-based approaches. She specializes in mood and personality disorders and also works with issues related to anxiety, addictions, bereavement, relationships, crisis management and emotion regulation.
Elisabeth Anderson, M.Ed., RP, CCC
Pronouns: she/her
Senior Mental Health and Wellness Counsellor
Lis leads her counselling practice with empathy, acceptance and a belief that small shifts in thinking and behavior can lead to big changes in overall wellbeing. She uses her curiosity about people’s experiences and feelings to help them develop self-acceptance and self-compassion for who they are now.
Lis helps clients tap into their strengths, skills and knowledge to create a sustainable and tailored plan to improve their wellbeing. She uses a wide range of therapeutic approaches and tools to fit the client’s needs and is interested in working with many presenting concerns - especially depression, transitions, relationship concerns, self-compassion, and self-acceptance.
Lis is a graduate of the University of Ottawa’s program in counselling, has been with the Student Psychotherapy and Mental Health Services since 2011 and is a registered psychotherapist through the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.
Lis originally hails from Montreal but has been in Ottawa since 2007. She is the proud mother of three kids, one cat, one dog and over a hundred houseplants.
Isabelle Hodak, M.A.
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Isabelle has been a part of the uOttawa Student Psychotherapy and Mental Health Services for over 3 years. She strives to create positive and collaborative relationships with students in which they can feel safe, accepted and explore their current challenges. Through working together, Isabelle can help students to strengthen their ability to: manage stress, regulate emotions, develop a personalized outlook on challenges and life, set boundaries and expand their self care strategies. Isabelle supports students in moving towards their personal goals and reach an enhanced and more fulfilling quality of life as a student, person and member of the community. Isabelle has been connected to the uOttawa campus for many years, from attending classes in Montpetit, studying at Morisset Library to walking by the canal, she has enjoyed getting to know the uOttawa campus and the city.
Em Patton, MSW
Pronouns: they/them
Senior Psychotherapist
Em Patton believes that when we feel stuck, working through challenges alone can be difficult and at times impossible. Their approach involves listening to a student’s experiences and developing a plan to help them move forward towards their goals and dreams. Everyone’s experiences are different and, therefore, plans need to be tailored to individual needs. Em has a master’s degree in social work from McGill University and has over twenty years of experience working with people who are experiencing anxiety and depression as well as severe and persistent mental health issues. Outside of work Em likes to paint, run, cross-country ski and read.
Pierre Bercy, MA, MBA, PD
Pronouns: he/him
Mental Health and Wellness Counsellor
Pierre holds a master’s degree in counselling and Spirituality from Saint Paul University. In addition to individual therapy, he is offering couple counselling services with focus on spirituality, resilience, attachment and positive therapy. In his practice, Pierre uses different techniques such as mindfulness, CBT, EFT, IMAGO, Gestalt, etc. He has extensive experience helping people with depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, school or work stress, grief, self-esteem and anger issues. He has a multicultural background and is fully bilingual (French and English). He also speaks Haitian Creole as he is originally from Haïti.
Before working as a Mental Health and Wellness Counsellor, Pierre had spent 23 years working at the IT department of the University of Ottawa as a business analyst. He had completed his bachelor’s degree in Management Information System at Telfer School of Management as well as his Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Kali Musa, M.Ed., RP (Qualifying)
Pronouns: she/her
Senior Psychotherapist
Kali is a registered psychotherapist (qualifying) and a proud University of Ottawa alumna. She holds a master’s of education in counselling psychology and has been actively involved in the uOttawa community since her bachelor’s. Kali is passionate about working with students. She’s dedicated to creating a safe, supportive counselling environment, a nurturing space where students feel accepted, and to fostering a similar environment beyond the counselling sessions.
Kali uses a person-centred and trauma-informed approach to counselling and likes to incorporate aspects of relational-cultural theory, emotion-focused therapy and narrative therapy. Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, Kali worked as a behavioural counsellor, primarily with autistic Indigenous women. In her free time, Kali enjoys being out in nature, spending time with loved ones, discovering new music and shows, and playing chess.
Carolyn Mirotchnick
Pronouns: she/her
Clinical psychologist
Dr. Carolyn Mirotchnick holds a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Victoria. She completed her pre-doctoral psychology residency at the University of Ottawa’s Centre for Psychological Services and Research and The Ottawa Hospital. Prior to joining the team at the University of Ottawa’s Student Health and Wellness Centre, she worked at a private practice clinic in the community and at The Ottawa Hospital Eating Disorders Program.
Dr. Mirotchnick balances warmth and collaboration to provide evidence-based psychological care to address a broad range of problems, including anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, mood disorders, eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, trauma, grief, perfectionism, sleep difficulties, and struggles with self-worth.
Her main theoretical orientation is cognitive-behavioural therapy but she also incorporates strategies from dialectical behaviour therapy, emotion-focused therapy, interpersonal therapy, and motivational interviewing. In her free time, Dr. Mirotchnick loves spending time in the sun, exploring new places, and playing with her dog.
Physical health
The medical team at the Student Health and Wellness Centre is exclusively dedicated to the physical health and wellness of uOttawa and Saint-Paul University students. Through medical care for a range of health issues - and in a shared care model - the team is there to help students stay healthy and well throughout their studies.
Helga Ehrlich, MD, CCFP, FCFP
Pronouns: she/her
Family Physician, Psychotherapist
Helga has been a family physician for over 30 years. She has recently completed additional training in psychodynamic and Brief - Focused psychotherapy. She is a member of MDPAC (MD Psychotherapists of Canada). In her current role she is working with students who are having challenges with anxiety, depression, OCD, substance misuse, as well as a number of other mental health challenges. The pandemic has brought abundant additional mental health challenges for many. Helga is keen to work with our Student Health and Wellness Centre mental health team in bringing about significant and lasting mental health improvements to all seeking our care. Being a part of an individual's health journey is rewarding as well as a privilege to be a part of.
Louise Fullerton
Pronouns: she/her
Clinical Physician
Dr. Louise Fullerton has been involved in Student Health for more than 12 years and considers assisting young people with their health journeys to be her ‘ niche ‘. She has had many parts to a long career including Emergency Medicine in big and small hospitals, a full family practice from babies to elderly and a hospitalist in underserviced areas. She is a life long learner, teaching Medical Students and Residents, and being an Examiner for Medical licensing exams for over 30 years. She was recently appointed as a Lecturer at uOttawa.
Dr Fullerton was born in the Yukon but attended uOttawa Medical School and did her Residency in Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine here as well and remembers when the campus looked very different! She is very enthusiastic about what the new Student Health and Wellness Centre brings to Campus.
She has 2 grown children who are involved in academia, a husband who golfs a lot, and 2 little granddaughters whom she adores and is teaching to swim.
Her most rewarding moments of practice are meeting with students individually and getting to know them and their concerns. They also keep her engaged and enthusiastic about life as well! YOLO in her heart.
Mélanie Bujold, RPN
Pronouns: she/her
Registered Practical Nurse
Melanie has been a nurse for 19 years, worked most of her career at the Montfort hospital. Melanie started her career on the surgical and medicine unit, day surgery, emergency department and ambulatory clinic. Melanie also worked as a clinical instructor at Collège La Cité. Melanie loves her nursing career and is passionate about being able to help people/students. She really enjoys and appreciates her new career here at uOttawa. She is from a small town in northern ontario called New Liskeard (1.5hrs past North Bay) and did her schooling at Collège Boréal in Sudbury. She is a mother of 2 young children whom she adores. On her days off she enjoys doing activities with her children, you can find her at her campground in Perth during the summer. Other than nursing she is passionate about fishing, she LOVES TO FISH!
Health promotion and education
The Health Promotion and Education team promotes and advocates for healthy living in the student community. Through educational campaigns, workshops, events, and more, the team provides space, knowledge and tools students can use to live healthy and well at uOttawa.
Gianne Coronel, Hon. BSocSc
Pronouns: she/they
Health Promotion Specialist – Portfolio: Peer Support
A proud uOttawa alumna with a degree in Economics and Public policy, Gianne serendipitously stumbled into the world of student health, wellness, and support. Her diverse experience gained through her studies complements her passion for mental health and supporting the uOttawa student community.
Gianne has over 6 years' experience in health promotion and education with the Health Promotion team. Her special interests include workplace integration of JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) practices, policy analysis in various public settings (e.g., health care systems, post-secondary institutions), and project management. In her spare time, you can catch Gianne on the yoga mat, hanging out with her cat, Miette, or outdoors on a hike in nature.
Sara DiFrancesco
Pronouns: She/Her
Health Promotion Specialist - Clinical Portfolio
With over three years of experience in health promotion, Sara is committed to fostering a culture of wellness at uOttawa. She collaborates closely with staff and students to tackle a wide range of health topics. She also works one-on-one with students to promote healthy lifestyles and empower individuals to make informed choices.
As a uOttawa graduate, Sara understands the unique challenges that both students and the broader University community face. Sara focuses on creating inclusive, accessible programs for all students. Beyond her work, you’ll find Sara volunteering in her community, keeping physically active, and spending lots of time with her family and friends.
Jake Ross
Pronouns: He/Him
Health Promotion Specialist - Portfolio: Outreach and Education
Jake holds a master’s degree in public health along with a bachelor’s degree in health science (BHSc) from uOttawa, and is very passionate about student health, wellness and support. In his outreach and education role, Jake is responsible for developing and running the Peer Wellness Education Program, planning and delivering wellness activities and events, and developing social media content.
Jake first joined the uOttawa Health Promotion Team as a volunteer peer wellness educator in 2020. Following his time as a volunteer, he moved into the role of peer wellness lead for the physical and nutritional health team, where he was instrumental in ensuring the continuity of health education and student engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jake’s personal goal is to have a lasting impact in the domains of physical activity and recreation, mental health, and men’s health.
Student support
The Student Support team offers non-clinical case management services to students with complex needs at the University of Ottawa. Their goal is to provide students with an integrated approach to managing their complex academic, health, or personal needs.
Corey MacDonald
Pronouns: he/him
Student Support Specialist
Corey has spent the last 15 years providing support to students of all ages and abilities in the secondary and post-secondary environment. With his background in high performance sport, he has a strong understanding of the importance of maintaining a healthy balance of physical exercise and mental wellbeing and provides practical advice to students on how to achieve this. He uses a student-centered approach to coach students as they develop relevant learning strategies to ensure that they can successfully attain their personal and professional goals.
Corey uses his spare time to get involved in his community coaching various sports teams and exploring the city by bike with his family.
Muriel Rowe
Pronouns: she/her
Student Support Specialist
Muriel has worked in the field of adult education and student services for close to twenty years. Prior to joining the Student Support Team she held various positions within uOttawa’s Residence Life Team, serving as Assistant Manager, Interim Manager, and Residence Life Coordinator. She also brings experience from a range of roles at other institutions in Ontario, from both the public and private sectors. Muriel is a lifelong learner and has pursued degrees and certificates across many disciplines, including organisational leadership, conflict resolution, education, law, language, safety, and the social sciences. While completing her master’s degree she particularly enjoyed researching adolescent development and educational leadership. As a trainer and mentor herself, Muriel has specialised in offering trainings focusing on non-violent crisis intervention, conflict resolution, emergency management, building community engagement, and leadership skills training. Muriel enjoys helping students to navigate all manner of challenges while also coaching life and leadership skills. Outside of work Muriel adores travelling to visit friends, reading and sleeping, and to her neighbours’ chagrin is perpetually convinced that instruments can be learned through enthusiastic yet infrequent practice. She is always thrilled to appreciate other people’s efforts at cooking and gardening. ;)
Roberte Krystina Sainté
Pronouns: she/her
Student Support Specialist
I love working with students and help them get better in all aspects of their lives. I have a background in mental health, counselling and domestic violence. I have worked with a lot of different clientele so far in my career and the students, sometimes, embody all these different clientele and it makes it easier for me to help and support them. I thrive when I'm helping people make a difference in their life and get the proper resources.
Management
The management team sets priorities for the sector, coordinates efforts in a shared care model, and provides guidance and support to help create a culture of health and wellness on campus.
Andrée-Anne Maranda
Pronouns: she/her
Associate Director – Psychotherapy and Mental Health Services
Andrée-Anne is committed to contributing to the university community, along with her wonderful team, to offer the most supportive services to students, in order to increase their well-being and mental health. Her career path has led her to study and work in psychology, counselling and organizational development.
Her current role reflects her interest in building institutional capacity for the wellness of the student community. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, music, and cheering on Geegees by attending games, surrounded by family members. Go Geegees, go!
Jaclyne Mooney
Pronouns: she/her
Manager, Student Support
Jaclyne Mooney is the Manager of the Student Support team. Since taking on her current role in May 2021, she has built a comprehensive case management framework that supports students with complex needs at uOttawa. In her capacity as manager, she leads a team of seven Student Support Specialists, who provide essential case management support to the uOttawa community. Her team's work involves collaborating with various stakeholders to collect information, perform risk assessments, and intervene as necessary to ensure the campus community's safety.
Jackie's extensive experience in supporting students and youth spans more than a decade at uOttawa (with the Residence Life team and at the Academic Office of the Faculty of Health Sciences) as well as at McGill University and in other educational and community organizations. She spent several years working at a residential treatment center for adolescents with developmental trauma, where she honed her skills in crisis intervention, de-escalation and supporting equity-deserving populations.
In addition to managing student support operations, Jackie is also passionate about facilitating workshops for staff and students, including ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), safeTALK, Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Assault, Bystander intervention and more to help build the community’s capacity to better support each other and our students.
In her free time, Jackie enjoys biking, hiking, baking, and reading. She values being active and engaging in activities that allow her to unwind and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Jennifer Keays, MPH, HBSc
Pronouns: she/her
Senior Manager - Health Promotion and Student Health and Wellness Centre
A New Brunswick native, Jennifer has dedicated her career to supporting the wellness of University of Ottawa students.
She developed expertise in public health after completing studies in the area, and is committed to applying her knowledge to contribute to a wellness-centred student culture.
Motivated by this challenge and passionate about public health, Jennifer has raised the University’s profile in Canada and elsewhere thanks to the achievements of her health promotion team.
Mélissa Lafrance, M.Ed., CCC, RP
Pronouns: she/her
Manager, Psychotherapy and Mental Health Services
Mélissa is Manager of the Psychotherapy and Mental Health Services. She is passionate about working with her wonderful team of psychotherapists and counsellors to foster a culture of mental health and well-being at uOttawa.
Mélissa has over a decade of experience working as a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) at the University of Ottawa. As a manager of mental health services, she oversees the administration and delivery of high-quality mental health services to meet the diverse and complex needs of the student population. In her spare time, Mélissa enjoys spending time with her family, travelling and exploring the world, reading, being creative and collecting cacti.
Layal Dleikan, MSc
Pronouns: she/her
Manager, Psychotherapy and Mental Health Services
Layal has been a practicing clinician for over twelve years, delivering client centered, evidence- based treatment to families, couples, and individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health challenges. After practicing within the College of Alberta Psychologists in Alberta, Layal relocated to Ottawa in 2013.
Along with her clinical practice, Layal has vast knowledge in leading teams towards excellence in mental health and wellness having spent the last several years of her career overseeing the mental health and wellness team for Canadian Armed Forces families in the National Capital Region.
Manager of Psychotherapy and Mental Health Services at the University of Ottawa's Student Health and Wellness Centre, Layal oversees the administration and delivery of high-quality mental health services to meet the diverse and complex needs of the student population. Layal is passionate about working with the fantastic team of clinicians to foster a culture of mental health and well-being at uOttawa!
Patrick Leclair
Pronouns: he/him
Medical Director, Student Health and Wellness Centre
Dr. Leclair was born in Montreal and studied at the Faculty of Medicine of the Université de Montréal.
With his academic and professional background, he brings multidisciplinary expertise in family medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, medical biology and addiction medicine to the Centre.