Executive Director & Education Coordinator
Mason Shell (MCP, RCC) graduated with his Masters in Counseling Psychology from Adler University after completing his clinical practicum at the BCSMSSA. He has also worked with the Actor’s Union and Vancouver Film School. Though he works eclectically and incorporates multiple modalities into his work, he takes a foundationally narrative approach to therapy, believing the client is always the expert of their own story and that working with their interpretation of their own life is essential. He takes a grounded, non-judgmental, compassionate, and open-minded approach with clients while working through problems, but also believes that productive therapy should address how a client emerges and moves forward. Mason has worked with PTSD, depression, anxiety, BPD, OCD, couples, and groups, and he is always driven to continue his own learning and growth to better accommodate the needs of diverse clients. In 2018, Mason also took on an educational role and now facilitates seminars on male trauma.
Supervisors
Paul Whitehead (Ph.D., CCC) finished his Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia in 2005. He has taken advanced training in group therapy and therapeutic enactment techniques, as well as Levels 1 and 2 training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Paul has been a therapist with the BCSMSSA since completing his Masters’ Practicum training with this agency in 1997. Paul currently works with the agency as a clinical supervisor.
Mary Lang, (MA, RCC) has a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology. She has been with our agency since September 2004. She uses an integrative approach inspired by Collaborative and Narrative therapies, as well as Emotionally Focused therapy. Her understanding of child development, attachment theory, current post-traumatic stress research, and Buddhist mindfulness (Vipassana) concepts and practices influence her counseling approach. Mary now manages and provides therapy in our new Courtenay location on Vancouver Island. Mary currently works with the agency as a clinical supervisor.
Therapists
To contact a therapist please include their name in the subject of an email to therapy@bc-malesurvivors.com
Maureen Kwong (MACP, RCC) After an 8 months internship through her Master’s of Arts in Counselling Psychology program, Maureen joined the clinical staff in January 2018. Her approach to therapy is warm and non-judgemental and focuses on the quality of the therapeutic relationship as the basis for client growth and change. Through the relationship, she integrates modalities to flex and attune with the individuals’ needs – whether, affectively, cognitively, behaviourally, or physiologically and is informed by neurosciences and developmental perspectives. Maureen also continuously pursues current research and is committed to personal development, understood as an important part of her own professional advancement and passion for efficacy.
Daniel Prince joined the BCSMSSA staff as a full-time therapist after completing a 12-month practicum with the clinic. Prior to coming to BCSMSSA, he worked in international development in post-conflict communities of Central America and Eastern Africa for a number of years. Dan is currently completing the final chapter of his thesis on Cycles of Retaliatory Violence as the final requirement of his Masters of Counselling at City University. He has also attained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Victoria, with a focus on neuropsychology, and an Applied Bachelor degree in Non-profit Management from Mount Royal University. Dan specializes in working with anger, dissociation, and social disconnection and looks to support his clients in their journey of healing by focusing on increasing psychological and physiological flexibility. He practices from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and a Polyvagal informed approach. Dan helps his clients in feeling more connected to the vitalizing components of their life, and gaining tools and strategies to counter the deep roots of trauma. When not at the clinic, he is a lover of nature, philosophy, and overly-pricey coffee. Dan is also the co-founder of Fortify Mental Health, a new mental health initiative supporting high-level athletes transitioning out of competition.
Sonja Huege (MCP, RCC) joined the team at Male Survivors after completing her 8-month practicum with us. Her work is founded on the principles of attachment theory, which means that she sees people within the context of important relationships that have impacted them throughout their lives. She utilizes talk therapy as well as body-based techniques, DBT skills and mindfulness strategies to help clients reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, break patterns that have taken over their lives and begin to choose the experience of life in all of its sorrows and joys over emotional numbing and running from other deep pain. She works with clients to help identify triggers, set boundaries, and practice self-compassion and safe care. Her hope for her clients is that when the therapeutic relationship comes to a close, her clients understand how their complex trauma has impacted their lives and how they can become active choice-makers in their lives again. She hopes that they have a more deeply connected relationship with themselves and with others around them.
Mark Kerr is a highly experienced and accomplished Registered Clinical Counsellor who is also a university professor with over 15 years of experience in the field of psychology in a variety of roles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Distinction from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia. Mark’s unique combination of clinical expertise and academic experience enables him to bring a rich and diverse perspective to his work. His passion for helping others extends beyond his clinical practice and is evident in his commitment to mentorship, education, and community engagement. He is a dedicated lifelong learner, regularly attending professional development workshops and training sessions to stay up to date with the latest research and techniques within the field. Mark’s approach to counselling is grounded in empathy, understanding, and a deep commitment to helping his clients achieve their goals. He believes in the power of the therapeutic relationship and in human resiliency, thus he also comes from a strength-based approach whereby clients are supported and challenged in a safe and non-judgmental environment. Mark has helped individuals from all walks of life overcome emotional and physical trauma, anxiety, depression, and stress. However, as a male counsellor, Mark also recognizes some of the unique challenges that men face in seeking help and works with his clients to overcome those barriers.
Poran Poregbal (MA, RSW, RCC) is a doctorate candidate and is working on her doctorate degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Poran earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in 2008. Poran is a registered clinical counsellor with the BC Association for Clinical Counsellors and a registered social worker with the BC College of Social Workers. She has been practicing in the fields of Counselling, Social Work, Rehabilitation, and Victim Support for the past 29 years of her professional career. Poran Joined BCSMSSA in 2004 as a victim support worker, offering victim support and crisis intervention to male survivors of sexual abuse. Since September 2011, Poran has been a therapist within this agency in conjunction with her private practice located in West Vancouver. Poran is a trauma-focused and person-centred psychotherapist providing an evidence-based and culturally appropriate treatment for her clients. Poran is on multiple advisory committees, and she is the executive director of a non-profit agency providing clinical and psycho-educational services to individuals and families from various intersections and walks of life. Poran is fluent in English, Farsi and Swedish.
Jenna Mitchell is a Registered Clinical Counselor and holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Adler University. She has a research background in men’s health and sexuality. She completed her practicum with the B.C. Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse, working with a variety of presenting issues. She has supported clients with trauma, sexual abuse, anxiety, depression, grief, and other mental health concerns. Jenna uses a blend of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as well as Emotion Focused Therapy in her sessions.
Practicum Clinicians
Master’s level practicum clinicians commit to an eight months training program with us, as part of their degree requirements. practicum clinicians have come to us from universities in seven countries. Their work with us involves individual therapy and co-facilitating a twelve-week cycle of group therapy.
Ava Kottmeier is a practicum clinician currently completing her Master of Counselling Psychology with Adler University. She has several years of experience working in social services to support under-resourced populations experiencing mental health conditions and systems of oppression. She approaches therapy by helping clients take advantage of their strengths while also holding space for their areas of struggle. Her work centres talk therapy while also encouraging creative and body-based activities to support emotional processing and provide an expressive outlet for both joy and pain. Ava has experience supporting clients with anxiety, stress, depression, 2SLGBTQIA+ issues, relationship concerns, life transitions, trauma healing, and more. When you finish working with Ava, you might realize that you understand the world differently, that you have answers to your questions, or that you’ve acquired a new skill.
Mason Slavner has 10+ years of experience working with people experiencing addiction and mental illness, as well as homelessness. Before starting his Masters in Counselling Mason worked with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), coaching parents whose children had behavioral issues. He is passionate about gender advocacy, and has also spent the last 4 years volunteering with Next Gen Men. Mason believes in every person’s fundamental ability to change and grow. He is ecstatic to work with anyone who is willing to look inward, and create positive change for themselves. When he is not counselling you can find him on a mountain somewhere, either rock climbing in the summer, or skiing in the winter.