| Billie-Jo Bennett, MSW RSW, CPT-S
She holds a Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University. Billie-Jo is a Registered Social Worker (RSW), Certified Play Therapist and Supervisor with the Canadian Association of Play therapy (CAPT), EMDR Certified Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Billie-Jo is an EMDR child Specialist (AGATE) trained to work with various levels of trauma including simple, complex and dissociative disorders. Billie-Jo is also trained in the EMDR Sand tray protocol (AGATE) for complex trauma and dissociation, as well as the AGATE EMDR Parent/Child Attachment Specialist Protocols. Billie-Jo is an integrative therapist who uses a variety of modalities including Child Centered Play therapy, EMDR, Theraplay®, Sand tray, and NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback to support the healing journey for her clients. Billie-Jo is also a Circle of Security® facilitator and is well versed in attachment and supporting parents in their parenting journey. In addition to the above specializations, Billie-Jo is also faculty at Envision Workshops, offering facilitation of basic EMDR training. She is available for EMDR consultation for certification, case consultation as well as for those wanting to become an EMDRIA Approved consultant. Billie-Jo works with all ages including children, adolescents and children. She has worked with complex trauma over the span of her career, including twenty years in child welfare and residential settings prior to transitioning into private practice. Billie-Jo is passionate about cultivating the healing space at The Purple Butterfly Healing Centre for children, teens, adults, and families. The clinic is nestled in the heart of downtown Hespeler in a 180-year-old historic building. Much thought and care has gone into the development of two fully equipped play therapy rooms, counselling spaces, and a neurofeedback office to support the healing journey for clients that seek refuge at The Purple Butterfly Healing Centre.
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Rachel Porter, MSW, RSW
Rachel joined the team at The Purple Butterfly Healing Centre Services in September 2021 as a child and adolescent therapy intern. She holds a Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a Registered Social Worker. Rachel completed her intensive training in play therapy through the Canadian Association for Play therapy (CAPT) in 2022. Rachel is working toward certification in play therapy. Rachel is also trained in EMDR. She has a rare and unique skill at being able to bridge theory to practice. Rachel is certified in NeurOptimal®Neurofeedback, and is the coordinator and lead provider of Neurofeedback for our clients here at The Purple Butterfly Healing Centre. Rachel is available Monday to Friday for neurofeedback sessions. Additionally, Rachel has completed training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and has special interest in narrative therapy, solution focused therapy, and play therapy. Rachel strives to make families, children and adolescents feel comfortable and welcomed on their therapeutic journey.
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Billie-Jo is the owner, lead therapist,
Katie Bauer, M.A. Psych, RSW, CPT
Katie joined The Purple Butterfly Healing Centre in September 2023. She holds a Masters of Developmental Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University, is a Registered Social Worker, and a Certified Play Therapist with the Canadian Association for Play Therapy. She has also completed a Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Care & Psychotherapy through Martin Luther University College.
Katie has additional training in working with children’s grief, anxiety, and healthcare-related experiences. She has worked with clients with depression and anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, as well as behavioral challenges at school, home, or in the community. Katie also has experience with Autism. Katie provides play therapy for children ages 3-12, involving their grown-ups through intake and regular parent/caregiver sessions. She finds great joy in providing a warm, inviting, and therapeutic space for children to work through their difficult experiences, and much satisfaction in supporting them and their caregivers as they heal.
Heather Faulkner, MSW, RSW
Paige Murtagh, BSW, RSW
Paige is one of our Neuroptimal(R) Neurofeedback team members. Paige holds a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a Registered Social Worker (RSW).
Paige enjoys working with diverse populations and age ranges. She strives encourage an inclusive, safe and welcoming environment for all. Paige is available for Saturday and evening neurofeedback appointments.
Lisa Sauve, BSW, RSW
Lisa Sauve is a Registered Social Worker, and has been practicing clinical work for over 20 years in various capacities. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Laurentian University, having graduated in 1998. Lisa recently returned to school to obtain her Master of Social Work at the University of Waterloo. Lisa brings with her a wealth of experience working with children, youth and parents and adults in general. She has certification in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Level 1 Trauma Therapy, to name a few. She pulls from a variety of other creative clinical modalities such as play and art. She has extensive experience supporting children and youth with ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Depression and PTSD.
Lisa is the single parent of four children and understands how difficult parenting can be. Her passion is to provide interventions, tools and strategies to parents and caregivers of children from birth to teenagers. She practices through a lens of attachment and trauma. She has supported countless parents to understand the emotional needs of children, recognizing that behaviour is a form of communication.
Lisa also brings her years of practice working with Indigenous children and parents, with an understanding of inter-generational trauma and works with a culture sensitive approach.
She has experience with children experiencing gender dysphoria, and those that identify with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
We are very pleased to have Lisa join us as an MSW intern and clinician here at The Purple Butterfly Healing Centre.
Santiago Grande Garcia, B.A., B.S.W., M.S.W., R.S.W.
Santiago Grande Garcia is a Registered Social Worker in the province of Ontario with over two decades of clinical experience related to individual, couple, family and group counselling. Santiago possesses deep understanding of trauma, displacement, colonization, systemic barriers, oppression and discrimination, and how these challenges may shape mental health, wellbeing and healing of individuals and communities.
In his clinical practice, Santiago integrates knowledge and skills pertaining to evidence-based therapeutic techniques, story telling, diverse worldviews and healing paradigms, principles of social justice, inner spiritual growth processes and spiritual practices. Santiago is also trained in EMDR.
Santiago is an Indigenous person from the Nahuatl Community in Meso-America and is fluent in the English and Spanish languages.
In addition to clinical work, Santiago has made significant contributions to the local, regional, provincial, national and international communities through his relentless work as a front-line social worker, community connector, field education coordinator, part-time faculty member, program manager, research collaborator, administrator, and board member.
Jo-Ann Babb, M.S.W., R.S.W.
Jo-Ann is an experienced social worker with over 18 years of clinical experience.
She is a warm, compassionate and dedicated clinician. Jo-Ann’s passion lies in guiding individuals on their
healing journey. Jo-Ann has an affinity for working with those recovering from trauma, past abuse, neglect and adverse life experiences.
Jo-Ann has worked in various healthcare settings including children’s mental health, adult mental and addictions, indigenous services, senior care, and aiding survivors of sexual trauma.
Jo-Ann’s therapeutic approach centres on finding and building on her client’s unique strengths while supporting them to embark on their journey of healing and recovery. Jo-Ann recognizes that life’s challenges, coupled with past trauma and adversity can hinder individuals from living their best life. Jo-Ann’s therapeutic approach supports clients to heal from their past, fosters a better present and future. She strives to support clients to develop internal personal power and peace.
Jo-Ann takes a client centered approach establishing a genuine connection with each person
she works with, while creating a collaborative and supportive therapeutic environment. Jo-Ann
is eclectic and draws from various modalities within a trauma informed framework. Jo-Ann is
EMDR trained, and utilizes other modalities such as DBT, CBT, and mindfulness.
Mahnaz Aminzadeh, M.S.W., R.S.W.
Mahnaz Aminzadeh is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with Master of Social Work (MSW) from Wilfrid Laurier University. Mahnaz has over 20 years of experience in providing therapy, training and consults around mental health to individuals, couples, families and within group settings. Mahnaz is an EMDR trained clinician. Additionally, Mahnaz has immense clinical experience working with children and parents from an attachment lens.
Mahnaz’s vision is to help individuals develop a “new normal” that fosters greater clarity, strength, purpose, and peace. She approaches therapy with a deep respect for each individual’s strengths and struggles. She integrates various evidence-based modalities such as EMDR, Trauma-focused CBT, Attachment based therapy, Vicarious Trauma Response, and Mindfulness approaches to empower clients with improved coping and life skills.
Through her work, Mahnaz assists her clients deal with trauma, abuse, grief and loss, codependency and maladaptive relationship patterns, parenting, life-stage challenges, anxiety, panic, depression, stress, separation, self-esteem, immigration stress, etc.
Mahnaz blends elements of mindfulness, self-awareness, self-compassion, and self-development into her practice because she believes through this practice individuals can gain a better understanding of themselves, heal from past wounds, develop positive coping strategies, improve relationships, clarify values and goals, and experience post-traumatic growth. Offering a caring and non-judgmental environment, Mahnaz practices from a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Mahnaz relies on her extensive knowledge
and experience in working with different diverse groups to recognize and address the unique challenges related to dysfunctional relationships, gender, culture, sexual orientation, and race.
In addition to clinical work, Mahnaz has worked as a front-line social worker, a national program coordinator/manager, educator, research collaborator, and board member.
Mahnaz in fluent in English and Persian/ Farsi languages.
Vanessa Curry, M.S.W., R.S.W.
Vanessa joined the Purple Butterfly Healing Centre team in April 2024 holding a Master in Social Work from the University of Toronto, with a specialization in children and families.
Vanessa is a registered social worker, with previous clinical experience in counselling with children and adolescents as well as running various group programs. She utilizes a client centered approach, incorporating mindfulness into her grief and trauma work.
Vanessa has extensive experience supporting and working with children, teens, adults and families that have been impacted by a cancer diagnosis.
Vanessa is completing intensive training in child and play therapy through the Canadian Association for Play Therapy (CAPT).
Vanessa is passionate about working with children and building strong emotional practices to help children regulate their emotions more effectively.
Welcome Vanessa!
Our Healing Space
The Purple Butterfly Healing Centre is located in a historic 180-year-old office space nestled in old Hespeler Village (Cambridge, Ontario).
Our healing space is designed to support all client populations including adults, adolescents, and children.
Our vision is to provide a warm and welcoming space for all.