Meet the Team

Manitoba College of Social Workers: Certificate #4068

Canadian Play Therapy Association: Play Therapist Intern Member # PTI-MB-1622

Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers #837541

Kathleen McDonald MSW RSW

Pronouns: She/Her

Kathleen has worked with children and youth in various roles since 2004. Kathleen has a Master’s of Social Work (MSW), and is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) and a Play Therapy Intern (PTI) with the Canadian Association of Play Therapy. Kathleen also has a background in criminology, early childhood education and youth work. Kathleen has advanced training in attachment, relationship-based practice and trauma-informed practices and treatments. Kathleen is a Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator (COS-P).

Kathleen works with children, youth, young adults and families, working from an attachment perspective, focusing on the healing nature of connection and relationships.

Kathleen is the owner and Clinical Director of Courageous Connections

Contact Kathleen: kathleen@courageousconnections.ca

Manitoba College of Social Workers: Certificate #5207

Ashley Gaboury MSW RSW

Pronouns: She/Her

Ashley is a Registered Social Worker (RSW). Ashely looks forward to meeting new people each week and building a connection with them. Ashley has a Masters of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Manitoba. Prior to beginning her journey in social work, she completed a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, focusing on behaviour modification, as well as obtaining a certificate in human resource management.

Ashley provides a safe and non-judgmental environment, coupled with the importance of building a foundation of trust being paramount. She is a firm believer in a private, safe, and culturally sensitive environment. She values compassion and kindness and lives by the principles of humility and integrity.

She endeavors to help others reach their goals and influence them to work towards their full potential on your journey together.

Contact Ashley: ashley@courageousconnections.ca

Manitoba College of Social Workers: Certificate # 5628

Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor #S2234

Christina Chan MSW, MSocSc, RPT-S

Pronouns: She/Her

Christina has over 15 years of experience working with children and families in Hong Kong. She has a Master’s of Behavioral Health from the University of Hong Kong. In addition, she has a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Manitoba. Christina became a registered play therapist (RPT) from the Association for Play Therapy (APT) in 2014 and registered as a supervisor (RPT-S) in 2018. She specialized in using play therapy to help children enhance emotional regulation and self-esteem and help parents understand children’s needs and explore their potential.

As a certified Circle of Security practitioner with over ten years of experience providing Child-Parent Relationship Therapy, Christina works with parents and children to establish secure attachment and develop an essential healthy development foundation. Christina also practices in trauma-informed practice as a Trauma Recovery Model Practitioner and is trained in Somatic Experiencing. 

Contact Christina: christina@courageousconnections.ca