Better You Counselling Services

01/30/2026

Welcome to the Better You Ottawa Team Maryem!

Maryem Bengassem
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
BA, M.Ed, RP(Q)

Maryem Bengassem is a dedicated and compassionate Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Carleton University and a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of Ottawa. With professional experience supporting individuals across the lifespan, Maryem brings a warm, culturally attuned, and client-centered approach to therapy.

Maryem specializes in multicultural, religious, and ethnic identity work and has a strong interest in helping clients navigate the complexities of belonging, family expectations, intergenerational dynamics, and the experience of moving between cultures. She has supported children, youth, and adults through a wide range of challenges, including trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, emotional dysregulation, self-esteem, grief, relationship conflict, academic pressure, and life transitions. With extensive experience in child and youth development, Maryem is particularly passionate about supporting young people and families.

Maryem draws from evidence-based modalities such as CBT, ACT, mindfulness-based approaches, and psychoeducation and adapts her work to meet each client’s unique emotional, developmental, and cultural needs. Her therapeutic style is grounded in validation, compassion, and collaborative problem-solving, with a particular focus on highlighting her clients’ strengths and building resilience. Central to Maryem’s practice is the fostering of a safe, non-judgmental, and empowering therapeutic space. She believes that feeling truly heard is essential to healing, especially in a world where many voices go unheard. Her goal is to walk alongside clients as they navigate their challenges, deepen their self-awareness, and move toward greater balance, fulfillment, and well-being.

Maryem looks forward to connecting with new clients and supporting them in their growth journey

Our registered social workers work collaboratively with you to address concerns such as stress, anxiety, mood changes, relationship difficulties, life transitions, trauma, personal development and more. Sessions are confidential, client-focused, and shaped around your goals and needs.

01/25/2026

Better You Counselling Services is proud to sponsor and introduce Team Ryan McLuckie and Susie Trotter! 💃🕺
They will be dancing in this year’s Dancing with the CCH Stars in support of an incredible cause.

Show your support by following their fundraising journey, making a pledge, or sharing their page with others.
Go team Ryan and Susie!! 🕺💃

Help us celebrate our CCH Stars! Today’s dance team spotlight features Ryan McLuckie and Susie Trotter, sponsored by Better You Counselling Services!!

Click the link below to learn more about Ryan and Susie, pledge their fundraising journey, and share their page with others! And don’t forget, tickets to this year’s Dancing with the CCH Stars event go on sale Monday, February 9th!

https://cornwallhospitalfoundation.ca/ryan-mcluckie-and-susie-trotter/

01/24/2026

We are thrilled to welcome Warren to our Cornwall Team!

Warren Rinas
REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKER
MSW, RSW

Warren Rinas has more than 4 years of experience in providing therapeutic services. He is a member of OCSWSSW and holds a Master’s dual-title degree in Social Work and Infant Mental Health, where he specialized in Family Systems.

Coming from a varied background, including work in the fields of engineering and software development, Warren has a keen interest in finding ways to relate mental-health concepts to those from other industries to speed up mental-health knowledge transfer and retention. He has experience in helping clients to heal from past trauma(s), to grieve significant losses, and, in general, to work towards a more desired state of self.

Pulling from a variety of different methodologies, Warren seeks to meet the client where they are in terms of challenges ranging from self-regulation to thought processing to relationship and family dynamics. Regardless of the approach taken, he aims to build on client strengths from a place of acceptance. He has been trained in trauma-informed approaches such as CPT and TIST, and is a certified provider of well-known treatments including ACT, CBT and DBT.

Warren enjoys helping clients to reach as many “a-ha” moments as possible. He is happy to be a part of the Better You Counselling team and would be delighted to help you on the next leg of your journey

Book your counselling appointment with Better You Counselling Services today! Offering treatment plans that are tailored to your needs.

01/21/2026

On Bell Let’s Talk Day, let’s come together to prioritize mental health. A simple conversation can spark hope, reduce stigma, and remind someone they’re not alone.

At Better You Counselling Services, we’re here to listen, support, and guide you toward healing. Let’s take the first step together.

01/16/2026

Welcome to the Better You Ottawa team Paddy!

Paddy Houston
Registered Social Worker
BSW, RSW

With over 35 years of experience in Social Work, Paddy Houston brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to her practice. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Carleton University and a Child and Youth Worker Diploma from Centennial College. Paddy is a proud member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and is certified in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). She is also a trained grief support worker through Bereaved Families of Ontario.

Paddy’s extensive background as a community mental health and school-based social worker has equipped her with deep expertise in supporting children, youth, and families. She specializes in helping individuals navigate challenges such as:

- Anxiety & Depression
- Self-Harm & Suicidal Ideation
- Trauma & Grief
- School Refusal & Relationship Issues
‍
Her approach is warm, encouraging, and non-judgmental, creating a safe space for healing and growth. Using evidence-based frameworks, Paddy emphasizes psychoeducation and cognitive behavioural strategies, tailoring treatment plans to meet each client’s unique needs.

In addition to her clinical work, Paddy is a LivingWorks Certified Trainer in:

- Applied Su***de Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
- safeTALK

She offers these trainings to organizations and community partners, empowering teams to build life-saving skills.

Paddy’s mission: To help you build on your strengths, overcome obstacles, and achieve lasting well-being.

Our registered social workers work collaboratively with you to address concerns such as stress, anxiety, mood changes, relationship difficulties, life transitions, trauma, personal development and more. Sessions are confidential, client-focused, and shaped around your goals and needs.

01/13/2026

We are thrilled to be a sponsor of this event and proud to support something that truly makes a difference in our community.

Our smash-hit fundraiser is BACK, and you’re not going to want to miss it!

We’ve heard from you and we’re thrilled to announce a brand-new Dancing with the CCH Stars show coming to Aultsville Theatre on March 7th, 2026.

Brought to you by our title sponsor, Blake Hambleton, Senior Investment Advisor, RBC Dominion Securities, and a host of incredible local sponsors, this event will get your toes tapping!

This year, we’re excited to welcome 8 teams from CCH to the stage. They’ve been in training with Beat Central Dance Company Cornwall, Ecole de danse Powell School of Dance inc. and Studio C Dance School since September, and they’ll be competing to win the Clinical Cup Trophy and $100,000(!) grand prize in medical equipment based on the project of their choice, serving local patients and frontline workers at CCH!

Remember, to win they need to collect the MOST points between dancing AND fundraising! You can visit www.cornwallhospitalfoundation.ca on Monday, January 12 to learn more about our 9 teams and pledge your favourites!

Last year, this event sold-out within 24 hours!! So don’t forget to SAVE THE DATE – tickets will go on sale to the public on Monday, February 9. If you don’t score a seat, the show will stream online again this year courtesy of MNP Keep an eye on this page for exciting news to come!
Better You Counselling Services, Bourgon Construction Chartwell McConnell Retirement Residence , Cornwall Community Hospital Auxiliary, Dubuc Eye Care Centre des soins visuels Fines Home Hardware Building Centre - Ingleside Kinsmen Club Of Cornwall MD Financial Management - Gestion financière MD Menard & Robertson MNP Seaway Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC LTD Be Beautiful Medical Dev Hotel & Conference Centre Balloon Babes

01/09/2026

Welcome to the Better You Ottawa team Marinela!

Marinela Braunstein
Registered Psychotherapists
MSc, RP, MFT

Marinela holds a Master’s degree in Couple & Family Therapy and she is a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.
She has over 20 years of experience in both private practice and community setting providing psychotherapy. In addition to practicing as an individual and couple's therapist, Marinela has facilitated numerous mental health groups, "lunch & learns" to several companies on 'mental health' topics, as well as previous experience teaching at the university level. Furthermore, Marinela is currently in the process of completing training in Divorce Mediation.

Marinela is passionate about working with individuals and couples who are struggling with relational issues, separation and divorce, anxiety, depression, postpartum struggles, self-esteem, boundaries and work stress. She believes in working together, in collaboration, to help her clients achieve their goals, focusing on clients’ strengths and resiliency. Marinela is trained in many different models of psychotherapy, and draws mainly from: narrative, solution focused, CBT, Gottman and psychoeducation-to name a few.

Marinela recognizes that life transitions can be hard and painful at times, and invites you to reach out to her - you do not need to go through it alone.

Our registered social workers work collaboratively with you to address concerns such as stress, anxiety, mood changes, relationship difficulties, life transitions, trauma, personal development and more. Sessions are confidential, client-focused, and shaped around your goals and needs.

12/23/2025

Happy Holidays from the Better You Ottawa team!

Wishing you peace, joy, and a bright year ahead. We look forward to welcoming you to our new office.

Book your counselling appointment with Better You Counselling Services today! Offering treatment plans that are tailored to your needs.

12/22/2025

Happy Holidays from the Better You Cornwall team!!

Wishing you peace, joy, and a bright year ahead.

Book your counselling appointment with Better You Counselling Services today! Offering treatment plans that are tailored to your needs.

12/18/2025

We are truly honoured to have been nominated once again for “Best Therapy and Counselling Clinic.” Your continued support inspires everything we do!

Please take a moment to vote by clicking the link below.
Thank you to our wonderful clients, community, and supporters!

Official 2025 Community Voting Awards Platform for Cornwall, ON. Where the community votes for their favourites every year.

12/15/2025

Welcome to the Better You Ottawa team Lori!

Lori Jardine
REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST
RP

Lori Jardine (she/her) is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and a proud member of the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OACYC). She brings extensive experience supporting children, youth, and families across a wide range of challenges. With more than 28 years of experience working in child and youth care, Lori has supported individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation difficulties, school-related stress, self-esteem concerns, family conflict, and complex behaviour needs. She has a deep passion for working with military families and first responders, recognizing the unique stressors, transitions, and relational impacts that can arise within these communities.

Lori’s approach is grounded in compassion, authenticity, and emotional safety. She values and works from a strength-based, trauma-informed, and non-judgmental perspective. Her therapeutic foundation includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills, Mindfulness-Based approaches, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. She tailors each session to reflect the individual needs, goals, and lived experiences of her clients. Lori is committed to supporting healthy attachment and strengthening caregiver–child relationships. She works closely with parents and caregivers to enhance communication, emotional regulation, and resilience within the family system.
Clients working with Lori can expect a warm, validating, and supportive space where they are heard, understood, and empowered. Her focus is on helping individuals build meaningful coping skills, deepen self-awareness, and move toward sustainable, positive change. Lori is very happy to be part of the Better You Counselling Services team and looks forward to connecting with you.

Maryem Bengassem is a dedicated and compassionate Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Carleton University and a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University o...

12/14/2025

Welcome to the Better You Ottawa team Ken!

Ken McIntosh
REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKER
MSW, RSW

Ken works with adults, teens, and pre-teens who are navigating anxiety, low self-esteem, identity concerns, and overwhelming emotions. Many of the people he supports come to therapy feeling stuck—caught in patterns of overthinking, people-pleasing, or self-doubt, unsure of how to move forward. Ken helps clients explore what’s getting in the way and supports them in building the insight and tools needed to feel more grounded, confident, and connected to themselves.

His approach is warm, collaborative, and active. Ken doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits-all model. He meets clients where they are, helps them make sense of their experiences, and supports them in taking steps that feel meaningful and doable. Ken sees his role as walking alongside clients—offering guidance, perspective, and practical strategies, while honouring that they are the experts in their own lives.

Ken has training in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and he uses these approaches flexibly based on each client’s needs and preferences. He also draws from insight-oriented and self-compassion approaches. Ken has particular experience supporting individuals working through shame, social anxiety, and sexual or gender identity exploration. He also enjoys working with clients who feel deeply, think a lot, or spend time in online or “nerdy” spaces—it’s part of his world, too.

Maryem Bengassem is a dedicated and compassionate Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Carleton University and a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University o...