The FVSD has three Mental Health Therapists providing one-on-one support to children and youth who require tier three interventions.
Our Mental Health Therapists provide confidential, individual counselling for students during school hours upon receiving parental consent. Individual referrals can be made using the online referral form.
Connection Team Referral Form
Areas of concern that FVSD Mental Health Therapists can assist with:
- Anxiety & Depression
- Diagnosis of a Mental Health Disorder
- Grief & Loss
- Trauma & Abuse
- Suicidal Thoughts
Contact information for our Mental Health Therapists can be found below.
Mental Health Therapists
Home School:
Spirit of the North Community School
10801-102 Street, High Level
Debbie is a seasoned professional with a Master's in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and is registered with the Canadian Professional Counselling Association. Since joining the Fort Vermilion School Division (FVSD) in 2003, she has worked diligently with families and school personnel to safeguard the well-being of children and youth. Her work involves assessing challenging situations, offering continuous support, and fostering growth. With experience working with diverse populations facing various mental health challenges, Debbie applies a client-centered approach grounded in a strength-based framework. Her primary goal is to foster a strong, empowering connection with clients, promoting trust and a meaningful relationship throughout the counselling process.
Home School:
High Level Learning Store/
At-Home Learning Centre
10800 Rainbow Boulevard, High Level
Kansus moved to High Level in the fall of 1991 and spent the next thirty years working with children and families in High Level and surrounding area in various roles with the Government of Alberta, Children’s Services. She is thrilled to have joined FVSD in September 2021 as she sees it as an opportunity to work more closely with children and families.
She believes that we all have a responsibility to come alongside one another with love and compassion in supporting everyone in reaching their full potential. Kansus considers it a privilege to work with children and families and is committed to honoring those she works with by approaching them from a strength-based solution focused perspective focusing on building resilience.
Kansus holds a Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Calgary. She has been a member of the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) for over 25 years, and is in the process of obtaining the specialized clinical designation Registered Clinical Social Worker (RCSW). She is excited to have to opportunity to provide mental health services to children and their families as a member of the FVSD Connection Team.
Home School:
Florence MacDougall School
10802 Rainbow Blvd. High Level
Barb has worked for the Fort Vermilion School Division since the fall of 2014. She has been practicing as a Mental Health Therapist for over twenty years within both the education and health systems. She received her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Victoria which enhanced her undergrad degrees in the areas of social work, arts, and education. She is a member in good standing with the Alberta College of Social Workers.
In her practice, Barb believes that all work must start with building a strong relationship. In this regard, she emphasizes compassion, kindness, empathy, and connection. She utilizes a person centred, trauma informed approach to therapeutic work and believes in promoting well-being while building on resiliency skills and connecting clients to the community and their own natural supports.