Welcome to The Practice

Dr. Kathy Hubley Carruthers holds a B.Sc. with honours in Psychology from Acadia University (1994), a M.Sc. in Counselling Psychology from the University of Calgary (1999), and a Ph.D. in Applied Psychology from the University of Calgary (2002). As part of her doctoral training, she participated in the Family Therapy Training Program through the American Association for Marital and Family Therapy (AAMFT). She is a specialist in couples and family counselling. She is extensively trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). She also incorporates Mindfulness-Based, Emotion-Focused and Solution-Focused treatments in therapy.

Dr. Hubley Carruthers sees adolescents, couples, and families with a wide variety of concerns including relationship problems, anxiety, mood management difficulties, trauma-based injuries, learning and attention issues, and job/career concerns. She has a special interest in relational issues such as co-parenting, recovering from the crisis of infidelity, trust building, intimacy building, and forgiveness. She does work in rebuilding after separation/divorce.

In addition to therapy, Dr. Hubley Carruthers offers psychology assessment/screening for a wide variety of presenting concerns (i.e., PTSD, anxiety, depression, screening for ADHD, etc.). She also conducts Independent Psychological (Medical) Evaluations (IMEs) for solicitors working with clients who have experienced trauma (i.e., MVAs, slip & falls, assault, etc.). Dr. Hubley Carruthers has extensive training and experience in stress management and workplace wellness. She completed her doctoral research in the areas of stress management, burnout, and work-family balance. She continues to offer job coaching and job transition support services.

Dr. Hubley Carruthers is also a member of the Menopause Collaborative Working Group and the Women's & Gender Diverse Healthcare Councils. She works collaboratively with specialists in Primary Care (GPs), OBGYNs, Cardiologists, Urologists, Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists and others to provide evidence-based therapies to peri-menopausal and menopausal women. She is passionate about the mental health of women, and the unique challenges women face in accessing care in Nova Scotia.

Dr. Hubley Carruthers has 25+ years of experience working in family service agencies, teaching hospitals and private practice settings in Calgary and Halifax. She supervises newly registered Psychologists through the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology and leads an exemplary team of Associate Psychologists and staff at Dr. Hubley Carruthers & Associates.

Dr. Joanne Gillespie received her B.Sc. Honours (BioPsychology) from Mount Allison University (1997), a M.A. in Experimental Psychology from The University of Western Ontario (1999), and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from The University of Western Ontario (2005). She completed a predoctoral residency in Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology at the IWK Health Centre in 2004, and has been registered with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology since 2005.

In addition to her work at Dr. Kathy Hubley Carruthers Counselling & Psychological Services, Dr. Gillespie is employed full-time at the IWK Health Centre in the Pediatric Health Psychology Service. She is also an Adjunct (Clinical Associate) in the Department of Psychology at Dalhousie University, where she is actively involved in teaching and clinical supervision of Ph.D. students.

Dr. Gillespie specializes in health psychology, and has expertise working with preschoolers, school age children, adolescents, and families experiencing challenges with chronic illness, medical and dental anxiety, pain, medication taking (including treatment adherence and pill swallowing), stress management, toilet training, enuresis (bedwetting and daytime urine accidents), and encopresis (fecal soiling). Given her broader training in child clinical psychology, she is also able to provide treatment for a variety of additional challenges (e.g., anxiety, sleep, adjustment difficulties) in children and youth.

Dr. Gillespie values the collaborative nature of the therapeutic relationship, and works with children, youth, and families to identify behaviours they would like to change. She provides evidence-based treatment that primarily involves behavioural, cognitive-behavioural, and motivational interviewing techniques.

Dr. Joanna Hessen Kayfitz received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Windsor in 2013. She completed her pre-doctoral residency with the Capital District Health Authority Mental Health and Addictions Program. In addition to her general mental health training, she also completed sub-specialty training in Forensic Psychology through the East Coast Forensic Hospital.

As an associate with Dr. Hubley Carruthers & Associates, Dr. Kayfitz works with older adolescents over the age of 16 and adults who are experiencing a range of psychological difficulties, including depression, anxiety, trauma, relational and interpersonal problems, and adjustment challenges. She uses a variety of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioural therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Her work is evidence-informed and tailored to each individual's unique concerns and readiness for change.

Dr. Kayfitz also has subspecialty training in forensic psychology. She conducts psycho-diagnostic and recidivism risk assessments with youth and adults who are in conflict with the law. To avoid conflicts of interest, she does not accept private referrals for assessment under the YCJA. She has been retained by the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service, Nova Scotia Legal Aid, and private defense counsel to provide expert opinion and has been qualified as an expert witness in clinical and forensic psychology at both the Provincial and Appellate Court levels. She also conducts Independent Medical Examinations and Psychological Insurer Evaluations for individuals involved in motor vehicle accidents.

In addition to her private practice work, Dr. Kayfitz is employed with the IWK Youth Forensic Service as the Clinical Team Lead for Forensic Assessment. She is also a contract psychologist with Correctional Service Canada, where she conducts psychological risk assessments with federally incarcerated male offenders.

Céline Robert started her career in Switzerland after graduating with a Masters in Clinical and Health Psychology from the University of Fribourg, and a Masters of Advanced Studies in Clinical Social Psychology from the University of Lausanne. She has worked in various environments (hospital unit specialized in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, social rehabilitation, etc.) until 2013. She then moved to Winnipeg where she worked at the University of Manitoba in the Student Counselling Centre. In 2017, she had the opportunity to settle in the beautiful province of Nova Scotia where she works as a Psychologist, registered with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology.

Her philosophy is that everyone should be treated with respect and considered as unique. She cares that everyone coming to her office feels listened to and is treated with positive regard. She strongly values warmth and humor in therapy. Throughout her career, she gathered tools and knowledge that she is eager to share with her clients in order to help them in their journey of self-discovery. She has experience working with young adults and adults on issues such as depression, anxiety/worries, phobias, assertiveness, motivation, procrastination, emotion management, life transitions, and stressors associated with work, relationships or family. As an immigrant herself, she is very considerate and respectful of different cultural backgrounds.

Her practice of therapy includes theoretical elements and tools from Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Person-Centred Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Because everyone is different, she considers that mixing these approaches is more beneficial and provides more flexibility in therapy.

Etant de langue maternelle française, j'offre des services de thérapie francophone pour les adultes et jeunes adultes (18 ans et plus). Je n'offre malheureusement pas de service de thérapie ou d'évaluation pour enfants. N'hésitez pas à me contacter si vous souhaitez plus d'information.

Ms. MacAskill earned a B.A. in Psychology (with highest distinction) from San Francisco State University and an M.A in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University in San Francisco, California. She is certified as a health and wellness coach and registered with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners as a Psychologist (Candidate Register). She is under clinical supervision as part of her re-location to Nova Scotia, although has practiced as a clinician in the United States for years.

Ms. MacAskill completed a pre-doctoral internship in neuropsychology and has extensive training and experience in individual assessment, psychotherapy, and evidence-based treatment interventions. Her background also includes considerable experience in conducting groups in hospital and clinical settings.

Ms. MacAskill utilizes an Integrative and Positive Psychology approach that focuses on a client's personality strengths, mental health stability markers, and overall health and wellbeing. She has a collaborative, interactive and empathetic communication style with clients. Ms. MacAskill is well versed in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy.

Ms. MacAskill's research and clinical experience includes working with Veterans and adults with a variety of challenges including chronic pain, grief and loss, ADHD, trauma, relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety, and stress. Specific experience and interests include working with individuals and groups experiencing chronic and prolonged grief, delayed grief, and disenfranchised grief.

Joining Dr. Hubley Carruthers & Associates in the summer of 2023, Ms. Susan Hardiman brings almost three decades of invaluable experience across various healthcare sectors. Throughout her career, including her foundational training where she graduated from Centennial College's Paramedic Program in 1996, she's developed a profound appreciation for patient-centered care and health equity. Susan further enhanced her qualifications in 2024, earning a Bachelor of Health Administration from Athabasca University via the Veterans Affairs Continuing Education Program.

Outside of her professional life, Susan is a passionate fitness advocate and a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia Fitness Association (NSFA). As the Director of Personal Training, she contributes significantly to course development and policy execution, and she was a driving force behind implementing mental health first aid training for NSFA fitness instructors. Susan's commitment to excellence, coupled with her positive and hardworking nature, ensures she provides outstanding administrative support to the clients of Dr. Hubley Carruthers & Associates.