Our Team at Mastermind Centres

Maryam Mills profile picture.

Maryam Mills

Registered Clinical Counsellor | MA, RCC-ACS, CCC, BCN | Clinic Director

Maryam is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC-APS with BCACC) and a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC with CCPA) with a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. She is Board Certified in Neurofeedback, EMDR, and Hypnotherapy levels 1 and 2, as well as certified in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy levels 1 and 2.

Maryam is extensively trained in trauma and attachment theory, and she is also certified in sex therapy. Her therapeutic approach combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Mindfulness, Hypnosis, Neurofeedback, and EMDR to help individuals, couples, and families overcome challenges such as grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, addiction, eating disorders, phobias, panic attacks, and sexual dysfunction.

Maryam is fluent in English and Farsi.

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Teresa Berkholtz

Registered Clinical Counsellor | MA, RCC

Teresa is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (#22522) with a Master’s degree in Counselling. She believes every individual has the capacity to grow through their struggles and emerge with clarity, strength, and purpose. By cultivating a safe, respectful space to understand your needs, Teresa can explore the patterns that are keeping you stuck. Through the practice of self-awareness and self-compassion, you can connect more deeply with your experiences, develop new understandings of self, and learn new ways of being.

With a compassionate and non-judgmental approach, Teresa creates a safe space for clients to explore their emotions and behaviors. Her primary therapeutic modalities include EMDR, parts work, and Polyvagal Theory. Before her career as a counsellor, Teresa was a competitive rower on the Women’s National Team. She brings over a decade of experience supporting the mental health of children and adults in various settings.

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Bita Kefayati

Registered Clinical Counsellor | MA, RCC

Bita is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. With over a decade of experience in clinical and school counselling, Bita specializes in working with adolescents. She has a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by young people, including navigating friendships, managing emotions, and coping with academic pressures.

Bita's expertise lies in addressing a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD. She utilizes evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Trauma-Informed Care to help individuals develop healthy coping mechanisms, improve their social skills, and enhance their overall well-being. Her expertise extends to working with couples, utilizing Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and attachment theory to help strengthen relationships. She is fluent in Farsi and English, allowing her to connect with a diverse clientele.

Bita is fluent in English and Farsi.

Fernanda Gamboa

Couselling Intern

Fernanda is a compassionate and dedicated counsellor with a passion for helping individuals navigate life's challenges. With a strong academic background, including a Bachelor's in Psychology from Universidade de São Paulo and a Master's in Psychology from the International Psychoanalytical University in Berlin, Fernanda brings a global perspective to her work. Her multicultural experiences in Brazil, Germany, and Chile have enriched her understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives. Fernanda is fluent in English, Spanish, German, and Portuguese, creating a welcoming and inclusive space for clients from various backgrounds. She believes in the power of empathy and respect to foster a therapeutic relationship that promotes personal growth, self-awareness, and resilience.

Manreet Buttar

Couselling Intern

Manreet’s passion for mental health work has been lifelong. She has a strong desire for helping people during difficult times and encouraging them towards personal growth. Manreet aims to help clients understand the power of listening to emotions and the meanings they provide. She believes the quality of our childhood relationships play an integral role in our development as adults. Manreet appreciates strength based approaches and feels a great honour in being a part of someone’s journey towards healing. Manreet is currently completing her Masters of Counselling Psychology at Adler University in Vancouver. Manreet speaks English and Punjabi and her cultural roots and experiences allow her to empathize with a variety of emotional and mental health challenges.

Lauren Diego

Neurofeedback Therapy Technician

Lauren has a passion for helping others and learning about how the brain affects behaviour. Lauren received her Bachelor of Science in Behavioural Neuroscience from the University of British Columbia. She has experience supporting children with ASD and other behavioural disorders in both home and school settings. In her spare time, Lauren likes to hike, read, play board games, and go on walks with her dog Gus.

Negin Maghsoudi

Neurofeedback Therapy Technician

Negin is actively pursuing her psychology degree at the University of British Columbia. With a keen interest in social psychology and a strong passion for behavioural neuroscience, she delves into the progressive field of neurofeedback, aspiring to support individuals on their unique paths toward mental wellness. Having amassed substantial research experience at both Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia, Negin brings a rich academic perspective to the highly skilled multidisciplinary team at MasterMind Brain Optimization Centres.

Laura Devonshire

Neurofeedback Therapy Technician

Laura is a recent graduate from the University of Victoria receiving her bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology. She had previous experience working with children who have neurodevelopmental disorders as well as working in a child neuropsychology lab helping parents and their kids learn a tablet-based game that helps build executive functioning skills. Laura is interested in how the difference in brain structure and function affects behaviour and cognition, and is passionate about helping others learn about their brain to understand themselves better. In her free time, you can find Laura playing ultimate frisbee, hiking, or skiing.