Our Team

Dr. Pamela Holens, Ph.D., C.Psych.*

Dr. Pamela Holens has over 20 years of experience providing psychological services, with 13 years of specialization in the areas of traumatic stress and chronic pain. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Health Psychology in the Rady Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba (U of M), as well as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology. For the past 12 years she has worked with military, RCMP, and Veterans who have Operational Stress Injuries (OSIs) at the OSI Clinic at Deer Lodge Centre. In her private practice, she has been treating first responders and other public safety personnel (e.g., firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers, and correctional officers) for the past 10 years, and has helped many who have been off work due to psychological and/or physical injuries to regain their pre-trauma level of functioning and return to work. Dr. Holens has extensive training in evidence-based treatments for PTSD including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), and Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). She offers evidence-based chronic pain treatments using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as well as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT). Beyond these areas of particular specialization, Dr. Holens also has significant training and experience offering evidence-based treatments for depression and anxiety, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). In addition, Dr. Holens has significant experience with both team development and program development in the arena of mental health.

Dr. Andrew Lubusko, Ph.D., C.Psych.

Dr. Lubusko received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Manitoba and completed his Clinical Psychology internship at the Student Counselling and Career Centre at the University of Manitoba. He has been working in the mental health field for over 30 years, having worked in crisis and counselling centres, hospitals, correctional and military settings, and private practice. His clinical interests include anxiety and post-traumatic stress, depression, self-control/emotional regulation difficulties (e.g., anger management, adult ADHD), return-to-work issues, and couples counselling. Dr. Lubusko has experience working with the Department of National Defense (DND) as the on-site psychologist at CFB Winnipeg - 17 Wing, where he provided treatment, assessment, consultation, and staff training. In his private practice at the Cognitive Behavior Therapy Institute of Manitoba (CBTI), much of his work has involved employment-related/operational stress injuries and issues related to assessing, treating, and helping individuals regain functional abilities and return to work following injury (e.g., for WCB, MPI, and other insurance providers). He has worked with CAF Veterans with issues related to trauma/OSIs, assessment, treatment, and return to meaningful employment. He has experience working with firefighters, paramedics, Winnipeg police officers, members of the RCMP, and correctional officers. Prior to his work at 17 Wing, Dr. Lubusko worked several years for the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) at Stony Mountain Institution, Rockwood Institution, and Winnipeg Parole. Dr. Lubusko is fluent in Polish and works primarily with adults, college/university students, and adolescents.

Affilliates

*Practitioners currently affiliated with the Winnipeg Operational Stress Injury Clinic only see CAF, RCMP, or VAC clients through the OSI Clinic, not through ALPHA.

Dr. Sarah Rigby, Ph.D., C. Psych.

Dr. Sarah Rigby is a registered Clinical Psychologist who works with adults using primarily cognitive behavioural and acceptance-based therapy approaches. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Manitoba. Dr. Rigby works mostly with individuals who are experiencing problems with operational stress, mood, anxiety, adjustment difficulties, obsessive compulsive disorder, and substance use disorders. She also has substantial experience working with people with post-traumatic stress disorder, and she can offer a variety of CBT-based trauma interventions and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR). She also offers psychodiagnostic and some cognitive assessment services. Dr. Rigby practices out of ALPHA Consulting & Clinical Services and works with various first responder populations including firefighters, paramedics, and police officers. She also frequently works with active and veteran members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Dr. Kevin Barber, C.D., Ph.D., C.Psych.

Dr. Kevin Barber received his BA at Concordia University, and his MA and PhD at the University of Waterloo. He completed his clinical residency with the University of Manitoba and is currently employed as an Assistant Professor with the Clinical Health Psychology department. He practices full-time with ALPHA Clinical and Consulting. Dr. Barber's approach to therapy is largely informed by Cognitive Behavioural Models with expertise in trauma, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and occupational stress/burnout. Dr. Barber’s research centers on trauma and promoting positive emotional functioning. Dr. Barber has previous training at the London OSIC, and has previously worked in an Ontario-based practice that offered specialty services to municipal police, firefighters, and first-responder populations. Dr. Barber works with peer support teams, and is a trainer with Wounded Warriors Peer Support Fundamentals program, having delivered training to first responder and police organizations across the country. Additionally, Dr. Barber has served nearly fifteen years in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves and continues to serve as a Medical Assistant with 17 Field Ambulance.

Dr. Sarah Chaulk, PsyD., C. Psych.

Dr. Chaulk is a registered clinical psychologist practicing in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She received her doctorate from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2013. Dr. Chaulk has over 10 years of experience in the practice of clinical psychology. She is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Health Psychology at the University of Manitoba and the former Clinical Director for the Winnipeg Operational Stress Injury Clinic. In addition to providing psychological assessment and therapy services, Dr. Chaulk is actively engaged in research and teaching in the area of traumatic stress.

Approach to Treatment & Areas of Practice

Dr. Chaulk’s approach to therapy is client-centered, collaborative, and evidenced-based. She works primarily in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Her area of expertise is in adult mental health and wellness.

Dr. Chaulk’s area of expertise is in Traumatic Stress and emotional difficulties, including depression, anxiety, sleep issues, substance misuse, relationship problems, disordered eating, and moral injury. She has experience in working with individuals in the fields of emergency response, law enforcement, and national defense who have persistent psychological distress related to their occupation. She also has experience working with individuals to meet their goals around building a healthy lifestyle / behavior changes, making difficult decisions, and in dealing with life transitions.

Dr. Natalie Mota, Ph.D., C. Psych.*

Dr. Natalie Mota is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Clinical Health Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba and a Clinical Psychologist at the Operational Stress Injury Clinic (OSIC) in Winnipeg. She graduated with a BA (Hons) from McGill University, and completed her MA and PhD at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Mota then completed her residency at the University of Mississippi/GV (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and a research postdoctoral position at Yale University and the Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD (Clinical Neurosciences Division). Her clinical expertise is in the assessment and treatment of PTSD, and prior to joining the OSIC, she was a psychologist at the Crisis Response Centre, and focused on the development and implementation of evidence-based interventions in this setting. Her research focuses on understanding the psychological and physical impacts of trauma exposure in military, first responder, and general populations, and on studying resilience factors that mitigate the negative effects of traumatic stress.

Dr. David Podnar, Ph.D., C. Psych.

Dr. David Podnar is a clinical psychologist in private practice centrally located in Winnipeg (i.e., River Heights area). He received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Western Ontario. He completed his residency through the Clinical Health Psychology (CHP) program in the Max Rady College of Medicine (University of Manitoba). Prior to transitioning to private practice, he previously held a position as Assistant Professor in Department of CHP (U of M). During this time, he also worked at the Winnipeg OSI Clinic for 8-9 years assessing and treating Veterans and currently serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and RCMP. He has also worked extensively with first responders (i.e., paramedics, emergency medical technicians, firefighters, etc.) as well as other populations such as healthcare workers, correctional officers, teachers, and patients with complex medical issues. Dr. Podnar’s clinical interests include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), trauma-related disorders, depression, general anxiety, social anxiety, health anxiety, panic, phobias, stress, chronic pain, workplace burnout, return-to-work issues, sleep problems, grief and loss, assertiveness and boundary-setting, enhancing self-esteem, improving interpersonal communication, and improving general wellness by reconnecting with meaning and purpose in life. Dr. Podnar has received advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing as well as a number of trauma-focused therapies including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment. His integrative approach sometimes incorporates mindfulness and compassion-based interventions. In collaboration with clients, he focuses on offering tailored treatment plans, since each person is unique and responds differently to counselling based on their personality, interests, past treatment experiences, etc. Sessions can be offered in-person as well as virtually (i.e., phone, Zoom).

Dr. Jitender Sareen, MD, FRCPC*

Dr. Sareen is the Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba, Medical Director for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) Mental Health Program and Provincial Co-Lead of the Mental Health Addictions Team for Shared Health. Dr. Sareen holds the rank of Professor of Psychiatry in the Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology and Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Sareen has been supported by numerous national and local peer-reviewed grants in the areas of military mental health, indigenous suicide, and homelessness. He currently holds the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Foundation Grant (2015-2022) on Defining the Longitudinal Course, Outcomes, and Treatment Needs of Vulnerable Canadians with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Dr. Sareen has received several awards for excellence in clinical research (Canadian Psychiatric Association, Canadian Institutes of Military and Veterans Health Research Forum and the Academy of Cognitive Therapy) and teaching (University of Manitoba).

Chris Enns, MSW, RSW (ON, MB, SK)

Chris was employed at Deer Lodge Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba since 1996 and retired in 2022. He provided Clinical Social Work services for Canadian Forces veterans in long term care until joining the Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinic in 2004. The OSI Clinic is part of network of clinics across Canada that provide treatment for still serving members of the Canadian Forces, RCMP and Veterans who have sustained psychological injury during operational duty. He provides assessment and psychotherapeutic services for individuals, couples, and groups attending the OSI Clinic.Chris has advanced training in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for individual and group, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotion Focused Couple Therapy (EFT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) for individual and group and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Depression and Anxiety for individual and group. Chris received certification as a therapist, supervisor, and trainer for Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD from the Centre for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvanian, USA. He has provided PE training for clinicians in Halifax, NS, Saskatoon, SK, Ottawa, ON, and Minneapolis, Min. In addition, he has provided consultation services for clinicians who are seeking Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD certification from the Centre for Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Murray W. Enns, MD, FRCPC*

Dr. Enns is a psychiatrist with 30 years of clinical experience. He has been the Medical Director at the Operational Stress Injury Clinic at Deer Lodge Centre for the past five years, and prior to this served ten years in the joint position of Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba and Medical Director of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) Mental Health Program. Currently, Dr. Enns's main clinical, administrative and research activities involve post-traumatic stress disorder and related mental health conditions in active military personnel, RCMP, and Veterans of these forces. An additional area of specialization that Dr. Enns offers is the assessment and treatment of sleep disorders. Beyond his significant clinical, administrative, and research activities, Dr. Enns also provides post-graduate and undergraduate medical education on topics including PTSD, pharmacotherapy, sleep disorders and ECT.

Cheryl Maxsom, MSW, RSW

I have 20+ years of therapy experience working with individuals, couples and groups. Together we will find a way forward and connect to your strengths. Previously I worked with military members, RCMP and veterans at 17 Wing Winnipeg and the OSI Clinic in Winnipeg, specializing in operational stress. I work with people to guide them on a wide variety of issues ranging from relationships and work stress to mood issues. I am also a Clinical Specialist at Shared Health Manitoba and a lecturer in the Rady Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba. I have extensive training in evidence-based treatments for PTSD, depression and anxiety including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Cognitive Behaviour Conjoint Therapy (CBCT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). I am also trained in Written Exposure Therapy (WET), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectic Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method. I look forward to working with you.

Kaitlin Born, MSW, RSW

Kaitlin Born is a Registered Social Worker with the Manitoba College of Social Workers. She completed her BSW at Dalhousie University in 2016 and her MSW with a specialization in Mental Health at the University of Toronto in 2017. Kaitlin has been working at the Operational Stress Injury Clinic in Winnipeg since 2017, with a special focus on trauma and substance use. She has training and experience in a variety of evidence-based interventions including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Theory.

Sara DePottie, O.T. Reg. (MB), M.O.T.*

Sara DePottie is a Registered Occupational Therapist with the College of Occupational Therapists of Manitoba. She completed her Master of Occupational Therapy degree at the University of Manitoba in 2018. Sara first started at the Operational Stress Injury Clinic in 2018 as a student, during that time she created a needs assessment that was used to fund a full-time position for her at the clinic; to date, the report has been used to fund five occupational therapy positions in OSI clinics across Canada. Sara independently developed all of the Occupational Therapy programming at the Winnipeg OSI clinic. She has training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational interviewing, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to use as tools to help clients re-engage in their meaningful occupations.

Karen Leah Rees, MSc, RMFT-S*

Karen is a registered Marriage and Family Therapist, approved supervisor, and a clinical member of the Canadian Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. She works with individuals, couples, and families in a supportive role in helping them navigate life challenges and relational issues. She uses a systemic perspective which considers events happening across the various systems individuals are a part of (e.g., relationship, family, work, etc.). Karen has decades of counselling experience, with particular interests in relational and familial dynamics, communication and conflict resolution, intimacy and betrayal, and sexual functioning. Karen has a wealth of experience working in the field of child and adolescent mental health, and with their families, as well as with Military and RCMP as a mental health clinician at the OSI Clinic in Winnipeg. She has advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Gottman Methods, Sex Therapy, crisis management, and trauma.

Katrina Barber, MSW, RSW

Katrina Barber is a Registered Social Worker with the Manitoba College of Social Workers. She completed her BA in psychology at Concordia University and her MSW at the University of Windsor. She is currently working as a Manager of Integrated Mental Health & Addictions Recovery Services for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA). Katrina worked at Homewood Health Centre in the eating disorders program for several years, specializing in treating trauma. She has experience working with individuals with eating disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, substance use disorders, personality disorders and depression. She has offered specialty services to adults with operational stress injuries (e.g., municipal police, military, firefighter and first responder populations) as well as individuals within the forensic and correctional system. She has training in a variety of evidenced based interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT).

Clinical Associate
Martine Southall, M.A.

Martine completed her B.A. Honours in Psychology in 2021 and her M.A. in Clinical Psychology in October 2024, both at the University of Manitoba. She was awarded a CPA Certificate of Academic Excellence for her thesis which examined the interaction between PTSD symptoms and chronic pain in Canadian veterans. Martine has been involved with research and co-authored several publications focusing on operational stress injuries and chronic pain since 2019, and has received research funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Royal Canadian Legion, The Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research, and the University of Manitoba. Her current research focuses on cannabis use and mental health in military and veteran populations. Martine's clinical training to date has included experience with cognitive behavioural, psychodynamic, and client-centered approaches, as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She is currently receiving training in trauma-focused approaches, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Martine's clinical work at ALPHA is supervised by Dr. Sarah Rigby, Dr. Andrew Lubusko, and Dr. Kevin Barber. She is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the wellbeing of military and public safety personnel groups through both research and clinical work.