Eileen Bona M.Ed. Registered Psychologist Director and Founder of Dreamcatcher
Eileen Bona M.Ed. is a Registered Psychologist and the Director and Founder of Dreamcatcher. Eileen grew up with a brother, John, who sustained severe brain injury as a result of Meningitis at 8 months old. Due to spending her life immersed in advocating for her brother with disabilities, Eileen chose to spend her life helping people who have trouble getting help. She has worked in the field of helping people for more than 20 years. She specializes in helping children and youth with a variety of life issues and multiple mental health diagnoses, specifically brain related conditions and challenges due to life trauma. Eileen also works with parents to help them navigate the systems and learn to advocate for their best interests. Eileen is a past Sessional Instructor of Introductory Psychology at King’s University. She is the designer of Western Canada’s first college-accredited course in Animal Assisted Therapy and instructed this course for its first two years in existence. She is currently the Chair for the National Task Force on developing Standards and Certification for Animal Assisted Therapy in Canada and has designed the first Master’s level Canadian certificate in Animal Assisted Therapy. Eileen presents the concept and techniques of Animal Assisted Therapy nationally at conferences and agency-level presentations. She provides intensive training in Animal Assisted Therapy in both Workshop and Internship formats at Dreamcatcher as well as travels nationally to help other organizations develop and implement their Animal Assisted programs.
Eileen Bona M.Ed. is a Registered Psychologist and the Director and Founder of Dreamcatcher. Eileen grew up with a brother, John, who sustained severe brain injury as a result of Meningitis at 8 months old. Due to spending her life immersed in advocating for her brother with disabilities, Eileen chose to spend her life helping people who have trouble getting help. She has worked in the field of helping people for more than 20 years. She specializes in helping children and youth with a variety of life issues and multiple mental health diagnoses, specifically brain related conditions and challenges due to life trauma. Eileen also works with parents to help them navigate the systems and learn to advocate for their best interests. Eileen is a past Sessional Instructor of Introductory Psychology at King’s University. She is the designer of Western Canada’s first college-accredited course in Animal Assisted Therapy and instructed this course for its first two years in existence. She is currently the Chair for the National Task Force on developing Standards and Certification for Animal Assisted Therapy in Canada and has designed the first Master’s level Canadian certificate in Animal Assisted Therapy. Eileen presents the concept and techniques of Animal Assisted Therapy nationally at conferences and agency-level presentations. She provides intensive training in Animal Assisted Therapy in both Workshop and Internship formats at Dreamcatcher as well as travels nationally to help other organizations develop and implement their Animal Assisted programs.
Dani Dahlseide M.A. Provisional Psychologist
Dani Dahlseide is a Provisional Psychologist with specialized training in Animal Assisted and Equine Facilitated therapies. Dani has been a valuable member of the Dreamcatcher team since 2008 and began by assisting in the office while completing her Master’s degree in Counselling.
Dani completed her Master’s in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University and her Bachelor’s in Psychology at Concordia University College of Alberta. Dani has a passion for animals and for helping people. Her therapeutic approaches include cognitive-behavioural, person-centered, solution-focused, animal assisted and equine facilitated therapies. Dani is often joined in her sessions by her furry co-counsellor, Tucker the yellow Labrador Retriever, a certified Animal Assisted Therapy dog. Dani believes strongly in the therapeutic benefits animals and nature provide and through her work at Dreamcatcher she has witnessed this first hand.
Dani Dahlseide is a Provisional Psychologist with specialized training in Animal Assisted and Equine Facilitated therapies. Dani has been a valuable member of the Dreamcatcher team since 2008 and began by assisting in the office while completing her Master’s degree in Counselling.
Dani completed her Master’s in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University and her Bachelor’s in Psychology at Concordia University College of Alberta. Dani has a passion for animals and for helping people. Her therapeutic approaches include cognitive-behavioural, person-centered, solution-focused, animal assisted and equine facilitated therapies. Dani is often joined in her sessions by her furry co-counsellor, Tucker the yellow Labrador Retriever, a certified Animal Assisted Therapy dog. Dani believes strongly in the therapeutic benefits animals and nature provide and through her work at Dreamcatcher she has witnessed this first hand.
Delia Eaves Registered Psychologist
Delia Eaves holds her B.A. and M.A. in psychology and is a Registered Psychologist in Alberta. She has over 20 years experience working with children and adolescents in a variety of settings with a variety of behavioral, emotional, and mental health challenges. Delia started her work in daycares and afterschool child care programs, and then moved into the school system as an Educational Assistant. Delia’s clinical work began in residential treatment programs where she gained valuable experience in self-harming and trauma therapy. Delia took a keen interest into the purpose and understanding of self-harming behaviors.
Delia has been working at Dreamcatcher since November 2009. She grew up with animals and summer visits to family and friends provided opportunities to interact with horses and cows. Delia decided to take her compassion for animals and join the Dreamcatcher team to learn and offer the animal assisted therapy methods of helping people. Delia strongly believes that working with animals, or simply being a part of nature, provides an effective medium for assisting people who may be experiencing a variety of mental health challenges such as FASD and attachment disruption who typically find it challenging to discuss their thoughts and emotions in the traditional therapeutic ways.
Currently Delia works with clients from the ages of four to adulthood. She provides individual and family therapy, as well as conducts a variety of psychological assessments. Through Play, Art, Animal Assisted Therapy and Equine Facilitated Counselling, Delia is committed to sharing her knowledge to assist families and individuals in working through a variety of challenges including: anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harm, FASD, attachment, behavioural concerns, emotional regulation, ADHD, addictions.
Delia Eaves holds her B.A. and M.A. in psychology and is a Registered Psychologist in Alberta. She has over 20 years experience working with children and adolescents in a variety of settings with a variety of behavioral, emotional, and mental health challenges. Delia started her work in daycares and afterschool child care programs, and then moved into the school system as an Educational Assistant. Delia’s clinical work began in residential treatment programs where she gained valuable experience in self-harming and trauma therapy. Delia took a keen interest into the purpose and understanding of self-harming behaviors.
Delia has been working at Dreamcatcher since November 2009. She grew up with animals and summer visits to family and friends provided opportunities to interact with horses and cows. Delia decided to take her compassion for animals and join the Dreamcatcher team to learn and offer the animal assisted therapy methods of helping people. Delia strongly believes that working with animals, or simply being a part of nature, provides an effective medium for assisting people who may be experiencing a variety of mental health challenges such as FASD and attachment disruption who typically find it challenging to discuss their thoughts and emotions in the traditional therapeutic ways.
Currently Delia works with clients from the ages of four to adulthood. She provides individual and family therapy, as well as conducts a variety of psychological assessments. Through Play, Art, Animal Assisted Therapy and Equine Facilitated Counselling, Delia is committed to sharing her knowledge to assist families and individuals in working through a variety of challenges including: anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harm, FASD, attachment, behavioural concerns, emotional regulation, ADHD, addictions.
Reesa Lerner MSW, Register Social Worker
Reesa is a registered Social Worker. Inspired by a beagle named Bailey, she has been researching and training in the Nature and Animal Assisted Therapy field since 2006. Reesa has been involved with Dreamcatcher as a volunteer since 2010. She is excited to finally be joining the team as a therapist.
Reesa completed her Masters of Social work, with a clinical focus, at Yeshiva University (NY), her Bachelor of Social Work from York University, and Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Alberta. She specializes in working with teens and adults with complex needs including trauma, addictions, psychosis and especially those who have been marginalized. Her therapeutic approaches include cognitive-behavioural, strengths based, trauma-focused, nature and animal assisted. She is developing her skills in equine facilitated therapy. She is also training her little Chihuahua cross, Sababa, as a therapy dog.
Reesa is kind and understanding and believes everyone deserves the best. With her quick wit and down to earth personality she is a perfect fit for older teens and young adults.
Reesa is a registered Social Worker. Inspired by a beagle named Bailey, she has been researching and training in the Nature and Animal Assisted Therapy field since 2006. Reesa has been involved with Dreamcatcher as a volunteer since 2010. She is excited to finally be joining the team as a therapist.
Reesa completed her Masters of Social work, with a clinical focus, at Yeshiva University (NY), her Bachelor of Social Work from York University, and Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Alberta. She specializes in working with teens and adults with complex needs including trauma, addictions, psychosis and especially those who have been marginalized. Her therapeutic approaches include cognitive-behavioural, strengths based, trauma-focused, nature and animal assisted. She is developing her skills in equine facilitated therapy. She is also training her little Chihuahua cross, Sababa, as a therapy dog.
Reesa is kind and understanding and believes everyone deserves the best. With her quick wit and down to earth personality she is a perfect fit for older teens and young adults.
Alisha Sabourin
What brought Alisha to Dreamcatcher was her love of animals! She believes that animals have a unique ability to improve one's life in many capacities. Alisha is energetic, adventurous, creative, and loves to laugh! She is passionate about collecting life experiences and has traveled to Europe, South East Asia, Northern Africa, and the United States.
Alisha is a Registered Provisional Psychologist and a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®. She had the pleasure to train under John W. James, the Founder of The Grief Recovery Institute® which enhanced her skills and knowledge to help individuals recover from loss. Alisha attained her Master of Counselling at City University of Seattle at the Edmonton campus. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Concordia University and one year of an after-degree of Native Studies at the University of Alberta.
Her work experience includes Oak Hill Boys Ranch with at-risk youth with: physical aggression, mental health issues, organic brain disorder and/or severe developmental delays, substance misuse, developmental delays, diagnosed with FASD, and youth transitioning to Supported Independent Living in a residential treatment setting. She has also gained understanding of individuals with acquired brain injuries by working for William J. Stelmaschuk (WJS).
In addition to working at Dreamcatcher, she currently volunteers for the Chrysalis Anti-Human Trafficking Network which is a free and confidential telephone trauma counselling hotline for individuals who have been trafficked or exploited.
What brought Alisha to Dreamcatcher was her love of animals! She believes that animals have a unique ability to improve one's life in many capacities. Alisha is energetic, adventurous, creative, and loves to laugh! She is passionate about collecting life experiences and has traveled to Europe, South East Asia, Northern Africa, and the United States.
Alisha is a Registered Provisional Psychologist and a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®. She had the pleasure to train under John W. James, the Founder of The Grief Recovery Institute® which enhanced her skills and knowledge to help individuals recover from loss. Alisha attained her Master of Counselling at City University of Seattle at the Edmonton campus. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Concordia University and one year of an after-degree of Native Studies at the University of Alberta.
Her work experience includes Oak Hill Boys Ranch with at-risk youth with: physical aggression, mental health issues, organic brain disorder and/or severe developmental delays, substance misuse, developmental delays, diagnosed with FASD, and youth transitioning to Supported Independent Living in a residential treatment setting. She has also gained understanding of individuals with acquired brain injuries by working for William J. Stelmaschuk (WJS).
In addition to working at Dreamcatcher, she currently volunteers for the Chrysalis Anti-Human Trafficking Network which is a free and confidential telephone trauma counselling hotline for individuals who have been trafficked or exploited.
Jess Bradley B.H.Sc. - Office Administration
Jess graduated with her Bachelor's Degree in Addictions Counselling in 2009. She grew up in the Okanagan, with such a passion for children and animals that she knew she had to find some capacity to work with them together. She has a great love and respect for all species of animals from horses to salamanders, fish to hedgehogs. She has a particular fondness for reptiles of all sorts, especially snakes.
Jess loves working with kids of all ages and especially enjoys the opportunity to teach them all sorts of things about animals, like how reptiles are ectothermic, or chickens typically take 21 days to hatch. In her downtime, Jess enjoys fire spinning, drawing haida artwork, playing vido games and caring for her new rescue puppy Ezio. She loves to travel and hopes to visit Iceland and Ireland in the upcoming years.
You can usually catch Jess giving a belly rub to Buddy the horse, checking up on the chickens, or sleeping with the dogs on their beds when she needs a nap!
Jess graduated with her Bachelor's Degree in Addictions Counselling in 2009. She grew up in the Okanagan, with such a passion for children and animals that she knew she had to find some capacity to work with them together. She has a great love and respect for all species of animals from horses to salamanders, fish to hedgehogs. She has a particular fondness for reptiles of all sorts, especially snakes.
Jess loves working with kids of all ages and especially enjoys the opportunity to teach them all sorts of things about animals, like how reptiles are ectothermic, or chickens typically take 21 days to hatch. In her downtime, Jess enjoys fire spinning, drawing haida artwork, playing vido games and caring for her new rescue puppy Ezio. She loves to travel and hopes to visit Iceland and Ireland in the upcoming years.
You can usually catch Jess giving a belly rub to Buddy the horse, checking up on the chickens, or sleeping with the dogs on their beds when she needs a nap!
Olivia Winczura, Admin Support
I first discovered Dreamcatcher through the newspaper; I had been looking for a volunteer job that worked with animals, when I saw an ad in the volunteer section for exactly what I was looking for I knew would really like to find out more about it. When I had my first orientation I loved it so much I just had to come back again and again and again………….
Eventually after a few years of volunteering, Eileen asked if I would like to come and work in the office with Jess doing secretarial duties and cleaning. So now, I am privileged to volunteer and work with the most amazing people and animals that I can think of. I could have never asked for a better opportunity to learn and experience so many awesome things! Thank you Dreamcatcher!
What Olivia has not told you, is that she is an amazing young lady with a fabulous work ethic and great motivational drive. Olivia has such compassion for those around her and is instrumental at helping to ensure Dreamcatcher runs smoothly. We are so thrilled to have her on our team!
I first discovered Dreamcatcher through the newspaper; I had been looking for a volunteer job that worked with animals, when I saw an ad in the volunteer section for exactly what I was looking for I knew would really like to find out more about it. When I had my first orientation I loved it so much I just had to come back again and again and again………….
Eventually after a few years of volunteering, Eileen asked if I would like to come and work in the office with Jess doing secretarial duties and cleaning. So now, I am privileged to volunteer and work with the most amazing people and animals that I can think of. I could have never asked for a better opportunity to learn and experience so many awesome things! Thank you Dreamcatcher!
What Olivia has not told you, is that she is an amazing young lady with a fabulous work ethic and great motivational drive. Olivia has such compassion for those around her and is instrumental at helping to ensure Dreamcatcher runs smoothly. We are so thrilled to have her on our team!