Ranch Team

Tammy Schamuhn 
Owner & Registered Psychologist
* Not accepting new clients
 

Tammy is a Registered Psychologist and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. Tammy also has a Bachelors of Education from the University of Alberta and practiced as an elementary teacher in Edmonton before going on to complete her Masters degree in Psychology. Tammy is the Founder and former Executive Director of Family Counselling Centres, and the Co-Founder and Director of the Institute of Child Psychology.
 

Tammy has been working in private practice for the past decade in Alberta, primarily with children and their families. She also supervises offer clinical supervision masters-level counselling students, and provisional psychologists. Tammy also has a big place in her heart for animals developed an animal-assisted  therapy program that operates from her property called ‘Hooves of Hope Ranch’ and founded the Child-Centered Animal-Assisted Therapy Association (www.ccaata.com).
 

Tammy  approaches her clinical and educational work with parents and professionals with an attachment and neurobiological lens: all of her work is based on the neurology of the brain and how attachment is integral to adaptive functioning of both children and adults. As a child who endured much trauma in her past she speaks about her personal experiences with family substance abuse, domestic violence, emotional abuse, and how the power of connection is integral to healing and overcoming adversity.
 

Tammy is passionate, empathic, and down to earth. Her no non-sense approach, woven with humor and personal narratives makes her relatable and her information about mental health, interpersonal neurobiology, trauma, and attachment easy to digest for the audience.

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Nicolette Bader, M.C
Registered Provisional Psychologist
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My passion for psychology started in 11th grade, as I remember sitting in AP Psychology being in awe of human sciences and its evolution. After successfully completing my Master of Counselling from City University of Seattle, and through the experience of my Internship, I feel passionate when saying that a person’s therapeutic journey starts with attachment and security. To meet the needs of each individual, an eclectic approach to counselling is necessary, as “one size does not fit all”. In addition to specialized Play Therapy training, I have also begun training in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), realizing that animals provide a unique connection to humans, by meeting sensitive attachment needs. I am eager to utilize my skills to help clients navigate moments in their life that elicit big feelings.

I am considered a Third Culture Kid (TCK) who spent 12 years of my developmental childhood years living overseas in Perth, Australia, Doha, Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and Singapore, Singapore. My expanded worldview and cultural competency from this experience is an asset I bring into counselling when being mindful of cultural diversity, loss and grief, and identity confusion.

I am committed to learning from my colleagues, clients, and resources to ensure that I remain in the know of current information to help shape my eclectic and subjective approach to interventions. I strive to ensure the animals I work with exceed ethical expectations of AAT, and safety and connection are key.
 

CLIENTS SUPPORTED

·    Children {age 5+} & TEENS

·    Adults

·    Parents

·    Groups

 

AREAS OF INTEREST

ADHD, At-Risk Children & Youth, Behavioral Concerns; Parenting Support; Stress/Anxiety; Depression; Grief & Loss; Trauma; Divorce & SeparatioN; LGBTQ+

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Cierra Chmiliar 
Registered Psychologist
 

I primarily work with children, teens, and families, specializing in play therapy and equine-assisted counselling, but can also treat teens and adults. I work from a client-centered approach, and believe a non-judgmental relationship between the client and therapist is crucial for change; working collaboratively with my clients to help them gain awareness and insight, so they can build and draw upon their own internal resources. To this effect, I use a wide range of modalities, including person-centered, play therapy, sandtray, trauma therapy (EMDR), equine-assisted therapy, art, and cognitive behavioural therapy.

I have experience working within the school system, working primarily with children with developmental disorders and their families. I have also volunteered extensively at organizations working with high-risk youth, and victims of crime. Furthermore, I am an avid horse-person; I have owned horses (and various other animals) for my entire life, and have been a semi-professional show-jumper for over 10 years.
 

CLIENTS SUPPORTED

• Children {age 4+}

• Teens

• Adults

• Parents
   

EXPERIENCED AREAS OF SUPPORT

• ADHD

• Autism

• Behavioural Concerns

• Divorce

• Family Violence

• Parenting Support

• Trauma

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Jenny Al-Aldra, M.C.
Canadian Certified Counselor
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I have worked with children, youth, and adults for the last 25 years in various roles at summer camp, as a youth leader, mentor, and teacher, and now look forward to walking alongside people in a counsellor role.

As a therapist I am client-focused, using a variety of modalities to meet client’s needs. I come from an existential approach, believing that everyone’s life has purpose and meaning, which can get muddled in the messiness of life. I offer a safe, non-judgmental space to process and work through problems, rediscover strengths, and release potential. I believe true health comes from the integration of body, mind and spirit and positive connections with others.
 

Outside of counselling work I am a school counselor,  have 5 kiddos of my own, I am a foster parent, breed and raise Canadian Horses, and spend as much time as possible riding in the mountains.

CLIENTS SUPPORTED

• Children {age 10+}

• Adolescents

• Adults

• Parents

 

AREAS OF INTEREST

• ADHD

• At-Risk Children & Youth

• Behavioral Concerns

• Parenting Support

• Stress/Anxiety

• Depression

• Grief & Loss

• Trauma

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Dani Neufeld
Registered Psychologist
 

I am an experienced clinician with a passion for helping others achieve personal growth and find healing in their lives. I strive to develop a genuine, warm and compassionate relationship with my clients to help support them and their goals.

I am a Registered Psychologist and animal assisted therapist. I have worked with children, youth and families in a therapeutic setting since 2010. I specialize in working with children with disabilities and complex mental health diagnoses. As well as supporting parents with parenting strategies and behaviour management. I also specialize in helping people with anxiety and depression. I use several modalities to help my clients, which include: animal assisted and equine assisted counseling, play based therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and art mediums.

I am also a mom, artist and animal enthusiast who enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family.
 

CLIENTS SUPPORTED

• Children {age 3+}

• Teens

• Adults

• Parents
   

EXPERIENCED AREAS OF SUPPORT

• Anxiety

• ADHD

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Behavioral Concerns

• Boundary Disturbances

• Brain Injury

• Emotional Regulation

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

• Global Development Delays

• Intellectual Disabilities

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder

• Multiple Complex Diagnoses

• Parenting Support

• Trauma

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Jessica Roberts
Mental Health Therapist
 

I am a Mental Health Therapist at Hooves of Hope Ranch. My love for nature and animals can be traced back to growing up in rural northern Alberta. When I started my psychology journey, I knew I wanted to incorporate nature and animal-assisted therapy into my practice, especially when working with Indigenous people. At times, with my mixed heritage of Irish and Dane-zaa (Dunvegan Beaver) I have felt both belonging and disconnection of both worlds, which has led me to understand the unique challenges of biracial identity. In exploring my own Indigeneity, it has also led me to understand the impact of intergenerational trauma and cultural disconnection. I aim to provide trauma-informed and culturally-competent therapy.

I also utilize person-centred, narrative, attachment-based, art-based, and somatic experiencing therapy. 

I offer a calm, gentle, empathetic and non-judgemental therapeutic environment. I aim to listen to client’s narrative as no two stories are the same, and to support clients in exploring their inner world for deeper insight that enables them to live an authentic and meaningful life. Additionally, I have training in Child-Centered Animal Assisted Play Therapy from Hooves of Hope Ranch. In my spare time I enjoy reading, creative writing, spending time in nature and with my senior horse.

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Type of Clients:
Children (7 years+), teens, adults

Presenting Issues:
Divorce/separation, depression, anxiety, grief & loss, ADHD

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Steph Driver
Mental Health Intern

I am a Master’s of Counselling Psychology intern from City University with a passion for supporting children and families. Before beginning my counselling journey, I spent nine years as a teacher, working closely with young children and specializing in supporting children and young adults that needed extra support. My background has given me a deep understanding of child development and the unique ways each child experiences and expresses their world.

I believe in the power of connection, both with ourselves and with others. Building strong, trusting relationships is at the heart of my approach. I work collaboratively with children and their families, valuing each family’s unique strengths and experiences. I aim to work collaboratively to create a supportive environment that fosters growth, emotional regulation, and resilience.

I am also passionate about helping children reconnect with nature and often incorporate nature-based approaches into my work. Exploring and engaging with the natural world can be a powerful tool for healing, self-regulation, and building confidence. Alongside nature, I often incorporate play therapy techniques to help children express themselves, explore their feelings, and develop healthy coping skills in a way that feels natural and fun.

Outside of my work, you can usually find me outdoors, barrel racing, spending time with my horses, skiing, mountain biking, or spending quality time with my family.

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Type of Clients:
Children (4 years+), teens, adults

Presenting Issues:
Divorce/separation, depression, anxiety, grief & loss, ADHD

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Anh Ambler
Registered Provisional Psychologist
 

I completed my undergraduate degree in Education at the University of Alberta and have spent the last 15 years working with children ages 3 and up as an elementary school teacher with specialized training and experience working with children and families who are neurodivergent or experience cognitive, social, developmental, or physical diversities. In April 2023, I completed my Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University.

What drew me into the field of counselling was the ability to focus on building and maintaining connections and relationships with client’s founded in an attachment based perspective and through a person-centered approach. I work collaboratively with client’s to explore how early relationships influence the way we understand, view, and belong in the world and create meaningful and purposeful goals as we journey on a path together towards healing, growth, and change. As individualistic as my clients, I use modalities specific to the needs of the client: play therapy, animal assisted therapy, art activities, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, sandtray, and person-centered therapy. 

Aside from counselling, I enjoy fishing, rock climbing at the gym, hot yoga, and spending time on our acreage with my husband, 3 dogs, and cat.

 

 

CLIENTS SUPPORTED

• Children {age 3+}

• Teens

• Adults

• Parents
   

EXPERIENCED AREAS OF SUPPORT

• Anxiety

• ADHD

• Autism 

• Behavioral Concerns

• Emotional Regulation

• Parenting Support

• Trauma

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