Meet the Lupine Team
Vanessa Dowell, Counsellor (MSW, RSW)
Vanessa is a Master’s-trained Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience supporting individuals and families through a range of mental health and life challenges. Vanessa offers counselling for stress, anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, and relationship concerns. Vanessa has a specialized focus on fertility, perinatal mental health, and birth trauma, shaped by 11 years working in a perinatal mental health program and her own personal journey through fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum.
Vanessa currently has a waitlist for new clients however please reach out to discuss your specific needs. Vanessa also specializes in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and is currently offering Intensive ART treatment packages to new clients.
Joanna Talecka, Counsellor (RCC)
Joanna is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with a Master of Counselling and over 15 years of experience in the social services sector, including 10 years with Nelson Community Services. She is currently accepting new clients in person and online through Lupine Clinical Counselling. Joanna has a special interest in perinatal mental health and is completing certification through the Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Training Program (CPMHT). Her work supports individuals and families navigating reproductive health, prenatal and postpartum anxiety and depression, birth trauma, parenting, relationship challenges, and major life transitions.
Her approach is client-centered, compassionate, and trauma-informed. Joanna integrates Narrative Therapy, CBT, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and other evidence-based practices to help clients build self-awareness, inner resilience, and positive coping strategies. She brings a holistic lens and a background as a former DONA-certified Doula to her work. Joanna lives with her partner and two young children on a homestead outside Nelson and enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.
Andrea Onofrio, Counsellor (RCC)
Andrea is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) (CCC) and holds a Master’s in Clinical Counselling from Adler University.Andrea has many years of community involvement including the facilitation of pre/post-natal classes, workshops and retreats. Her therapeutic approach is client-centered, compassionate, and trauma-informed. Andrea integrates CBT, DBT, Somatic work, family systems and other evidence-based practices to help support clients through life transitions, anxiety, depression, parenting, and healing from early-life trauma. One of Andrea's areas of specialization is working with neurodiverse families.
Andrea brings deep compassion and authenticity to her work, informed by her own healing journey and years of personal growth. Her experiences growing up with a parent with mental illness, travelling in her youth, and her own parenting journey continue to shape her therapeutic presence.
As a mother of three, Andrea understands the challenges and growth that emerge through parenthood and postpartum experiences. She offers a compassionate space for clients to process, shift unhealthy shift patterns and reconnect with themselves.
Andrea is currently accepting new Clients! If you feel drawn to working with Andrea and would like to book at FREE 15-minute consultation, please follow the button below.
Sara Westnedge, Clinical Counselling Intern
Sara Westnedge is a Master's Counselling student completing her clinical practicum at Lupine Clinical Counselling. She offers a warm, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where clients can feel supported as they navigate life's challenges. Sara works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and major life transitions, with particular interests in supporting children, families, adoption-related experiences, and multicultural identity.
Sara takes a collaborative, evidence-based approach to therapy, believing that healing begins with feeling heard, understood, and accepted. Outside of the counselling room, she enjoys volunteering in the Nelson community, cheering on her children at their activities, and unwinding with a good cozy mystery novel.
Lupine’s Low Fee Counselling program has returned starting July 2026! Sara is offering low cost counselling to our community under the supervision of Vanessa Dowell MSW,RSW. Sara specializes in helping individuals and families navigate deep emotional terrain, major life shifts and unique identities.
Sessions are available evenings and weekends using a sliding scale of $0 - $75. Appointments available in person and online.
Sarah Cicchine, Registered Massage Therapist (RMT)
Sarah is a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) with over 15 years of experience supporting clients. She provides prenatal massage, postpartum massage, and therapeutic massage for pregnant individuals, new parents, and their infants. Sarah combines holistic and evidence-informed hands-on treatment with a calm, practical approach, tailoring each session to the individual’s body, needs, and stage of pregnancy or recovery. Her goal is to help clients feel more comfortable, supported, and connected to their bodies through thoughtful, individualized care.
We're delighted to welcome Sarah Cicchine, Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) to the Lupine team beginning November 2026. Sarah's books are now open, and online booking is available at the link below.
Erica Nicoll, Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine (R.TCM.P)
Erica Nicoll is a Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCM.P), dedicated to helping individuals navigate their health and reproductive journeys. She has a special interest in supporting gynaecological health, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, motherhood, menopause, and autoimmune conditions. By combining acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, nutrition and nervous system regulation in an environment where clients feel heard and supported.
Erica will be joining the Lupine Team in September 2026! Online Booking Coming Soon.
Molly Sweeney, Counsellor (CCC)
Molly Sweeney is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University (2024). She provides individual, couples, and family counselling with a focus on complex trauma, attachment, neurodiversity, and parenting. Molly works with children (10+), youth, and adults who are seeking a warm, collaborative space to build resilience and move forward. Her approach blends somatic and parts-based methods with practical, skills-based support tailored to each client’s pace and goals.
Jody Konken, Registered Holistic Nutritionist (R.H.N)
Jody Konken is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (R.H.N.) and Certified GAPS Practitioner specializing in the connection between gut health, nutritional balance, and mental wellness. She supports individuals and families from preconception through the early parenting years, with a particular focus on children’s nutrition. Rooted in supportive education rather than restriction, Jody empowers families with practical tools that make nourishing meals feel achievable. At Lupine, she offers workshops designed to cultivate vibrant health, happy tummies, and stress‑free family mealtimes.
Jody offers in-person workshops at Lupine Counselling & Wellness. See our Workshops & Events page for upcoming events.