Meet the Staff

Sarah is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Guelph, as well as an Honours Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Windsor. Sarah believes in helping all Lakers to recognize and proactively support their mental wellbeing!

Kayley Gravelle has been working as a secretary at Nipissing University since January 2008. She has been with the Student Counselling Services Department since December 2014. Kayley received her certificate in the Office Administration program at Canadore College in 2006. Kayley's passion is working in areas supporting mental health and wellness. Kayley strongly believes each student should feel safe, comfortable and supported while requesting or accessing wellness services. If you require any assistance at all don’t hesitate to contact her she will do her very best to assist you.​

Andrea Havercroft has been working as a Counsellor at Nipissing University since 2008. Prior to working at Nipissing University, she was a Crisis Worker at a hospital where she gained valuable experience supporting clients in the areas of mental health and crisis situations. Andrea also has experience working with children and families in her role as a Child Protection Worker where she developed extensive skills in assessment, family intervention, advocacy, and community liaison. Andrea has a knowledge and skill base from several theories with a particular passion for cognitive behavioural and solution focused approaches. Andrea is passionate about prevention and enjoys developing and facilitating psycho-educational seminars and workshops on several topics that benefit students and promote their success. She completed her Social Services Worker diploma from Canadore College, as well as her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Laurentian University. Andrea is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.​

April Raftis earned a degree in Psychology and Sociology from Nipissing University, as well as an Honours Bachelor of Social Work degree from Laurentian University. Her education and professional experience in mental health give her a unique and compassionate approach to counselling and working with individuals with diverse backgrounds and range of concerns.

She is committed to creating a tailored therapy plan to address the unique needs of every student she works with. By incorporating strength-based tools and skills that encourage implementation strategies about balance, self-care and learning resilience, she assists individuals to see their full potential and reach their desired therapy goal.

As a registered member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, April is passionate about learning and keeping up with current therapy research and modalities. In addition to her professional degree, she has training in cognitive-behavioural, dialectical-behavioural, mindfulness therapy and is a certified ASIST trainer.

Danielle Morrow is a Registered Psychotherapist and is recognized as being empathetic and friendly with an easy-going, yet professional and structured demeanour. Danielle is an alumnus from Nipissing University, having graduated with her BA Honours in Psychology and continued her passion of helping others at the University of Guelph, completing an MSc in Couple and Family Therapy. Danielle has extensive experience in both brief and longer-term therapy methods, working with (but not limited to) depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, sexuality and intimacy, chronic pain, addiction, crisis intervention, and couples/family conflict. It is of the utmost importance to Danielle that her clients feel safe, supported, and not judged in order to be open and vulnerable, both of which can be difficult and scary for some. She therefore strives to meet clients where they are at so that they can explore meaning in their lives and the goals that they wish to achieve for themselves. Danielle feels a true honour to be able to implement helpful tools to empower success within her clients, as she believes they are capable of achieving whatever is important to them – we all just need a little help sometimes!​

Ibrahim is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. He holds a Master of Pastoral Studies with a focus on Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy from the University of Toronto. He is also an alumni of Yorkville University’s Master of Art in Counselling Psychology program. Additionally, Ibrahim holds post-graduate certification and experiential training in integrative psychotherapy from the Toronto Center for Psychotherapy and Counselling Education. Overall, Ibrahim is passionate and dedicated to the science and art of psychotherapy in ongoing learning and its application and potential in advancing awareness, healing, and empowerment.

Ibrahim’s approach to care is holistic by viewing individuals as ‘whole’ and not only by symptoms, while tailoring therapeutic modalities to the unique needs and challenges of individuals. His approach to care is person-centered, collaborative, and relational. Ibrahim often receives feedback from his clients that he is easy to talk to and understanding. Finally, Ibrahim loves what he does, and considers it a complete honor to walk alongside others in their journeys during challenging times. In addition to English, Ibrahim speaks Pashtu, Urdu, and Arabic.

Bryanna is a firm believer that no matter the challenge or barrier, anyone can reach their full potential if support and meaningful connections are accessible and available. Bryanna’s passion is peer support and building connection through shared interests and lived experience. She enjoys guiding and assisting others along their recovery journey, unique to them, encouraging growth, holding hope and working from a strengths-based approach. Bryanna graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from Carleton University and is a Level 2 Certified Peer Supporter with the Ontario Peer Development Initiative (OPDI) Core Essentials Program.

Bryanna enjoys travelling, learning about others through conversation, spending time with friends and family, listening to music and dancing. Bryanna was once a student and recognizes the ongoing stresses and struggles that are ever-present in our changing society that affect many students. As such, Bryanna is excited to be able to offer a service and safe space that will provide both Canadore and Nipissing students with the opportunity to connect with their peers through conversation, a variety of meaningful activities, shared interests and life experiences.

Bryanna is also bilingual and speaks both English and French.

“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” ~ Unknown