Mike is a Licensed Counselling Therapist (LCT) with the College of Counselling Therapists of New Brunswick (CCTNB) and a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). A member of Pabineau First Nation, one of Mike’s passions is improving mental health in First Nations across New Brunswick. He is qualified to work with clients dealing with mental health challenges associated with stress, anxiety, depression, family conflict, and more. He currently works in private practice with students in elementary schools and middle schools in New Brunswick. His clinical work with Indigenous students will inform the writing process and distribution of these resources.

Mike will lead this project by coordinating Advisory Committee meetings and liaising with publishers and focus groups. He will also co-author the books and accompanying resources in a collaborative writing process with Rachel Cole.

One of Rachel’s passions is improving mental health in children across New Brunswick. She is qualified to work with clients dealing with mental health challenges associated with stress, anxiety, depression, family conflict, and more. She has worked exclusively in a guidance counselling role at a band-operated school over the past two years, helping Indigenous students from K-5 build social emotional skills and working one-on-one with students. She has also provided counselling services to students in the public school system over the past year. Rachel will use her clinical experience to co-author these books and accompanying resources with Mike Hennessey. Her area of specialization is working with young children, which will be invaluable to this project.

With a diverse career as an educator and graphic designer along with working in various institutions in Ottawa and New Brunswick, Brandon is dedicated in transferring his knowledge and expertise as an artist to support Indigenous wellbeing. He has an extensive background in creating and publishing visual art that tells the stories of our shared history.

His most recent accomplishment was being a part of the team that wrote and illustrated “This Place: 150 Years Retold”, which has received national acclaim for telling the story of Canadian history from an Indigenous perspective. As an Indigenous artist, he is perfectly suited to illustrating this book series and ensuring Indigenous imagery is represented throughout.