Meet Our Team!
We provide education and training that helps organizations build capacity, strengths, resources, and enhanced performance through strategic communication.
Dr. Elaine Cook, PhD.Â
(email: [email protected])Â
Elaine Cook has a PhD in applied behavioural psychology. As a certified solution-focused coach she works with individuals, families and organizations to facilitate conversations and implement humanistic programs that guide people toward development and personal wisdom. Currently, she works at Holland Bloorview Kid’s Rehabilitation Hospital and is responsible for training doctors, nurses, clinicians, students, youth and families in solution-focused communication practices. She is mother to three children and two fur-babies, and when she isn’t mothering or working she loves to ponder the nature of the universe and our place in it, as integrated, whole and healthy beings.
Cathy Petta, RN
Cathy Petta has been an RN for over 30 years, and has spent the last 16 years at Holland Bloorview, She spent her first two years here on the inpatient rehab unit, and for the last 14 years has been one of the nurses with the Psychopharmacology Clinic supporting children with ASD with severe interfering behaviors and their families.
Since her first introduction to the Solution Focused approach in 2016 she has worked to embed a Solution Focused approach in all areas of her practice at Holland Bloorview and beyond. She was one of the first cohort to successfully complete the certification in Humanistic solution focused health care coaching and facilitation at Holland Bloorview.
Her passion and best hope is to help other clinicians to bring the humanistic solution focused approach to their clinical practice.
Brian J. Freel, SFC
Brian Freel is an experienced coach, program facilitator and seminar/group leader. In his private practice Brian assists all types of clients including: children & youths, families, adults of all ages, couples and professionals, in groups and one-on-one consultations. He is passionate about everything solution focused and is an expert at leading from behind for a wide range of issues and concerns.
Brian brings a unique perspective and many years of experience to HB Humanistic Healthcare and states, without reservation, how honored he is to be part of such a progressive and dynamic team.
He is a lifelong learner and an incurable optimist.
In his spare time you may see Brian cycling the roads and mountain bike trails where he resides in the Niagara Region.
Heidi Schwellnus, PhDÂ
Heidi Schwellnus is an occupational therapist with over 20 years of clinical and research experience working with children with disabilities and their families. She is currently a Collaborative Practice Leader at Holland Bloorview working with a number of professional groups to transform client and family-centred care to include a holistic view of health including mental health. Heidi introduced solution-focused coaching to Holland Bloorview during her post-doctoral studies in 2013. She is a trained Solution-focused coach and brings coaching into her current role. Heidi has a strong track record of working collaboratively with clients, families, clinicians and researchers.
Wesley Magee-Saxton
Wesley Magee-Saxton is a multidisciplinary artist and storyteller. They are a recent graduate of the York University Theatre program, having earned their Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Specialized Honours in acting for the stage. They were trained in Solution Focused Humanistic Healthcare during their time as a Youth Leader at Holland Bloorview. As a CBS coach and co-facilitator on the team, they hope to bring the unique insights of their lived experience as a white disabled actor and apply it to a healthcare context. They endeavour to use the knowledge gifted to them by this experience and training, to hold space for participants of the workshops to view the work through the lens of someone intimately intertwined with the healthcare system. They wish to acknowledge the disparities of care between differing intersections within the current systems at play, and to use their privilege to be a guide towards progress.
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