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CVMA VetConnect
Care, Community and Connection
You are not meant to do this alone and we are here to help. CVMA VetConnect Program features licensed and registered psychologists, social workers and therapists who also have the lived experience of being a veterinarian or RVT. Vet-focused help when you need it. Please note that the cost of therapy is the responsibility of the user.
As our mental health becomes more of a priority in veterinary medicine, we may start to wonder how to find someone to talk to when we struggle. Given the unique stressors in this profession, it can be challenging to find a counsellor who truly understands. Ellen Nicklassen started working in the veterinary field when she was 12 years old and has spent time in all positions in the veterinary setting. She graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013 and owns a small animal practice in Kelowna, BC.
Ellen Nicklassen can be found at thepractitionerslounge.ca and the email is admin@thepractitionerslounge.ca and offers EN sessions.
Liz Sinclair Kruth is a registered psychotherapist, registered clinical counsellor and DVM. Prior to becoming a therapist, she was a clinical veterinarian for almost 10 years. As an emergency room veterinarian, in addition to helping animals, she helped people deal with decision making, grief, couple/family disagreements, and a myriad of other challenges.
Liz Sinclair Kruth can be found at lizsinclairkruthcounselling.com and and offers EN sessions. She can be contacted through email: lizsinclairkruth@protonmail.com and phone: 226-780-5223.
Kathleen Dunbar is a Registered Social Worker and RVT with the Tender Tails program in Nova Scotia. Before becoming a social worker, she worked as an RVT, actively supporting patient care in general practice. Kathleen is dedicated to helping veterinary professionals in the Atlantic provinces navigate the industry's unique challenges through compassion and evidence-based support.
Kathleen Dunbar offers EN sessions. She can be contacted via email at tendertailscarecare@gmail.com and by phone or text at 902-399-5869. Her online booking platform is carnegyanimalhospital.janeapp.com/.
Are you a licensed and registered psychologist, social worker or therapist who also has the lived experience of being a veterinarian or RVT? Do you want to join the CVMA VetConnect list of therapists? Email us at wellnessdei@cvma-acmv.org for more information!
Disclaimer: The CVMA is providing the subject list and contact information regarding registered counselors and therapists as a mechanism for communication with them. The CVMA does not endorse or recommend any of the listed professionals and accepts no responsibility or liability for their professional conduct, fees charged or the outcome of any counseling or liability for their professional conduct, fees charged or the outcome of any counseling or support services that they may provide. We encourage all users of this information to conduct their own due diligence before engaging any of these counselors or therapists. This is not an exhaustive list. If you are a regulated counselor or therapist who is also a veterinary professional of you have experience and up-skilled yourself to support veterinary professionals, please email for more information on submission requirements and assessment process to be included in the list.