S. Gerald Hann, DEd
Dr. Gerald Hann is a seasoned psychologist with over 30 years of experience specializing in the treatment of children, adolescents, adults, and couples. He is dedicated to helping individuals overcome self-defeating behaviors, anxiety, and depression, fostering long-term well-being.In addition to his private practice, Dr. Hann holds an assistant professorship at Dalhousie University’s Department of Psychiatry. He frequently presents and provides supervision to a broad range of mental health professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, and counselors. With his extensive expertise, he helps healthcare providers address unconscious emotional patterns that may impact their clinical work and relationships with patients.
Dr. Hann’s advanced training in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) spans 15 years. He is one of only two consultant psychologists who contributed to the Diagnostic Interview for Stress Disorders pilot project, which laid the foundation for the Medically Unexplained Symptoms Clinic at the QEII Health Sciences Centre. This program continues to operate successfully since 2009. Dr. Hann offers the same treatment clients would receive at the Medically Unexplained Symptoms Clinic, with the added benefit of quicker access to care.Common issues treated by Dr. Hann include functional neurological syndromes, psychogenic pain, dissociation, irritable bowel syndrome, emotional numbing, and other somatic symptoms.Additionally, Dr. Hann has a keen interest in supporting neurodivergent individuals of all ages. His achievement in becoming credentialed as a National Certified School Psychologist (NSCP) in the United States strengthens his expertise in diagnosing and supporting children and adolescents with suspected neurodivergence or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). He also works with adults who may be dealing with trauma or social difficulties related to neurodivergence, helping them navigate emotional challenges in later life.Dr. Hann’s compassionate, scientifically grounded approach offers clients the opportunity to receive care tailored to their unique needs, focusing on long-term recovery and emotional growth.
Kayla Truswell, PhD
Dr. Kayla Truswell is a registered psychologist who completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan. She has generalist clinical training in assessment, consultation, and treatment of individuals across the lifespan with a variety of psychological conditions, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, PTSD, somatic disorders, and personality disorders. Through her graduate training, she gained a breadth of experience from working with individuals with diverse backgrounds in numerous settings, such as hospitals, community organizations, a child development centre, and forensic facilities.
Dr. Truswell also has clinical training and experience completing comprehensive psychological evaluations. She is proficient in a number of assessment contexts, including psychodiagnostic evaluations, cognitive assessments, and psychoeducational assessments with school-aged children and adults. Dr. Truswell has training in a number of treatment modalities, although she primarily uses Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) when working with adults and adolescents. ISTDP is an emotion-focused, psychodynamic therapy that integrates attachment theory to help address underlying root causes of symptoms.
Dr. Truswell works to develop a collaborative alliance with clients to help them address their current difficulties in the context of a non-judgmental therapeutic relationship.
​
Adena Cox, MA
​
Adena Cox is a candidate register psychologist who completed her MA in School Psychology at Mount Saint Vincent University. She has specific training in assessment, diagnosis, and consultation for a variety of psychological conditions in school-aged children and youth, including specific learning disorders, intellectual disability, and ADHD making her proficient in comprehensive psychoeducational assessments.
Although her graduate training is specialized in school psychology, she has a breadth of experience as a researcher in various collaborative community and healthcare settings and clinics, including Pediatric Chronic Pain, the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Clinic, Teen Mental Health, the Language and Literacy Lab, the Healthy Populations Institute, the Department of Family Medicine, and the Medically Unexplained Symptoms Clinic.
Additionally, Adena enjoys working within the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University as a part-time academic, teaching undergraduate psychology courses. She developed her passion for teaching after a number of years working as a teaching assistant, leading her to also have a side niche of helping parents to get their babies and pre-school-aged children get better sleep in her spare time.
Adena has a passion for working with children and families and is looking forward to expanding her knowledge and experience in various counselling and psychotherapy techniques, as well as expanding the range of assessment services she provides. She is passionate about working with children and youth from historically marginalized groups that have a trauma history and providing a warm and supportive environment to the families she serves.
​
Alison (Ali ) Willshaw, BA (Honours Equiv.)
Ali is a psychometrist at the practice specializing in psycho-educational and autism assessments. She completed her BA in Psychology (Honours Equivalent) at McGill University in 2007 and plans to obtain her MA in School Psychology in the near future. In the meantime, Ali spends her free time chasing after her two young children.
​
Ali is trained to review reports, administer and score cognitive, academic, and neuropsychological assessments. She has more than 15 years of experience working with children from ages two to 18, as well as adults.
​
During her 10 years working as a psychometrist at the Hospital for Sick Children, Ali gained a breadth of experience working with children of all ages with various physical and cognitive concerns. Ali has a true passion for working with children and adolescents. She takes a flexible and adaptable approach and uses her calm demeanour to work collaboratively with clients to help them feel at ease in the unfamiliar assessment setting.
​
Noah Hann is a psychometrist at the practice. He recently completed his BSc in Psychology (Honours) from Mount Allison University and is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology program at Antioch University New England (AUNE). Upon graduating from AUNE, he plans to return home and practice as a clinical psychologist.
One of Noah’s primary interests is clinical health psychology, such as medically unexplained symptoms, somatic complaints, and the impact of early attachment trauma on physical and mental health disorders. Additionally, he is interested in psychodynamic therapy, including Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), emotion regulation techniques with anxiety disorders, and attachment.
Noah has also been heavily involved in competitive sports, such as alpine ski racing and soccer, which have given him an appreciation for the power of tenacity and resilience. Specifically, he believes that maintaining a healthy mind and body is the key to tackling life’s challenges.