STAFF
Margaret Mauger - Co-founder, Executive Director and Therapist ([email protected])
Margaret is the Co-founder, Executive Director and Registered Counselling Therapist of the After Trauma Empowerment Network (ATEN) and the Violet Rose Gift & Thrift Shop. She established ATEN in January 2020 to provide barrier-free counselling and support to all genders who have experienced trauma. The Violet Rose Gift & Thrift Shop opened in October 2022 to raise funds for the operation of ATEN.
Margaret has dedicated the last 15 years of her life-work to serving, counselling and supporting all genders who have experienced trauma, violence and abuse. She specializes in and is most known for her work with survivors of sexualized violence. She considers her life-work with trauma survivors to be a true honor and privilege. She is not only responsible for providing trauma therapy, advocacy, education, court accompaniment, and support to individuals affected by trauma, but she is also responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of ATEN.
One of Margaret’s most significant and proudest achievements includes being awarded the Dr. Burnley “Rocky” Allen Jones Award by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission in 2013 to recognize her non-discriminatory work with all gender survivors of sexualized violence.
Margaret values compassion, life-long learning, empowerment and equity. She is a musician, quilter, gardener, and photographer. She most enjoys travelling to the cottage in Cape Breton with her partner/husband, Darrell, for the waves and windchimes.
| Curriculum Vitae |
Jessica D. Dixon - BA, MACP, RCT-C, Registered Counselling Therapist Candidate
[email protected]
Jessica is a Registered Counselling Therapist Candidate licensed with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapist with a strong background in psychology. She holds a major in Psychology from Saint Mary's University. She went on to complete her master’s in counselling psychology at Yorkville University, where she gained comprehensive training in therapeutic techniques, client-centered care, and trauma-informed practices.
Jessica is also an assessor in training for Impact of Race and Culture Assessments (IRCAs) for African Nova Scotians, reflecting her deep commitment to addressing cultural and racial factors in therapy. As a Black woman, she is uniquely attuned to the challenges faced by individuals from marginalized communities, having navigated many of these obstacles herself. Her personal experiences, paired with her professional expertise, allow her to provide a compassionate, culturally aware, and understanding approach to therapy.
In her clinical work, she focuses on chronic and complex trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, as well as sexual and domestic abuse. She is passionate about empowering her clients through therapeutic support that helps them heal, find strength, and overcome the barriers to living a fulfilled and balanced life.
As a part of the After Trauma Empowerment Network, Jessica brings her expertise and dedication to helping individuals who have experienced trauma reclaim their lives and move forward with a renewed sense of empowerment and hope. Her clinical approach is built on the belief that healing begins with understanding and compassion, and she strives to create a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their experiences and begin their journey to recovery.
Outside of her work, Jessica enjoys reading, particularly fiction and history, as well as exploring new recipes and cooking for her family. She resides in Halifax with her husband and their 16-month-old son, where they enjoy spending quality time together.
Through her work and personal life, she remains committed to supporting her community, advocating for racial and cultural understanding, and helping individuals heal from the wounds of trauma.
Shauna Stewart - Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling
[email protected]
Shauna Stewart is a Registered Professional Counsellor and Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling, registered with the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association. With 17 years of experience working in non-profit organizations, Shauna has adopted a trauma-informed, client centered approach to counselling. Shauna specializes in trauma counselling and addictions counselling and has a background of working with people that have experienced intimate partner violence and social injustice. Shauna has extensive knowledge of the criminal justice system and has advocated and supported many clients through the traditional court system, family court, wellness court, and domestic violence court.
Shauna’s passion for helping people is deeply rooted in personal life experiences which drove her to pursue a career focused on making a positive impact. Her proficiency in crisis management and rapport-building skills has enabled her to connect meaningfully with clients, colleagues, and community partners.
Shauna lives with her husband, children and many pets, in the community of Enfield. She loves to read, spend time with family & friends, and is a lover of all things true crime and law related. Shauna currently has capacity to take on new clients and is looking forward to helping you through your healing journey.
Shauna’s passion for helping people is deeply rooted in personal life experiences which drove her to pursue a career focused on making a positive impact. Her proficiency in crisis management and rapport-building skills has enabled her to connect meaningfully with clients, colleagues, and community partners.
Shauna lives with her husband, children and many pets, in the community of Enfield. She loves to read, spend time with family & friends, and is a lover of all things true crime and law related. Shauna currently has capacity to take on new clients and is looking forward to helping you through your healing journey.
Juli Langille - Peer Support Worker
[email protected]
Juli Langille is a Peer Support Worker here at ATEN. Juli's approach is to meet people where they are without judgment or expectation, support them along their healing journey, and recognize and celebrate any movement in the right direction. Juli helps her peers set realistic goals they wish to achieve, such as work, school, relationships, physical or mental health, etc., and can help her peers break everything down into smaller, more manageable steps so the peer can move forward more comfortably.
Juli has had many lived experiences and is a survivor of multiple traumas. That said, she is in a very healthy mental health state of mind and living her best life. In fact, she now enthusiastically looks forward to what the future holds instead of just trying to survive day by day like she used to. Juli's passion is to help support others along their healing journey so that they can navigate it with more ease. She believes healing is possible and achievable for all.
Juli loves animals and nature and finds both to be her happy place. Her hobbies include foraging, gardening with a not-so-green thumb, rock hounding, beach walking, reading, and writing.
Lea-Ann Julian - Office Administrator & Coordinator
[email protected]
Lea-Ann is the Office Administrator/Coordinator and Co-Director of ATEN. While she worked most of her adult life in retail, sales and customer service, her empathic heart and true passion is for serving people who need it most. Being part of a team that cares deeply about all others and their well being is most important to her and where she is happiest. “ATEN possesses all the core values and purposes I’ve been brought up to believe in and practice daily. ATEN is a unique and fascinating non profit organization and I am most grateful to be a part of it.”
A life-long resident of East Hants, Lea-Ann is a loving wife, mother, step-mother, daughter, sister, aunt and grandmother. She is the proud mother of a son and daughter, a blended family of six, and four grandchildren. Her German Sheppard, Taze, is also one of her cherished family members and companion.
Aside from spending time with her family and being a “hockey mom” she can be found contributing to her community in some generous way. She wholeheartedly enjoys volunteering and encourages others to volunteer because it is so rewarding for the spirit. She has organized and volunteered at numerous events in East Hants and Sipekne’takik First Nation. In addition to working at ATEN full-time she regularly volunteers at the Violet Rose Gift & Thrift Shop.
In her downtime Lea-Ann enjoys gardening, and doing creative crafting. But being near water, any water, is most satisfying to her – “There’s just something about water that calms the chaos”.
[email protected]
Lea-Ann is the Office Administrator/Coordinator and Co-Director of ATEN. While she worked most of her adult life in retail, sales and customer service, her empathic heart and true passion is for serving people who need it most. Being part of a team that cares deeply about all others and their well being is most important to her and where she is happiest. “ATEN possesses all the core values and purposes I’ve been brought up to believe in and practice daily. ATEN is a unique and fascinating non profit organization and I am most grateful to be a part of it.”
A life-long resident of East Hants, Lea-Ann is a loving wife, mother, step-mother, daughter, sister, aunt and grandmother. She is the proud mother of a son and daughter, a blended family of six, and four grandchildren. Her German Sheppard, Taze, is also one of her cherished family members and companion.
Aside from spending time with her family and being a “hockey mom” she can be found contributing to her community in some generous way. She wholeheartedly enjoys volunteering and encourages others to volunteer because it is so rewarding for the spirit. She has organized and volunteered at numerous events in East Hants and Sipekne’takik First Nation. In addition to working at ATEN full-time she regularly volunteers at the Violet Rose Gift & Thrift Shop.
In her downtime Lea-Ann enjoys gardening, and doing creative crafting. But being near water, any water, is most satisfying to her – “There’s just something about water that calms the chaos”.
Jessica Webb - Thrift Shop Expert
Hello, my name is Jessica. I grew up in Shubenacadie and have always loved calling this little community my home. Before I was born/when I was a baby my grandparents Scott and Gwen owned the old Frenchy's Store here off the exit 10, and as a kid I always remember helping out at yard sales/flea markets, meeting new people and learning new things with my nan and pop. Fast forward to now being in my twenties, working at a thrift store feels surreal! Not only for the nostalgia aspect, as someone who has always struggled with mental health knowing that all proceeds from the Violet Rose Gift & Thrift Shop go towards supporting the After Trauma Empowerment Network gives me great pride and joy in coming into work each day being sure to greet everyone with a smile just as my nan used to!
Hello, my name is Jessica. I grew up in Shubenacadie and have always loved calling this little community my home. Before I was born/when I was a baby my grandparents Scott and Gwen owned the old Frenchy's Store here off the exit 10, and as a kid I always remember helping out at yard sales/flea markets, meeting new people and learning new things with my nan and pop. Fast forward to now being in my twenties, working at a thrift store feels surreal! Not only for the nostalgia aspect, as someone who has always struggled with mental health knowing that all proceeds from the Violet Rose Gift & Thrift Shop go towards supporting the After Trauma Empowerment Network gives me great pride and joy in coming into work each day being sure to greet everyone with a smile just as my nan used to!
Crystal Dimock - Thrift Shop Associate
Hello, my name is Crystal Dimock. I am a retired Continuing Care Assistant and have worked in the municipality of East Hants for over 19 years.
I was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder at age 22, and with treatment, self-care, and learning to live in the moment, I have learned to live a happy life with minimal anxiety.
My greatest accomplishment is being the proud mama of two amazing boys, Aiden and Jaxon.
I enjoy everything outdoors. Fishing, hunting, and four-wheeling are some of my favourite hobbies, but my passion is spending quality time & sharing experiences with my family and loved ones.
VOLUNTEERS
ATEN Board of Directors: Margaret Mauger, Tasha Head, Lucella Langille, Nicola MacLean, Glynn Irving, Lynne Smith, Kate Matthews (Zoom).
Darrell Mauger
Audrey Balsor
Diana McMullen