NEW - Online booking

Welcome to Break Free Counselling - New Clients are now being Accepted!

Ask about Direct Billing!

Meet Barbara Jean!


Barbara Jean is the owner of Break Free Counselling Ltd. and also one of their several counsellors available to serve our community.

Break Free Counselling Ltd. was born in her mind long before she was actually a counsellor. From determination, great love and passion her dream is now her reality. Break Free Counselling Ltd. was a success from the beginning because she is the real deal. Break Free Counselling has been a healing force for her. Graduating at the top of her class, three times, her love of learning is only second to her kind nature. Barbara Jean has the things that are necessary to be a good counsellor, she was born that way. That tender empathy that you really can’t learn in school.

Barbara Jean was a “busy” teenager, to say the least. Her mom often mentions that her father was lucky he didn’t burn the church down lighting candles for her. Heartbreak hit her hard and she’s had days where life was so hard, she lost her spark, and needed some help. Barbara Jean walked the walk and for a long time, would say she felt like a shadow of herself. She knows the importance of mental health care because she experienced, first hand, the lonely pain and fear that can live in ones mind.

She’s afraid of lady bugs and butterflies, and will run over her own children to escape a June Bug attack. She is clumsy, sports were never her thing. At times you’d find her running in the wrong direction toward a basketball net, with a blinding passion that allowed her to get all the way to the net, several times. Break Free Counselling Ltd. and Barbara Jean are now accepting new clients, you can book online or call 782.400.4430. Thank you for considering Break Free Counselling Ltd., where your needs come first.

Meet Barbara Jean! Barbara Jean is the owner of Break Free Counselling Ltd. and also one of thei... Read More

Chuck Knott is a counsellor who provides evidence-based psychotherapy within a structured, client-centered framework. Services are grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and neurodiverse-affirming practice. Treatment focuses on supporting clients in developing emotional regulation skills, increasing psychological flexibility, and modifying unhelpful cognitive and behavioural patterns.

Chuck works with individuals and couples presenting with concerns such as anxiety, emotional dysregulation, relationship distress, ADHD-related challenges, substance use, and difficulties related to life transitions and identity development. Interventions are tailored to each client’s needs, with an emphasis on measurable outcomes, skill acquisition, and sustainable change. Couples work is informed by the Gottman Method.

Clinical work is informed by a collaborative, non-pathologizing approach that prioritizes psychological safety, client autonomy, and strengths-based development. Particular attention is given to supporting neurodiverse clients through affirming, accessible, and individualized care.

Chuck Knott is a counsellor who provides evidence-based psychotherapy within a structured, client... Read More

Jennifer MacDonald is a Registered Counselling Therapist and a member of the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. She holds a Master of Education in Counselling from Acadia University and a background in psychology from Mount Saint Vincent University. Jennifer brings a steady, compassionate presence to her work and is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and collaborative space for every client she meets.

Jennifer works extensively with adults and couples. Her approach is grounded in respect, curiosity, and the belief that people thrive when they feel understood and genuinely supported. In her work with couples, Jennifer focuses on communication, emotional connection, and strengthening relationships through empathy and skill building.

Jennifer integrates evidence-informed therapeutic approaches to meet the unique needs of each client. She aims to help individuals and families make sense of their experiences, develop new ways of coping, and move toward healthier patterns in daily life.

Whether you are seeking support for yourself or your relationship, Jennifer offers a calm and encouraging environment to explore challenges and discover new possibilities for growth and well-being.

Jennifer MacDonald is a Registered Counselling Therapist and a member of the Nova Scotia College ... Read More

Brennah is a Registered Counselling Therapist Candidate (RCT-C), Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). She brings a calm, grounded presence to her work and is deeply committed to helping clients feel understood, supported, and empowered.

Brennah understands that many people are not struggling due to a lack of insight, but because their bodies and nervous systems have been carrying stress for a long time. She strives to help clients strengthen the connection between mind and body, developing practical skills to navigate intense emotions, build feelings of safety, and respond to stress with greater steadiness and flexibility.

In sessions, clients can expect a balance of warmth and structure. Brennah values creating a safe space while also supporting meaningful growth. She gently guides clients toward deeper self-awareness, increased emotional resilience, and greater confidence in their ability to tolerate discomfort without shutting down or becoming overwhelmed.

Her work is collaborative and strengths-based. She believes healing happens when people feel both supported and challenged in ways that respect their pace and capacity. Brennah aims to help clients cultivate self-trust, emotional flexibility, and a more regulated relationship with themselves and others.

She is committed to providing a therapeutic environment that feels respectful, steady, and grounded, a space where clients can slow down, reconnect with themselves, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

Brennah is a Registered Counselling Therapist Candidate (RCT-C), Registered Psychotherapist (Qua... Read More

Sheri L. Taylor, MBA, MACP, RCT-C, is a Registered Psychotherapist known for her warm, human-centred approach to helping individuals create meaningful and fulfilling lives. With extensive experience in financial, career, and mental health counselling, she brings a unique, holistic perspective to her work, supporting clients as they navigate challenges and strengthen their emotional well-being. Sheri is passionate about empowering people to build healthy relationships, foster resilience, and reconnect with their personal strengths. She offers both traditional therapeutic sessions and nature-based walk-and-talk therapy for those who find healing through movement and the outdoors. In addition to her clinical work, Sheri leads wellness retreats for individuals and corporate groups, creating spaces for reflection, growth, and renewal. Her therapeutic style integrates narrative therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy, allowing her to tailor her approach to each client’s needs. Sheri holds an MBA from Cape Breton University and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. She is licensed in Nova Scotia as an RCT-C and is dedicated to providing compassionate, client-centred care that supports people in moving toward their goals and living their best lives.

Sheri L. Taylor, MBA, MACP, RCT-C, is a Registered Psychotherapist known for her warm, human-cent... Read More

Select a session from the list on the left
to view available appointment times

Pick a treatment to book


Located at: 1487 George St, Sydney
Directions & Map |