Meet Our Team
Dr. Blake Ausmus
Registered Psychologist,
Calgary (Douglasdale) & St Albert
Dr. Ausmus is a Registered Psychologist in Alberta. He is the owner of Sano State Health Clinic and he practices in Calgary and St. Albert.
Dr. Ausmus has been practicing Biofeedback and Neurofeedback therapies in Calgary since early 2014. Since then, his practice has evolved to include counselling and neuromodulation therapies as well. He finds fulfillment in helping people overcome trauma (both physical and emotional) through various approaches and therapies. Using a non-judgmental approach in mental health is essential to him, as he recognizes the importance of clients feeling comfortable in order for progress to occur.
Dr. Ausmus is passionate about technologies and how they can be implemented in therapy. He has been trained in several different types of Biofeedback and Neurofeedback and, as a result, clients of Sano State have access to cutting-edge therapies that are non-invasive, but very effective, to support treatment. Dr. Ausmus is fluent in Spanish and earned a BA at the University of Calgary in Spanish before finishing his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Psychology at Walden University. He currently serves as a volunteer board member at large for the Wayfinders Wellness Society.
Kayla Taylor is a Registered Psychologist in Alberta. She is the co-owner of Sano State Psychology Inc. and she practices in Calgary.
Kayla is passionate about mental health and wellness and has been practicing in the field since 2010. She is a strong believer in holism, mind-body connection, and the importance of healthy and secure attachments to our overall health and wellbeing. Kayla works with adults, children, adolescents, and families. She supports clients through various approaches in talk therapy and play-based therapy, Neurofeedback Therapy, and Biofeedback.
Kayla has a Master’s of Science degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Calgary. In her spare time, Kayla enjoys spending time with her family and socializing with friends, exercising, travelling, and reading and learning.
Kayla Taylor
Registered Psychologist,
Calgary (Killarney) & Airdrie
Agnieszka Wolska
Registered Social Worker,
Calgary (Killarney)
Agnieszka (pronounced ahg-ñeh-sh-ka”) is a registered social worker (RSW) with a Master of Social Work degree in Clinical Practice from the University of Calgary. She helps folks (individuals, couples, all relationships, and families) find their inner strengths and wisdom, through a gentle internally focused process of connecting with the whole self and finding new ways of seeing and understanding experiences.
She has experience supporting diverse people through diverse problems including depression, anxiety, grief and loss, work-related stress, the challenges of immigrant experience, addiction and recovery, religious trauma and healing, parenting (children and adolescents), and ecological grief and anxiety.
Agnieszka is trained in Hakomi Mindfulness-based Body-psychotherapy, Narrative Therapy, and Systemic Family Therapy, and has some training in Internal Family Systems. She is certified in Hakomi Mindfulness-based Somatic Psychotherapy (CHT) and is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist (RMFT). In her personal time, Agnieszka loves to be out in Nature, either completely alone, or with family (partner, three teenage kids, and their flat-coated retriever Rayla). She also loves to read and study textbooks, write poetry, knit and crochet, and sing.
Kari Cole is a Registered Psychologist with a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology. She has been registered in Alberta since 2016 and practices out of the Killarney office in Calgary.
Kari’s client-centered and holistic approach is based on developing therapeutic relationships grounded in compassion. She works with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families.
Kari creates a safe, non-judgemental space and takes a collaborative stance in therapy to foster mental health, wellness, and lifelong resiliencies. Her integrative approach draws from evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), and Experiential Therapies (Art/Play).
Some of Kari’s areas of specialization include anxiety, mood challenges, attention problems (ADHD), self-esteem, grief, emotional regulation, eating disorders, and self-harm. She considers it a great privilege to be a part of each client’s process towards increased wellness.
In her free time, Kari loves spending active time in nature with her husband and two children. She also enjoys scrapbooking, reading, creating new healthy recipes, and learning through professional development.
Kari Cole
Registered Psychologist
Calgary (Killarney)
Dr. Claude Shema
Provisional Psychologist
St Albert
Dr. Claude Shema brings over 25 years of clinical experience across a wide range of disciplines, including psychiatry, clinical psychology, neurosurgery, tropical medicine, and more—essentially, everything connected to the brain-behaviour relationship. He has worked in hospital settings, residential treatment centers, and private practice, supporting children, adolescents, individuals, couples, families, young offenders, and Indigenous populations.
Claude is not only a seasoned professional but also someone who genuinely embraces a holistic approach to mental wellbeing. His clients’ success is his top priority, and we know he will bring warmth and insight to every interaction.
Outside of his clinical work, Claude is passionate about physical fitness, mixed martial arts (both as a practitioner and coach), skiing, winter sports, and hiking in nature.
Jarom MacDonald is a practicum student counsellor at Sano State Psychology, providing counselling care at the Killarney location in Calgary, and Neurofeedback care in Douglasdale.
Jarom is passionate about supporting teenagers and young adults as they navigate challenges related to stress, anxiety, and depression. He brings a calm, approachable presence to sessions and focuses on creating a space where clients feel comfortable, understood, and able to open up without fear of judgment. Jarom works collaboratively with clients to better understand their thoughts and emotions, and to develop practical strategies to manage stress and build resilience in their day-to-day lives.
Jarom holds a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology from Mount Royal University and is currently completing his Master of Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University.
Outside of his professional work, Jarom enjoys staying active and connected with others. He can often be found swimming at the lake, spending time with his wife and three children, or on the pickleball court—where he not only loves to play but also enjoys introducing others to what he jokingly calls a “very real” addiction. A Calgary native, Jarom has a strong appreciation for the community he grew up in. In his quieter moments, he also enjoys revisiting classic video games, recently completing a full playthrough of Super Mario Bros. 3.
Jarom MacDonald
Student Counsellor and Neurofeedback Practitioner
Calgary (Killarney and Douglasdale)
Angie Smith
Office Manager and Neurofeedback Practitioner
Calgary (Douglasdale)
Angie Smith is the Office Manager and also a Neurofeedback Practitioner at our Douglasdale office in Calgary. Angie believes in a holistic approach to health where client needs are individualized and prioritized. She began her career in Human Resources where she spent nearly 10 years helping manage benefits plans and disability cases. Through this, she discovered her passion for health and more specifically the links between mental health and nutrition.
Angie has received her certification for Holistic Nutrition as well as personal training and group fitness classes and she brings this knowledge and passion for health and wellness with her to the clinic each day. In her spare time, Angie loves being active and spending time with her family and friends.
Miranda Gibbons is a Neurofeedback Practitioner and Office Manager in St. Albert. Miranda began her career as a Registered Massage Therapist practicing in Alberta for ten years. Throughout this time Miranda worked in a variety of settings and eventually went on to own and operate a spa and wellness center. After so many years of hands-on work with clients Miranda really began to see the link between mental and physical health and began favoring a holistic approach to client wellbeing and promoting a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Miranda happily joined the Sano State team in February of 2022. In her free time, Miranda enjoys spending time with her family, getting outdoors, and staying active. She can be frequently found in the neighborhood yoga studios or out on the trails running, biking, or exploring with her daughter.
Miranda Gibbons
Office Manager
& Neurofeedback Practitioner
St. Albert
Kristen Nash
Office Manager and Neurofeedback Practitioner
Calgary (Killarney)
After a 24-year maternity leave, Kristen is excited to return to work as the Office Manager and Neurofeedback technician at our Killarney location.
Kristen was an ex-pat in Southern California with her husband and four kids for two years; now, the Pacific Ocean runs through her Calgary-born and bred veins.
Kristen enjoys adventures with her family, a memorable time being when they drove over 2000 km in 24 hours to witness a total lunar eclipse, which was completely life-changing.
Kobe Bryant once read to her kids.
Kristen loves words, grammar and dissecting perfectly crafted sentences from the New Yorker.
One of Kristen’s favourite sayings is, "If you want something done, ask a mom, unless it's a trip to the ER, then don’t ask. It isn’t broken. You don’t need stitches." Kristen is currently pursuing part-time studies in the field of psychology.
Jessica is a Neurofeedback Practitioner in Airdrie who holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Mount Royal University (2024). She brings both scientific training and genuine curiosity into her work, along with a deep passion for mental health.
Jessica had the unique experience of completing high school and beginning university in a virtual learning environment, which helped shape her adaptability and understanding of the diverse challenges people face. During her degree, some unexpected highlights included courses such as Death and Afterlife, exploring death customs across cultures, and Sociology of Gender, which deepened her appreciation for human experience and identity.
She loves working with clients of all ages and has a special interest in supporting younger clients. Jessica is known for her warm, approachable presence and enjoys building meaningful connections with those she works with.
Outside of the clinic, Jessica loves baking and is always on the lookout for new recipes to try. She has also unofficially turned our Airdrie clinic into a bit of a book club, happily sharing her love of reading and offering thoughtful recommendations to clients.
Jessica Bonert
Neurofeedback Practitioner
Airdrie
Maren Brown
Neurofeedback Practitioner
Airdrie, Calgary (Killarney)
Maren is a Neurofeedback Practitioner who provides client care at both the Airdrie and Killarney clinics. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and English Literature from Bishop’s University and plans to return to school to pursue her master’s degree in counselling.
With over eight years of customer service experience, Maren has developed a strong appreciation for connecting with people from different backgrounds and hearing their unique stories. Her years of coaching have shown her how rewarding it is to be part of children’s discovery and growth, and they continue to remind her to approach life with curiosity and playfulness. Her work at Sano State Psychology has deepened her interest in helping individuals feel heard and supported as they work toward personal growth.
Outside of work, Maren enjoys activities that “fill her cup,” such as spending time with friends and family, staying active, and getting outside in the sunshine. She enjoys being involved in her community through organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Ronald McDonald House, and Meals on Wheels. Maren continues to play soccer year-round and also enjoys moments of solitude spent cooking, reading, and watching movies.
Alissa Van Buren is a Neurofeedback Practitioner in the Killarney office in Calgary. Alissa graduated from the University of Alberta in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science with Specialization in Psychology. Alissa’s favourite courses included elements of neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and interpersonal relationships and she is very excited to be working in an environment that incorporates all of these areas. Alissa is passionate about promoting the importance of mental health and hopes to continue learning and growing in the field by going to school for her master’s in counselling, with her end goal of becoming a registered psychologist.
Alissa loves plants and believes that we should tend to our brain like we tend to our plants, giving them all the resources and care that they need to flourish! In her spare time, Alissa enjoys playing piano, reading, and volunteering at her local food bank. Alissa aspires to create a world where mental health is prioritized, allowing individuals to thrive and achieve their full potential!
Alissa Van Buren
Neurofeedback Practitioner
Calgary (Killarney)
Alicia Adams
Communications Coordinator
and Neurofeedback Practitioner, Airdrie
Alicia Adams is our Communications Coordinator. She is the friendly first point of contact when you reach out. Alicia brings a 20+ year history in customer service. Before joining the Sano State team, she worked with one of Canada's largest airlines for almost a decade. That industry's varied and demanding nature was excellent for honing her ability to connect with people and get to the heart of their needs. Alicia is a people person at her core and is passionate about mental health and wellbeing. Through her lived experience, she has witnessed the capacity for growth and change and is
committed to helping people find this within themselves.
Alicia is a busy mom of three and enjoys reading, podcasts, knitting, and crocheting. She is also a self-proclaimed nerd with many areas of particular interest, especially in musical theatre, film and television. It is a passion born out of her time studying at MacEwan University's Theatre Arts Program, and she loves nothing better than diving into a fan-favourite series or film with her husband!
Allana is our social media creator and manager, though she has formerly done many roles within the clinic.
Allana graduated from the University of Calgary in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and a Minor in Anthropology. Currently, she attends the University of British Columbia and is working to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
Allana has been in the therapy world since 2018 when she became a Developmental Aide. In this role, she supports children with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD, ASD, and Deafness. In 2021, she was the co-head of a grassroots organization that supported individuals who had experienced sexual violence. She has also spent time in the community as a recreational sports coach in gymnastics and dance.
Allana’s own personal experiences have helped her become a strong mental health advocate, fostering not only compassion and empathy but also a drive to increase the efficacy of health and therapy services. She is passionate about diversity and multidisciplinary interventions. With skills in American Sign Language, she hopes to increase the reach of therapy services.
Outside of work, Allana spends her time playing music, volleyball, and video games. She strongly values her relationships and hopes to bring a positive experience to every person she meets.
Allana Shewfelt
Senior Neurofeedback Practitioner and
Social Media Manager