About Us
COUNSELLOR TALK
About the Founders of Counsellor Talk:
Helen MacKinnon and Susan Spellman Cann
At the heart of Counsellor Talk are Helen MacKinnon and Susan Spellman Cann, two deeply dedicated psychologists and former school counsellors whose decades of experience have transformed the lives of countless individuals.
With careers rooted in counselling, teaching, and empowering others, they have built a legacy of fostering meaningful connections and advancing creative counselling practices.
Based in Calgary, Alberta, their mission continues to inspire a new generation of counsellors and educators to create lasting change with the youth they empower.
Helen MacKinnon
Registered Psychologist
Helen MacKinnon is a Registered Psychologist with a career that spans over 4 decades that includes teaching all levels of school from K-12, school counselling, school administrator, District Consultant for Calgary Catholic School Board, a psychologist for Calgary Stampede Foundation, and private practice. In all of these roles, counselling has been the heart and soul of her career and remains so to this day.
Helen grew up in a large loving family of 9 children in Cape Breton Island, N.S. Helen returns to her home by the sea every summer, where she reconnects with friends and family. However, for the past 43 years, Helen has been fortunate enough to call Calgary, Alberta her home. Calgary is a place that has given her many of life's best gifts, including her loving husband Colin, her three beautiful children, four grandchildren, loving friends, and a lifetime passion and career in the helping professions.
Helen is presently semi-retired and when not working enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking, swimming, and skiing.
Susan Spellman Cann
Registered Psychologist
Susan Spellman Cann is a Registered Psychologist with more than four decades of experience which includes teaching regular and special education, as well as being an elementary, junior high, and high school counsellor. Throughout her career, Susan has been dedicated to empowering youth, teachers, and counsellors. Her experience which has spanned across K-12 schools, universities, private practice, and being a psychologist for the Calgary Stampede Foundation has allowed her to have an amazing career. Working with youth has brought her great joy.
Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Susan loves to spend summers on the beach, especially on the picturesque Mira River with her loving family. The beautiful Calgary, Alberta has been home for over forty years.
Susan's passion for technology motivates her to continuously learn about its potential to positively impact the next generation of counsellors. Through volunteering, both online and offline, Susan continues to pay it forward.
Presently Susan is semi-retired, so she indulges in her love of everything artistic (including creating the cover and graphics for Counsellor Talk), going for walks, travelling, spending precious time with family and friends, and playing pickleball. You can find out more about Susan's professional life here.