Directors and Leadership
Alison Petten, Founder, Director
Alison is the Founder and Director of The Calm Place, a therapy clinic she opened in 2021 out of a very personal need. Living with a physical disability, she has experienced firsthand how inaccessible spaces can quietly shut people out of care. At the same time, she noticed how often “trauma-informed” thinking stopped at the therapy room door. The Calm Place was created to change that—building accessibility and nervous-system awareness into the space itself, not as an afterthought, but as a core value.
As a Registered Psychologist specializing in trauma, PTSD, attachment injuries, developmental trauma, and chronic stress, Alison understands how deeply environments affect our sense of safety. She is trained in Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) for shock trauma, is EMDR-certified, and integrates IFS-informed, Cognitive-Behavioural, and Psychodynamic approaches. This lens shapes everything at The Calm Place—from lighting and sound, to communication, pacing, and policies—so clients are supported well before they ever sit down in a therapy chair.
Alison cares deeply about building a collaborative community of clinicians who share a holistic, trauma-informed approach to care. She believes healing is often more sustainable when practitioners work together, honouring the connection between mind, body, and lived experience rather than working in isolation.
At the heart of her work is a simple belief: healing happens when people feel safe enough—both mentally and physically—to engage with change. With a strong grounding in neurobiology, mindfulness, and nervous system regulation, Alison continues to shape The Calm Place as a clinic that values steadiness, choice, dignity, and care—for clients, clinicians, and the wider community.
Brianne George, Clinic Manager
Brianne is the Clinic Manager at The Calm Place and often the friendly face and calming presence behind the scenes. Passionate about mental health and wellness, Brianne is dedicated to making sure clients feel welcomed, heard, and supported throughout their journey. Brianne plays a key role in thoughtfully matching clients with therapists who best meet their needs. With a deep understanding of the Centre’s clinicians and services, Brianne helps ensure each client is connected with the right support from the very first step.
From coordinating schedules to supporting the clinical team, Brianne helps ensure the Centre runs smoothly so clinicians can focus on what matters most—client care. Their thoughtful approach and attention to detail help create the calm, safe, and inclusive space The Calm Place is known for.
Maria Hillier, Studio Manager
Maria Hillier (she/her) is the Studio Manager and a Certified Yoga Therapist who has been teaching yoga since 2017. She brings a calm, caring presence to the studio, supporting the day-to-day flow of the space with warmth, attentiveness and genuine care for the community.
With a background in Yoga Therapy and extensive training across therapeutic and traditional yoga practices, Maria also holds specialised training in Yin, Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Chair Yoga, Yoga for Cancer Care and Pain Care Yoga. Her approach - both as a teacher and a manager - is evidence-informed and trauma-aware, grounded in accessibility, self-compassion and respect for each person’s unique nervous system and lived experience.
As Studio Manager, Maria works collaboratively with studio instructors, helping to create accessible, educational and intentional classes, series and workshops. She is deeply committed to fostering a sense of connection and community - both on and off the mat - so that the studio feels like a gentle and mindful complement to the work of the mental health and wellness clinic.
Through compassionate collaboration and care, alongside our mental health and wellness team and studio instructors, Maria aims to create a studio environment that offers attendees a welcoming space to reconnect with themselves and move toward healing at their own pace.