The Team
Who We Are
Alison Lefebvre
(she/her)
RP (Qualifying)
Background
Alison is currently completing her Master’s in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University after working in the mental health field for 13 years.
Therapeutic style
Her therapeutic presence is warm, affirming, and empathetic. Her approach to therapy is gentle, supportive, and integrative. She believes people are resilient and that it takes courage to move forward. Her goal is to restore hope and promote growth.
Treatment modalities
Cognitive Behavioural therapy, DBT, Mindful Self-Compassion
Availability: Accepting new clients
Works with: Adults 18 and over
Language: English
Leslie Snowdon
(she/her)
RP (Qualifying)
Background
Leslie completed her Master’s degree in Counselling and Spirituality at Saint Paul University and has experience working with clients experiencing various personal difficulties such as anxiety, depression, grief, body image and intimacy issues.
She has also worked with individuals coping with symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, eating disorders, and sexual abuse.
Therapeutic style
Leslie provides a person-centred, integrative approach to therapy based on the unique needs of each individual client, drawing on influence from Psychodynamic, Humanistic and Positive Psychology.
Leslie also uses various tools from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy and believes in the importance of a mindfulness-based approach to therapy.
Availability: Accepting new clients
Works with: Ages 13 and over
Language: English
Adam Fath
he/him
RP (Qualifying)
Background
Adam is currently completing his Master’s in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University and embraces and utilizes the therapeutic skills he has developed through his degree in his sessions.
Therapeutic style
Adam’s goal is to help clients liberate themselves and aid in the development of self-understanding via the use of empathetic listening, positive regard, and the creation of a safe space.
Adam creates a safe space for clients to process their feelings without judgement and provides nurturing support and counselling to help clients effectively address personal life challenges; he also focuses on assisting clients in dealing with trauma.
Adam is committed to assisting each individual build on their existing strengths to live their best possible life.
Treatment modalities
Adam uses primarily Person-centred theory/approach, DBT and CBT
Availability: Accepting new clients
Works with: Adults 18 and over
Language: English
Olivia Makara
(she/her)
RP (Qualifying)
Background
Olivia is currently completing her Master’s in Counselling Psychology at the University of Ottawa. She is particularly interested in humanistic and mindfulness-based approaches but fosters an eclectic approach to better support every client’s needs.
Therapeutic style
Through empathetic listening, warm therapeutic relationships, and a non-judgemental environment, Olivia creates a safe space for her clients to express themselves.
On your journey with Olivia, she will help you recognize your strengths, navigate challenges, develop healthy coping skills, and collaboratively establish objectives.
She is primarily interested in working on issues like anxiety, stress, and depression. Olivia is committed to continuously supporting her clients on their path to healing, growing, and becoming the best version of themselves.
Treatment modalities
Olivia uses modalities such as person-centred therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). However, she reaches for different elements belonging to other modalities depending on the client’s needs!
Availability: Accepting new clients
Works with: Ages 15 and over
Language: English and French
Vanessa Cardinal
(she/her)
RP (Qualifying)
Background
Vanessa has completed a Master’s in Counselling Psychology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Ottawa; she is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Vanessa is particularly interested in humanistic therapies and uses an integrative framework to best support her client's needs and objectives.
Therapeutic style
Vanessa provides a non-judgemental and empathetic space to create warm and compassionate therapeutic relationships.
Vanessa helps her clients build strengths and develop long-term coping skills to promote self-discovery, insight, growth, and positive change at a pace that feels right for each client.
Working with clients in a healing environment where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings while continuously offering support, respect, and care is extremely important to Vanessa.
Treatment modalities
Vanessa uses an integrative approach, often using DBT and emotion focused therapy.
Availability: Accepting new clients
Works with: Ages 13 and over
Language: English and French
Sydney Maharaj-Nicholson
(she/her)
RP (Qualifying)
Background
Sydney is currently completing a Master’s in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University and a Certified Trauma Professional training program. She has experience providing support to youth and adults as a volunteer for a crisis hotline center. Sydney is queer, married, and has two beautiful children. She is an avid fantasy reader, enjoys creative writing, and jumps at any opportunity to learn and grow.
Therapeutic style
Sydney favours using a social justice and trauma-informed lens, prompting clients to view their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours with a sense of curiosity.
Treatment modalities
Integrative Therapy resulting in client outcomes such as living a more authentic life, fostering empowerment and strength in the face of life’s challenges and stressors, and developing a shame-free and curious outlook on thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
Availability: Accepting new clients
Works with: Individuals 16 and up, Individuals from Blended Families, LGBTQIA+
Language: English
Husainat Bakare
(she/her)
Psychotherapy Intern
Background
Husainat is currently completing her Master's in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University and applies the therapeutic knowledge and skills she has garnered through her degree in her work with clients.
Therapeutic style
Compassion, warmth, empathy, and nonjudgement are the cornerstones of her therapeutic presence. Husainat aims to help clients process and deal with their experiences, heal, make appropriate and meaningful changes for their future, and become the best versions of themselves through therapy.
Husainat values inclusivity and diversity and works from a therapeutic approach that incorporates these values. She provides therapy through an anti-oppressive, intersectional, culturally sensitive, and informed lens.
She is dedicated to ensuring her clients feel safe, respected, and supported in their journeys towards wellness with her.
Treatment Modalities
Husainat's therapeutic modalities of interest include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Integrative Therapy. Nonetheless, she tailors her therapeutic approach to meet each client's individual needs.
Availability: Accepting new clients
Works with: Adults 18 and over
Language: English
Mehana Heins
(she/her)
Psycotherapy Intern
Background
Completing a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychotherapy at Yorkville University NB. Completed my bachelors degree in Psychology and Sports Studies at Bishops University while on the Women’s Varsity Soccer Team
Therapeutic style
Open minded, approachable, genuine. I want my clients to feel completely comfortable in speaking with me and to have confidence that our therapeutic relationship will guide them through their journey
Treatment modalities
I want to learn a variety of therapeutic modalities to ensure I can give and be my best to my clients. I believe in giving the clients as many tools in reaching their goals and in finding their success.
Availability: Accepting new clients
Works with: Individuals12 and older
Language: English
Ana Shteto
(she/her)
MA, RP (Qualifying)
Background
Ana completed her Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University and has an extensive background in a variety of mental health and general health care environments.
Therapeutic style
Ana prioritizes creating a warm and accepting environment that ensures clients feel heard. She is a strong believer in a collaborative and gentle approach to psychotherapy and strives to grow a deep understanding of each of her clients and their unique story.
Treatment modalities
Ana's therapeutic modalities include cognitive behavioural therapy, emotion-focused therapy, narrative therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, client-centred therapy, and integrative therapy.
Ana aims to support individuals and couples to approach greater healing, connection, self-knowledge, and meaning in their lives.
Availability: Accepting new clients
Works with: Individuals 16 and over, Couples
Language: English
Tina Wilston
(she/her)
Director, RP
Background
Tina is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, with over sixteen years of practice in Psychotherapy. Tina is married with four children. She loves to travel, paint, learn and spend time with others.
Therapeutic style
Tina provides the support of an empathetic and knowledgeable therapist and works with clients to enable them to interrupt their repetitive patterns to free themselves to live differently. She provides clients with assistance, guidance, and knowledge that they’re not alone in the process.
Treatment Modalities
Tina's therapeutic modalities include Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting, Neurofeedback, and Emotion-Focused Therapy. In addition, she has recently begun integrating technology into the therapeutic process to improve client outcomes.
Availability: Not accepting new clients (join waitlist)
Works with: Adults 18 and over
Language: English