Team Categories: Teens

Debra-Anne Ben

Pronouns: she / her / hers

Debra-Anne Ben is a registered social worker in Ontario with over 25 years of experience supporting children, youth, adults and families. She has worked in community settings and within the public education system, and has extensive experience supporting individuals through crisis situations, grief/loss, child welfare, life stresses, mental health challenges, and traumatic life events.

Debbie provides counselling and psychotherapy services for children, teens, and parents, for a range of mental health needs, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), grief, trauma, stress management, and general wellbeing.

Debbie counsels through a strength-based, anti-oppressive lens for effective problem solving. She utilizes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Harm-Reduction therapies, Problem Solving therapy, and mindfulness stress reduction approaches.

Debbie believes that we are the experts of ourselves; however, we can all find ourselves losing our path in life at times. If you or your child are feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed by negative thoughts and emotions, Debbie will provide tailored support to help you get back on track.

Licensing Body: Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

Education: Master of Social Work (University of Toronto)

Deanna Brock

Deanna Brock is a registered social worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Brock University in 2009, and a Master of Social Work from the University at Buffalo in 2013.

Deanna enjoys helping children, youth, adults, and families to develop the tools to manage and cope with personal, social, and family stress. She specializes in working with families who are being impacted by divorce / separation, caregiver conflict, family discord, interpersonal abuse and trauma. In some cases, children and youth are inadvertently caught in the middle of caregivers’ conflict, which can lead to their own struggle with self-regulation, parental alignment, alienation, and more. These struggles can have a detrimental impact if children and youth do not have a healthy outlet to share their feelings and work through their distress. In addition to this population, Deanna works with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and relationship issues.

Deanna practices from a variety of therapeutic models, including Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She also utilizes techniques from Solution-Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.

She enjoys meeting people who are excited about making changes in their lives, and are open to learning new ways of managing their challenges.

Licensing Body: Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

Education: Master of Social Work (University at Buffalo)

Daniela Merenda

Daniela Merenda is a registered social worker offering psychotherapy and counselling services. Her practice uses a wide range of evidence-based interventions including but not limited to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), motivational counselling, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), emotion focused therapy and brief solution-focused therapy. She brings with her a well-rooted feminist, anti-oppressive, anti-discriminatory, harm reduction and trauma informed practice framework.

Daniela has had the privilege to work within the field of social work for over 21 years where children, youth, women and families have allowed her into their lives in the midst of the crisis they have experienced. The foundation of her years of experience stems from work across several sectors: Criminal Justice System, Violence Against Women sector, child protection services, sexual assault sector, crisis intervention, the health system, and the education system.

Daniela offers online sessions only. She provides psychotherapy and counselling services to children, adolescents and young adults seeking support in the areas of mental health, anxiety, mood, grief & loss, parent / adolescent conflict, addictions, suicide ideation, and behaviour.

When it feels as though things are falling apart, Daniela is committed to helping you put the pieces together.

Licensing Body: Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

Education: Master of Social Work (York University)

Professional Associations: Ontario Association of Social Workers

Courtney Fuciarelli

Pronouns: she / her / hers

Courtney Fuciarelli is a registered social worker in Ontario with over 14 years of experience in children’s mental health, and school based support. Courtney has worked with children and youth experiencing acute mental health crisis, and has had extensive experience in the education system as a school social worker. She has also provided counselling services within outpatient health settings, and in private practice.

Courtney brings passion and energy to working with children and youth who are experiencing a wide range of difficulties including: anxiety and mood related disorders, adjustment issues, family and peer relationship difficulties, bereavement, self-esteem, difficulties in family change (i.e. separation and divorce), and school refusal.

Courtney’s eclectic approach is grounded in a combination of training in the areas of child development, attachment, and environmental/structural impacts on personal adjustment, while also using a trauma-informed, emotion-focused approach to inform her perspective supporting children and youth in their journey to feeling better, and doing better in their lives. Courtney uses a combination of therapeutic modalities including: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and play-based approaches to engage clients in session, as well as other integrative practices blending activity and psychotherapy.

Licensing Body: Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

Education: Master of Social Work (University of Windsor)

Brittney Gill

Brittney Gill (née Brittney Doody) is a registered social worker in Ontario with over 12 years of experience in children’s mental health. She is an experienced therapist with a passion for supporting child and family related concerns. Brittney has provided counselling services within community mental health agencies, as well within private practice settings.

She has extensive experience treating anxiety and anxiety related disorders, emotional regulation, relationship difficulties, developmental trauma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) & executive function difficulties, depression, oppositional behaviour, self-esteem, sleep problems, and difficulties relating to separation/divorce.

Brittney has focused her training primarily on attachment, child development, and trauma-informed approaches to address difficulties relating to behaviour, emotional regulation and challenges in the parent-child relationship. She uses a combination of therapeutic modalities including Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and play-based therapeutic approaches.

Brittney has specific training in adoption competency and has substantial experience providing support to help navigate the unique challenges experienced by these families.

Licensing Body: Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

Education: Master of Social Work (University of Toronto)

Rebecca Hsiang

Pronouns: she / her / hers

CURRENTLY ON LEAVE

Rebecca Hsiang is a registered psychotherapist and a Canadian Certified Counsellor. Rebecca completed a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at the University of Western Ontario. She has extensive experience working with children, teens, and adults, and with supporting youth and young adults in mental health crises.

Her work with young children, teens, and families encompasses a wide range of mental health concerns including: anxiety, depression, life transitions, parenting (coparenting), developmental trauma, suicide risk and self-harm, grief and loss, peer relationships, self-esteem, anger management, school refusal, and families in transition (i.e. separation and divorce).

Rebecca practices from a values-based and trauma-informed perspective to provide a safe, nurturing and non-judgemental space for healing and growth. She utilizes age-appropriate play-based therapies to support young children and parents in developing healthy family relations. She is attuned to matters of inclusion and diversity and strives to provide an anti-racist, anti-oppressive practice. She fosters a client-centred approach that incorporates Emotionally Focused (Family) Therapy (EFT/EFFT), Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness-Based Therapy.

Licensing Body: College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario

Education: Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology (University of Western Ontario)

Professional Associations: Canadian Certified Counsellor

Julia Sivarajah

Pronouns: she / her / hers

Julia Sivarajah is a registered psychotherapist and provides mental health counselling and psychotherapy for youth and adults. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She has several years of experience in the field of Mental Health, and has worked in various residential, hospital, outpatient and community mental health settings. The focus of her work has been helping individuals who are struggling with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, ADHD, anger, trauma, personality disorders, parenting, and relationship difficulties.

Julia’s approaches in her work are client-centered and solution-focused. Julia mainly draws from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approaches, and is also versed with Mindfulness and related Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) techniques. Throughout the years, Julia has worked with various populations involving teens, young adults, and families, which include the LGBTQ community and culturally diverse populations.

Julia aims to assist individuals in enhancing their mental health / well-being goals, and in improving their quality of life.

Licensing Body: College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario

Education: Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology (Yorkville University)

Abanti Tagore

Pronouns: she / her / hers

Abanti Tagore is a registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO). She holds a Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology and a Master of Science degree in Neuroscience, and provides psychological assessment services for children, adolescents, and adults, addressing a variety of neurodevelopmental, mental health, and learning challenges.

With extensive training and experience in psychological assessments and psychotherapy across clinical and research settings, Abanti has worked with individuals throughout the lifespan. She conducts comprehensive psychoeducational assessments and delivers evidence-based recommendations designed to meet each person’s unique needs, helping them move toward success. Abanti collaborates closely with patients to develop a balanced view of their strengths and challenges, enabling the implementation of practical intervention strategies.

She offers psychological assessment and consultation in areas such as ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, giftedness, social and emotional difficulties, complex mental health issues, and behavioral concerns. Her approach is grounded in positive psychology, developmental, and behavioral perspectives, with a focus on fostering resilience.

Licensing Body: College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO)

Education:

Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology (Yorkville University)
Master’s Degree in Neuroscience (University of Toronto)

Connie Zieren

Pronouns: she / her / hers

Connie Zieren is a registered clinical and school psychologist with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO). She has been a licensed psychologist since 2006, and has over 32 years experience providing psychological services.

Connie spent the first half of her career working in developmental and autism services. She spent the last fifteen years working within the public school system. During her time with the school board, Connie provided consultation to other professionals, participated in identification and placement meetings, and helped to develop best-practice guidelines for assessing students with special needs and hearing loss, in addition to completing psychoeducational assessments and behaviour consultations.

She has a wealth of experience in assessment, diagnosis and intervention related to learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, special needs, giftedness, attention disorders, and anxiety.

At CASE Psychology, Connie provides psychoeducational assessment and consultation services for children and teens, and is exceptionally positioned to help families to navigate the school system.

Connie is married and has two adult children. She is a novice knitter, enjoys choral singing, and cheers for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Licensing Body: College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO)

Education: Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology (Concordia University)

Professional Associations: Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals

Chiang-Le Heng

Pronouns: she / her / hers

Chiang-Le Heng is a registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO), with 15 years of experience working in the public school system providing comprehensive assessments and consultations. She has worked with students with diverse learning profiles and is proficient in the assessment and diagnosis of learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and giftedness.

She is committed to collaborating with families to help them better understand their child’s learning profile and provide the supports that are needed, and to empower them to navigate the education system to obtain supports that maximize their child’s learning in school.

At CASE Psychology, Chiang-Le provides psychoeducational assessment and consultation services for children and adolescents.

Chiang-Le is married and has two young children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, crocheting and knitting, reading, and spending time outdoors.

Licensing Body: College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO)

Education: Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology (University of Western Ontario)

Professional Associations: Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals