Alison Balind is a Registered Social Worker who has supported teens (13–18) and adults across healthcare and mental health settings since 2012. She provides compassionate, evidence-informed counselling and psychotherapy for anxiety, depression, stress, trauma and PTSD, grief and loss, OCD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, eating concerns (including emotional eating), substance use, anger, self-esteem, relationship difficulties, life transitions, sleep difficulties, memory concerns, chronic illness and pain, school-related and behavioural concerns, postpartum and perinatal mental health, personality-related concerns, phobias and 2SLGBTQ+ concerns. She also supports people experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm.

Alison draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), family systems, somatic, mindfulness-based and narrative approaches, Motivational Interviewing and trauma-sensitive yoga, and also facilitates group therapy. She meets each person where they are, creating a safe and supportive space to build resilience, improve emotional regulation and find a greater sense of balance and well-being.

Alison sees clients at our St. Catharines and Grimsby clinics, virtually, and in their homes across Niagara and Hamilton.

Alison Balind is a Registered Social Worker who has supported teens (13–18) and adults across hea... Read More

Sonya Blake, MSW, RSW, is a Registered Social Worker with over seven years of experience supporting children, preteens, teens, adults, couples and families affected by trauma, violence and complex adversity. She specializes in complex and developmental trauma, including Complex PTSD, relational trauma and the long-term effects of childhood abuse and neglect.

Sonya also helps clients with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, stress, anger, self-esteem, relationship difficulties, life transitions, sleep difficulties, phobias, and living with chronic illness or pain. With children and teens, she supports behavioural and school-related concerns. She is experienced in supporting people experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm.

Her work is trauma-informed, attachment-based and anti-oppressive. She integrates Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), the Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM), Internal Family Systems (IFS) and somatic approaches to help clients stabilize, process and integrate traumatic experiences, with a focus on nervous system regulation, parts work and rebuilding a sense of inner safety. With couples, she uses Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) to strengthen emotional connection, improve communication and repair relational injuries.

Sonya holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Windsor and a Bachelor of Social Work from McMaster University, and is a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Sonya sees clients at our St. Catharines and Grimsby clinics, virtually, and in their homes across Niagara, Hamilton and Halton. In her spare time, she enjoys walks, time with family, mindfulness, meditation and reading.

Sonya Blake, MSW, RSW, is a Registered Social Worker with over seven years of experience supporti... Read More

Carly has worked with children and youth since 2013 in a non-therapeutic, but educational daycare setting, as well as within a mental health setting at Pathstone Mental Health. Carly has also worked with youth and adults in a therapeutic setting since her employment as a Registered Psychotherapist began in 2022. She works extensively in the treatment of individuals struggling with various mental health and distress issues within relationships and day-to-day life.

Carly graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Child Health from Brock University in 2019. Carly then proceeded to graduate with a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University in 2022. Carly is a member in good standing with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.

In her spare time, Carly likes to travel and explore, spend time with loved ones and pets, be outdoors, and participate in physical activity.

Carly has worked with children and youth since 2013 in a non-therapeutic, but educational daycare... Read More

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Rebecca began her career in the professional culinary space. Her love and passion for food and cooking developed into an enthusiasm for wellness to highlight food as an essential aspect of community and health. Since then, Rebecca now has extensive experience in both public and private health sectors providing nutrition therapy with a focus on rehabilitation and recovery management, food literacy education, and nutrition communication programming. Rebecca focuses on strength-based counselling strategies to create realistic and attainable lifestyle goals for clients to maintain long-term.

Rebecca has always had a passion for research and for the translation of evidence-based action into practice. She completed an undergraduate thesis pertaining to food sovereignty and food security where she was awarded the Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism (APNM) Research Excellence Award for her outstanding contributions to the exercise science and nutrition scientific field. Rebecca then continued to complete a double master’s thesis in both community and clinical nutrition research. Her community research pertained to food literacy skills assessment and development while her clinical research focused on the nutritional intervention management of Crohn’s Disease.

During her spare time, Rebecca enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her cat, Beans. She enjoys cooking and baking for her family, trying new local restaurants, gardening, hiking, and camping.

Rebecca began her career in the professional culinary space. Her love and passion for food and co... Read More

Sonya Guzzi is a Registered Social Worker who has worked in mental health since 2016, providing psychotherapy, case management, crisis intervention and comprehensive needs assessment. She has extensive experience supporting people with complex mental health needs and those affected by financial and housing instability.

Sonya works with adolescents (13–18) and adults. She helps clients with anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem, life transitions and school-related concerns. Her approach is practical and collaborative, drawing on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.

Sonya holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (Honours) from Brock University and a Bachelor of Social Work from McMaster University. She has completed certificates in CBT, DBT through the Portland Institute, and Access to Lethal Means for suicide prevention, and is completing Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC) trauma-informed training. She is a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Sonya sees clients at our St. Catharines and Grimsby clinics, virtually across Ontario, and in their homes in Niagara. In her spare time she enjoys hanging out with her cat, travelling the world and kickboxing.

Sonya Guzzi is a Registered Social Worker who has worked in mental health since 2016, providing p... Read More

Christina Joy is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW). She earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto in 2024, after more than five years of community work supporting people facing homelessness, intimate partner violence and emotional dysregulation.

Christina works with teens, adults, couples and families, offering an empathetic, non-judgmental and client-centred space. She supports clients with anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, OCD, grief and loss, stress, sleep difficulties, self-esteem, relationship challenges, school-related concerns, life transitions and LGBTQ+ related concerns.

She draws on a wide range of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), mindfulness-based therapy, narrative therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, psychodynamic therapy, motivational interviewing, family systems therapy and play therapy. For couples, she uses the Gottman Method. Christina is certified in Psious/Amelia Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy and completed Trauma-Focused CBT training in 2023. She also offers our structured anxiety programs, including TakeFlight (fear of flying), agoraphobia, social anxiety, public speaking, fear of heights, and driving and passenger anxiety. Christina has authored research in social work, communications and intimate partner violence.

Christina sees clients primarily at our Grimsby clinic, as well as virtually and in their homes across Niagara and Hamilton.

Christina Joy is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) in good standing with the Ontario College of So... Read More

Tonia Lowry is a dedicated and experienced Social Worker with extensive expertise in providing therapeutic support to diverse populations, including children, adolescents, and adults. Known for superior interpersonal skills, strong leadership, and effective conflict resolution capabilities, she is committed to maintaining client confidentiality and delivering high-quality, person-centred care. She offers psychotherapy, case management, and advocacy services.

She specializes in working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma, and has experience in the assessment and treatment of acquired brain injury and chronic pain. Tonia has worked with WSIB and motor vehicle accident (MVA) clients for the past 6 years.

Tonia graduated with a Master of Social Work from the University of Windsor in 2020. She is a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).

In her spare time, Tonia enjoys spending time with her family. In the summer, she spends most weekends at her trailer. Her hobbies include reading, playing euchre, journaling, taking pictures, and going for walks with her dog.

Tonia Lowry is a dedicated and experienced Social Worker with extensive expertise in providing th... Read More

Keri Michaud is a Registered Social Worker with over seven years of experience providing mental health and wellness support to teens, adults and seniors experiencing trauma and other challenges to their wellbeing. She places strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and on meeting each client where they are.

Keri supports clients with depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use and relationship challenges. Her areas of focus include managing stress, building emotional regulation skills, coping with anxiety and depressive symptoms, and crisis response and safety planning. She draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with mindfulness, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Keri provides individual therapy in English, in person at our Oakville and Grimsby clinics, virtually, and in clients’ homes across the GTA and York Region.

Keri Michaud is a Registered Social Worker with over seven years of experience providing mental h... Read More

Hailey M. Riga supports children, youth, adults, and families. She started her career as a Behaviour Therapist providing behavioural support, then moved into counselling, where she now offers trauma-informed counselling and family support. Hailey works mainly with children, youth, and families. She draws on attachment-based and trauma-informed approaches to help clients build emotional regulation, strengthen relationships, and support their overall mental wellness. Her formal training includes Play Therapy (Level 1), Filial Therapy (Level 1), Theraplay (Level 1), Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)-informed parenting interventions, and Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed therapy. Her areas of focus include pediatric mental health, child and youth counselling, family therapy and parent coaching, trauma and attachment, play-based interventions, anxiety, and behavioural challenges. She also brings experience providing trauma-informed counselling to adults. Hailey holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University and is currently completing her Master of Social Work at the University of Windsor. She is a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and an active member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. In her spare time, Hailey enjoys reading, travelling, spending time with family and friends, and exploring creative activities.

Hailey M. Riga supports children, youth, adults, and families. She started her career as a Behavi... Read More

Matthew VanLeeuwen, PT, MPT, BSc (Hons.)

Matthew VanLeeuwen is a Registered Physiotherapist with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences from Brock University and a Master of Physical Therapy from Western University.

Matthew works with children and teens, adults, and older adults across a broad range of musculoskeletal, sports, neurological, vestibular, and complex rehabilitation presentations. His clinical interests include sports and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, persistent pain, concussion and vestibular rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, gait and mobility, and functional rehabilitation.

Matthew takes an active, movement-focused approach grounded in evidence-informed practice. His work includes rehabilitation before and after injury or surgery, graded return to school, sport, work, and physical activity, and developing the strength, capacity, and movement confidence required for higher-level activity. He also works with individuals experiencing chronic or persistent pain, balance and mobility limitations, falls risk, and more complex rehabilitation needs, including rehabilitation following spinal cord injury or amputation. Clients who have completed surgical intervention and are looking to rebuild strength, mobility, and conditioning can also benefit from his rehabilitation approach.

Some of his is clinical services include; Concussion & Vestibular Assessment and Treatment, Sports Performance Assessment and Training, Longevity & Movement Assessment, Child & Teen Physiotherapy, lymphedema assessment and treatment, compression garment fitting, shockwave therapy, and NormaTec dynamic compression recovery. Matthew is also ADP certified to complete Ontario Assistive Devices Program paperwork for compression garments.

Treatment is individualized according to each person’s presentation, goals, and response to rehabilitation. Depending on the clinical situation, treatment may incorporate exercise prescription and progressive loading, manual therapy, shockwave therapy, acupuncture and dry needling, Microcurrent Point Stimulation (Dolphin MPS), vestibular rehabilitation, and rehabilitation technology. Matthew also has an interest in objective measurement and technology that can help assess strength, gait, balance, mobility, and physical capacity and monitor changes over time.

He believes physiotherapy should ultimately help people become more capable and confident in using their bodies. Whether the goal is returning to competitive sport, getting back to the gym, rebuilding strength after surgery or illness, returning to work, improving balance and mobility, or simply feeling more confident with everyday activities, rehabilitation should be directed toward meaningful function and independence.

Not sure physiotherapy is right for you? Matthew is happy to start with a free 15-minute call. He sees clients at our St. Catharines clinic, at our Grimsby clinic by appointment (please call to book), virtually, and in their homes in Niagara.

Matthew VanLeeuwen, PT, MPT, BSc (Hons.) Matthew VanLeeuwen is a Registered Physiotherapist with... Read More