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Mood, Anxiety & Wellness

Welcome

Welcome to our Mood, Anxiety & Wellness Track. This track is designed to help with depression, anxiety, grief and loss, life transitions, self-esteem difficulties and other mental health struggles. Flexible and supportive, this track provides supportive counselling options, compassion-focused treatments, CBT, acceptance and mindfulness-based interventions to alleviate suffering and improve quality of life.

What We Treat

Mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder, are characterized by significant and persistent disturbances in a person’s emotional state leading to hopelessness, a sense of worthlessness, feeling down and depressed and/or agitated and hyper. Other symptoms may include a lack of interest and pleasure in activities, thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or engaging in impulsive behavior.

Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive and persistent worry or fear that interferes with daily life. Symptoms can include uncontrollable worry, panic attacks, fear of bad things happening, muscle tension/pain, or marked fear of social situations.  We treat a range of anxiety presentations including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, and Phobias.

Substance Use Disorders (SUD) are characterized by harmful, hazardous, and risky use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and drugs, even though they cause emotional, cognitive, physical, or relational problems. Symptoms can include: taking substances in larger amounts than planned, unsuccessful attempts to quit, spending considerable time obtaining and recovering from the effects of the substance, cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. We help people with chronic cannabis use, alcohol problems, hallucinogens, and misuse of prescription drugs.

Sleep-wake disorders are conditions that disrupt normal sleep patterns and significantly impact a person’s ability to get restful sleep. They can affect various aspects of sleep, including quantity, quality, and timing. There are many recognized types of sleep-wake disorders that we can help with including insomnia, hypersomnolence, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, sleepwalking and sleep terrors.

OCD-related conditions include OCD, hoarding disorder, trichotillomania, skin-picking disorders, and body dysmorphic disorder. Symptoms can include recurrent and unwanted obsessional thoughts, hard-to-resist compulsive behaviours, excessive preoccupation with a perceived threat, physical flaw or defect, difficulty discarding possessions/living with excessive clutter, or an inability to control hair-pulling or skin-picking.

Grief, loss, and bereavement are interrelated concepts that describe the emotional processes and experiences following the death of a loved one or as a result of significant life changes. Together, these experiences can profoundly impact a person’s emotional health, and navigating them often requires support.

Focusing on enhancing an individual’s overall quality of life, these therapeutic services are designed to support personal growth, improve coping strategies, and foster a more fulfilling life by addressing various emotional, psychological, and social challenges. These challenges may include: relationship issues, self-esteem issues, difficulties managing stress, difficulties managing anger or other emotions, motivation issues, problems at work and/or school, or life transitions. Overall, these treatments are tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual, promoting resilience, personal growth, and a balanced, fulfilling life.

Our Intake Process

1

Informal Assessment

Your first 1 – 2 sessions with one of our clinicians will involve an assessment of your current symptoms and treatment needs. Based on these findings, your therapist will explain the different treatments we offer, the pros and cons of those approaches, and help you make a decision that aligns with your treatment goals.

2

Start Your Treatment

Once you and your therapist identify the right treatment approach for you, you will begin treatment, which can include: supportive counselling, grief support, CBT, mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches, and CBT-Insomnia, among others.

Start Your Intake Process

Treatments Within Our Mood, Anxiety & Wellness Treatment Track

A widely used, evidence-based therapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. By challenging distorted thinking and implementing practical strategies, CBT helps individuals develop healthier ways of thinking and behaving, leading to improved emotional well-being and coping skills.

A therapeutic approach that encourages individuals to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than trying to control or avoid them. It emphasizes mindfulness and values-based living, helping people to commit to actions aligned with their core values while building psychological flexibility and resilience.

Provides a nurturing environment to explore and address personal challenges while offering encouragement and support. It aims to build a strong therapeutic alliance, reinforce positive behaviors, and offer practical advice and reassurance to enhance the person’s overall well-being and functioning.

A specialized form of CBT that helps individuals overcome insomnia by identifying and changing thoughts and behaviors that contribute to sleep difficulties. It emphasizes improving sleep hygiene, managing stress, and developing effective sleep strategies.

The Mood, Anxiety and Wellness Team

Our multidisciplinary team includes psychologists, social workers, and registered psychotherapists, all of whom have extensive clinical training in treating mood and anxiety disorders, along with helping clients reach their wellness goals.

Dr. Anita Federici PhD, CPsych, FAED (she/her)

Clinical Psychologist, Owner, Founder

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Dr. Anita Federici PhD, CPsych, FAED (she/her)

Clinical Psychologist, Owner, Founder

Dr. Anita Federici is a Clinical Psychologist and Owner of The Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation. She serves an Adjunct Faculty position at York University and is a distinguished Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED). She is the co-author of the MED-DBT Treatment Manual (to be published in 2025 with Guilford Press). From 2019 – 2022, Anita served as the Co-Chair for the Suicide and DBT Special Interest Group (SIG) for the AED and currently sits on the SIG Oversight Committee with AED. In 2019, she was awarded Business Woman of the Year by the Meridian Women of Excellence Committee for her outstanding contributions to the community and to the province. In 2020, she was awarded the ‘Outstanding individual” by The Bulimia and Anorexia Nervosa Association.

Anita has had a considerable impact on the field through her leadership, advocacy work, and expertise. She has provided more than 400 lectures, workshops, and invited talks on eating disorders, MED-DBT, compassionate and collaborative models, and developing differential care pathways rooted in biotemperament and guided by experts-with-experience. She has developed a robust training program, a wide network of allied health professionals, and a treatment centre in an underserved and rural region of Ontario. Her passion for inspiring and invigorating hope for clients and clinicians is at the heart of her work.

Known for her engaging and authentic style of training, Anita has become a highly sought-after consultant. She works extensively with hospitals and community organizations internationally offering team training, implementation support, and program development. Her work has been presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals and invited book chapters.

Rachel Gerow, MA, RP (she/her)

Registered Psychotherapist, Clinical Director

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Rachel Gerow, MA, RP (she/her)

Registered Psychotherapist, Clinical Director

Rachel is a Registered Psychotherapist and the Clinical Director at The Centre for Psychology & Emotion Regulation. She is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and earned her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University in 2018, completing her clinical practicum under the supervision of Dr. Anita Federici. Since that time, Rachel has been a dedicated member of the Centre’s team, contributing her expertise to support both clients and her fellow team members. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University.

As Clinical Director, Rachel oversees the delivery of high-quality therapeutic care at the Centre. She is committed to fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for both clients and clinicians, ensuring that the Centre’s programs meet the diverse needs of the community. Rachel works closely with her team to integrate evidence-based care with a compassionate approach to provide a comprehensive and client-centered experience.

Rachel has training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and specializes in working with emotion dysregulation, eating disorders, PTSD, and mood and anxiety disorders. She also facilitates DBT Skills Groups to help individuals develop effective coping strategies to build a life worth living.

Born and raised in the Midland region, Rachel grew up on the waters of Georgian Bay and fell in love with the area. She is grateful to be able to practice the work she loves in the place she calls home.

Amanda Barron, MSW, RSW (she/her)

Registered Social Worker

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Amanda Barron, MSW, RSW (she/her)

Registered Social Worker

Amanda Barron is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Amanda has a Drug and Alcohol Counsellor Diploma from Canadore College, a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from Laurentian University, and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Carleton University.

Amanda grew up knowing she wanted to be a helping and supporting presence for others and has spent the last 25 years dedicated to developing her skills and increasing her knowledge. Amanda is passionate about the treatment of trauma & PTSD, body image disturbance, eating disorders, mood and anxiety concerns and emotional dysregulation and has extensive training in these areas. Amanda knows that the healing journey is different for everyone and offers variety of treatment modalities to meet individual needs including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT).

Amanda provides a caring and compassionate space to reclaim your body and reconnect to your inner wisdom. Amanda can help you re-engage with your life, clarify your values, modify unhelpful thinking patterns, cope more effectively with intense emotions and improve communication skills. Amanda is passionate about helping you increase self-awareness, enhance self-compassion and achieve greater connection to mind and body.

Amanda prioritizes self-care and with her love of nature she can often be found lost on the Simcoe County Mountain Bike Trails.

Megan Bolt, MA (she/her)

Therapist (Supervised Practice)

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Megan Bolt, MA (she/her)

Therapist (Supervised Practice)

Megan completed her Masters in Applied Psychology from Laurentian University in 2019. She is currently under the supervision of Dr. Federici as she works towards registration with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (honours) in Psychology from Laurentian University. Megan completed her clinical practicum under the supervision of Dr. Albiani in the Outpatient Addictions and Gambling Program at Health Sciences North in Sudbury.

Megan has training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for eating disorders (CBT-E), Radically-Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RO-DBT) and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (CBT-AR). She specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, mood and anxiety disorders and emotion dysregulation.

She provides a non-judgemental and client-centered approach that focuses on individual strengths and motivational factors. Megan is passionate about understanding client experiences, offering a supportive, compassionate and collaborative environment where curiosity, learning, and self-exploration are celebrated and encouraged.

Megan was born in Newfoundland and has lived in the Georgian Bay area for nearly all her life. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, playing guitar and taking walks in nature with her golden retriever/bestie Archie. Megan is proud to be working in the community as she continues to learn and grow as a professional.

Fayssoux Bombardier, MSW, RSW (she/her)

Registered Social Worker

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Fayssoux Bombardier, MSW, RSW (she/her)

Registered Social Worker

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Fayssoux is a seasoned clinician with extensive experience in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD. With a passion for supporting military, veteran and first responder personnel, she has dedicated a large part of her career to providing specialized treatment to those who have served. She integrates an emotion-focused lens into her practice, believing in the power of addressing underlying emotions to facilitate healing and resilience.

With over 20 years of experience in the field including within hospitals, family systems work, community clinics, and social service settings Fayssoux brings a wealth of understanding and skill toward inspiring mental wellness. She completed her BSc in Psychology and Women’s Studies while working in various youth and family program initiatives on a military base in Nova Scotia. Following that she obtained a Masters Degree in Social Work in Ontario and keeps current with numerous additional clinical trainings and certifications of evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative, Attachment models, Solution Focused and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction techniques. She is also an experienced College instructor, and facilitator who has taught mental health awareness to both clinical, corporate, CAF and Veteran environments tailored to meet the needs of each unique group.

Her passion is therapy and the stability and peace of mind that can come out of this important work. Together with her partner, she is navigating the challenges and joys of raising a young family, exploring the beauty of the great outdoors and taking time to enjoy the simple things in life.

Dr. Niki Dignard PhD, CPsych (she/her)

Clinical Psychologist

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Dr. Niki Dignard PhD, CPsych (she/her)

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Niki Dignard received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Windsor and is a registered clinical psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She trained in a variety of settings during her graduate studies and completed her pre-doctoral residency at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) in the Borderline Personality Disorder and Intensive Day Treatment Programs.

Dr. Dignard’s graduate research was focused on body image and eating disorders and reflects her view of mental health: that wellness is about more than the absence of symptoms. Drawing on research investigating positive body image, embodiment, and intuitive eating, her doctoral research was focused on exploring yoga as a novel intervention for individuals with eating disorders to help them move from a state of tolerating their body to feeling connected with and empowered by it.

Dr. Dignard specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and related conditions. She draws on her extensive training to use a variety of evidence-based approaches including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), emotion-focused therapy (EFT), mindfulness, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and specialized adaptations of these.

Dr. Dignard believes that the right approach should be based on evidence and should reflect the individual and their unique challenges and strengths. She has been known to do a happy dance to celebrate her client’s growth in treatment and believes that her job is to work her way out of having a job. She views clients as experts in their lives and enjoys working with them to help explore what it means to be alive and to learn the skills to build a life that is joyful and feels worth living (even if it sometimes hurts).

When she is not working, Dr. Dignard loves making a mess of the kitchen while trying new recipes, running, and snuggling with her two rescue cats (though only one of them actually likes snuggles).

Dr. Healey Gardiner, PhD, CPsych (she/her)

Clinical & Health Psychologist

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Dr. Healey Gardiner, PhD, CPsych (she/her)

Clinical & Health Psychologist

Dr. Healey Gardiner is a Clinical and Health Psychologist operating virtually from Thunder Bay, ON. Dr. Gardiner received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Windsor and received her license for practice with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario in 2024. Dr. Gardiner is currently licensed for autonomous practice in clinical and health psychology with adults. Additionally, Dr. Gardiner is providing services to adolescents under the supervision of Dr. Jasmine Mahdy.

Dr. Gardiner specializes in the assessment and treatment of adults and adolescents presenting with eating disorders, PTSD, mood and anxiety disorders, borderline personality disorder, and related conditions or concerns. She has training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT). Dr. Gardiner views herself as an integrative clinician and takes a client-centered approach with an awareness of diverse needs. Using evidence-based approaches, she has worked with diverse client presentations including LGBTQ2sIA+, ethnicity, and disability. Most recently, she completed her pre-doctoral residency at The Ottawa Hospital working in The Rehabilitation Centre and the Regional Centre for Eating Disorders.

A born-and-raised resident of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Dr. Gardiner is thrilled to provide virtual services while living in the Northwestern Ontario city that she calls home. When not working, she can usually be found spending time outside in nature, usually accompanied by her dog.

Rebecca Graham, MA, RP (she/her)

Registered Psychotherapist

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Rebecca Graham, MA, RP (she/her)

Registered Psychotherapist

Rebecca completed her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University in 2023 and has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Waterloo. She is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and is currently under the supervision of Anita Federici.

Rebecca also is a strength and conditioning specialist with many certifications in fitness with “whole person strategies” that recognize the importance of physical, psychological, and social well-being. Her experience in the fitness industry and helping clients develop a sense of success, self-compassion and possibility through movement has extended into practice by pursuing interests in body image and eating disorders and how they are all related.

Rebecca has training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), is part of the Dialectical Behavioural Team (DBT) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and believes in client-centered approaches, as well as building strong and non-judgmental therapeutic relationships.

Carla Katsuno MACP, RP (she/her)

Registered Psychotherapist

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Carla Katsuno MACP, RP (she/her)

Registered Psychotherapist

Carla is a Registered Psychotherapist, having completed her Master of Arts in Counselling from Yorkville University. She is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Toronto as well as a Certificate in Addictions Treatment and Prevention from Georgian College. Carla’s previous clinical experience is derived from working as a counsellor at an in-patient addiction treatment centre, within a hospital setting and currently as an Associate at the Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation. Carla has received intensive training in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), as well as comprehensive training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy Prolonged Exposure (DBT PE) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). She approaches her work with empathy, non-judgement and compassion and believes that therapy is a collaboration between people working together toward a common goal. Carla has experience working with a broad spectrum of clients including first responders and their families. She specializes in working with emotion regulation, anxiety, depression, PTSD and eating disorders. Carla also has extensive experience as a presenter and trainer, having been a Master Trainer with The Mental Health Commission of Canada in the past.

Rosalyn Kieft, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW (she/her)

Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist

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Rosalyn Kieft, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW (she/her)

Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist

Rosalyn Kieft is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers & Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). She completed her Masters of Social Work with the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Social Work with McMaster University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English with McMaster University as well.

Rosalyn knew at a young age that she wanted to help others, and her lived experience & practical education have allowed her to do this for over ten years now. With a background in youth work, interpersonal trauma and addictions counselling, she now specializes in providing trauma treatment to specific populations including veterans, first responders, and members of First Nations communities.

To provide her clients with a variety of options for trauma treatment, Rosalyn is a certified provider of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and is an EMDR-trained clinician. She has extensive training in multiple therapeutic approaches including: Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye-Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Internal Family Systems therapy for trauma (IFS), Attachment-Focused Therapy, and Narrative Therapy.

In addition to providing trauma treatment, Rosalyn provides emotion-focused and trauma-informed couples’ therapy, having been trained in Level 1 of the Gottman Method Couples Therapy. She is a registered provider with Medavie Blue Cross and the Non-Insured Health Benefits program. Rosalyn also enjoys providing consultation, training, and workshops to clinicians and organizations on a variety of topics including: facilitating trauma groups, providing individual trauma therapy, working with veterans and first responders, managing personal burnout levels, and more. Rosalyn provides consultation and supervision to masters-level social work students and qualifying psychotherapists as well.

Outside of work, Rosalyn prioritizes self-care and time with family. You can find her reading, playing roller derby, or taking her rambunctious dog Stevie out for adventures on the water.

Samantha Kittell, MSW, RSW (she/her)

Registered Social Worker

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Samantha Kittell, MSW, RSW (she/her)

Registered Social Worker

Samantha is a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). She earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. With over 7 years of dedicated experience in social services, Samantha has had the privilege of working across diverse settings, including community mental health agencies and private practice. These diverse professional experiences have provided her with the opportunity to assist individuals facing a wide array of challenges.

Samantha has undergone comprehensive training in a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She has also received specialized training in trauma-focused interventions such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Furthermore, Samantha has pursued additional training in the treatment of eating disorders, utilizing modalities such as CBT, DBT, and FBT.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Samantha treasures her role as a mother. She deeply values the time spent with her family and prioritizes maintaining balance through her own self-care routines.

Samantha is dedicated to empowering individuals to discover their inner strengths and make meaningful life changes. Her goal is to provide a safe and nurturing space where individuals feel seen, heard, and supported on their path toward healing and self-discovery.

Cortney Lacroix, MACP, RP (she/her)

Registered Psychotherapist

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Cortney Lacroix, MACP, RP (she/her)

Registered Psychotherapist

Cortney completed her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. She is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Cortney has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Human Kinetics Concentration in Intervention and Consultation from the University of Ottawa.

Cortney has training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She approaches her work with empathy, non-judgement and collaboration. Cortney has a range of clinical interests including eating disorders, anxiety and mood disorders, trauma, and emotion regulation.

Outside of work, Cortney enjoys spending time with her family, and friends and being outside.

Kari Loyst MA, RP (she/her)

Registered Psychotherapist

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Kari Loyst MA, RP (she/her)

Registered Psychotherapist

Kari is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and is a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She completed her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University and has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University.

She collaborates with clients to cultivate meaningful change, drawing from a compassionate, trauma-informed approach honouring each person’s unique lived experience. By incorporating narrative and strength-based strategies, she supports clients in navigating grief, anxiety, depression, and life transitions, helping them find meaning and strength amid life’s challenges. Kari is a certified Cognitive Processing Therapy provider (CPT for trauma and PTSD). She has received training in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), DBT Prolonged Exposure (DBT PE), MED DBT (for eating disorders), and Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT-E for eating disorders).

Outside working hours, photography, hiking, and a profound love of nature keep Kari curious and inspired.

Anita Maria Pudlik MSW, RSW (she/her)

Registered Social Worker

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Anita Maria Pudlik MSW, RSW (she/her)

Registered Social Worker

Anita has worked in hospitals in the GTA for almost 30 years. Over the past several years, she has been a therapist within the Eating Disorders Program. She has also previously assisted persons who have experienced traumatic injuries as well as individuals living with chronic illness.

Anita holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto as well as a Master of Arts (Sociology) degree. She has extensive training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) from the School of Continuing Education, University of Toronto, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and is a Level 1 Therapist in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy.

Anita has maintained a daily mindfulness and meditation practice for 25 years and has learned from many wonderful teachers – Jon Kabat-Zinn, Kristin Neff, Mark Coleman, Susan Woods, and Bill Knight to name a few. Anita has experience teaching mindfulness while applying some empirically tested mindfulness-based protocols.

In therapy, Anita wants to offer warmth and compassion, clarity of thought and precision of language, practical skills and a sense of connection, full acceptance, and a strong invitation for change.

Anita likes any type of physical activity (cleaning the house included) and any type of learning.

Sara Robb, MSW, RSW (she/her)

Registered Social Worker

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Sara Robb, MSW, RSW (she/her)

Registered Social Worker

Sara is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She completed her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Toronto and has worked in the mental health and eating disorder field for the past 10 years. Sara’s clinical experience includes work in university, community, and hospital settings, specifically in inpatient and day hospital eating disorder programs. She has comprehensive training in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), with additional training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Enhanced (CBT-E) for eating disorders and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for post-traumatic stress disorder. Her primary areas of focus include eating disorders, body image distress, trauma, anxiety, and emotion dysregulation.

Sara strives to provide a collaborative, warm, and non-judgmental space, where together you can use compassion, curiosity, and at times gentle humour to explore and make sense of your emotions, thoughts, body sensations, and behaviours. She cares about deeply understanding people’s experiences in order to help them accept themselves, while also supporting them to make meaningful changes toward their goals and values.

When not working or learning about new research in the field, Sara loves being in nature as much as possible. She also enjoys reading, listening to music, cooking, and trying to be patient with herself while she learns to watercolour paint.

Trent Simons, MDiv, RP (he/him)

Registered Psychotherapist

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Trent Simons, MDiv, RP (he/him)

Registered Psychotherapist

Trent is a Registered Psychotherapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counselling (Indigenous Studies emphasis) from Tyndale University and Seminary. Trent brings diverse personal, educational and professional experiences to the room, having received his first Master’s Degree in 2002 in Community Economic Development, spent time in over 25 countries, and was born and raised in the Philippines. He also worked for five years as a Family Services Worker for the Children’s Aid Society, ten years as an Associate Pastor of a local church, where he became an ordained minister, and three years at Chigamik Community Health Centre as a therapist and team manager.

Trent has provider status for Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and has been trained in DBT Prolonged Exposure and DBT for cPTSD. He has extensive training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), with training also in Eating Disorder treatment, Radically Open DBT and Narrative Therapy. He specializes in working with PTSD, Eating Disorders, anxiety and mood disorders and is able to provide services to indigenous clients through NIHB.

While Trent brings some training and experience in the area of therapy and counselling, you are the expert on your life. Therapy is a collaborative process in which your experiences (both positive and negative) and strengths combine with the skills a therapist has learned to move you towards becoming the person you were meant to be.

Trent has lived in this community for over 20 years. When not in the office, you might find him enjoying time with his lovely wife of nearly 25 years or their 2 boys. Or you might see him on the soccer pitch trying to kick a ball in a net.

Vik Weatherston, MA, RP (she/them)

Registered Psychotherapist

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Vik Weatherston, MA, RP (she/them)

Registered Psychotherapist

Vik completed their Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University and is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Laurentian University and a post-graduate degree in Addictions: Treatment and Prevention through Georgian College.

Since starting at CPER in 2020, Vik has developed a strong interest in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). She has specialized training in treating adolescents and their families (DBT-A) and those with PTSD (DBT-PE) through a DBT lens. Vik also has intensive training in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for post-traumatic stress disorder, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), including specialized training in providing CBT for adolescents, Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RO-DBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). They have a special interest in working with the neurodivergent and 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Vik strives to provide a safe, compassionate space for their clients to explore identity, thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, without judgment. She does not shy away from humour in the therapy space. She provides validation, while also cheerleading clients to make the changes they want to see in their lives. Vik views themselves as a lifelong learner and strongly believes she learns just as much from her clients as they learn from her.

In Vik’s spare time, she can be found spending time with her cat, playing board games, going to concerts, and crafting.

Dr. Mengran Xu, PhD, CPsych (he/him)

Clinical & Counselling Psychologist

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Dr. Mengran Xu, PhD, CPsych (he/him)

Clinical & Counselling Psychologist

Dr. Xu received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Waterloo and is registered as a clinical and counselling psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario.

Dr. Xu specializes in the assessment and treatment for adults presenting with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Eating Disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder, and related conditions, using a variety of evidence-based interventions (such as Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy).

Dr. Xu is particularly experienced in working with individuals who have been exposed to psychological injuries due to their employment, such as veterans, first responders (including police officers, 911 dispatchers, firefighters, and paramedics), correctional officers, and public transportation workers. Dr. Xu oversees the WSIB program at the Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation and provides assessment and treatment to many injured workers every year.

Dr. Xu is a certified provider, consultant, and trainer for Cognitive Processing Therapy, and a certified provider of Prolonged Exposure. These two interventions are usually referred to as the “gold-standard treatments” for PTSD.

In addition to his work with the Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation, Dr. Xu works full-time as a clinical psychologist at Canadian Forces Base Borden and provides mental health services to currently serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces. He also works as an adjunct faculty for the psychology department at the University of Waterloo.

Dr. Xu has previously held several positions at both outpatient and inpatient mental health settings, including Campus Wellness at the University of Waterloo, the Waterloo Psychology Group, and the Eating Disorders Program of Homewood Health Centre. Dr. Xu completed his pre-doctoral residency at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. During his residency year, he worked at the Eating Disorders Program as well as the Borderline Personality Disorder Clinic.

In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Xu has research expertise in anxiety disorders and mindfulness-based interventions and has published a number of peer-reviewed journal articles in these areas. He has also published several books, online courses, and podcasts, provided professional workshops, and presented various talks on topics such as trauma, eating, weight, and emotion regulation.

Dr. Xu is fluent in both English and Chinese (Mandarin).