Meet Our Team

Leah is the founder and administrator of The Counselling Centre. She is a registered social worker with an M. Ed and RSW, and holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University. She also has completed training and holds a Certificate in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) from the University of Toronto (OISE). She is experienced in providing therapy for adolescents, adults and couples, working in a variety of environments including schools, community mental health clinics, and private practice. Throughout her career Leah has been drawn to work that allows her to use her natural ability to connect to others and make a positive impact on the lives of others. She strives to create an environment that will put her clients at ease and let them explore their thoughts, feelings and emotions without being judged. Her goal is to help clients through the process of breaking the negative patterns and habits they can't seem to break and to help them overcome any obstacles they may face so they can lead happier and more productive lives. Leah's therapy models include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy. Every therapy session is tailored to the unique needs of each client, ensuring a personalized approach that maximizes success.

Dr. Ackerman is a clinical psychologist specializing in administering and supervising psychological, psycho-educational and ADHD assessments for children and adults. These evaluations are designed to identify factors that may be impacting an individual's learning, behavior, or emotional well-being. The reports provide personalized, evidence-based recommendations. Dr. Ackerman brings a wealth of experience from her earlier role as the psychologist for intensive programs at the Griffin Centre. There, she worked with adolescents with dual diagnoses, providing specialized treatment in a complex clinical setting. Dr. Ackerman earned her B.Sc. from the University of Toronto in 1979 and went on to complete her M.A. (1981) and Ph.D. (1988) in Psychology at York University.

Roxana is a Registered Social Worker with a BSW and MSW from Ryerson University, currently working on her PhD in Social Work at York University. She is a registered member of the OASW and the OCSWSSW. Roxana's social work career spans from community engagement to child protection to currently providing private therapy services to individuals and couples. In addition, she is a part time professor at Sheridan college and mother of three brilliant, vibrant children. Roxana takes a creative, innovative, holistic/hybrid approach to therapy. Trauma-informed, she blends traditional methods (Cognitive-Behavioural therapy, Attachment, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing) with mindfulness, somatic therapy, philosophy and social justice. Roxana understands that people arrive at therapy when their typical coping mechanisms stop working and she will walk alongside her clients as they manage through mental health (depression, anxiety, maternal mental health) relationships dynamics, inter-racial/ blended family issues, work-related challenges, marriage counsellling, support through divorce/separation, parenting, pandemic recovery.

Sarah is a compassionate Registered Social Worker who specializes in supporting children (4+) and youth. She provides a warm and nonjudgmental space to help individuals express emotions, build coping and problem-solving skills, strengthen self-esteem and confidence, improve behaviour and emotional regulation, and develop better communication and social skills. Utilizing a client-centered approach, Sarah incorporates elements from a variety of evidence-based frameworks such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Play Therapy, Mindfulness, Strengths-Based and Solution-Focused Therapy to meet clients where they are at and support them on their therapeutic journey. Sarah earned her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University and her Masters of Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University, along with certification in School Social Work. Sarah's creative and personable approach to therapy helps clients feel comfortable exploring any challenging thoughts and feelings while promoting growth and change.

Michelle Ladd is a Registered Psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families through assessment and intervention. Her focus on psychological and psychoeducational assessments draws from a deep background in both therapeutic and diagnostic work. She provides a wide range of evaluations, from psychoeducational testing for learning differences and attention issues to more complex assessments addressing emotional, behavioural, and personality functioning. Michelle earned her Master's Degree in Psychology from the University of Toronto, specializing in clinical work. She has worked as a researcher at the Hospital for Sick Children and taught at the University of Toronto.

Zinara McIntosh is a registered social worker and holds a bachelor's degree from Ryerson University. Zinara's practice includes individual and family therapy/counselling using therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy, and the Family Systems approach. Through a collaborative and strengths-based approach, Zinara specializes in anxiety, depression, trauma, postpartum, and family relationships.

Devora Mittelmann is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with a Master's in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. She works with youth and adults navigating anxiety, depression, and complex relationship dynamics. Devora takes a client-centred, trauma informed approach, drawing from evidence-based modalities including Polyvagal Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), as well as narrative and attachment-based frameworks. Her passion lies in helping clients feel safe enough to explore their inner world, gain clarity around triggers, and understand the roots of current stressors. Devora supports clients in finding meaning, building resilience, and developing the skills they need to cope, heal, and grow.

Daniela is a Registered Social Worker with over 20 years of clinical experience specializing in children's mental health. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Social Work at the University of Toronto, and her Bachelor of Social Work at York University. Daniela is passionate about her work with children, adolescents, and families. She utilizes a collaborative and strengths-based approach to support clients in managing life stressors and towards personal growth. Daniela is well versed in a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities such as, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy, which helps to support the diverse needs of individuals and families. The span of her career has included working in settings such as school board, child welfare, hospital and children's mental health community agency. Daniela has facilitated multiple treatment groups for children, youth, and families such as anxiety/depression, concurrent disorders, emotional regulation, and parenting groups. She has also provided various workshops and professional development to support children/youth and parents' well-being.

Aliza is a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist who has earned her Honors BA in psychology, Bachelors of Social Work and Masters of Social Work from York University. She has worked as a Psychotherapist both in private practice and in family and child service agencies for over fifteen years. She is passionate about guiding the individuals and couples she works with to overcome their personal barriers to unlock the door to the life they choose to live. Aliza specializes in working with individuals who experienced developmental trauma or other attachment related difficulties, as well as with individuals experiencing anxiety, lack of confidence, depression, anger, or relationship difficulties. She also works with couples experiencing unsatisfying relationships or troubled relationships. She has an expertise in parenting and child development, counselling parents to gain a deeper understanding of their children's and adolescent's needs and coaching them to parent with awareness and understanding. She uses a variety of therapeutic modalities including EMDR Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB), Mindfulness, Attachment Theory, Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT), Attachment Based Development Approach (Neufeld) to parenting, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and CBT.

Megan Watt's primary specialization is in psychoeducational and psychological assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. She has extensive experience conducting comprehensive assessments to evaluate learning differences, attention and executive functioning, academic achievement, cognitive abilities, and emotional functioning. Her assessment work is grounded in evidence-based practice and is focused on providing clear, practical recommendations that support academic success, workplace functioning, and overall well-being. Megan takes a client-centred, strengths-based, and neuroaffirming approach to psychoeducational assessment. She is committed to helping individuals and families better understand learning profiles, behavioural and learning patterns, and emotional factors that may be impacting performance at school, work, or daily life. Her assessment reports are thorough, accessible, and designed to support meaningful accommodations and intervention planning. Prior to her career in mental health, Megan trained and performed as a professional pianist. Her interest in learning, creativity, and human development led her to complete an Honours Degree in Psychology at York University, followed by a Master of Social Work at the University of Windsor. She draws on her interdisciplinary background and research interests in creativity, music cognition, and mental health to bring a nuanced and thoughtful perspective to her assessment work. Megan is dedicated to delivering high-quality psychoeducational assessments that empower clients with clarity, insight, and actionable next steps.

Samantha is a psychometrist who is currently completing a master's degree at the University of Toronto (OISE) in Counselling and Clinical Psychology. She received her honours bachelor's degree at the University of Waterloo in Psychology. Samantha assists with conducting psychoeducational, psychological, and ADHD assessments, under the supervision of Dr. Cheryl Ackerman, so that clients can better understand their cognitive functioning, emotional health, and learning behaviour. Samantha aims to create a warm and welcoming space in order to conduct the most accurate, and comfortable assessments. She brings her assessment training and experience at OISE to the Counselling Centre with the goal of helping clients access the services and understanding that they need to be their happiest and most productive.