Viva Care

Melissa Taylor, MSW, RSW

Social Worker

I am registered with Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and have over 15 years’ experience providing counselling services to individuals and families in a variety of settings often using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). I feel privileged that people have allowed me to witness their lives in the midst of suffering and transformation; it’s a daily reminder of the courage which lives within all of us.

Philip Ames, RP

Psychotherapist

I am a Registered Psychotherapist (#001936) in Ontario and have been providing clients support since 1989.

I work with individuals, couples, parents and families in distress. Whether you're struggling with isolation, anxiety, conflict, lack of purpose or in a difficult life transition, I can help you with compassion and empathy. You want to be you, a unique, special person with your own individual goals and dreams. As an expert in helping people in "distress" I'll provide hands-on support to help you get there.

Jennifer Heintzman, PhD.

Psychotherapist

I am a psychotherapist, integrative health counsellor, and coach, who works to help clients recover their health and well-being in order to live fully engaged lives. I have a Master’s in Education from McGill University in Montreal; and a Master’s and Ph.D. in Psychology from Saybrook University in San Francisco.

Grace Debassige, MSW, RSW

Social Worker

I am from the Anishinaabek Territory on Manitoulin Island. I offer a blended counselling service of western therapies and Indigenous worldview.

Cristina Lamonica, MSW, RSW

Social Worker

I am a registered Social Worker (OCSWSSW #800102) with over 15 years of clinical experience, I provide a solution focused approach to therapy that works on drawing out personal strengths and setting attainable goals. We are all on a journey of growth, and getting support along the way is important. I hope to provide you with that support.

Robert Chuckman, MSW, RSW

Social Worker

I am a psychotherapist and social worker who specializes in the treatment of trauma, addiction and mental health disorders. I use a holistic approach that includes mind-body connecting, EMDR, Jungian approaches and trauma specific care.

Sarah Potts, BA (Psych.),RP

Psychotherapist

I am a compassionate addiction specialist with four years experience in helping individuals struggling with substance abuse, problem gambling and behavioural addiction. I have experience in both inpatient and outpatient clinical settings. I look forward to supporting individuals through their own journey to recovery and reaching their goals. I thrive in motivating clients to make positive changes in their lives.

Graydon Clipperton, ICADC, M.Ed

Addiction Specialist

I was first trained as a counsellor in 1979 and I am an International Certified Alcohol and Drug Counsellor (ICADC) and have had thousands of clients at treatment centres and privately. My goal with you, as with all clients, is to identify and relieve your suffering.

Jenni Jenkins, MSW, RSW

Social Worker

I will provide a calming, safe space to make sense of your feelings and will help you manage those feelings so that you can work through life's challenges. Many of my clients practice yoga and/or meditation or are interested in those practices. Our goal-focused sessions will draw from Mindfulness practices, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, healthy lifestyle choices and your own wisdom.

Paula Woynarowsky, ME.d, R.Psych.

Registered Psychologist

I am currently working as a Registered Provisional Psychologist in Alberta; specializing in substance and process addictions and related disorders. I'm very passionate about supporting others through the most challenging moments of transformational change and recovery.

Darlene Cyrus, Ed.D, RP

Psychotherapist

I am an empathetic and passionate Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO# 005920). I have extensive experience providing individual and family counselling to those struggling with mental health and relational difficulties. I utilize a strength-based and client-centred approach to guide clients towards achieving their therapeutic goals.

Zlata Kovaltchouk, RP, RPC

Psychotherapist

I use compassionate, holistic, and mindfulness-based methods to help my clients explore what makes their life meaningful and fulfilling, and to help them begin to take steps towards such a life while learning to more effectively manage the thoughts and feelings that get in their way. A Master's level therapist with close to ten years of counselling related experience, I am trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with additional training in yoga and meditation to supplement the therapy process.

Vanessa Zwaagstra, BA (Psych.), RP

Psychotherapist

I am a Registered Psychotherapist and have been working in the addiction/mental health field for 6 years, supporting individuals who struggle with mental health, substance use, gambling, gaming and internet use. I am passionate about helping others achieve their goals, and work toward creating a healthy and balanced lifestyle for themselves.

Thameena Nazir, MSW, RSW

Social Worker

I provide holistic, compassionate, inclusive, and non-judgemental counseling to adults of all ages. I believe in collaborating with my clients at every step of their self-exploration journey to optimize growth, healing, recovery, and well-being.

I work from a strength-based position and employ a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness practices, trauma-informed care, and plenty of humour to ensure your needs are being met. I’m confident that together we can make meaningful and lasting change in your life.

Fiona Walker MSc, RN, RCC

Clinical Counsellor

I am a registered clinical counsellor and I have worked with individuals and families for over 19 years, both in the United Kingdom and Canada. These include child and adolescent in-patient psychiatric units, youth substance abuse counsellor and as an eating disorder clinician for youth. My experience includes providing individual counselling for mental and emotional health, and relationship issues to individuals and families and integrate a range of psychotherapeutic approaches, such as Systemic, Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

Arshina Martin, MSW, RSW

Social Worker

I provide compassionate, sensitive and non-judgmental therapy to adults for a wide array of needs including trauma, depression, anxiety, stress and addiction. I have experience providing Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and trauma-informed counselling. My approach is unique in that I often combine various therapeutic modalities to ensure your needs are being met. Together, we can address the challenges you may be facing.

Muhammad Umar, BSW, RSW, MACP

Social Worker

I am a registered Social Worker (OCSWSSW # 830921) with more than seven years of experience in the field of mental health. I provide a welcoming and confidential counselling service for self exploration and growth. I adapt a therapeutic approach specific to each individual client in order to ensure meaningful growth and lasting positive change.

I welcome individuals of any race, colour, ethnicity, religious or sexual orientation. With empathy, humour, and compassion, I develop and maintain a therapeutic relationship that fosters auspicious healing and growth. I welcome any questions that you may have about the therapy process and my treatment approach.