Angus psychotherapists provide a full suite of psychotherapy and counselling services in the Essa Township and surrounding areas.
Amelia Perri, RN, Psychotherapist – Clinic Director
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Amelia Perri is a RN, Psychotherapist and the owner and founder of Therapy Heals Psychotherapy and Counselling Services. She developed Therapy Heals in 2007 to offer people high quality counselling services that are respectful of each person as a unique individual.
Over the past 16 years, Amelia has provided therapy and counselling to individuals, couples, and families for a range of problems, for example, eating disorders, couples counselling, anger and stress management, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, trauma, self esteem issues, relationship problems, and more. Amelia also provides supervision for therapists and meets the CRPO standards to provide supervision.
Amelia’s experience includes a combination of work in psychotherapy, counselling, and nursing, which allows her to provide her clients with a distinctive perspective. She has been a Registered Nurse for 25 years, and it was in her nursing role where she began to develop her counselling skills.
Amelia holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Ryerson University in Toronto, and a Master of Counselling Psychology degree from Athabasca University in Edmonton. Amelia has also received specific training in brainspotting, cognitive behavior therapy, narrative therapy, attachment therapy, the Gottman method, emotion-focused therapy, and more.
Amelia has been described as compassionate, warm, and easy to talk to. She practices a non-judgemental approach in which she believes that people have good reasons for acting as they do. Amelia feels truly honoured to work along side her clients and witness their evolution and growth.
Amy Alexander, Registered Psychotherapist, MA Counselling Psychology, BA, SSW
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Amy is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario (CRPO) and is a member in good standing with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She holds a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, an Undergraduate Honours Degree in International Studies from York University (Glendon) and a Social Service Worker Diploma from Humber College.
Amy works from a strengths-based perspective, partnering with individuals who are facing challenges in their life related to grief and loss, anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse, ADHD, ASD, relationship related problems, parenting challenges, interpersonal issues, workplace stress and concerns regarding low self-worth. Amy supports children (ages 10+), adolescents, adults, and families. Amy has training and experience using a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused CBT, Brief Solution Focused, and practices with a trauma informed approach.
She firmly believes in the inherent strengths of each individual or family and hopes to build on these existing resources when partnering with people to support the growth and change they would like to make. Amy is eager to hear people’s stories and the experiences that help shape them. She strives to create a therapeutic environment that is collaborative, hopeful and feels safe to explore and develop a greater awareness or understanding of the challenges and successes a person faces.
Rachel La Rosee, Registered Psychotherapist, MA
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Rachel is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), Clinical Traumatologist (TITC-CT) and an EMDR trained therapist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Justice Studies and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology.
Rachel has always had a passion for helping others which is why she spent the last 10 years working in the law field. Working in law exposed her to the complexities of life, developing her belief that change, growth and healing is possible if individuals are supported with compassion, empathy, and non-judgement. This belief has become her therapeutic approach, along with recognizing and valuing that each client is unique, making the therapy process unique. Rachel will walk alongside clients through their challenges and suffering, hold a space for healing, and help clients move towards a life more in alignment with meaning and purpose.
Rachel embraces the experiential, humanistic and psychodynamic therapy models, but will infuse elements from a variety of therapy models based on the client’s needs and desired outcomes. Rachel provides individual therapy (including children 12+) for difficult life transitions, divorce/separation, grief/loss, anger and stress management, anxiety, depression, trauma, and low self-esteem.
Michelle Straka, RP, M.A. Counselling Psychology, B.A. (Hons)
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Michelle is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She holds a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, an undergraduate Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Laurentian University, as well as a post graduate diploma in Communicative Disorders.
Previously, Michelle worked as a Behavioural Therapist for 10 years providing evidence based treatment supporting families, children and adolescents with diversified needs such as behavioural challenges, ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities and anxiety.
Michelle’s approach to therapy is deeply rooted in the core belief that the therapeutic relationship is essential for facilitating change, healing, and growth towards successful treatment outcomes. She believes in a holistic integrated approach, utilizing a client-centered approach combining a variety of therapeutic interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Somatic experiencing, and Mindfulness to fit your individual goals, needs, and beliefs.
Michelle provides services to individuals (including children 7+), couples, and families. Clinical interests include: anxiety & stress, depression, anger management, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, emotional regulation, self-compassion & self-worth, and relationship rebuilding.
Ariel Gersman, Registered Social Worker, RSW, MSW
Ariel is a Registered Social Worker in Ontario. She holds a Master Degree in Social Work from University of Toronto and a Bachelor Degree in Social Work from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University).
For almost 10 years Ariel has been providing counselling and therapy services to individuals and families. During her career Ariel has supported adults, children, youth and families to manage experiences of anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, relationship issues, stress, trauma, grief and loss, parenting challenges and more.
Ariel is known for her empathetic approach, her ability to build strong relationships with her clients, and her commitment to ensuring that everyone she works with feels heard, valued, and supported. She does not believe in a “one size fits all” approach and tailors her practice to fit each client’s needs and best interests. Ariel uses a non-judgemental, collaborative, and integrative therapeutic approach rooted in a variety of theories and interventions including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Family Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma Informed Therapy, Attachment, Neurobiology, Mindfulness and play-based interventions.
Olivia Graham, Registered Social Worker, BSW, MSW, RSW
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Olivia is a Registered Social Worker – she is registered with both the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW). She holds a Master of Social Work degree (with a specialization in Children and Their Families) from the University of Toronto, as well as a Honours Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work degree (with a minor in Indigenous Studies) from Laurentian University.
As a social worker, Olivia has witnessed the positive impact that a non-judgmental, safe, and comfortable space can have for clients of all ages and life stages. Olivia holds the belief that clients feeling they are listened to and empowered are key components within the change process; Olivia has a very warm and empathetic approach to ensure this is felt by all clients. The process of change while working with Olivia will be a true collaboration.
For the past 5+ years, Olivia has been supporting children (5+), teens, caregivers (of children ages 0-18), and families; building upon their strengths to create the change that they wish to experience in their lives. Throughout Olivia’s training and career, she has become familiar with and used a combination of various therapy approaches such as: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Unified Protocol, Trauma-Focused CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy (Level 1), Collaborative Problem Solving, Single Session Therapy, Indigenous (Aboriginal) Theory, Attachment Theory, and Mindfulness-Based interventions. Olivia loves learning and is committed to continued growth a therapist to best support clients on their journeys.
Olivia recognizes that each client has their own story, hopes, and beliefs, which will be honoured throughout our time working together. Olivia is looking forward to meeting you – supporting you in learning, growing, and thriving!
Jessica (Jessy) Danyluk, BTh, MDiv, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
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Jessy is a Registered Psychotherapist-Qualifying with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Counselling from Tyndale Seminary and an Undergraduate Degree in Theology from Masters College in Peterborough. She also has certification in Gottman’s Couple’s Counselling.
Jessy’s experience at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre allows her to work with a wide scope of clients including children, teens, young adults, families and couples and a wide range of mental health issues such as anxiety disorders, eating disorders, depression/suicidal ideation, grief support/end of life support and neurodivergent disorders such as ADHD and ASD. Jessy has training and experience using a variety of therapeutic modalities, such as Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Therapeutic Play and Couple’s Counselling.
Jessy is recognized for her collaborative approach to therapy and giving clients confidence through her ability to creative a compassionate and supportive alliance with clients. She strives to create a warm, welcoming and non-judgemental environment through understanding and developing a deeper awareness of a client’s needs.
Sarah Allen Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MA
Sarah Allen is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She holds a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and an undergraduate Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Lakehead University.
Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, Sarah spent over 20 years working with adults with complex mental health and addictions issues. Using a trauma informed approach Sarah is passionate about providing culturally sensitive services that focuses on leveraging strengths to facilitate healing.
Using a humanistic, client-centred approach Sarah provides clients with a non-judgemental environment within which they are free to explore their issues and concerns. Drawing on her experience with Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (M-CBT), Motivational Interviewing and Solution Focused Therapy, Sarah is able to provide each client with individualized treatment.