Children & Adolescents

Children’s stresses and worries are as big to them as adult’s challenges are to us. We see children from 4-12 years of age with overwhelming anxiety, whether it’s socially, with separation, with intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours, or with performance academically. We understand that children can be traumatized by bullying, family dissolution, losses, and health concerns. Some children are pre-wired for challenges with sustaining attention and focus, regulating their own behavior, sleeping well, getting motivated, integrating all the incoming stimuli bombarding them, or enjoying their lives. We are experienced and skilled in assessing and treating a wide range of issues concerning children and their parents. We work closely with parents to make sure the tools and strategies learned are utilized outside of the clinical session.

Teens have unique challenges which are a combination of their stage of brain development, roles, social demands, personalities and moods, and family dynamics. We assess a range of anxieties, depression, personality issues, academic concerns, attention deficits, learning disabilities, behavioural problems, impulse control issues, eating disorders, body image disorders, drug use, and family relational issues for youth of all ages. Individual assessment may be indicated, along with individual or family therapy.

Adults

The adults who contact are office often have mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, or anger-management challenges, addictions, or trauma, among other concerns, which interfere with one’s enjoyment of their life. Sometimes work stressors have become too great and intervention is needed in order to cope. Perhaps there is ongoing frustration with not being able to meet personal goals or adjust to life’s demands. Our skilled clinicians assess and treat a wide variety of adult issues and help with understanding the problems, one’s contribution to them and the solutions, and developing skills to address these. Our clinicians have a range of orientations and skills including cognitive-behavioural interventions, energy psychology approaches, psychodynamic, systemic, client-centered, and solution-focused options.

Couples

Our preference is to see couples together, of whatever sexual orientation, to observe their communication and responses to each other, hear each of their perspectives and have them hear each other in a safe, non-judgmental setting. We will help slow down the interactions, understand the patterns in which couples are getting stuck, the behaviours which are undermining the relationship, and facilitate each member of the couple expressing their perceptions and needs. Sometimes more attention is needed on one member of the partnership in order to heal old wounds. We practice in a balanced, respectful way with each partnership they we have the honour to assist.

Families

Well, what can we say, families are complicated. There are individual needs, parental issues, and whole family dynamics to be addressed. We will assess the needs in a family system to identify the best steps forward and the combinations of individuals that would most likely be productive to reach goals identified by the family. Although there is legislation to support children having confidentiality in therapy by the time they reach 15 years of age, we work hard to communicate with parents on issues with their children and their role in the solutions. Often sessions will include parents, so the skills being taught can be transferred to the family setting and times and situations outside of the therapy hour. We love our client children and families and welcome the opportunity to assist you. This is why we do what we do.

Ph.D., C. Psych. Registered Psychologist

Dr. Wendy LeDoux

Dr. Wendy has been practicing as a Registered Psychologist in the Durham Region for more than 25 years, providing psychological services to adults, couples and families, adolescents and children. Whether it is counselling or assessment you are looking for, Dr. Wendy and her clinical associates who are either Ph.D. level Psychologists or Masters level Psychotherapists and Counsellors have the expertise to assist you by providing a range of clinical orientations, fees, hours, and locations for most psychological issues. Dr LeDoux provides clinical supervision to her associates who are members of a regulatory body, to assure the highest level of care and compliance with professional practice standards and ethics.

M.A., C. Psych. Assoc., Registered Psychological Associate

Aubrey Gibson

Aubrey Gibson is a Member of the College of Psychologists in Ontario as a Psychological Associate.  She holds a Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology from McGill University.  Aubrey has experience working with individuals of diverse backgrounds who are seeking help to cope with various life challenges such as: depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, relationship and communication difficulties, stress management, suicidality and self-harm, self-esteem, as well as academic and vocational issues. As a part of Dr. LeDoux’s practice for more than 5 years, Aubrey works with adults to help them transition towards living more fulfilling balanced lives. She uses an integrative theoretical approach that includes tenets of emotion focused therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, psychodynamic therapy, existential therapy, client-centered therapy, and interpersonal processing, with a focus on developing a nurturing, trusting, and collaborative relationship with each individual that she works with.

M. Div., Family Counsellor

Wayne Saynor

Wayne Saynor is a family counsellor and has been providing counselling support for our clients for the past 7 years. He has a Master of Divinity degree from the Ontario Theological Seminary. Wayne sees a wide range of clients including couples, families, adolescents and adults. His orientation is systemic, solution-focused, supportive and cognitive behavioural. He has taught graduate level courses in counselling at Tyndale University, College and Seminary.

M.S., C. Psych. Registered Psychologist

Tara Horsman

Tara Horsman is a Registered Psychologist who has been providing psychological assessment and support for children and youth within the education system in Ontario for 15 years. She has a passion for helping all children and youth succeed through individualized assessment and care of mental health, learning, and behaviour.  Tara is well-versed in the assessment and diagnosis of learning disabilities, intellectual giftedness and disability, ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, behavioural problems, and attachment disorders. She graduated summa cum laude from Capella University in the U.S. with a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology.

M.A., R.P., REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Sigrun Sigurjonsdottir

Sigrun Sigurjonsdottir is a Registered Psychotherapist with a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from the University of Central Florida. Sigrun sees adolescents, adults and couples. Among her areas of practice are: Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Trauma Recovery, Grief Support, Relationship Counseling, Separation/Divorce Support, Communication Issues, Gender Identity, Transgender Care, Sexual Identity, Personal Development and Sex Therapy. Sigrun is an integrative therapist, drawing from Solution Focused Therapy, CBT and Emotionally Focus Therapy. Sigrun is also a Certified Sex Therapist who values a biological alignment to mental health and welcomes working collaboratively with other medical providers.

M.Sc., R.P., REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Allison Balkaran

Allison is a Registered Psychotherapist. She holds a Master of Science in Counselling Psychology. Allison has experience working with adults, couples, and families who are seeking help to cope with depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship and communication difficulties, stress management, addictions, suicidality and spirituality. She uses an integrative theoretical approach which includes cognitive-behavioural therapy, emotion-focused therapy, mindfulness, and hypnotherapy with a focus on ensuring that all clients feel validated, empowered, and treated fairly.

B.Ed, M.S.W, R.S.W., REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKER

Lina Vishnevsky

Lina Vishnevsky is a Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist with a decade of experience in the children’s mental health field. She specializes in supporting children and families with social, emotional, and behavioural challenges. Lina is also a trained teacher and has a sound knowledge of the Ontario Education system, which helps her in supporting her clients better. She utilizes various therapeutic modalities, such as Play therapy, Cognitive Behavioural therapy, and Narrative Therapy.

B.Sc., M.S.W., R.S.W, REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKER

Trinity Trinkwon

Trinity Trinkwon is a Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist. She holds a Master of Social Work degree in Mental Health and Health, and a Bachelor of Science in Mental Health and Sociology from the University of Toronto. Trinity has experience working with adolescents and adults who are seeking help to cope with various life challenges such as: depression, anxiety, trauma, stress management, grief, relationship and communication difficulties, suicidality, and life transitions like pregnancy, parenthood, late adulthood, and caring for a loved one. She offers a warm, empowering, and judgement-free approach to treatment that includes tenets of interpersonal therapy, mindfulness, brief psychodynamic psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy. Trinity works collaboratively with clients to address their needs and goals at a comfortable pace and is always open to questions and feedback.

B.Ed., M.S.W., R.S.W., REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKER

Nadia Petraroja

Nadia Petraroja is a Registered Social Worker and has dedicated her career to working with children, and families. Receiving her Bachelor of Education in 1989, Nadia introduced elementary school children to the pleasure of self-expression through creative dance, drama and music. Her experiences in the classroom awakened Nadia to the important connection between learning and mental health. In 2002, Nadia returned to school and graduated as a social worker. Her clinical experience spans the developmental spectrum from the important role attachment plays in early development, the complexity of mental health complications with school age children, and experiences of loss through separation, divorce and grieving. Nadia’s advance training in CBT, brief therapy, Emotion Focused Family Therapy and DBT enables her to use a variety of evidence- based models to support children and families through diagnoses, learning challenges and mental health complications. Her work emphasizes the important role resilience plays in improving the quality of lives of children and their families.

Office Manager

Jessica LeDoux

Jessica LeDoux is our office manager and Dr Wendy’s right-hand person. She is a graduate of Durham College and has excellent experience in health care administration. Jessica would be happy to help each of our clients access our services through phone contact, text, email and in person. Welcome Jessica!

Administrative Assistant

Julie Drew

Julie Drew is our Administrative Assistant. She is a graduate of Mohawk College and has over 20 years experience in an administrative role in various industries, and most recently managing private healthcare clinics. She is passionate about mental health and is happy to connect with clients and assist in accessing our services.