Our Team
Overview
At The Giving Tree Centre, we believe that the path to a child's wellbeing is dynamic and all-encompassing. For this reason, our multi-disciplinary team of experts is comprised of experienced psychologists registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, Registered Psychotherapists, Speech and Occupational Therapists, creating a diversity of knowledge, approaches and expertise at the Centre. By evaluating not only the mental complexities but also the physical realm, we can explore and offer more holistic solutions for our young patients.
Dr. Mary Elizabeth (M.E.) Picher, MA, MED, PHD, Registered Psychotherapist
Founding Program Director
Dr. Mary Elizabeth (M.E.) Picher, MA, MED, PHD, is the Founding Program Director of The Giving Tree Centre and has designed the assessment and treatment program to reflect the latest developments in evidence-based therapies in tandem with child and family needs in today’s dynamic environment.
M.E. is a registered psychotherapist and developmental psychologist who has worked in the fields of Infant and Children’s Mental Health for 2O years.
M.E. earned her Master’s Degree from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Naropa University in the US and her Masters of Education and PHD degrees in Developmental Psychology and Education from The University of Toronto.
M.E. is trained in a variety of evidence-based treatment approaches including cognitive-behaviour therapy, parent-infant psychotherapy, play therapy, mindfulness-based self-compassion therapy, multisystemic therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy and trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy. M.E. has a wealth of experience treating a variety of mental health issues in children and youth of all ages, but has a special interest in working with parents and young children, ages 0 - 6 years-old.
Before serving as Program Director at The Giving Tree Centre, M.E. worked as a child and family clinician, play therapist and group facilitator in inpatient and outpatient children’s mental health centres throughout Canada and the U.S, and founded an early childhood development and parenting program which has helped thousands of parents to better understand and support the developmental needs and issues that are fundamental to raising young children.
Perhaps, most importantly, M.E. is a mom to two bright and beautiful neurodiverse children.
Dr. Gladiola Musabelliu, MPsych, PHD, School and Clinical Child Psychologist
Dr. Musabelliu is a school and clinical psychologist registered in Ontario. She completed her Bachelor's and Master's studies in Psychology in Albania and continued doctoral studies at OISE/University of Toronto in the School and Clinical Child Psychology program. Gladiola has held positions and received clinical training at OISE Psychology Clinic, Toronto Catholic District School Board, and Surrey Place Center.
Dr. Musabelliu provides assessment, treatment, and consultation to children, adolescents, and parents. She provides comprehensive assessments for children and adolescents with school-related problems (i.e., dyslexia, math problems, learning, attention, behaviour) and social-emotional challenges (i.e., anxiety, mood, self-regulation). She provides evidence-based treatment tailored to the unique strengths and needs of each child while helping them cope with psychological and mental health concerns. She integrates a variety of therapeutic approaches in her work with children that best suits their needs, including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, and play-based therapy. Given her extensive experience in a school board setting for more than five years, she helps families navigate the educational system when making decisions regarding school and program placement.
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Dr. Musabelliu strives to provide culturally sensitive services and assure that the needs of her clients are being met. She is fluent in English, Albanian, and Italian.
Dr. Elana Miller, MA, PHD, Clinical Child Psychologist
Dr. Elana Miller is a registered psychologist who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and parents. She graduated with her Ph.D. from the School and Child Clinical Psychology program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education in 2004. Prior to this, she attended the University of Western Ontario and Northwestern University, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master’s degree in audiology.
Elana trained in various hospitals and clinics in Toronto, including the Hospital for Sick Children, the Hincks-Dellcrest Centre and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She has been working as a private psychological practitioner for 14 years. She was also employed at the Toronto District School Board for 17 years, where she conducted psychoeducational assessments and provided counselling services. In addition, she provided consultations to educators and parents around learning, attention, social-emotional and behavioural concerns.
Elana has extensive training and clinical experience working with children and adolescents who are experiencing learning, attention, social-emotional and behavioural difficulties (e.g., learning disabilities, ADHD, gifted, anxiety, mood disorders). She provides consultation to teachers and school personnel in order to best support the students she sees, as well as evidence-based therapeutic interventions to children and adolescents with a wide range of concerns. She specializes in using cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) to treat anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Additionally, she offers Parent-Child Interaction therapy for young children with behavioural and emotional difficulties.
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Elana dedicates her time away from clients to researching and studying these conditions.
Catherine Lau, M.ADS, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Registered Psychotherapist,
Certified Art Therapist
Catherine completed a Master of Disability Studies specializing in Applied Behaviour Analysis and is a board certified behaviour analyst. Catherine has over 13 years of clinical experience supporting families and individuals of all ages, from all walks of life (from birth to the golden years). She completed an advanced diploma in Art Therapy and is a Registered Psychotherapist.
She is honored to have been able to support over 2000 individuals with a variety of diagnoses such as acquired brain injury, autism spectrum disorder, dual diagnosis, schizophrenia, bipolar, dementia, depression, anxiety, and individuals living with complex medical conditions. Catherine works from a person-centered, strengths-based lens; she does not focus on the diagnoses, rather, her therapy focuses on understanding client's hopes, dreams, and goals.
Specializing in acceptance and commitment therapy, the foundation of assessment and treatment is based on the client's strengths, values, and motivation. Catherine works collaboratively with the client and family to set and work together towards meaningful and realistic therapy goals.
As a mother of two young children, Catherine understands a parent's need to provide the absolute best care and support for one's child. It is her mission to provide this service to families who need. She is passionate about serving the whole client, including their family systems, emotional, and mental health. Her holistic therapy approach can include play-based family art therapy, psychoeducation around coping strategies, mindfulness practice, and evidence-based applied behaviour analysis.
Kamal Chandhok, MA, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Kamal Chandhok holds a Masters in Child Study and Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and is completing her post graduate degree in Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. Kamal uses her education and experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to guide her play based practice.
She is committed to providing children and their families with the necessary skills and tools to assist them in managing the stresses of everyday life.
Kamal is passionate about working with children and adolescents with trauma, Autism, ADHD, anxiety, and coaching parents through challenges they may be facing with their children. Providing todays youth and their families with the necessary skills to manage their mental health by acknowledging their experiences is a great way for them to build a more positive outlook on life.
Ulrica Jobe, Child & Family Counsellor, Parent Coach, Connected Parenting Therapist
Ulrica holds a BA, Psychology and Family Studies, and an MEd, Developmental Psychology and Education. Ulrica is a passionate counsellor, parent coach, educator, speaker, and workshop facilitator who works with parents, children, teens, adults, families, and educators. Ulrica works as a Connected Parenting Therapist and founded an organization with a mission to support social emotional learning, provide family coaching and counselling services. Ulrica’s warmth and compassion set the stage for everyone to feel at ease, gain trust and be motivated to explore new perspectives.
Ulrica has been trained and mentored by Jennifer Kolari in the Connected Parenting methodology and incorporates many of the evidence-based research and has trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Relational Therapy and Relational Life Therapy.
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Through Ulrica’s coaching and counselling, clients will be encouraged to celebrate their successes while embracing the messiness of life. Clients who work with Ulrica will leave their sessions and workshops inspired with confidence, a meaningful plan, strategies to communicate more effectively and practical approaches to learn, grow and thrive as a human.
Gurman Randhawa, MA, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Gurman Randhawa holds a Masters in Psychotherapy and Counselling as well as a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Gurman uses her education and experience in Applied Behavioural Analysis to support children, adolescents, and families.
She takes a client-centered approach, while incorporating research-based modalities, including but not limited to elements of Play activities, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioural therapy, and Narrative therapy. She focuses on working collaboratively and including the goals of each party to build on and strengthen the relationship.
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Gurman works from an anti-oppressive lens and seeks to understand the individual’s beliefs, practices, and struggles. She supports children and adolescents in areas of anxiety, depression, trauma, bullying, cultural identity, grief, school motivation, and self-harm. Gurman seeks to work alongside the client at a pace that is challenging and as well as respectful to their boundaries.
Lyndsay Batten, Occupational Therapist
Lyndsay holds a Bachelor of Child, Youth and Family Studies from the University of Guelph, and a Master’s Of Science in Occupational Therapy form Queen’s University. Lyndsay is a passionate Occupational Therapist (OT), educator and mental health advocate. Lyndsay works as an OT to assist children and youth in building skills that will allow them to better participate in all areas of life. These include but are not limited to, school, play, social activities, daily hygiene and self-care, communication, fine motor skills as well as mental health coping.
Lyndsay is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive behavioural therapy for Psychosis (CBTp), Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Motivational Interviewing (MI) as well as Concussion Management. Lyndsay utilizes an evidenced based and client centered approach to assessment and intervention to ensure the client is developing meaningful life skills in areas important to them.
In her spare time Lyndsay enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, camping and playing soccer! Lyndsay believes that a strong therapeutic alliance and rapport with clients and their family bring positive outcomes to therapy. She is looking forward to connecting with new clients.
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Dania Awartani, Registered Speech-Language Pathologist
Dania holds a Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science and Linguistics. She is bilingual in Arabic and English and is particularly passionate about bringing bilingual and culturally-informed service delivery to this underserved population in Canada.
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Dania has extensive experience working with children of all ages as well as their families through all service delivery models, in both clinical and academic settings, and at various stages of speech and language development.
She enjoys working in tandem with both families and interdisciplinary professionals, so as to truly understand each child, develop goals that are functional for them, and build a strong foundation that allows for integration of these goals for ongoing success.
Nathalie Boulet, BSc., MSc., Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Nathalie Boulet holds a Masters in Neuroscience from Western University, and is currently finishing her Masters in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. Nathalie is a passionate and dedicated Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) who wholeheartedly believes in guiding youth towards living life as the best versions of themselves. Her mission is to empower young individuals with the tools and strategies to discover their inner potential and navigate through life's challenges with confidence. Adolescence can be a transformative and sometimes challenging phase, but Nathalie believes that with the right guidance and support, it can become an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.
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Drawing from her background in neuroscience, Nathalie understands the complex interplay between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. She believes in a strength-based and integrative approach to therapy, drawing from a wide range of therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Adlerian Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and tailoring the interventions based on the specific needs of each unique client. Nathalie supports youth dealing with a variety of different challenges including depression, anxiety, self-esteem, bullying, body image, and academic issues. By combining her expertise in psychology and neuroscience, paired with a thorough understanding of evidence-based therapeutic techniques, Nathalie crafts holistic and individualized treatment plans that address the whole child, acknowledging the connections between mental processes and emotional wellbeing. Regardless of which therapeutic modality Nathalie operates from, she embodies the core values of empathy, compassion, genuineness, and authenticity in her therapeutic practice, creating a warm, non-judgemental, and nurturing environment for her clients.
With a profound passion for supporting youth on their transformative journey, Nathalie is committed to fostering personal growth, resilience, and self-discovery in each of her clients. Together with Nathalie, your child will embark on an empowering and meaningful experience as they uncover their inherent potential and embrace a brighter tomorrow!
Amanda Mancuso, BSc, MACP Candidate, Marketing & Administrative Associate
Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology-Sociology and is currently studying to become a Registered Psychotherapist. She is bilingual in French and English.
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Amanda has extensive experience working with mental health and crisis, and wishes to continue helping individuals reach their fullest potential through well-being. She is passionate about working with children and youth which is why she is joining the Giving Tree Center's services.
Interested In Joining Our Team?
We are growing our practice and welcome suitable candidates to apply!
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The Giving Tree Centre is a multi-disciplinary centre providing emotional health and well-being services to our young patients. We strive to promote an autonomous culture for our team to allow our mental health experts to build their practice and skills.
Our community of registered psychologists, psychotherapists, speech and occupational therapists fosters a culture of diversity, inclusion and collaboration.
We are not limited to these specific areas of expertise and encourage other professionals who offer services to support our overall vision to reach out to us.
Kindly note that The Giving Tree Centre offers in-person and virtual therapy sessions.
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Please send us your resume to info@thegivingtreecentre.ca.
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