Therapist Profiles
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- Serge Matt Lacoste, Ph.D., Psychologist
- Nikola Šofranková, Intern Psychologist
- Natalie Haddad, Counselor
- Myriam Cader, Psychotherapist
- Dr. Bita Sharifzadeh, Psychologist
- Leyma Mir, Counselor
- Dr. Lazarus Fitopoulos, Psychologist
- Cheryl Petrinchuk, Registered Counselor & Intern Psychotherapist
- Jeff Renaud, Counselor
- Enkeleida Feruli, Counselor
- Louise Boisvert, Counselor
Doctorate Degree in Psychology – University of Toulouse
Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS) – IAEDP (USA)
Microprogam in Clinical Psychology of Children and Young People (University of Edinburgh, UK)
Microprogam in Psychological First Aid (Johns Hopkins, Bloomberg School of Public Health – Baltimore, MD, USA)
Ordre des Psychologues du Québec (OPQ)
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
American Psychological Association (APA)
International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Foundation (IAEDP)
American Association of Sport Psychology (AASP)
Stress management
Depression
Burnout
Eating disorders
Sexual disorders
Behavioral disorders
School disorders
Mental training for athletes
Adoption and support for family
Support for substance abuse cessation
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Sophrology (Caycedo)
Mindfulness therapy
Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy
Solution Focused Therapy
Rorschach Test
Cognitive Assessments (I.Q., ADHD, ODD)
During my 15+ years experience in teaching, researching, learning and practicing, I have developed a holistic and client-centered approach to treat my clients, similar to Carl Rogers’ philosophy of therapy. During sessions, I implement key tools including empathy, understanding, listening, analysis and maintaining a professional distance with clients, with a strong respect of Ethics (O.P.Q. - A.P.A.). I believe that the approach to psychotherapy should be determined by the client’s needs. The key to the success of therapy is a strong therapeutic relationship, which involves unconditional positive regard to develop the necessary confidence.
Languages: English & French
Master's degree in Psychology from the Comenius University in Slovakia
Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the Comenius University in Slovakia
Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association CCPA #10005051
OPQ-Membership in Process of Evaluation
Coping Skills Training in the following areas:
Anxiety
Depression
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Marriage and Relationship Issues
Family Issues
Self-Esteem
Phobias
Eating Disorders
Communication Skills
Anger Management
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy for Anxiety and OCD (ERP)
Solution-Focused Therapy
Mindfulness
Virtual Reality Therapy (VR) for Relaxation and Exposure for Anxiety/Phobia
Psychoeducation
As an Intern-Psychologist, I find it essential to create a non-judgmental relationship with my clients where they feel safe and supported. It is important for me to ensure that my clients are empowered to explore their feelings, thoughts, and behavior. I use an eclectic intervention approach adapted to the unique needs of my clients in order to help them find better, more adaptive ways to function in life. I believe that a positive, warm atmosphere is a key element when helping our clients become more grounded and grow more self-aware on their journey to understand and heal themselves and their relationships.
Languages: English
Master's in Counseling Psychology -Yorkville Univeristy
BA in Sociology and Minor in Interdisciplinary Sexuality Studies- Concordia University
Certified Life Coach- The International Association of NLP and Coaching
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
OCCOQ Candidate
Anxiety
Depression
Self-esteem / Confidence
Self-development and Growth
Family issues / Communication
Relationship issues
Adjustment to life transitions
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Solution-Focused Therapy
Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (act)
Meaning centered therapy/ Finding Purpose
Grief Therapy
With over 6 years of Life Coaching and 4 years in counseling, I see counseling as a safe zone; a judgement free environment where people can express their worries, and emotions. It is also a team effort, a collaborative work between client and therapist to set goals, bring attention to their negative thoughts, and to become mindful of their mind, body, and soul. Every client is unique and requires a tailored approach; I work for and with my clients to meet their therapy needs. I am comfortable with several techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy, grief therapy, mindfulness exercises, solution-focused theory and meaning centered therapy.
Language: English & French
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University
Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology, Bishop’s University
DEC Nursing, Cegep Edouard-Montpetit
Internship at the West Island Cancer Wellness Centre, Montreal
Trainings in crisis and violent behaviors management
Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, CCPA #11241204
Member of the College of Nurses of Québec, OIIQ #2150299
Member of the College of Psychotherapists of Quebec, OPQ #62042-22
Anxiety
Depression
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
Bipolar Disorders
Personality Disorders
Addictions
Body Image
Self-Esteem
Motivation
Relationship Issues
Family Systems
Health-Related Issues
My medical background in nursing has brought me to foster a non-judgmental and collaborative relationship with clients. I acknowledge the uniqueness of all experiences and believe clients to be experts of their own lives. I have an eclectic approach that is mainly based on Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT), but I also have existentialist values that bring me to question the meaning behind thoughts and choices. Finally, I use mindfulness techniques as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to generate a positive environment of awareness, acceptance, warmth, and change. As a Psychotherapist, I focus on current issues and help you gain insight to build more effective and adaptive coping skills to deal with problems.
Languages: English & French
- Member of the College of Psychologists of Quebec OPQ - 10884-07
Post-doctorate Master of science in Psychopharmacology, Alliant University California
Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology Concordia University
Master's degree in Clinical Psychology Cologne University
Bachelor's degree in Psychology Cologne University
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Schema Focused CBT
Health Psychology
Mindfulness / Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Self-Hypnosis / Relaxation Techniques
Treatment of OCD and Anxiety Disorders
Treatment of Sexual Problems
Specialized training in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Developmental Trauma
Treatment of Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Treatment of Eating Disorders
Specialized training in the management of chronic pain
Dr. Bita is the founder, clinical director and supervisor at Clinic Dr. Bita, Psychologists (CDB). She emphasizes the importance of balance between the 4 elements of mind, body, emotions and spirituality in each person’s well-being. She utilizes scientifically approved methods to help you gain increased awareness of your thoughts patterns, feelings, and coping skills, while ensuring a non-judgmental and supportive therapeutic relationship.
Languages: English, French, German, & Farsi
Bachelor’s in psychology at McGill University
Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University
Advanced clinical practicum at the Taylor Adolescent Program at the Montreal Fluency Centre
Anxiety
Depression
Self-esteem
Self-development
Perfectionism / procrastination
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Acceptance & commitment therapy
Mindfulness
As a counsellor, I seek to understand my clients’ internal experience and frame of reference through a collaborative and supportive approach. I aim to accompany my clients on their path towards self-realization. It is important to me to make each individual feel completely at ease through this journey by providing a warm, empathic, and safe space. The approach I use is mainly oriented towards cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), but I also incorporate acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) as well as mindfulness interventions.
Languages: English & French
Ph.D., Counselling Psychology, McGill University
Master’s Degree, Counselling Psychology, McGill University
Bachelor’s Degree, Major Psychology, McGill University
Ordre des Psychologues du Quebec since 2004
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Emotion Focused/ Client-Centered Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Mindfulness & Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Compassion-Focused Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy
Positive Psychology approaches
Generalized Anxiety
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Social Anxiety
Health Anxiety
Depression
Anger management
Relational (family of origin, couple, peers) difficulties
Substance Abuse
Perfectionism
Loss / Grief
Motivation / Procrastination / Inattention
My integrative approach is most informed by these 5 core therapy values: 1) Promoting a collaborative and egalitarian therapy relationship. 2) Trusting and valuing client perspectives and resources. 3) A consistent attention to potential solutions and recognition of strengths. 4) The development of realistic expectations encouraging gradual progress toward self-initiated change and, 5) increasing ease of putting words to emotional experience."
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University
Certificate of Continued Education for Couples Counselling, Clinic Dr. Bita
EDUC 445 Education in Quebec, Concordia University
Internship at the West Island Cancer Wellness Centre
Bachelor of Arts and Science (Majors in Psychology and Music), University of Lethbridge
Certified Canadian Counsellor #10000737
Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
Member of the Quebec Counselling Association
OCCOQ Candidate
Individual counselling
Couples counselling
Anxiety
Depression
Relationships
Grief and bereavement
Health and Wellness
Cancer
Addictions
Personality Disorders
Trauma
Sexuality
Communication skills
Assertiveness skills
Self-Esteem work
Mindfulness
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Meaning Centered Therapy
Positive Psychology
Self-Compassion
I am continually inspired by the fortitude, determination, and resiliency I witness in individuals who strive to thrive despite adversity. My therapeutic goals include creating a safe place to share difficulties, helping people rediscover what they need, express and tolerate how they feel, communicate more effectively, grow in self-awareness and self-esteem, find meaning and purpose, instill self-compassion, heal from trauma, and adjust thoughts and behaviours that compound their difficulty. I collaborate with clients to find ways for people to develop and change that make a positive difference to their wellbeing. I am positive, understanding, creative and eclectic in my approach, which enables me to connect with individuals and individualize my interventions. I am empathetic because I know the struggle is real.
Master’s degree in Counselling from the University of New Brunswick
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Concordia University
Canadian Certified Counsellor #12667
Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
Member of the Quebec Counselling Association (QCA)
Self-esteem
Communication
Relationships
Suicide prevention
Bereavement, grief
Compassion fatigue, burnout
Depression, anxiety, stress
Parenting
Over my last 8+ years of clinical experience, I have strived to create meaningful therapeutic relationships with my clients in order to foster lasting improvements in their well-being. I work alongside with clients so that they may better understand their situation, their thoughts and emotions, their relationship dynamics, their needs, and their strengths. I operate from a humanistic perspective, using an eclectic mix of solution-focused, person-centered, cognitive-behavioural, and interpersonal counselling approaches. I base my practice on the belief that clients have the necessary internal resources to surmount their difficulties and achieve a better quality of life.
Master's degree in Clinical Psychology, Albanian University (UFO)
Bachelor's in Arts Old World History, Eqerem Cabej Albania
Certificate of Electromagnetic Stimulation of the Brain, Albania, February 2015
Certificate of Cannabis and Multidimensional content treatment, Albania, March 2015
Certified Drug Therapist, Denmark 2018
Human Resource Management Diploma, George Brown College 2022
Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) 11245372
Anxiety
Depression
Self-Esteem
Addiction
Self-development
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Mindfulness
As a mental health therapist, I understand how important it is to communicate respectfully and non-judgmentally with my clients, as well as to provide them with the necessary coping skills and to empower through self-discovery. I believe that a safe environment and structured treatment are the main factors needed to allow individuals to allow for change. I mainly use a solution-focused approach, based on the techniques of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
Languages: English Only
Master's degree in Criminology, University of Ottawa
Bachelor's degree in Criminology, University of Ottawa
Member of Quebec Professional College of Criminologists (OPCQ)
Youth Center Educator (DPJ)
Addiction Worker
Addiction problems
Personality disorders (borderline, anti-social, etc.)
Trauma (abuse in childhood, domestic abuse, PTSD)
ADHD
Reintegration into society / criminal past
Behavioral problems (children, teenagers)
Emotional regulation
Depression / burn out
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Criminology, being a mix of psychology and sociology, can offer a different point of view on our way of life, and find alternative solutions to our problems. As a criminologist, I can offer a different perspective to those who feel the need to logically rationalize the therapeutic process.
My professional experiences have offered me a very unique understanding of the legal system, the youth protection services, and the oppression of marginalized groups. I have been able to both learn, and teach communication skills, that can be adapted to any level of comprehension. I have also learned new and creative ways to help individuals with different lifestyle needs, such as those with ADHD, to deal with their day-to-day struggles.
I can help you understand and contextualize your emotions, as well as understand the effects of your past trauma on your current relationships. Whether it is within solutions oriented therapy (cognitive behavioral), or with the mindfulness approach, every session will be through the lens of empathy and humanism.
Languages: English & French