Kat Kova (she/her), MSc, Registered Psychotherapist
* Kat is currently not accepting new clients.
Kat is currently completing the PhD Social and Personality Psychology program at York University. She holds a Masters of Science Degree in Couple & Family Therapy Program from the University of Guelph, an Honours BA Degree in Psychology from York University and a Certificate in Sexuality Studies from York University. She is an Associate Member of BESTCO (Board of Examiners of Sex Therapy and Counselling in Ontario) and has completed the Sex Therapy Intensive Training at the University of Guelph. Her research has been published in the Journal of Sex Research and Current Opinion in Psychology, and she has presented her research at The International Association for Relationship Research, The Canadian Psychological Association, The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, SEXposium, and gave an award-winning talk on her research at the Canadian Sex Research Forum conference in 2022.
She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), Narrative Therapy and mindfulness approaches and personalizes treatment according to your specific needs and the concerns you wish to address. Kat is also trained in embodied experiential dreamwork practices, an effective treatment for alleviating suffering from trauma-related nightmares and PTSD symptoms.
Together, you will explore how your past, emotions, thoughts, beliefs and behaviours contribute to your current struggles, while exploring different ways of being that invite greater opportunity for joy, freedom, meaning, and connection. During treatment, we will focus on identifying what is within your control to change or influence, explore solutions, access information/resources, and process the past, integrating it into a more coherent and meaningful whole. Kat provides services in both English and Serbo-Croatian.
Ainur Alipkaliyeva (she/her), Registered Psychotherapist
* Ainur is currently accepting new clients.
In addition to having 20+ years of experience working with couples and individuals as a psychotherapist trained in the Gestalt approach, Ainur has also completed the Intensive Sex Therapy Training Program at the University of Guelph.
Ainur’s approach is based on a bio-psycho-social model. Ainur analyzes how individuals’ psychological boundaries, emotional responses, awareness, satisfaction of needs, the nature of their interpersonal relationships, and the influence of childhood trauma and life experiences have shaped their response patterns and belief systems. She helps clients fulfill individual potential through person-centred and experiential psychotherapy, including emotion-focused therapy.
She has experience working with clients suffering from relationship and interpersonal difficulties, abuse, trauma, severe and persistent mental disorders, and psychosomatic diseases. In addition to her individual and couple work, she has also conducted family and group psychotherapy. Ainur also provides clients with Dreamwork, in the Gestalt tradition.
Her interdisciplinary experience including her medical background (obtained a medical degree outside of Canada), professional training and years of experience with psychotherapy provides clients with comprehensive and highly skilled therapeutic care. Ainur provides services in both English and Russian.
Ivana Kolakovic (she/her), Registered Psychotherapist
* Ivana is currently not accepting new clients.
Ivana is a seasoned relational, trauma-informed Gestalt psychotherapist and crisis worker. She has completed 5-years of Psychotherapy training at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto, 3-years of Somatic Experiencing training for trauma resolution (Montreal), and has a Master of Arts Degree in Women's and Gender Studies (Carleton University, Ottawa). Ivana has also completed the Intensive Sex Therapy Training Program at the University of Guelph.
She has worked deeply with people struggling with a range of emotions/experiences including grief, self-harm, suicidal ideation, anger, childhood abuse and psychosocial trauma (including war), post-immigration experiences, relationship difficulties, self-actualization, and self-esteem issues. She works from a humanistic, embodied and evidence-based framework and has additional training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and peer-based crisis response/suicide care strategies. As a supervisor, facilitator and mental health worker, she has a rich experience providing front line crisis support with the Toronto Distress Centre line, as well as National Canada Suicide Prevention line.
In her therapy sessions, she works in a gentle, honest, intuitive, and creative way, and is passionate about seeing you step into your own power and resilience and beauty. She will support you to become curious about yourself and explore - with a lot of compassion - parts of your journey/psyche that have felt shamed, scared, abused, confused, and silenced, so you can feel clarity, relief, and congruence. Her practice is trans, queer, fat and sex worker affirming, and she welcomes those who want to explore sexuality, gender identity, and alternative relationships. She provides services in English and Serbo-Croatian.
Brooke Koblinsky (she/her), Registered Psychotherapist
* Brooke is currently not accepting new clients.
Brooke has completed the Master of Education in Counselling and Psychotherapy program at the University of Toronto and an Honours BA Degree in Psychology at the University of Guelph. She has previously worked as a hotline responder on the Toronto Distress Centre and Canadian Suicide Prevention Service hotlines, a research assistant completing geriatric research related to memory and mood disturbances and a job coach for young adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Brooke's approach is trauma-informed, and she has training in Emotion-Focused Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Gottman Couple Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and mindfulness and relaxation interventions. Brooke has completed the Intensive Sex Therapy Training Program at the University of Guelph
Brooke strives to provide you with the safety, comfort and routine that may be missing in your life. Using a non-judgmental and collaborative approach, she tailors her treatment to each of your unique needs and desires with the hope of making you feel heard and empowered. With a curious and empathic attitude, Brooke works to assist you in uncovering and using the tools already in your toolbox. She truly believes in the benefits of navigating life in pursuit of your values and focuses on helping you to explore and identity these. While your mental health is just as important as your physical health, Brooke warmly encourages you to invest time and care into fostering it and would be honoured to travel by your side on your mental health journey.
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Kesla Forsythe (she/her), Registered Psychotherapist
* Kesla is currently accepting new clients.
Kesla views the lives of her clients through a social justice lens, helping folks externalize and disconnect from beliefs imposed upon them through oppressive systems. She is interested in facilitating access to your own wisdom into your current challenges, how they developed and where to go from here.
She has extensive experience supporting a diverse range of adults with mental health challenges and substance use concerns. She follows a Harm Reduction framework created by people who use drugs to help clients re-imagine their substance use in a way that provides safety, encourages health, and aligns with their goals and values.
Kesla holds a Master of Education in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Toronto Metropolitan University, and a Certificate in Addiction and Mental Health from Humber College. She has also completed the Intensive Sex Therapy Training Program at the University of Guelph.
Additionally, she has completed training in Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) and is working toward certification in both. She also draws from Emotion-Focused Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, Inner Child Work, Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Renata Jovcevska (she/her), Registered Psychotherapist
Supervised by Kat Kova, RP & Ainur Alipkaliyeva, RP
* Renata is currently not accepting new clients.
Renata holds a Masters of Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a Minor in Environmental and Health Science from York University.
Renata supports individuals navigating challenges in interpersonal relationships, sexuality, anxiety, depression, and complex trauma. Her approach is grounded in a relational and holistic framework, customized to meet the unique needs of each client or relationship, fostering a safe and non-judgmental space. She embraces a socially just and culturally responsive perspective, honoring the diverse identity narratives and life experiences of her clients.
Renata's expertise includes training in Emotion Focused Therapy, Gottman Method Level 1, and CBT. Her practice extends to sex therapy, integrating insights from solution-focused and narrative modalities. Additionally, Renata is a Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Instructor (Hatha and Vinyasa), incorporating mindfulness practices to strengthen the mind-body connection. Renata provides services in English and Macedonian.
Laila Crawford (she/her), Registered Psychotherapist
* Laila is currently accepting new clients for remote sessions only.
Laila has completed the Master of Education program in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy program at the University of Toronto. Laila has trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Additionally, Laila has completed the Sex Therapy Intensive Training program at the University of Guelph. She also regularly practices using Existential therapy, Acceptance and Commitment therapy, and Sensorimotor Therapy. Laila has counselled people with a diverse range of mental health, emotional and intra/interpersonal issues including, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, suicide, familial and work conflict, anger, and cross-cultural issues. She also has extensive volunteer experience at the Distress Centres of Greater Toronto, as a crisis counsellor, since 2018.
Laila comes from a multi-ethnic and multi-religious background, which provides her with a unique understanding of various beliefs and perspectives. As such, she is skilled in holding space and engaging with folks belonging to various faith groups, religious orientations and belief systems, and folks from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Laila believes that every person who enters therapy is capable of achieving what they are seeking. By evaluating one’s lifestyle, habits, and relationships you can achieve the self-awareness needed to understand how to make changes and truly recognize your inner potential. Laila works within a trauma informed and multicultural approach and directs therapy using an existential lens. She believes each client’s lived experiences coupled with the therapist’s openness and warmth help lead clients towards a path of self-discovery, self-healing, and most importantly self-growth.
*Laila offers virtual sessions only*
Evgenia Bogdanova (she/her), Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Supervised by Kat Kova, RP & Ainur Alipkaliyeva, RP
* Evgenia is currently accepting new clients for remote sessions only.
Evgenia has completed an MA of Arts in Counseling Psychology at Yorkville University, has a BA in Psychology from York University and a diploma in Child and Youth work from George Brown College. Additionally, she holds certifications as a Clinical Trauma Professional from the International Trauma Training Institute and has completed an Advanced Master Program on the Treatment of Trauma. As part of her specializing in sex and relationship therapy, Evgenia has completed the Sex Therapy Intensive Training program at the University of Guelph. Evgenia strives for continuous professional development in order to stay updated with the latest research and therapeutic approaches.
With over 6 years of counseling experience supporting a diverse range of individuals with mental health challenges, Evgenia approaches therapy with a holistic lens. She considers clients’ emotional, physical, social, and spiritual well-being to understand how their experiences and worldviews have been shaped and continue to influence them. Evgenia is dedicated to empowering her clients by utilizing a trauma-informed and strength-based lens. She provides compassionate and client-centered care, guiding clients towards gaining clarity, identifying their next steps, and achieving fulfillment.
In your therapy sessions with Evgenia, she will meet you exactly where you are in your journey, offering safety, compassion, and practical tools to guide you towards the path you desire. Together, you will explore your experiences, bringing awareness to the factors that influence your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. As you work together, you will craft a unique and effective plan, tailored to meet your specific needs and goals. Evgenia offers both in-person and virtual sessions in English and Russian.
*As of May 12th, 2024, Evgenia will be offering virtual-only sessions.*
Da In Lee (she/her), Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Supervised by Kat Kova, RP & Ainur Alipkaliyeva, RP
* Da In is currently accepting new clients.
Da In is a graduate of the University of Toronto's Master of Education in Counselling and Psychotherapy program. Having worked in victim services, women and youth centres, and accessibility services, Da In has a deep respect for diverse human experiences and challenges and has developed a multifaceted perspective to her therapeutic practice from her diverse practical experience. Her various roles have fostered an unwavering commitment to social justice and built a profound appreciation for the resilience and strength that reside within each individual.
Da In believes in the transformative power of an integrative approach, tailored to the unique needs and preferences of her clients. Recognizing that individuals possess an intimate understanding of their own experiences, Da In is dedicated to facilitating and enhancing this self-awareness. She hopes to help empower clients to uncover their inner strengths and develop coping strategies that resonate with their authentic selves. Da In invites clients to embark on a transformative partnership in a safe and nurturing space where mutual respect and collaboration pave the way towards lasting positive change.
Rachel Donaldson (she/her), Administrative Assistant
Rachel has over 8 years of administrative experience and takes care of so many different administrative tasks that allow our therapists to be able to focus on what matters most: your therapeutic treatment and progress. What drives Rachel is a passion for helping clients have the best experience possible when they reach out to us for support and she will almost always be your first point of contact when you reach out.
Rachel will support you throughout your entire experience with us, from answering your first client contact form, email, voicemail, or phone call, to the intake process and booking your first appointment, providing you with account/online session login instructions, billing information and answering any questions you may have along the way.
Rachel also has an impressive diploma in Fitness and Health Promotion, but realized that her true calling was offering administrative and social media assistance to business owners and creatives who need some extra help. We are so lucky to have her as part of the team!
Anya Sharma (she/her), Administrative Assistant
Anya is an administrative assistant with a keen interest in the field of sexual health and relationships. Anya is available to assist you during weekends and evenings. Whether it's responding to your initial client contact form, email, voicemail, or phone call, or addressing any questions you may have along the way, Anya is here to help.
Beyond her administrative role, Anya's aspires to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, with a focus on sexual difficulties, discrepancies, and distress.