Our Doctors | Vaughan Psychologists

DR. ARBUS DR. WEIDENFELDER & ASSOCIATES

Our Doctors in Barrie and Vaughan offer Counselling and Therapy

Dr. Suzy Weidenfelder, C.Psych.

Office Location: Vaughan

Dr. Suzy Weidenfelder is a Clinical Psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario and is a member of the Ontario Psychological Association. Dr. Weidenfelder has several years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples in hospital, community and private practice settings, including Brampton Civic Hospital, Whitby Mental Health Centre, York University Counselling and Development Centre, and the Oak Ridges Addiction Treatment Centre. She is the co-founder of Vaughan Psychologists and has been in private practice for over 10 years.

Dr. Kim Arbus, C.Psych.

Office Location: Vaughan

Dr. Kim Arbus is a registered Clinical Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, and a member of the Ontario Psychological Association and American Psychological Association. She works with children, adolescents, families and adults. Dr. Arbus has had training in both inpatient settings and outpatient programs, providing assessment and therapeutic intervention for people experiencing mild to severe difficulties. Some of her experience includes her work at Brampton Civic Hospital, McMaster Children’s Hospital, Scarborough Hospital and the local school board. She is the co-founder of Vaughan Psychologists and has been in private practice for over 10 years.

Dr. Ashley Morgan, C.Psych.

Registered Psychologist
Office Location: Woodbridge

Dr. Ashley Morganis a registered Clinical Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario and obtained her PhD in Clinical Developmental Psychology from York University. She completed her predoctoral internship with the Toronto Area Internship Consortium, working at the Toronto District School Board, the OISE Psychology Clinic, and at Integra, a children’s mental health agency specializing in the treatment of children and youth with learning disabilities and mental health concerns. She has trained in a variety of settings, including Reach Out Centre for Kids, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the York University Psychology Clinic, and in private practice. Dr. Morgan works with children, adolescents, and families.

Dr. Christina Iorio, C.Psych

Registered Psychologist
Office Location: Vaughan

Dr. Christina Iorio completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Lakehead University, and is registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. Her professional experiences include positions at William Osler Health System, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, St. Joseph’s Care Group, and the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Dr. Iorio has extensive experience treating mood and anxiety disorders and related concerns in adults. She also works with couples seeking to gain support to navigate through their relationship difficulties. Dr. Iorio’s approach to therapy is focused on providing a supportive, collaborative, and empowering environment for clients, allowing them to build upon their strengths and move towards achieving their personal goals. Dr. Iorio works primarily from a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) framework, and applies elements of mindfulness, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) when appropriate. She believes in utilizing evidence-based approaches which are tailored to each individual’s needs.

Dina Tsirgielis, M.A., C. Psych. Associate

Office Location: Vaughan and Woodbridge

Dina Tsirgielis is a registered Clinical Psychological Associate with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, and a member of the Ontario Psychological Association. She completed her Masters degree in Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia and completed clinical training at UBC’s Scarfe Counselling Centre and Surrey Mental Health and Substance Use Services at Surrey Memorial Hospital. Dina has experience providing individual counselling to clients dealing with personal hardships, depression, anxiety, interpersonal difficulties, OCD, Borderline Personality Disorder, as well as interpersonal and relationship issues. Dina works with adults of diverse cultural and economic backgrounds who want to gain an understanding into their situation, and learn ways to make lasting changes in their lives.  By creating a supportive and empathic environment in which clients feel understood, Dina works with clients to identify their unique strengths and abilities. She also teaches skills and strategies to enable clients to feel empowered to manage and cope with life challenges and actively engage in their lives. Her therapeutic approach includes a variety of evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness based approaches.

Margaret Field, M.Psy., C.Psych. Assoc.

Psychological Associate
Office Location: Vaughan and Woodbridge

Margaret Field has a Masters of Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology- Toronto. She is committed to creating a supportive, non-judgemental and compassionate therapeutic environment. Margaret has experience working with children and adolescents in both a private practice and the Peel District School Board. She is passionate about helping children overcome self-esteem and anxiety issues as well as facilitate positive social and emotional development. Additionally, she has previously worked with adults in private practice who are facing a variety of mental health and behavioural challenges including mood disorders, trauma, attachment, work issues as well as life transition. Her Adlerian framework allows her to incorporate other modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectic Behavioural Therapy and Emotion Focused Therapy, as she tailors the therapeutic approach to meet each client’s unique needs.

Dr. Kayla Yosipovich, Psy.D, C. Psych.

Clinical Psychologist
Office Location: Vaughan

Dr. Kayla Yosipovich is a registered Clinical Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, and a member of the Ontario Psychological Association. She graduated from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology with a Doctorate (PsyD) in Clinical Child Psychology and a Masters (MS) in School Psychology. Dr. Yosipovich has over ten years of experience providing assessment and therapeutic intervention for children and adolescents.

Dr. Yosipovich has worked in inpatient outpatient clinical settings, and within the school system. Some of her experience includes her work at North York General Hospital, Toronto District School Board, North Shore-LIJ hospital, and Leake and Watts Residential Treatment Center. She treats mood and anxiety disorders, emotional regulation challenges, interpersonal difficulties, and provides parenting support and school consultation.

Alice Sugarman, M.Psy.

Clinical Therapist
Office Location: Woodbridge

Alice Sugarman has obtained a Master’s of Psychology from the Adler Graduate Professional School, and is currently under the supervision of Dr. Suzy Weidenfelder, C.Psych. She works to create a non-judgmental, empathic, supportive space that is open to exploring the issues facing clients. She has experience working with adults and adolescents in both private practice and university settings. Alice works with a diversity of clients who face a range of mental health and behavioural challenges, including mood disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, attachment, and adjustment in times of transition. She has worked with university students to enable them to better manage their mental health and the stressors involved. She works to helps people better understand their concerns and the impact of neurodiversity, such as Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder and learning disabilities. This can include learning how to improve one’s ability to self-advocate in a variety of environments. In practice, Alice uses a Positive Psychology framework in addition to Cognitive B
behavioural Therapy (CBT) Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Emotion-focused therapy (EFT). She works with each client to find the best approach for their individual needs.

Dr. Bri Darboh, Ph.D., C.Psych. (Supervised Practice)

Clinical Therapist
Office: Woodbridge Location

Dr. Bri Darboh received her doctoral degree from York University and is in supervised practice with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She also completed her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology at York University. She has also obtained her MBA. Her current clinical training is being completed at Baycrest Hospital and Vaughan Psychologists. Bri’s clinical training has centred on psychotherapy, cognitive interventions, and assessment with adolescents, adults, and older adults. She has garnered clinical experience with individuals through her work at the York University Psychology Clinic, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Baycrest Hospital, and in private practice.

Bri’s approach to clinical care ascribes to an integrative, client-centred model, tailoring to each unique client’s needs. She has extensive psychotherapeutic training from a variety of treatment modalities, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness-Based Approaches, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Alyssa Di Bartolomeo, M.A.

Doctoral Associate
Office: Woodbridge

Alyssa Di Bartolomeo is currently in the process of completing her doctoral training (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology at York University and previously completed her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. She works under the supervision of Dr. Suzy Weidenfelder, C.Psych. Alyssa’s clinical and research experience has focused on psychotherapy with adults. Alyssa works with a wide diversity of clients who experience a range of mental health challenges including anxiety, interpersonal difficulties, emotion dysregulation, depression, and overall life stress. Alyssa uses a process-focused, integrative, client-centred approach to care and strives to tailor her interventions to the unique needs of each client. Her goal is to create a supportive and non-judgemental environment to allow clients to explore their mental health concerns. Alyssa also uses a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities to guide her work, including Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).

Jaclyn Smoskowitz, M.S.W., R.S.W.

Social Worker
Office Location: Woodbridge

Jaclyn Smoskowitz received her Masters degree in Social Work from Yeshiva University in New York City. She is a registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and is a professional member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. In addition to her work in private practice, Jaclyn worked on an inpatient medicine unit at Scarborough General Hospital. Previous positions include Baycrest Hospital and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

Jaclyn works with both adolescents and adults who are seeking assistance with enhancing their personal development and growth through the process of self exploration. She has experience, expertise and a passion for fitness, health and wellness and integrates many of these principles into her work. Jaclyn believes in creating a safe space where her clients are able to be themselves, feel heard and supported. She works in collaboration with her clients and uses a mix of treatment approaches which is best suited for the individual. These include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), solution focused therapy, deep breathing techniques and mindfulness.

Natalia Lisus, M.S.W., R.S.W.

Social Worker
Office Location: Vaughan

Natalia Lisus received her Masters degree in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University. She is a registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and is a professional member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. Natalia has 15+ years of experience in counselling and psychotherapy, providing services to children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples in medical, educational and community practice settings. Some of her experiences include her work at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, and Ontario Family Health Team clinics.

As a practitioner, she positions herself as a clinician who uses diverse, evidence-based practices and tailors her approaches to the unique needs of each specific individual or group. Over the past decade, she has gained extensive experience in working with grief, loss, life transitions and chronic illness, as well as mental health challenges, such as anxiety and mood disorders. Along with these skills, her expertise in emotion dysregulation management, and family and peer communication, allows her to offer professional support and expertise to people in a variety of different life situations.

Caroline Daniel, M.S.W., R.S.W.

Social Worker
Location: Vaughan & Woodbridge

Caroline Daniel is a Masters of Social Work registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and is a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. Caroline has over twenty years of experience working with adults, families, and seniors in both the community and private sector. She holds a graduate degree in Loss and Bereavement, providing therapeutic intervention for individuals dealing with loss and evolution associated with both death and non-death related life cycle transitions.

Implementing a multi-modal approach, she provides a safe and supportive environment for confronting and identifying negative thought patterns. Specific focus is centered on exploring feelings of stress and anxiety, while navigating transitions such as death, trauma, postpartum disorders, and PTSD. Through the exploration of self-defeating feelings and beliefs, restructuring of thought processes are developed to ensure emotional regulation. Techniques are introduced and implemented in order to manage and control heightened levels of panic and depression for healthy relationships and daily adjustments.

Elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and The Stages of Change Model are combined throughout therapy. Ensuring the development of a tailored behavioral program, clients are empowered to confront their feelings and develop meaning and fulfillment in their daily lives

Shahnaz Jafarzadeh, M.S.W., R.S.W.

Social Worker
Location: Woodbridge

Shahnaz Jafarzadeh M.Ed., MSW, RSW, is Social Worker and is licensed with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. With over 20 years of experience, most recently at Mackenzie Health Department of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Abuse, Shahnaz works with adults and couples to develop self acceptance and cope with a variety of concerns and specializes in the long-term effects of trauma, abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and domestic violence.Her approach is to created motivation to strengthen the vision for a life free of emotional pain, anxiety, and depression. As well as to encourage clients to see challenging times as opportunities to create positive change, creating a space to heal from emotional change. She provides trust and support to go through healthy and positive transitions to a healthy lifestyle. Shahnaz utilizes a variety of approaches to reach these goals including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Decentralization Reprocessing (EMDR), and Internal Family System (IFS). These modalities are used to develop new skills for stress-reduction, emotion regulation, and effective coping strategies to manage external life circumstances. Shahnaz can provide services in both English and Farsi.

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