Practitioners Archives | Danforth East Wellness

Zac Grant

Sometimes life is just hard.

We can feel completely overwhelmed by the expectations we have set for ourselves or that others may have for us. This can be even more challenging when we have our own personal struggles – figuring out our sexuality or gender identity, navigating mental health struggles, challenges with eating or movement, or when we live with disability or chronic illness.

I am a white settler who is queer and trans/nonbinary, neurodivergent, hEDS’er, and registered social worker.

I have been working in the field of mental health and social services with young adults and adults for well over 15 years. With a background in social service work, gender and women’s studies, and a masters of social work, I blend academic knowledge with real world experience. I have worked in a variety of community agencies supporting diverse people to be able to engage with their lives in meaningful ways. I created the first eating disorder support group for trans people in Canada and am passionate about my support of those with eating disorders/disordered eating and nonprofit community organizations. I also work as a researcher highlighting the voices of marginalized and underserved communities.

I believe in working with people from a client centred, trauma-informed, systems-level perspective. I like to incorporate grief perspectives, acceptance and commitment therapy, narrative therapy, and dialectical behavioural therapy approaches in our work together. I also draw on approaches that come from Mad/consumer survivors, hearing voices, sick, and disability communities as I believe people are the experts of their own experiences. I recognize that one size fits all approaches are rarely useful and like to work collaboratively to find an approach that works best for you.

I would love to hear from you if you think we would work well together and you would like to schedule a 30 minute free consultation. Registered social workers are often covered by private insurance plans. I also have a limited number of sliding scale spaces for those with financial need. Email Zak.

Chloe Oliver

Chloe Oliver (she/her)

I am passionate about empowering people to overcome challenging life situations and limiting belief patterns; to reclaim their inherent worth; and to develop a deeper level of awareness and connection with self and others. My approach is person-centred, holistic and collaborative. I strive to bring empathy, compassion and curiosity to each of my clients. I have deep respect for the courage it takes to begin to explore the inner landscape of thoughts and emotions, and to make positive life changes. I will support you in accessing your inner wisdom and developing tools you can use in your daily life to face challenges with confidence.

I have more than fifteen years of diverse experience supporting individuals experiencing grief or loss, life transitions, stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, relationship and boundary issues, nervous system dysregulation, as well as those questioning their life purpose and/or seeking inner transformation.

I tailor my counselling sessions to individual needs and I utilize a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches including transpersonal (spiritual), Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic (body-based), cognitive-behavioural (CBT), and mindfulness. I am committed to personal and professional growth, and I attend training sessions on an ongoing basis to expand my knowledge base.

Qualifications:

I hold a Master of Social Work degree at York University and an Honours BA degree in Psychology at McMaster University. I completed a 3-year Diploma in Transpersonal Counselling for Individuals, Families, and Groups at Clearmind International Institute. I am a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and I am a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. Email Chloe.

David Pugh, Psychotherapist-In-Training

David Pugh (he/him) is a therapist-in-training who offers a free 45-min consultation, and sliding scale considerations for those who need it.

His gentle therapy is trauma-informed, multi-faith & a safe home for unique identities & self-expressions. David uses a relational, strengths-based approach rooted in attachment theory, experiential work (play, creativity & imagination) & person-centered therapy. His 6+ years of work in social development, child-youth care, & homelessness-public health informs his holistic bio-psycho-social-spiritual understanding of mental health.

David works with the following mental health areas:

Anxiety; Depression; Bonding & attachment issues; Complex trauma; Sexuality, identity, LGBTQ+ experience & social development; Relationship concerns; Aging; Self-Acceptance/Esteem/Attraction, Parenting, youth & family challenges; Life transitions; Emotional regulation; Addiction, impulsivity & destructive behaviours; Childhood sexual abuse & incest; Spiritual & existential concerns.

David is a trained facilitator in trauma recovery for childhood sexual abuse with The Gatehouse. He is a published public health-homelessness researcher (Canadian Observatory on Homelessness). He has worked extensively with single mothers & their children move out of homelessness and into job security & housing. David has also worked with children & youth at the Child Development Institute with particular focus on aggression, impulsivity, and, attention-difficulties (ADHD).

If you would like to book an in-person or virtual session with David, please contact him via email.

Etsuko Shibamoto

Etsuko (sounds like “let’s go”) Shibamoto (she/her) has been a health practitioner since 2016, when she began her career as a Registered Massage Therapist. After years of Massage Therapy practice, she decided to go back to school to learn more about the structure and function of the human body as a whole unit. She completed a four-year osteopathic education at Canadian Academy of Osteopathy in Hamilton, Ontario and she received her diploma in Masters in Osteopathic Manipulative Science (M.OMSc.). She is a member in good standing with the Ontario Osteopathic Association (OOA). She very much enjoys the time she gets to spend with her patients and in being a part of their wellness journey. Email Etsuko.

Alexis Silverman, Psychotherapist-In-Training

Alexis Silverman (she/her) is a therapist-in-training. Her practice is based on the principle that everyone needs a calm, safe, non-judgmental, and anti-oppressive space to find and express their authentic selves.

Alexis’ therapy practice is trauma-informed, and incorporates aspects of cognitive behavioural therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, relational therapy, and existential therapy, with the goal of creating a therapeutic relationship that fits the unique needs of every client. Approaching individuals with curiosity, kindness, humour, empathy and compassion, Alexis’ practice is a place for adolescents and adults to find respite, resilience and relief from any of life’s problems.

She also is a registered practitioner of Matrix Reimprinting, a somatic-based therapy that involves EFT/tapping (emotional freedom technique) and inner child work. This practice is known to be particularly useful for individuals with histories of trauma, childhood issues, and for anyone who feels that other therapeutic modalities haven’t yet helped.

Alexis is also a registered nurse who has spent over 20 years supporting emergency service workers with trauma. She currently works part-time as a nurse on an in-patient psychiatry unit at a Toronto hospital. If you’d like to set up a consultation with Alexis, please email her.

Fatima Patel

Fatima Patel (she/her) is a therapist-in-training with a background in Early Childhood Education. Her therapeutic approach is an Integrative-Holistic Therapy model in which she blends elements from different approaches to tailor care for each client based on their unique needs. She is also trained in EMDR and incorporates these techniques into her sessions.

Her core beliefs and values are firmly rooted in kindness and compassion, for ourselves and our shared humanity, irrespective of any and all differences. As such, she doesn’t place value in pathologizing or labelling-whether assumed or assigned- beyond discerning the meaning and impact of such on her clients.

She most often relies on Humanistic, client-centred approachesin which she sees her clients as inherently worthy individuals who are best suited to be the experts on their own lives.

With heavy influence from Gabor Mate’s Compassionate Inquiry model, Narrative Therapy, and Internal Family Systems models, she uses empathy and compassion to provide a safe, non-judgemental, trauma-informed space where she can meet her clients where they are and work with them to identify cognitively, relationally, physically, emotionally and behaviourally any barriers that are preventing them from accessing their desired resources.

She utilizes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectal Behaviour Therapy and her still growing knowledge of Somaticand other therapies to aid in such.

It is her hope to support her clients in cultivating and strengthening their sense of self awareness, self-acceptance and self-compassion as they work towards navigating and overcoming the various challenges, transitions or circumstance that bring them to seek therapy while journeying with them to reach their desired therapeutic and lifestyle goals. Email Fatima.

Kim Nguyen, R.TCMP R.Ac

Kim (she/her) graduated from Humber College with clinical placements in several inter-professional clinical settings. She has also been providing services to people living with HIV/AIDS in downtown Toronto. Kim has a deep understanding of evidence-based practice of TCM through scientific research and practical application. She is dedicated to helping patients to enhance the quality of life, sense of harmony, happiness, and comfort using Traditional Chinese Medicine.

In the summer Kim loves tending to plants in her garden. She also likes a game of badminton whenever she can get one in! Email Kim.

Kate Sissons, IBCLC, M.A.

Kate Sissons (she/her) is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), a Breastfeeding Educator, Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth and Infant Sleep Educator, and Yoga Instructor. She is also a trained Primary School Teacher.

Kate lives in the East End with her partner and 3 young children. When she’s not working with or talking about babies – or chasing after her own children, she can be found in a yoga, Pilates or barre class, or drinking smoothies or tea with friends.

skier, and loves swimming and camping.She also enjoys classical music performances and singing in choirs. Email Kate.

Sara Martel

Sara Martel (she/her) is a Registered Psychotherapist who works with individuals, couples, and families struggling with a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, identity, shame, self-acceptance, grief, parenting, post-partum, infertility, and pregnancy loss. Sara approaches therapy as a collaborative relationship, creating an emotionally safe and non-judgmental space for clients to build self-awareness, self-compassion, resilience, and healing. She works primarily through talk-therapy, meaning you can expect sessions to be conversational, while also incorporating techniques such as mindfulness and breath work. Sara draws on a range of modalities, including Relational Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Narrative Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy. Above all, she strives to create an anti-oppressive practice, recognizing the social, cultural, and political aspects of who we are and how we relate to one another. Email Sara.

Chloé Longuet, RMT

Chloé (she/her) is a 2019 graduate of the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy, in Toronto. She is curious about the source of symptoms and finds it very satisfying to discover them, and then treat her clients with this in mind. Chloé is very happy to provide relief of pain and enable movement. She has an interest in myofascial, sports and relaxation massage treatments, and continues to learn through different modalities. She has specific additional training in kinesiotape techniques and pre/post natal treatments.

In her free time, Chloé stays active with bodybuilding and triathlon training. Otherwise, she can be found walking her energetic and sweet dog! Email Chloé.

Category: Practitioners