TRAFALGAR - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Addictions Counsellor, Virtual Outpatient Program
Allyson Florence is a Registered Psychotherapist with over 5 years of clinical experience in the mental health and addiction field.
Allyson holds a membership with the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals.
She is passionate about helping clients work through their past and present difficulties, working from a client - centered approach to meet people where they are in their recovery journey.
Allyson is a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist (candidate), specializing in sex addiction treatment.
She uses varying approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and is passionate about working in concurrent disorders.
Allyson aims to provide a safe place to heal past traumas, while working to develop new, more effective behaviour patterns to improve clients quality of life.
Job Titles:
- Office Manager, Virtual Outpatient Program
Job Titles:
- Member of the Ontario College of Social Workers
- Member of Trafalgar 's Editorial Team
Amber is a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, the Ontario Association of Social Workers, and the International Institute for Trauma and Addictions Professionals.
Amber has 10 years' experience in the field, having worked in the domestic violence, criminal justice, and child welfare systems as well as community hospital and addiction treatment centres.
Amber is a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist, specializing in trauma and compulsive sexual behaviours. She is also "Sex and Love Addiction (SLA) Program" Team Lead at Trafalgar.
Amber works with her clients to identify the ways in which past experiences have influenced current behaviours to build insight into yourself and your patterns.
Amber is a member of Trafalgar's Editorial Team and she contributes to our process by clinically reviewing our existing contents and creating new ones.
Christina Stecyk is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
She completed her Master's degree in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. She also has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cultural Studies, and certification in Autism and Behavioural Science.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Psychologist & Senior Clinical Advisor
Dr. Christine Courbasson, Ph.D., C.Psych., is the Senior Clinical Advisor of Trafalgar Addiction Treatment Centres, an addiction treatment organization which also treats co-occurring mental health problems.
Dr. Courbasson is a registered psychologist with the province of Ontario.
She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from York University and was the recipient of a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the Centre for Addiction and MentalHealth (CAMH) in the Concurrent Disorders Service, investigating the predictors of treatment success for individuals with addiction and mental health problems.
Subsequently, she helped to establish the Eating Disorders and Addiction Clinic in 2000.
She later developed a mindfulness based cognitive behavioural treatment for individuals with concurrent substance use and eating disorders and a cognitive behavioural treatment for substance users with social anxiety.
Dr. Courbasson has held positions including Head of the Eating Disorders and Addiction Clinic, Director of Training: Clinical Psychology Practicum Training Program at CAMH, and Assistant Professor with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.
She has been with Trafalgar Addiction Treatment Centres since 2013, where she develops the overall treatment protocol and provides training and support to clinical staff.
Elena Silanteva - Chief Compliance Officer, COO
Job Titles:
- Chief Compliance Officer
- Chief Operating Officer
Gillian's approach to therapy is holistic and client-centred. She has completed a Master's Degree in Social Work with extra training in child abuse, historic trauma, gender-based trauma and the intersection between the criminal justice system and addiction.
Gillian is a caring and empathetic service provider, understanding that clients are the experts in their own lives. She is a calm and non-judgmental professional who looks forward to working collaboratively with clients on their individual journey to recovery.
Job Titles:
- Operations Manager, Virtual Outpatient Program
Job Titles:
- Addiction Counsellor, Residential Program
Job Titles:
- Head Chef, Residential Program
Kat has several years of experience in the addictions and mental health field, where she uses a trauma-informed lens to support clients through their recovery journey.
She completed her first undergraduate degree in Psychology and Neuroscience, and later completed her Bachelor of Social Work degree to further her expertise in the field.
Beyond her educational experience, Kat has completed trainings in narrative therapy, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed practice, and extensive crisis work.
Kat's professional experience includes working in both individual and group settings as a compassionate source of support and guidance. Her preferred theoretical perspectives and professional interests include psychodynamic approaches, strengths-based methods, and client-centered care.
She holds a particular interest in PTSD and trauma-associated behaviours and disorders.
Ken Spohn has worked privately in addictions and recovery for over 4 years with work in the realm of addictions for over 7 years. He has held also worked in the inpatient setting as a primary counsellor facilitating groups and individual counselling sessions. Ken has also developed programs to assist client's post-treatment.
Ken is internationally certified in Professional Addiction Recovery, as well as a Certified Life and Recovery Coach. Prior to working in addictions, Ken worked both domestically and internationally in both the automotive and insurance sectors for 20 plus years with internationally recognized corporations and organizations, acquiring diverse experience in professional relationships in many cultures.
Ken believes the opposite of addiction is human connection and combines empathy and Socratic teaching methods to assist clients to help themselves. He also helps to developing insights into what may be driving the unhealthy behaviour(s) and ways to cope and manage in a healthy manner.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Director of Virtual Integrated Programming
Kinga Burjan is a Registered Psychotherapist with a Master's Degree in Spiritual Care & Psychotherapy and a multitude of training in addictions, couple & family therapy, trauma therapy; specifically, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting (Phase 1), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD, Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples.
Kinga is an EMDRIA approved therapist.
Kinga joined Trafalgar in 2016 as a Clinical Therapist and took on increasing responsibility as Clinical Manager of the Trafalgar Residence West location for over 2 years.
Kinga then continued to oversee clinical functioning as the Clinical Director of Residential Programming.
Currently as the Clinical Director of Virtual Integrated Programming, Kinga is responsible for creating an ongoing recovery support tool for all clients, graduates, family members and those looking for meaningful support on the internet.
She is the producer and host of the podcast: Owning Your Recovery.
Leslie Hudson Salisbury is a Registered Psychotherapist with a Master's Degree in Counselling Psychology.
She has specific interest in trauma-informed practices, particularly with regards to gender-based violence, and is currently completing a Post-Masters certification in Trauma-Focused Expressive Arts Therapy.
Leslie's goal is to provide therapy that is responsive, reparative and resilience-enhancing.
Well-versed in a multitude of theoretical training including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Attachment Theory and Narrative Therapy, Leslie embraces a collaborative approach that focuses on a client's unique strengths, skills and sense of purpose as a basis for treatment.
Liana Marie Danese holds an undergraduate degree in Thanatology and Psychology from the University of Western Ontario. She is currently completing her Masters in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University.
Liana is a dedicated Clinical Therapist who is passionate about helping clients to gain the skills necessary to become the person they are striving to be.
Malaka Hakim has a Doctorate in Medicine and a Master's of Arts in Counselling Psychology. She transitioned into the field of psychotherapy because she felt that therapists had a real opportunity to witness growth and development in their clients' lives and make a significant difference. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help and awareness is the first step.
Malaka can help clients learn more about themselves and develop new skills to reduce stress and overcome addiction. Malaka also works with people using a multitude of different approaches, including client-centered.
Malaka's authentic personality, paired with a genuine respect for others allows her to work with individuals that encounter varying degrees of challenges. She works with her clients as a Clinical Therapist apart of Trafalgar's inpatient program in Ontario, Canada.
Job Titles:
- Yoga Teacher, Residential Program
Megan Emerson is a trauma-informed, 200hr certified yoga and meditation teacher. Her classes are designed to create balance in the body through breath and movement in a way that is accessible for all.
Recently she completed a 7hr additional certification course in Traumatic Brain Injury allowing her to facilitate one on one sessions for those in recovery.
Through her work, she has seen first hand how yoga, meditation and mindfulness can create a positive change in one's life.
Job Titles:
- Registered Social Worker With BSW
Melanie Matthews is a registered social worker with BSW and MSW degrees.
Job Titles:
- Director of Community Partnerships & Business Development
Nancy Latimer is a Registered Psychotherapist.
She comes to her work with a Master's in Counselling from the University of Toronto.
While she is eclectic in her therapeutic methods, she is influenced by Rogerian, CBT and Solution Focused Modes of inquiry and treatment.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Director, Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program
- Clinical Director, Virtual Outpatient Program
Job Titles:
- Senior Digital Marketing Manager
Job Titles:
- Registered Social Worker from New York
Ruth Reich is a registered social worker from New York with specific trauma training in New York City's foster care system and at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centre.
Ruth's work with Active Duty and Retired military personnel brings specialization to clinical work with our individuals from the Armed Forces.
Ruth's specialization in addiction counselling and post-traumatic stress disorder informs her approach with an emphasis on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychoanalysis, and S.M.A.R.T Recovery.
Ruth comes to the Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program as the former Clinical Manager of our residential treatment program in Erin, Ontario, giving her unique and specialized experience, particular with our Transitional Therapy clients and our Partner Support Therapy program.
Job Titles:
- Member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
Saba Mir is a registered psychotherapist and a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
She completed her Master's degree in counselling at the University of Ottawa and Saint Paul University (Joint program) in 2015. Saba has been in practice since then.
Saba draws from a variety of therapy modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Attachment Based Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT).
Job Titles:
- Professional Member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
Samira completed her Master's of Science at Queen Mary University of London (Barts School of Medicine & Dentistry) in Mental Health with a concentration in Psychological Therapies.
Samira is a doctoral student in the Ph.D. program in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Samira is a professional member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
She is also a Certified Neurofeedback Practitioner and Effectiveness Coach. Through this training, she is equipped to work with individuals who have challenges with addiction, anger, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, sleep difficulties, fatigue, stress and emotional imbalance.
Samira has a wide range of experience working in a variety of settings across the globe, including NHS (UK) and Tokyo University of Science.
She believes that primarily her role as a Psychotherapist is to help empower her clients as they discover, accept their challenges, and take responsibility for their needs by accessing the necessary resources to help move forward and live more satisfying lives.
Sarah has over 15 years of experience working as an Addiction and Concurrent Disorder Counsellor/Therapist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), in addition to several years of experience teaching Concurrent Disorders in the Social Service Worker Program at George Brown College.
She obtained a BA in Sociology and went on to complete a Post-Graduate Certificate in Addiction Counselling. In order to compliment her practice, Sarah became a certified Hatha/Kundalini Yoga Teacher and has received training in various therapeutic modalities including; Mindfulness, Meditation, Trauma-Informed Approaches, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution-Focused Therapy and Narrative Therapy.
Sarah has extensive experience collaborating with community-based organizations to provide support for both youth and adults with substance abuse/addiction and concurrent mental health concerns, including individuals with various intersecting issues such as gender-based abuse/violence and involvement in the criminal justice system.
Sarah offers a client-centred, strength-based, holistic approach to Counselling that focuses on collaboration and personal empowerment.
Her clients are invited to show up as they are and are welcomed and supported within a safe, non-judgmental, compassionate space.
Sarah is a passionate mental health and human rights advocate who believes that education and awareness are fundamental in building stronger, healthier, more compassionate communities where deep healing and transformation is possible and everyone is afforded the opportunity to thrive.
Job Titles:
- Director of Community Partnerships
With over 25 years of experience in both public and private treatment for substance abuse and concurrent disorders, Scott Jones joins the Trafalgar Addiction Treatment Centres team with a unique approach to business development and client care.
Scott's mandate at Trafalgar is to advocate for people suffering from addictions and mental health issues and for their health care providers as they seek effective, evidence-based and internationally accredited treatment.
By tapping into over two-and-a-half decades of experience, training and education in substance abuse treatment management, program development and implementation, and as a counsellor, Scott is a highly effective and efficient colleague for therapists, physicians, employers, extended health care and disability benefit providers and their clients as they navigate the substance abuse and mental health treatment field.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Professional Accountant
- MMPA, CPA.CA
Shane Saltzman has been part of the Trafalgar team since its inception and has developed a deep understanding of our treatment programs and the sensitivity and care those suffering from addiction require.
Having helped friends and loved ones with their own recovery from addictions, Shane has developed a passion for ensuring the highest level of treatment and care can be provided to every single client of Trafalgar Addiction Treatment Centres.
He co-founded, operated and scaled CARF Accredited Residential and Online Addiction and Mental Health programming, providing intensive solutions across Canada. Trafalgar was acquired by Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres (CATC) in February 2022.
Shane is a Chartered Professional Accountant (2002) and a graduate of the Masters of Management & Professional Accounting Program from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto (2000).
Shane enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids.
Syeda Gilani is a Registered Psychotherapist and Certified Canadian Counsellor with a Master's Degree in Counselling Psychology.
Syeda has experience working with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, self esteem issues, and grief/loss. She also has experience working with individuals belonging to minority groups and survivors of domestic violence/intimate partner violence.
Utilizing empathy and compassion, Syeda Gilani offers a nonjudgmental therapeutic space for clients to explore their struggles in a safe and comfortable environment. She believes that individuals are expert of their own lives and supports them to rely on their unique strengths in their therapeutic journey.
Job Titles:
- Quality & Compliance Manager
Tarren has joined Trafalgar with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and many years of customer service experience.
She works as Quality & Compliance Manager at Trafalgar.
Victoria Taylor is a Registered Psychotherapist and a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
She completed her Master's degree in Counselling Psychology at the University of Ottawa.
During her time in Ottawa, Victoria conducted research and worked with young women from the University of Ottawa on body image, motivation, and Self-Compassion.
Victoria also worked at Carleton University providing psychotherapy to students managing anxiety, depression, substance-use disorders, Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and a number of other DSM-5 mental health disorders.
Victoria appreciates that clients come to therapy with different backgrounds, past experiences, and needs. For that reason, Victoria uses an eclectic and collaborative approach that is designed to address clients' differing therapeutic goals.
She draws from a variety of therapy modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Strengths-Based Therapy (SBT).
Victoria brings warmth and compassion into her work as a psychotherapist, with the hope that clients will feel comfortable and safe to express themselves and their needs on their journey toward greater self-awareness and healthier coping skills.