Laura is dynamic, warm and insightful practitioner who holds a Master of Social Work degree, Undergraduate degree in Psychology, Certification in Sex Addiction Therapy (CSAT) and is finalizing her Certification in Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy. Laura is a Registered Social Worker in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). Laura joined the Trafalgar Clinical Team in 2015, bringing with her experience in working with couples, trauma survivors, addiction work and in academic research settings. Laura manages the clinical teams at each of our 4 locations, as well as provides presentations on our services to external agencies.Close –

Katie brings to the Trafalgar Team a compassionate, kind and gentle nursing approach to complement the treatment program. Katie joined Trafalgar Residence in 2016, and since that time has been a warm welcome addition to the clinical team, commonly referred to as the centres ‘ray of sunshine’. Katie’s previous experience was in a hospital setting focusing on mental health.Close –

With meticulous attention and care to her clinical work, Souha manages the outpatient clinical team and supervises clinicians in our three sites. Souha has ten years of clinical experience with adults seeking help for substance and process addictions, personality disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, and trauma. She relies on the eclectic approach including behavioural, cognitive-behavioural, interpersonal, mindfulness-based relapse prevention, and psychodynamic interventions. Souha has co-authored several publications in scientific journals and taught courses at the university level.Close –

She has completed a Master’s Degree in Spiritual Care & Psychotherapy with extra training in addictions, couple & family therapy, and trauma-informed therapy. The psychotherapeutic techniques she uses in therapy are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, Object Relations Therapy, Family Systems, The Satir Model, Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness. Kinga also has extra training in Cognitive Processing Therapy for Trauma. Prior to joining Trafalgar Residence, Kinga was part of a family health team addressing simple to concurrent mental health disorders. Before studying psychotherapy, Kinga completed a four-year yoga therapy training program, and has taught yoga for over 8 years. This has trained her to be calm, non-judgmental and present during her therapy sessions.Close –

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’s work with Active Duty and Retired military personnel brings a specialization to clinical work with our individuals from the Armed Forces.Close –

Shona received her Addiction Counselling diploma, with high honours in 2003. She comes to Rice Lake Residence with an extensive background in the field of Addictions and Mental Health, working with a variety of clients incorporating but not limited to addictions, mental health, domestic violence, behavioural issues and sexual assault.

Shona has 10 years experience working in public sector residential treatment. During that time she also held positions supporting individuals in the Methadone Maintenance program and within a Mental Health Crisis facility.

Shona left the public sector after 10 years and began working within the private sector. This was a great learning experience where she learned about transitional housing and how important it is for long term sobriety.

Shona has been a CACC member since 2015, is a National Detoxification Specialist, Certified Hypnotist, and most recently a Certified Aromatherapist.Close –

The complexity of BPD is such that necessitates acquiring additional knowledge of and experience with various Axis I disorders. I have experience working with  poly-substance and behavioural addictions, which have highest comorbidity rates with BPD.
I also work extensively with the behavioural and physiological manifestations of emotions as a tool to gain awareness and skills assessment. Effective skills coaching is also part of my practice.
In addition, through the Buddhist Psychology program offered by U of T , I have gained evidence based knowledge for the effectiveness of Mindfulness as yet another therapeutic modality for attention training, emotion regulation, and stress reduction, which I utilize regularly in my practice.Close –

She uses art as a means of holistic expression, and encourages self exploration through directives that allow for spontaneity, openness, and connection to oneself and others within the confidential art therapy space. Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that allows for introspective experiences, as well as the externalization of thoughts and feelings through the art making process. Emily uses mindfulness and meditation in combination with the art making process to encourage each individual to explore their internal worlds, to heighten the experience of exploring ones unconscious, and it’s existence within every individual’s artwork. Emily acquired her post graduate diploma of art therapy from the Toronto Art Therapy Institute, and is continuing her studies currently at Laurier university, working towards her masters of psychotherapy and spirituality. She is currently pursuing registration with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, as well as professional membership with the Canadian Art Therapy Association. She has experience with both group and one on one art therapy, working with varying populations. This includes working in addictions in a residential setting, with homeless populations in an open art studio, in a hospice setting working through anticipatory grief, bereavement, being a caregiver as well as being newly diagnosed, as well as in a hospital working in the long term care unit as well as with palliative care patients.Close –

He discovered a passion for helping others, which led him to Sheridan College where he began his education to better serve people who were struggling with Mental health and Addiction issues. Troy initially began as a volunteer at Trafalgar residence and very soon after he was hired. He currently is the lead evening shift counsellor at Trafalgar residence. Troy openly shares about his own history with addiction and inspires clients to enhance the quality of their lives, while at the same time understanding the struggle. Troy is best known for his knowledge on the 12 steps and for providing to those that may want to use the steps to enhance their recovery. Troy is currently one of our lead counsellors and is striving to grow in the field.Close –

Frank continues to Advance his education by pursuing his B.A. in Psychology. He has a passion for his profession and for recovery and has been working in the recovery field since 2011.  He has been clean and sober since 2009. Frank is a dedicated Addiction Counsellor with years of experience working for many outstanding treatment centres and considers Trafalgar Residence one of the best. His passion lies in helping people identify their self-defeating behaviours and learning to let them go. Frank gives the tools to use emotions instead of the emotions controlling you. He is a client- centred clinician, who is known for his excellent rapport building skills, his warmth and caring nature with clients, and his accurate empathy skills.  Frank has committed his life to working with and supporting those seeking recovery.

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She is assisting Dr. Christine Courbasson and Laura Demoe as a research assistant, to further enhance the success of client experience. Nassrin is also a recreational therapist for the outpatient program at TR Addiction Treatment Centre and a full time counsellor at Rice Lake Residence. Nassrin works compassionately to make a difference in the lives of others suffering from the stigma of mental health, trauma, and addiction. Her main goal is to attain practical experience before she applies for her MA/Phd program in Clinical and Counselling Psychology. Nassrin brings a strong genuine passion for client recovery and believes in a client-centred approach.Close –

David has years of experience working in a residential setting for Mental Health and Addiction, which he thoroughly enjoys. David is therapeutically oriented towards Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), and Person Centred Therapy (PCT) and believes in creating a safe, comfortable environment for clients in order to examine feelings, develop coping strategies, recognize behavioural patterns, and build self efficacy. David brings an empathetic, client centred approach to his work. He finds that having a lived experience with addiction, mental health, and recovery, combined with an informed clinical approach can help build rapport and help clients achieve their goals.Close –

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. Shane is a Chartered Professional Accountant (2002) and a graduate of the Masters of Management & Professional Accounting Program from the Roman School of Management at the University of Toronto (2000). Shane enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids and sometimes can be spotted playing guitar and music at the residences with our clients.Close –

Highly skilled in identifying trends and insights and optimizing performance, brainstorming new and creative growth strategies by using digital marketing docks. A committed individual who effectively evaluates end to end customer experience across multiple channels and touch points.Close –