Our Team

Nathaniel is a Registered Psychotherapist with a Master’s Degree in Psychology. He has worked extensively with adults who have been experiencing emotional difficulties stemming from rumination, negative self-talk, difficulties from loss or traumatic experiences and maladaptive thinking patterns. Nathaniel believes that at the centre of every unhealthy behaviour is the difficulty identifying and expressing painful unpleasant emotions as well as the associated negative thinking patterns.

Nathaniel targets these areas by providing the safe space to uncover these unpleasant emotions and negative thinking styles. He also pulls from empirically driven modalities such as motivational interviewing, CBT, DBT, psychodynamic work, as well as several trauma informed therapies to bring about healing.

Kinga 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 Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD, Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples.

Kinga is an EMDRIA approved therapist.

Before studying psychotherapy, Kinga completed a 4-year yoga therapy training program and taught yoga for over 8 years. This has trained her to be calm, non-judgmental, present and integrate mindfulness in her work.

As the Clinical Director, Kinga oversees the clinical functioning of the residential facility and ensures that the CARF policies related to clinical functioning are being adhered to.

Gillian is a clinical therapist with over five years of experience working collaboratively with youth, adults and their families in a variety of settings. Being a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service workers, a certified non-violent Crisis Intervention Instructor with the Crisis Prevention Institute and having a background in complex trauma and gender-based violence, Gillian comes to us with a set of well-rounded skills.

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. Her therapeutic techniques include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Trauma-Informed Approaches, Solution Focused Therapy and Mindfulness. Gillian has worked extensively with community-based organizations that have supported individuals in their journey with addiction paired with mental health, family dysfunction and the criminal justice system.

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.

Ruth Reich, BA, MSW, RSW, is a clinical therapist who comes to us with clinical experience from the United States 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 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 specialization to clinical work with our individuals from the Armed Forces.

Peggy Geddes, MA, RP is an experienced clinical therapist. Her comprehensive background includes crisis intervention and trauma response. She served as a social worker in child protection for over ten years. She lectured at the Ontario Police College on interviewing child abuse victims. In addition, she worked within a mental health treatment facility with highly aggressive women.

As head of The Child’s Beacon Inc., Peggy was responsible for a national project, funded by Health Canada, to design, develop and implement an innovative communication and investigative tool for interviewing alleged child sexual abuse victims. The tool was designed for use by police and child welfare professionals. Her work on this project provided the thesis for her Ph.D. dissertation, “Interviewing Alleged Child Sex Abuse Victims, 2006”.

She changed the corporate name from The Child’s Bean Inc to The Cove Counselling Services Inc. in September 2020.

Geddes co-authored the article, “Child Abuse Interview Guidelines for Physicians”, which was published in the International Journal of Academic Research (Nov. 2011).
She is licensed as a psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) Registration Number: 004912.

Alyssa is a deeply empathetic and compassionate therapist that works collaboratively with clients to aid in their empowerment, belief in the self, and ability to create positive change to enhance their quality of life. Alyssa has a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology and has acquired over 5 years of experience facilitating individual, couples and family therapy with adolescent and adult populations encountering a multitude of mental health disorders as well as addictions. A significant amount of clients she has worked with had experienced anxiety and mood disorders, personality disorders, and complex trauma. Alyssa utilizes a holistic and eclectic approach within her therapeutic work with clientele, including modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Psychoanalysis, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Family Systems.

Nancy Latimer is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying).
She comes to her work with a Master’s in Counseling 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.
Nancy comes to this role with experience in acute mental health practice, dual diagnosis treatment and addictions.

Samantha is a clinical therapist, who obtained a Master in Counselling Psychology from Western University. She completed her undergraduate degree in psychology and criminal justice.

She has a deep passion for working with individuals with concurrent disorders and has researched improving continuity in care using evidence-based practices and client-centred approaches. Samantha is passionate about client advocacy and adopts an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed approach in her clinical work.

Samantha's training and experience include working with post-secondary students, adults, and families who wish to increase their resiliency and heal from addiction, anxiety and depression, trauma, and loss. Samantha has also supported individuals through life transitions, identity development, and feeling a greater sense of belonging and connectedness.

Samantha adopts an integrated therapeutic approach, using CBT, DBT, MI, and Solution-Focused modalities. Samantha aligns with her clients and bears witness to their lived experience, emphasizing strength, resiliency, and self-compassion.

Troy Evans is a social service worker from Sheridan college. Prior to working at Trafalgar Addiction Treatment Centres Troy worked in the transportation industry.

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 and very soon after he was hired. He currently is the lead evening shift counsellor at Trafalgar. 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.

Frank Fadeel Mazzawi, CAAC, is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counsellor in Canada. He graduated from Everest College, with a diploma in Addictions and community service worker. He graduated from Ryerson University, with a certification in psychology, with a Concentration in Addiction Studies.

Frank continues to Advance his education by pursuing his B.A. in Psychology. He has a passion for his profession and 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.

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.

Angela is a mental health and addictions therapist with professional designation as a Registered Psychotherapist (R.P). Angela has over five years of experience providing psychotherapy to individuals recovering from addiction, trauma, and various DSM-5 mental health diagnoses.

Angela has a passion for working alongside individuals on their journey of change and discovery. Through virtual therapy Angela's goal is to help you gain the insight, confidence, and skills that you may need to better cope with what it is that brings you to therapy.

Angela's clinical approach is designed individually and views you as the expert on your well-being. She will keep your strengths and needs in mind during your therapy and will utilize an integration of evidenced based psychotherapy models to best support you. Some of the models of therapy Angela will draw on include: Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Therapy, and Emotion Focused Therapy.

Shane has been part of the Trafalgar Residence 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.

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.

Natasha Bowman holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto with a specialization in mental health.

She is a registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, as well as a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers.

Natasha's training and experience include working with adults, families, and transitional-aged youth to attain healing from addiction, anxiety disorders, borderline personality disorder, and psychological trauma. She takes a non-judgmental, trauma-informed, and client-centred approach to her practice. She works primarily from a Cognitive Behavioral approach while integrating aspects of other evidence-based therapies (e.g., Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness-based approaches) when appropriate.

At Trafalgar, Natasha provides evidence-based group and individual therapy to clients and their families who have goals around overcoming addictions and building lives worth living.

With over 25 years of experience in both public and private treatment for substance abuse and concurrent disorders, Scott 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. Scott believes that the transformational treatment opportunities at Trafalgar will result in increased stability, health and wellbeing for the client while offering a significant decrease in negative impacts to families and employers, the public health care system and extended health care providers. As a member of the Trafalgar Community Liaison team, Scott relies on his ability to create and encourage highly effective strategic partnerships for all stakeholders involved during the early stages of the recovery process.

Scott can often be seen hanging out with his family, at his son’s football game, at the gym or a golf course living up to his reputation as “3-putt-Jones”.

Leslie is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology. Leslie 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 Behaviour 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.

Megs 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.

Tarren has joined Trafalgar with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and many years of customer service experience. Tarren is the warm welcoming face of Trafalgar Residence East and is excellent at supporting our clients and staff.

I believe that in the refining processes of life, those critical moments where an individual’s sense of self is shattered and their vulnerabilities are revealed, every individual needs a genuine encounter with a person that would meet them in the weakest and most vulnerable point of their lives, to listen, encourage, and empower them to press on. A relationship whose value lies on the deeply rooted desire and determination to impart hope, foster growth and ignite the process of strengthening their sense of self.

My approach to Psychotherapy is client-centred and strength-based. I believe that the client, as an expert on their struggles and/or suffering, has the key to promote positive changes and achieve success despite the difficulties they face. Consequently, my focus is on the client’s ability to withstand adversity and further highlight their hidden potential to overcome challenges. My goal is to create a genuine connection that offers the possibility of change, healing, and growth. In this process, I use a variety of techniques from evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Solution Focus Therapy, to help clients recognize their strengths. Struggles are part of life and they have the potential to shape and strengthen our character.

Liana 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 addiction counsellor who is passionate about helping clients to gain the skills necessary to become the person they are striving to be. Liana dives deep into uncomfortable issues while treating clients. She uses a gentle and compassionate approach while incorporating current psychoeducation derived from Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

Liana is known for facilitating engaging group therapy sessions and her effervescent spirit.

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 centers. Amber is a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist (candidate), specializing in trauma and compulsive sexual behaviours.

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. In this way, Amber uses a combination of approaches including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and cognitive processing therapy (CPT) along with explorative discussions to intervene in patterns of ineffective behaviours and build the capacity to engage effectively with yourself, your loved ones, and your environment.

Sharmila is a Registered Social Worker and has a Master’s Degree in Social Work.

Sharmila understands that life can be unkind sometimes and burying these experiences can lead to losing oneself and their loved ones. Sharmila utilizes an eclectic approach which allows her to build a strong working relationship with her clients, this approach empowers her clients to explore themselves deeply to make meaningful change.

Sharmila strives to meet her clients where they are at and work at their pace. Her areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, grief and trauma and she utilize various types of techniques including dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), psychoanalysis, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR), and Narrative Therapy

Aneisa Maley is particularly interested in CBT for addiction treatment as well as motivational interviewing and breaking down the stigma that is related to mental health and addiction. In the past, she has worked with women who have experienced trauma and PTSD at the Sexual Assault Centre in Kingston. She has also worked as a peer mentor for psychology students at Queen’s University as well as TA and RA positions. Further, she has had the privilege of co-facilitating outreach dance programs for underserved communities with developmental and cognitive delays such as Autism.

Aneisa is particularly interested in PTSD and the physiological differences reflected in brain scans. She is also interested in the relationship between addiction and concurrent disorders as well as addiction and its correlation with the connection. She loves to look at studies that treat mental illness with physical activity interventions such as theatre, dance, kickboxing or yoga. She is particularly interested in a treatment that works in conjunction with the biopsychosocial method and other clinical interventions.

In her personal life, she loves participating in musical theatre, kickboxing, hiking and dance. She also has an avid passion for travel.
She is thrilled to be a part of the Trafalgar team and watch the development of clients who put in the hard work from the beginning of treatment to their final day.

I am a Registered Psychotherapist with a passion for providing the utmost quality of services to individuals struggling with their mental health. I have experience in implementing CBT, DBT, TF-CBT treatment interventions. I have found that when using these interventions, individuals improve in their ability to understand and better manage their unhealthy or dysfunctional patterns. I have facilitated group therapy at outpatient level to clients and their families battling addiction and additional concurrent disorders. My compassion is rooted in experience and understanding.

Melanie Matthews is a registered social worker with BSW and MSW degrees. She takes a collaborative approach to therapy and uses a person-centered approach while maintaining empathy and a non-judgemental stance. Melanie has worked in social services and mental health for nearly 10 years in several different areas of practice including residential treatment programs, educational settings, and not-for-profit organizations. She uses primarily Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) in her work. She often works with youth and adult clients experiencing a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, and personality disorders.

Melanie co-authored a paper titled ``A Review of Mental Health Services Offered by Canada’s English Language Universities``, which investigated the availability of mental health services offered to postsecondary students on campus compared to known prevalence rates of mental health issues. She has also written a number of reports regarding best practices for youth serving programming offered by not-for-profit organizations across Ontario. She continues to engage in research and knowledge dissemination as a vehicle for advocacy and social justice.

Victoria Taylor 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 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 Behaviour 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.

Karyn specializes in the treatment of those with concurrent mental health and addiction issues. She has facilitated individual and group work in the residential setting, as well as Aftercare support for those in the maintenance phase of their recovery.

Karyn’s interest in addictions and concurrent issues is also fuelled by her past work as a Recovery Coach and Addictions Counsellor. Karyn also brings an appreciation for the mind-body connection to her practice of psychotherapy.

Allyson Florence is a Registered Psychotherapist in the Qualifying category 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 uses varying approaches such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour 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.