Our Team

Dr. Anita Federici is a Clinical Psychologist and the Owner of The Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation, a private Clinic specializing in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders, personality disorders, and trauma. Anita has an established reputation for her work as a therapist, clinical trainer, researcher, program director and consultant. A distinguished Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders, Anita is a recognized authority on eating disorder treatment and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). Her work has been presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals and invited book chapters.

Dr. Federici is a registered member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario and the elected Co-Chair for the Suicide and DBT Special Interest Group for the Academy for Eating Disorders. In 2019, she was awarded Business Woman of the Year by the Meridian Women of Excellence Committee for her outstanding contributions to the community and to the province. Anita has had a considerable impact on the field through her leadership and expertise. Over the past ten years, she has developed a robust training program, a wide network of allied health professionals, and a treatment centre in an underserved and rural region of Ontario. She has provided more than 100 lectures, workshops, and invited talks on eating disorders, DBT, the adaptation DBT for EDs, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and personality disorders. Known for her engaging and authentic style of training, Anita has become a highly sought-after consultant for numerous hospitals and community based organizations across North America who are seeking to improve treatment programs or expand access.

When she is not training and consulting to other clinical professionals in her field, she’s working at her private practice providing supervision and support to her team. In addition to DBT and CBT, Anita is also intensively trained by the developers of Cognitive Processing Therapy. Recently, Anita started an online petition to raise awareness about the lack of treatment for eating disorders in Canada. As of December 2020, the petition has more than 21,000 signatures. Midland community members, Dr. Federici’s colleagues, National Eating Disorder Information Centre, WaterStone Foundation, F.E.A.S.T., and Body Brave support the petition, and it has received coverage by Simcoe.com and NEWSTALK 1010 Radio. Dr. Federici hopes that through leading this movement, she can affect positive change by increasing treatment access for her clients and the 2.8 million Canadians who suffer from eating disorders.

View Anita’s CV.

Dr. Mengran Xu
Clinical and Counselling Psychologist

Dr. Xu received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Waterloo and is registered as a clinical and counselling psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario.

Dr. Xu specializes in the assessment and treatment for adults presenting with Eating Disorders, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and related conditions, using a variety of evidence-based interventions (such as Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy). He is a certified provider of Cognitive Processing Therapy. 

In addition to his work with The Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation, Dr. Xu works full-time as a clinical psychologist at Canadian Forces Base Borden and provides mental health services to current members of the Canadian Armed Forces. He also works as an adjunct faculty for the psychology department at the University of Waterloo and an undergraduate thesis supervisor for the psychology department at the University of Guelph-Humber. 

Dr. Xu has previously held a number of positions at both outpatient and inpatient mental health settings, including Campus Wellness at the University of Waterloo, the Waterloo Psychology Group, and the Eating Disorders Program of Homewood Health Centre. Dr. Xu completed his pre-doctoral residency at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. During his residency year, he worked at the Eating Disorders Program as well as the Borderline Personality Disorder Clinic, and received extensive training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. 

In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Xu has extensive research experience in anxiety disorders and mindfulness-based interventions, and has published a number of peer-reviewed journal articles in these areas. He has also written extensively on topics related to eating, weight, trauma, and emotion regulation through publishing books, developing online courses, and conducting presentations. 

Dr. Xu is also fluent in Chinese and can provide assessment and treatment in Mandarin.

Dr. Randy Staab obtained his medical degree from the University of Alberta in 1994.  He then specialized in psychiatry and graduated with his FRCP(c) in 1999 from the University of Toronto.  He has focused on the treatment of severe eating disorders over the last 23 yrs of his career. He is an assistant professor at the University of Toronto and is active in teaching and research in the field of eating disorders. He has worked in the intensive  Eating Disorders inpatient and day hospital programs at the Toronto General Hospital from 1999-to 2007 and the Credit Valley Hospital program from 2007-to 2022. He recently started a private practice in Mississauga in the spring of 2022.

Rachel Gerow, MA, RP
Registered Psychotherapist

Diane H. Aiken, RP
Registered Psychotherapist

Diane H. Aiken is a Registered Psychotherapist and serves as the Director of Student Placement and the Clinical Supervisor of Diversity and Trauma at The Centre for Psychology + Emotion Regulation.  She is a certified Imago Relationship Counsellor and is trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Brief Solutions Focused Therapy, among others. Diane provides workshops, supervision, as well as individual and relationship counselling.

Relocated to Midland from Toronto, she holds a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from OISE at the University of Toronto and amassed over ten years of research experience in intergenerational trauma and wellness at the University of Wales. She has over twenty-four years of mental health counselling experience in Toronto and Midland, including both community and clinical mental health at places such as St. Michael’s Hospital. Diane has also appeared on Canada AM television and as a weekly guest on Flow 93.5 radio. Using evidence-based interventions, she has worked with thousands of individuals and couples on issues including marginalization, diversity and LGBTQI+, grief, anxiety, and depression. She believes we all need someone to talk with who will really listen and accept us as we are, without judgment. Compassionate and insightful, Diane helps clients explore sources of empowerment, improve relationships, and overcome personal obstacles. Diane has a unique, gentle approach that supports deep, positive change and helps clients clear the path for hope and living their lives to the fullest.

Carla Katsuno, MACP, RP 

Victoria Weatherston, MACP, RP 

Charlotte Laws
Registered Psychotherapist

Originally from the UK, Charlotte brings a wealth of experience in CBT, Motivational Interviewing, DBT, and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. She earned her MSc in Applied Psychology through the University of Liverpool, UK, a Post Graduate Certificate in Addictions: Treatment and Prevention from Georgian College, and a HBASc degree from Lakehead University, Orillia (joint major in Psychology).

Charlotte has worked in a wide range of Mental Health and Addiction work settings: Withdrawal Management, Residential Addictions Treatment, CTO planning, Early Psychosis Intervention, Crisis Services, Eating Disorders, Case Management, Outpatient Addictions Counselling, providing therapy for the LGBT2SQ population, and more specifically Trans Health Services over the past year.

She works from a very client centred approach, and strives to provide a safe, non-judgemental space for people needing support. She is down to earth, and seeks to work with clients in a collaborative way, realizing that people’s situations and needs are unique. Charlotte has a specific interest and expertise in providing services for marginalized populations who have the highest rates of significant mental health, suicide, and who tend to fall through the cracks of the system.

Trent Simons
Registered Psychotherapist

Trent is a Registered Psychotherapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counselling (Indigenous Studies emphasis) from Tyndale University and Seminary. Trent brings diverse personal, educational and professional experiences to the room, having received his first Master’s Degree in 2002 in Community Economic Development, spent time in over 25 countries and was born and raised in the Philippines. He also worked for five years as a Family Services Worker for the Children’s Aid Society, ten years as an Associate Pastor of a local church, where he became an ordained minister, and three years at Chigamik Community Health Centre as a therapist and team manager.

Trent has extensive training and experience in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, provider status for Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and has been trained in DBT for cPTSD. He has additional training and experience with Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Eating Disorder treatment and Narrative Therapy. He specializes in working with PTSD, anxiety and mood disorders and Eating Disorders.

While Trent brings some training and experience in the area of therapy and counselling, you are the expert on your life. Therapy is a collaborative process in which your experiences (both positive and negative) and strengths combine with the skills a therapist has learned to move you towards becoming the person you were meant to be.

Trent has lived in this community for nearly 20 years. When not in the office, you might find him enjoying time with his lovely wife of over 20 years, or their 2 boys. Or you might see him on the soccer pitch trying to kick a ball in a net.

Fayssoux Bombardier, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker/Therapist

Fayssoux works with a compassionate inquiry approach toward a collaborative relationship where you can safely explore and manage issues in your life. With training and experience in a variety of evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative, Attachment models, Solution Focused and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction techniques. She is also trained in Traumatic Incident Reduction, a systematic method to locate, review, and resolve traumatic events.

With over 15 years of experience in the field including within hospitals, family systems work, community clinics, and social service settings Fayssoux brings a wealth of understanding and skill toward inspiring mental wellness. She completed her BSc in Psychology and Women’s Studies while working in various youth and family program initiatives on a military base in Nova Scotia. Following that she obtained a Masters Degree in Social Work and keeps current with numerous additional clinical training and certifications. She is also an experienced facilitator who has taught mental health awareness to both clinical and corporate environments tailored to meet the needs of each unique group.

Her passion is therapy and the awareness and peace of mind that can come out of this important work. Together with her partner, she is raising a young family here in Georgian Bay, exploring the beauty of the area and taking time to enjoy the simple things in life.

Amanda Jordan, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker

Amanda Jordan is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.  Amanda has a Drug and Alcohol Counsellor Diploma from Canadore College, a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from Laurentian University, and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Carleton University.

Amanda has been honoured to accompany individuals on their journey of self-discovery and recovery for the past twenty years.  Her primary areas of focus include; trauma recovery, substance use disorders, insomnia, mood disorders, and the treatment of eating disorders.  Amanda has completed specialized training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, CBT for Insomnia, CBT-E for Eating Disorders, Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT skills for Adolescents & Families, and Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD.

Amanda’s engaging and caring approach is centered on client needs with an emphasis on strengths, activation strategies, and enhancing access to inner wisdom.  Amanda offers a compassionate environment where exploration, learning, and growth are supported and encouraged.  A life worth sharing is possible; Amanda can support you with identifying what might be getting in the way of your overall well-being and developing a plan to overcome these obstacles.

Rosalyn Kieft, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker

Rosalyn Kieft is a Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist with the Ontario College of Social Workers & Social Service Workers. She completed her Masters of Social Work with the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Social Work with McMaster University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English with McMaster University as well.

She has a longstanding passion for helping others and knew at a young age that she wanted to be a therapist. Over the years she has provided mental health counselling in a variety of areas, including addiction, youth work, and First Nations mental health. She specializes in providing trauma treatment to first responders and military members, and is trained in a number of therapies including: Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Additionally, she is able to provide couples’ counselling and is trained in Level 1 of the Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Using a strengths-based emotion-focused approach, she finds purpose in supporting her clients to make sense of their emotions, thoughts, and traumatic experiences.

Outside of work, Rosalyn enjoys reading, cooking new recipes, and taking her rambunctious dog Stevie for long walks in nature

Sara Robb, MSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker/Therapist

Sara is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.  She completed her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Toronto and has worked in the mental health and eating disorder field for eight years.  Sara’s clinical experience includes work in university, community, and non-profit settings, as well as in hospital settings.  For the past few years she worked as a social worker and therapist at Credit Valley Hospital’s eating disorder program.  She has comprehensive training in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), with additional training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Enhanced (CBT-E).  She specializes in working with eating disorders, body image distress, anxiety, and emotion dysregulation.

Sara strives to provide a collaborative, warm, and non-judgmental space, where together you can use compassion, curiosity, and at times gentle humour to explore and make sense of your emotions, thoughts, bodily sensations, and behaviours. She cares about deeply understanding clients’ experiences in order to help them accept themselves while also helping them create change toward their therapeutic goals.

When not working or learning about new research in the field, Sara is an avid camper and loves being in nature as much as possible. In suboptimal weather, you can find her curled up reading, listening to music, cooking, and trying to be patient with herself while she learns to watercolour paint.

Nicole Turner
Registered Dietitian

Nicole Turner is a registered dietitian with the College of Dieticians of Ontario. She completed her Bachelor of Applied Science in Nutrition and Food from Ryerson University and her Masters of Public Health from The University of Waterloo. Nicole then completed her dietetic internship at Hamilton Health Sciences. Her experiences include working in the neurology department at McMaster Children’s Hospital and working in the eating disorder unit at Southlake Regional Health Centre.

Nicole lives in Innisfil with her young family and two big dogs. She would like to continue to serve the eating disorder population and help to provide further access to care.

Anne Williams
Registered Dietitian

Anne Williams received her Bachelor of Applied Science in Nutrition from the University of Guelph and pursued her graduate clinical internship at Sunnybrook Health Sciences.  She was privileged to work for 11 years with clients experiencing kidney failure and dialysis in Oshawa, Oakville, and Mississauga.

She has practiced as a dietitian in the eating disorders field for 19 years; 17 of these as a team member at the Eating Disorders Clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.   Anne is trained in CBT and has co-facilitated CBT groups for 17 years.  She has some DBT training.  She has enjoyed being part of an ED Community of Practice at the Hamilton FHT, as well as mentoring primary care RD’s regarding weight neutral care and disordered eating/eating disorders. 

In recent years, Anne has also enjoyed facilitating nutrition groups and culinary nutrition groups for individuals experiencing cancer and other health challenges.  Anne’s passion is translating nutrition, health, and weight science into weight-neutral, equitable, fun, and approachable language.  

Anne enjoys gardening, hiking, cooking, music, reading, and family time in her new home near the Beaver Valley.  She has also recently added snow shoveling to her list of hobbies!

Paula Ng
Registered Dietician

Paula has been a Registered Dietitian since 2009. She provides nutrition counselling services to adults, adolescents and children, specializing in: eating disorders/disordered eating; behavioural feeding issues; childhood obesity and picky eaters.
Paula has training in motivational interviewing (MI), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), all of which inform her practice.
She has worked in various hospital-based eating disorder treatment programs for many years, as well as inpatient general psychiatry, diabetes education centres and in long term care. She studied at the University of Toronto and University of Western Ontario and completed her dietetic internship at North York General Hospital.

Holly Dickinson, RP (Qualifying)
Registered Dietitian

Holly Dickinson started working as a Registered Dietitian in the area of eating disorders 15 years ago after she obtained her bachelor of science nutrition degree  from The University of Western Ontario and dietetic internship at The University Health Network. 

Holly enjoys the rewards and challenges of working in mental health, specifically eating disorders. Holly uses a weight inclusive approach, helping clients recognize and learn the skills needed to improve and normalize their relationship with food. 

Soon into her career Holly recognized the importance of having a strong therapeutic background as a Dietitian working within the field. She recognized that although she was working as a Dietitian, a lot of her time was spent offering emotional support through nutrition counselling. She decided to go back to school as she wanted to expand her counselling skills.

Holly completed her Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology at OISE, Toronto, Ontario. She then applied for membership at the College of Psychotherapists and is pleased to say she is now a Registered Psychotherapist, Qualifying Member as well as a Dietitian.

Holly has experience working in both an inpatient and outpatient setting and has completed extensive training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).  She has experience running and co-facilitating a number of groups, including CBT and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. She has experience working individually with clients using Motivational Interviewing techniques in order to help clients meet goals and facilitate behaviour change. During her schooling, Holly completed a practicum working in an individual CBT based relapse prevention program for those just completed intense treatment and working on maintaining their recovery goals. 

Holly is thrilled to be a member of The Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation team.

Megan Bolt, MA
Therapist

Cortney Lacroix, MACP (Qualifying), RP (Qualifying)

Cortney completed her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. She is under the supervision of Dr. Anita Federici and is working towards registration with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Cortney has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Human Kinetics in Applied Sport Psychology from the University of Ottawa. Cortney has worked as a mental performance consultant (MPC) with athletes at various levels to improve their performance through the use of mental skills training (i.e., goal setting, motivation, intensity regulation).   She has training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Behavioral therapy for eating Disorders (CBT-E), cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).   Cortney has a range of clinical interests including eating disorders, anxiety and mood disorders, trauma, and emotion regulation.  She is grateful to be living near Georgian Bay and working in the community where she grew up.

Ellen Klaver, MEd, PhD Candidate

Ellen completed a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology and is now in the final stages of completing her PhD in Counselling Psychology through the University of Alberta. Looking to specialize in eating disorders and emotion dysregulation, Ellen was immediately drawn to the specialty services offered at the Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation. She is thrilled to have recently moved to Ontario to complete her final year of doctoral training under the supervision of Dr. Federici and Dr. Xu.

She has received training in a variety of evidence-based therapies, including Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) techniques. She has also received intensive training in assessment, including psychodiagnostic, psychoeducation, and neuropsychological assessment. Her diverse training in therapy and assessment has allowed Ellen to work in hospital and community settings serving adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations presenting with various concerns, such as mood disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, and development disabilities, as well as issues associated with life events and transitions, decision-making, family and social relationships.

In addition to clinical practice, Ellen is a dedicated researcher with publications and interests in sleep and eating, borderline personality disorder, emerging adulthood, forensic psychology, and teamwork in healthcare settings. While she completes her final year of doctoral training at the Centre of Psychology and Emotional Regulation, she will continue to work on her dissertation research that aims to develop a behaviourally-based sleep intervention that is tailored to eating disorder populations, with the purpose of improving treatment outcomes and reducing relapse (click here to learn more).

Ellen is passionate about the therapeutic process and is dedicated to using a collaborative and evidenced based approach that is tailored to the clients’ unique presentation. Her natural empathy and authentic presence promotes a safe and non-judgmental environment that empowers the client to engage in the meaningful work of self-discovery, acceptance, and change.

Samantha Kittell, MSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker

Samantha is a Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist with the Ontario College of Social Workers & Social Service Workers.  She completed her Masters of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University and her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology at the University of Waterloo.

Samantha has received additional training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).  She has experience working in a variety of agencies that specialize in mental health and addictions.  Samantha has spent the last few years working at the Canadian Mental Health Association, where she works part-time as a mental health clinician.  Samantha strives to create a safe, respectful, and compassionate environment where individuals can express themselves.  She is passionate about empowering individuals so they can recognize their internal strengths and make meaningful changes.

[/cm

Kari Loyst, MACP (Qualifying), RP (Qualifying)

Kari is completing her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University and has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University. She is a qualifying registrant with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and a Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association member. She is currently under the supervision of Diane Aiken.

Kari has worked in the post-secondary education sector as a faculty member for over a decade, supporting international and domestic students to connect to their strengths and work toward goals in a safe, inspiring, and welcoming space.

Kari works from an integrative, client-centered, strengths-based, compassionate approach grounded in a culturally responsive and socially just perspective (CRSJ). Helping clients discover purpose and create meaningful change in their lives while strengthening resilience is fundamental to her practice. Grief and loss, life transitions and change, and the suffering of the human experience, while challenging, can be transformative and deeply meaningful.

Outside of work, photography, creative arts, and a profound love of nature keep Kari ever curious and inspired.

Jodi Weatherell
Office Manager

Jodi was born and raised in Midland and is a proud member of her community.  She has an educational background in Office Administration.  She is caring, compassionate and always eager to meet new people, which she does through her time volunteering with a variety of charities.  Jodi also enjoys spending her time with her young family.

Rosie Collins
Office Administrator

Rosie comes with 14 years of administrative experience working within a hospital setting. She has a passion for connecting with people, and believes helping clients feel comfortable starts from their very first phone call.

When not cheerfully answering the phone, this busy mom of two enjoys time spent in the great outdoors.  Hiking, canoeing, snowshoeing, and scoping out new and exciting places to camp, are just a few of her favorite activities. Rosie enjoys baking, crafting, exploring the beauty in our area and beyond. 

Rosie, her husband of 13 years, and their two daughters live in Wasaga Beach and share their hearts and home with two very lovable canine companions, Finn and their latest rescue, Ginger.

Brenda Lefaivre
Office Administrator

Brenda joins us with over twenty years experience in customer service.  She is bilingual and has a passion for interacting with people and building lasting relationships.

For the past five years, Brenda has been teaching yoga to individual and groups of yogis of all ages in Northern Ontario, where she is from.

She moved to Wasaga Beach with her partner and her dog, Duke.  Since Duke’s passing, Brenda has opened her home to foster dogs and is hoping to continue to volunteer at the Humane Society.

Brenda is organized, compassionate, and a good listener.  She will do her best to help clients find the answers they need to place them with the clinician that best suits their needs.  When she is not speaking to clients and booking appointments, Brenda can be found outside enjoying all that nature has to offer including golf, horseback riding, yoga and meditation in the woods/by the water, reading, hiking, swimming, cycling, kayaking and camping.