About Our Clinic

Are you one of the millions of Canadians who struggle with depression, anxiety, stress, psychosis, eating disorders, ADHD or other medical conditions?

At the Downtown Psychology Clinic, we are focused on providing evidence-based and effective psychological treatment, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Our clinical health psychologists aim to provide clients with a safe and comfortable environment in which to help you discuss, explore and resolve your current difficulties to work towards a happier and more productive life.

Whatever difficulties you are having, we will work with you in a collaborative way to determine the best approach to suit your needs, goals and values. Reaching out for help isn’t easy – but this is the first step.

Our Team

noah
Dr. Noah Lazar, C.Psych.
Clinical Director | Psychologist

Dr. Lazar offers assessment and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for a wide range of difficulties, including depression, schizophrenia and psychosis, as well as anxiety, with particular interests in generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder.

Katie
Dr. Kathryn Walker, C.Psych.
Clinical Director | Psychologist

Dr. Kathryn (Katie) Walker is a registered clinical and health psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario who works with adults, children, and adolescents. Dr. Walker’s areas of clinical work include anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive and related disorders, perfectionism, insomnia…

Daniel Peluso
Dr. Daniel Peluso, C.Psych.
Director of Training | Psychologist

Dr. Daniel Peluso’s clinical focus includes assessment and treatment (cognitive behavioural therapy) of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma-related disorders, anxiety and mood disorders, pain and illness-related disorders, and interpersonal difficulties. Dr. Peluso is a member of…

Karin Almuhtadi
Dr. Karin Almuhtadi, C.Psych.
Psychologist

Dr. Karin Almuhtadi is a registered clinical psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, and works with adults with a broad range of difficulties including trauma, emotion regulation problems, depression, anxiety, and interpersonal challenges.

Dr. Ardith Baerveldt, C.Psych.
Psychologist

Dr. Baerveldt offers psychological assessment and therapy to adults and young adults wishing to better understand and manage their mental health symptoms or life challenges. With almost 10 years experience working in clinical and health psychology…

Dr. Madelaine Burley, C.Psych.
Psychologist

Dr. Maddy Burley enjoys working with people from all walks of life and believes that the best therapeutic outcomes are achieved when evidence-based practice is provided in the context of a genuine, caring and respectful relationship between client and therapist.

Reena
Dr. Reena Chopra, C.Psych.
Psychologist

Dr. Chopra is a clinical psychologist who works with adults and adolescents. She conducts diagnostic assessments and provides treatment for various psychological concerns, including: depression, anxiety, workplace issues, posttraumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, substance use…

Dr. Houyuan
Dr. Houyuan Luo, C.Psych.
Psychologist

Dr. Houyuan Luo is a registered Counselling and Clinical Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. He provides psychological assessment and psychotherapy to adults with various difficulties such as mood, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, relationship, stress management, self-criticism…

Dean Carcone
Dr. Dean Carcone, C.Psych. (Supervised Practice)
Psychologist in Supervised Practice

Dean Carcone provides assessment and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for adults with a range of mental health concerns, including anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, and depression. He also integrates techniques from Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Dr. Carcone is currently supervised by Dr. Noah Lazar.

Dr. Betty Luk, C.Psych.
(Supervised Practice)

Psychologist in Supervised Practice

Dr. Luk has been practicing as a clinical psychologist in Hong Kong since 2008, before she returned to Toronto and joined the Downtown Psychology Clinic as a Psychologist in Supervised Practice. She works with adults, adolescents and children who experience various difficulties including grief…

Dr. Luk is currently supervised by Dr. Kathryn Walker and Dr. Daniel Peluso.

Dr. Monique Tremblay, C.Psych. (Supervised Practice)
Psychologist in Supervised Practice

Dr. Monique Tremblay is a Clinical Psychologist in supervised practice, providing psychological assessment and treatment services to children, adolescents, and adults.

Dr. Tremblay is currently supervised by Dr. Kathryn Walker.

Dr. Tara Masseratagah, C.Psych
(Supervised Practice)
Psychologist in Supervised Practice

Dr. Masseratagah (she/her) works with adults and adolescents. She honours the diversity of her clients’ cultural backgrounds, gender identities, and sexualities, and she has experience working with minorities from these communities.

Dr. Masseratagah is currently supervised by Dr. Kathryn Walker.

Ms. Rosa Dragonetti
Ms. Rosa Dragonetti, M.A., R.P.
Registered Psychotherapist

Rosa Dragonetti is a Psychotherapist and is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She completed a Masters in Mental Health Counseling and has been working in the field of mental health and addictions for over twenty years as a therapist, researcher…

Parisa Nia, M.A., R.P.
Registered Psychotherapist

Parisa Nia is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She provides psychotherapy to adults, adolescents and couples who are struggling with anxiety disorders (including trauma and OCD) and mood disorders, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, weight management issues…

Maura O'Keefe
Maura O’Keefe, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker
(Not currently accepting clients)

Maura O’Keefe is a registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and holds a Masters of Social Work from The University of Toronto (2000). She has 20 years of experience in providing individual therapy for adults struggling with a range of mental health concerns and life stressors, including…

Joanna Smoley, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker

Joanna Smoley is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She has twenty years of therapy experience, working with adults with a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, perfectionism, interpersonal stressors, trauma, relational stressors, lifestyle transitions, and fertility.

Samantha Timla, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker

A Social Worker with over 5 years of experience, Samantha Timla specializes in working with children, youth, adults and families, including those who are experiencing issues related to anxiety, depression, social isolation, stress management, perfectionism, adjustment to illness, body image, low self-worth, trauma, grief and loss…

Eric Karaoylas, M.A.
Therapist

Eric Karaoylas offers diagnostic assessment and therapy for a wide range of psychological difficulties, including depression and anxiety, substance use issues, as well as chronic pain and chronic health conditions. He also supports individuals who are navigating vocational and life transitions, and…

Mr. Karaoylas is currently supervised by Dr. Kathryn Walker.

Sofija Lavrinsek
Sofija Lavrinsek, M.A.
Therapist

Sofija (she/they) provides assessment and treatment for anxiety, depression, and life stressors (e.g., relationship issues, life transitions). She works primarily from a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) framework and is committed to creating a non-judgmental and safe space to help clients explore their goals…

Ms. Lavrinsek is currently supervised by Dr. Noah Lazar.

Willem Le Duc, M.A.
Therapist

Willem Le Duc provides assessment and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for a range of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). He combines an empathic and understanding approach with practical skills and tools to help effectively…

Mr. Willem Le Duc is currently supervised by Dr. Noah Lazar.

Christie MacLeod, B.Sc.
Therapist

Christie MacLeod provides assessment and treatment for adults with a range of concerns including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, attention/memory challenges (including ADHD), emotional regulation problems, and sleep difficulty/insomnia. She works from a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)…

Ms. Christie MacLeod is currently supervised by Dr. Reena Chopra and Dr. Daniel Peluso.

Melina Ovanessian
Melina Ovanessian, M.A.
Therapist

Melina Ovanessian provides assessment and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for adults with a range of concerns including excessive worry, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic attacks, depression, phobias, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Ms. Ovanessian is currently supervised by Dr. Daniel Peluso.

Hannah Mugford, B.A.
Intake Coordinator

Hannah is a recent graduate from York University, where she completed a specialized honours bachelor of arts in psychology. For her honours thesis project, Hannah explored the conspiratorial mindset from several psychological angles, including personality and political belief. Hannah continues to contribute to psychological research as an assistant…

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Reaching out for help isn’t easy,
but you have already taken the first step.