Angus psychotherapists provide a full suite of psychotherapy and counselling services in the Essa Township and surrounding areas.
Rachel La Rosee, Registered Psychotherapist, MA
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Rachel is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), Clinical Traumatologist (TITC-CT) and an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) trained therapist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Justice Studies and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology.
Rachel has always had a passion for helping others which is why she spent the last 10 years working in the law field. Working in law exposed her to the complexities of life, developing her belief that change, growth and healing is possible if individuals are supported with compassion, empathy, and non-judgement. This belief has become her therapeutic approach, along with recognizing and valuing that each client is unique, making the therapy process unique. Rachel will walk alongside clients through their challenges and suffering, hold a space for healing, and help clients move towards a life more in alignment with meaning and purpose.
Rachel embraces the experiential, humanistic and psychodynamic therapy models, but will infuse elements from a variety of therapy models based on the client’s needs and desired outcomes. Rachel provides individual therapy (18+) for divorce/separation, co-parenting and parenting challenges, infidelity/betrayal, difficult life transitions, grief/loss, anger and stress management, anxiety, depression, low self esteem, trauma/relational trauma, and existential concerns such as identity, purpose, meaning and mortality.
Michelle Straka, RP, M.A. Counselling Psychology, B.A. (Hons)
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Michelle is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She holds a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, an undergraduate Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Laurentian University, as well as a post graduate diploma in Communicative Disorders.
Previously, Michelle worked as a Behavioural Therapist for 10 years providing evidence based treatment supporting families, children and adolescents with diversified needs such as behavioural challenges, ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities and anxiety.
Michelle’s approach to therapy is deeply rooted in the core belief that the therapeutic relationship is essential for facilitating change, healing, and growth towards successful treatment outcomes. She believes in a holistic integrated approach, utilizing a client-centered approach combining a variety of therapeutic interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Somatic experiencing, and Mindfulness to fit your individual goals, needs, and beliefs.
Michelle provides services to individuals (including children 7+), couples, and families. Clinical interests include: anxiety & stress, depression, anger management, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, emotional regulation, self-compassion & self-worth, and relationship rebuilding.
Ariel Gersman, Registered Social Worker, RSW, MSW
Ariel is a Registered Social Worker in Ontario. She holds a Master Degree in Social Work from University of Toronto and a Bachelor Degree in Social Work from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University).
For almost 10 years Ariel has been providing counselling and therapy services to individuals and families. During her career Ariel has supported adults, children, youth and families to manage experiences of anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, relationship issues, stress, trauma, grief and loss, parenting challenges and more.
Ariel is known for her empathetic approach, her ability to build strong relationships with her clients, and her commitment to ensuring that everyone she works with feels heard, valued, and supported. She does not believe in a “one size fits all” approach and tailors her practice to fit each client’s needs and best interests. Ariel uses a non-judgemental, collaborative, and integrative therapeutic approach rooted in a variety of theories and interventions including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Family Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma Informed Therapy, Attachment, Neurobiology, Mindfulness and play-based interventions.
Jessica (Jessy) Danyluk, BTh, MDiv, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
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Jessy is a Registered Psychotherapist-Qualifying with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Counselling from Tyndale Seminary and an Undergraduate Degree in Theology from Masters College in Peterborough.
Jessy’s experience at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre allows her to work with a wide scope of clients including children, teens, young adults, families and couples and a wide range of mental health issues such as anxiety disorders, eating disorders, depression/suicidal ideation, grief support/end of life support and neurodivergent disorders such as ADHD and ASD. Jessy has training and experience using a variety of therapeutic modalities, such as Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Therapeutic Play.
Jessy is recognized for her collaborative approach to therapy and giving clients confidence through her ability to creative a compassionate and supportive alliance with clients. She strives to create a warm, welcoming and non-judgemental environment through understanding and developing a deeper awareness of a client’s needs.
Matthew Lago, RSW, MSW
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Matthew is a Registered Social Worker in the Province of Ontario. He completed his Master of Social Work Degree at Wilfred Laurier University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History & Global Studies also completed at Wilfred Laurier. Matthew has significant training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and uses an evidence-based approach for concerns related to Anxiety , Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Specific Phobias, and PTSD.
For almost five years Matthew has been providing counselling to individuals and youth. While he is trained in CBT, Matthew is a well-rounded therapist who takes pride in his holistic approach to mental health. As well as CBT, Matthew is experienced in Motivational Interviewing, Unified Protocol, Mindfulness and working with Addiction Issues. He takes a strength-based approach to bring out a client’s best.
Three main values within Matthew’s work are connection, empathy, and safety. Connection allows relationships to grow, empathy shows the client that they are being heard and supported, and safety allows a space to share without judgement.
Matthew works with individuals and children as young as 10. He wants you to feel heard and valued, while working with your needs and goals to create lasting, positive change.
Cassie Plumpton Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) BA, MACP
Cassie Plumpton is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). With additional training in Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with distinction and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology with honours.
When working with individuals Cassie uses an integrative approach with emphasis on Existential Theory, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Emotion Focused Therapy to create an experience tailored to each person’s unique needs. Cassie helps individuals explore challenges,identify and address patterns of behaviour, clarify goals, cultivate insight, move towards growth, find balance, and reconnect with meaning and purpose in their lives.
When working with couples Cassie primarily uses Emotion Focused Therapy. She helps couples focus on the emotions underneath the conflict–the need for safety, closeness, and understanding that can get lost when communication breaks down. In session she will help you slow things down to experience what is really going on and bring awareness to the relationship patterns that leave you feeling frustrated, unsatisfied or distressed. Cassie helps couples find their way back to connection, not just by solving problems, but by helping rebuild the emotional bonds.