Kathleen McLean, BSW, RSW
Locations: Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy, Couple Therapy, Family Therapy, and Group Therapy
Languages: English
Top Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Relationship Issues, Parenting, and Life Transitions
Our Team
Our Therapists
We are a diverse team of a dozen professional therapists, with thousands of collective hours of therapy, working with equally diverse clients. All of our therapists are unique in their strengths and styles, yet all share the same values and approaches to therapy. Feel free to book a free consultation with as many of our therapists as you’d like to help you find the right fit.
Therapist Name
Location
Specialties
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Age Range
Disciplines
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Therapy Type
Language
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Communities
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Marlen Iskander, MACP, RP
Locations: Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy, Family Therapy, and Group Therapy
Languages: English and Arabic
Top Specialties: Women’s Issues, Anxiety, Depression, Identity, and Relationships
Jon Lewis, MDiv, RP
Locations: Mississauga and Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy, Couple Therapy, and Family Therapy
Language: English
Top Specialties: Guilt & Shame, Depression & Anxiety, Trauma, Self-Esteem & Confidence, and Relationship Issues
Desiree Brown, MACP, RP
Locations: Vaughan and Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy, Couple Therapy, and Family Therapy
Languages: English
Top Specialties: Substance Use Addiction, Trauma, Grief/Loss, Marital Issues, and Anxiety
Richie Han, MS, RP (Qualifying)
Locations: Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy, Couple Therapy, and Family Therapy
Languages: English
Top Specialties: Depression, Anxiety, Multicultural, Child & Adolescent, and Substance Abuse
Abi Awotunde, MSW, RSW
Locations: Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy, Couple Therapy, and Family Therapy
Language: English and Yoruba
Top Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Self-Esteem, Relationships, and Trauma & PTSD
Victoria Huang, MSW, RSW
Locations: Vaughan and Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy
Language: English and Conversational Mandarin
Top Specialties: Mood Disorders, Trauma and PTSD, Addictions, Personality Disorders, and Psychosis
Justin Michel, MA, MSc, RP
Locations: Mississauga and Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy, Couple Therapy, and Family Therapy
Top Specialties: Relationships, Divorce, Culture, Divorce, Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Parenting, Teens, LGBTQ+, ethically non-monogamous and poly relationships
Languages: English, French, Arabic, and Coptic
Alia Siddiqi, MC, RP (Qualifying)
Locations: Mississauga and Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy and Couple Therapy
Languages: English and Urdu
Top Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Anger Management, School Issues, and Relationship Issues
Lorna Anderson, MA, RP
Locations: Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy, Couple Therapy, Family Therapy, and Group Therapy
Language: English
Top Specialties: Youth & Adolescents, Trauma, Grief, Disordered Eating & Body Image, and Addictions
Andrea Keel, MSW, RSW
Locations: Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy
Languages: English
Top Specialties: Chronic Pain, Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self-Doubt
Ginelle Foskin, MA (Qualifying)
Locations: Mississauga, Vaughan, and Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy and Group Therapy
Language: English
Top Specialties: Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Relationships, and Career & Education
Zohreh Sojoudi, MSc, RP
Locations: Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy and Couple Therapy
Languages: English and Farsi
Top Specialties: Relationship Issues, Anxiety, Self-Esteem, Depression, and Racial Identity
Krystina Di Matteo, MACP, RP (Qualifying)
Locations: Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy and Group Therapy
Languages: English
Top Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, Child or Adolescent, and Peer Relationships
Colleen Logan, M.A, RP (Qualifying)
Locations: Guelph and Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy
Languages: English
Top Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Life Transitions, and Self-Esteem
Nadine Carey-Hill, RP
Locations: Guelph and Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy, Couple Therapy, and Family Therapy
Language: English
Top Specialties: Addiction, Anxiety, Trauma, Relationship Issues, and Stress Management
Dorothy Lee, MDiv, RP (Qualifying)
Locations: Vaughan and Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy, Couple Therapy, and Family Therapy
Language: English and Cantonese
Top Specialties: Life Transitions, Relationship Issues, Spirituality, Self-Esteem, and School Issues
Nidhi Gandhi, PhD, MA, RP
Locations: Mississauga and Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy and Couple Therapy
Languages: English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Urdu
Top Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Substance Use and Relationship Issues
Debra Barran, MDiv, RP
Locations: Vaughan and Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy and Couple Therapy
Languages: English and Spanish (intermediate)
Top Specialties: Depression, Anxiety, Relationship Issues, Chronic Pain, and Trauma & PTSD
Andrew Youssef, MTS, PhD Candidate
**Not Currently Accepting New Clients**
Multi-Faith Spiritual and Religious Care Provider (a.k.a. Chaplain)
Locations: Mississauga and Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy, Couple Therapy, and Family Therapy
Languages: English and Arabic
Top Specialties: Faith & Religions, Spirituality, Grief, Elderly Persons Disorders, and Depression, Anxiety & Bipolar Disorders
Mahdiyeh (Dia) Meratian, MSc, RP
Locations: Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy, Couple Therapy, and Family Therapy
Languages: English and Farsi
Top Specialties: Family Conflict, Relationship issues, Immigration Issues, and Life Transitions & The Process of Meaning Making
Ainur Alipkaliyeva, MD, RP
Locations: Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy and Couple Therapy
Languages: English and Russian
Top Specialties: Trauma & PTSD, Anxiety Disorders (GAD, Social Anxiety, Panic Disorder), Mood Disorders, Stress Management, and Relationship Difficulties
Zoë Paul, MSW, RSW
Locations: Guelph and Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy, Couple Therapy, Family Therapy, and Group Therapy
Language: English
Top Specialties: Relationship Issues, Family Conflict, Children & Adolescents, Anxiety, and Stress.
Founder of Building Bridges Psychotherapy
I believe that there is good in every person, and hope in every situation. I believe that relationships are the heart of our well-being and mental health concerns. I decided to create Building Bridges Psychotherapy to help people connect with what’s most important to them—family, partners, culture, community, and themselves.
I provide a calm, non-judgmental, and supportive space for my clients to explore deeper emotions and gain insight. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Locations: Mississauga, Guelph, and Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual, Couple, and Family Therapy
Specialties: Relationships, Divorce, Culture, Divorce, Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Parenting, Teens, LGBTQ+, ethically non-monogamous and poly relationships
Languages: English, French, Arabic, and Coptic
Our Staff
Jasmine Panesar
Marketing Manager
Hi! I’m Jasmine and I handle all the marketing and social media at Building Bridges! I enjoy creating content and even decorating the offices. I’m also a student at Yorkville University, currently completing my Master’s in Counselling Psychology. I’ve always had a keen interest in mental health and wondered why it wasn’t as valued until recently. Once I become a psychotherapist, I want to make an impact within the South Asian community and offer art therapy. Additionally, I enjoy writing poetry, painting and lifting weights at the gym!
Asma Qaiyum
Administrative Manager
Hi! My name is Asma and I’m the Administrative Manager. I’m also pursuing my Masters in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. Working at Building Bridges Psychotherapy is very fulfilling because of the great team that we have. Our therapists are extremely dedicated to their clients. As a future psychotherapist, I think they’re great role models!
I’m extremely passionate about mental health awareness and hope to work with youth and adolescents. My other passion is reading; I’m also a book reviewer for most of the major publishing companies in North America.
Veronica Benyamin
Administrator
Hi there! My name is Veronica and I am a fifth-year Specialized Honours Psychology student studying at York University. As an aspiring Psychotherapist, I hope to work with and help romantic couples as I believe that an individual’s well-being and the quality of their interpersonal relationships are interconnected. As such, I am grateful to be part of such an amazing team here at Building Bridges Psychotherapy. Outside of school and clinical work, I enjoy painting, stargazing, singing (though not well), and all the desserts.
Malak Sadek
Analytics Specialist
Hey! My name is Malak and I’m an Honours student in Psychology at Western University. I’m in my final year and I’m planning to pursue graduate school and a career in clinical psychology or psychotherapy. I’m extremely passionate about mental health and the well-being of others, and I’m hoping to be able to support and help people with this matter as much as I can. My other passions are arts, writing and cooking. It is a pleasure for me working with Justin and the whole team. Looking forward to doing research for Building Bridges Psychotherapy. I’m sure it will be a wonderful experience and will definitely add great value to my career.
Rob Soliman
Office Manager
Hi, my name is Rob Soliman. I am proud to be Building Bridges’ Office Manager. My job is to ensure that all of our therapy spaces are both functional and beautiful, as well as conducive to healing.
When I’m not working, I enjoy art, photography, rock climbing, and nature.
I have always been interested in psychology and mental health, so I am honoured to be working alongside Justin and the whole team!
Sierrah Hamilton
Client Care Specialist
Hello! My name is Sierrah Hamilton and I am the Client Care Specialist with Building Bridges Psychotherapy. My main goal is to foster and maintain positive relationships with our clients and to ensure they are comfortable, satisfied and heard.
I, myself, am an aspiring psychotherapist. I am currently a third year psychology student studying at York University. I am passionate about mental health and recovery, with a special interest in individuals experiencing depression, anxiety and emotional trauma.
Outside of my work and studies, I really enjoy travel adventures, trying out new recipes in the kitchen, and hanging out with my kitten.
Sara Guirguis
Administrator
Hey everyone, I’m Sara! I have a background in medicine but I’m currently pursuing my Masters in clinical counselling at Tyndale University. I find a sense of purpose and fulfillment in being a safe space for others to speak and share openly so I’m looking forward to the day I start practicing. I’m very excited to be part of the team at Building Bridges and to learn from our amazing therapists!
When I’m not studying or working I like reading, listening to music, watching movies/shows and hiking. I also like to think of myself as a social butterfly so I try to make time for my friends as much as I can.
Tarana Steinke
Administrator
Hey there! My name is Tarana and I am honoured to be one of the voices answering your phone calls at Building Bridges! Having recently graduated from the University of Guelph with a major in psychology and a minor in neuroscience, I am looking forward to continuing my education to become a practicing psychologist. I am passionate about youth mental health and interested in adolescent identity development with particular emphasis on the importance of healthy relationships at this stage in life. When I’m not studying or working you may find me on a canoe trip, cuddling my cats, or blending voices with my choral buddies.
Richie Han
Administrator
Hello there! My name is Richie and I am an administrator on the Building Bridges Psychotherapy team. I have been practicing psychotherapy for four years in the United States and am preparing for the process to practice in Ontario. I am excited to be working alongside such an amazing team and in connecting them to people seeking support. Outside of my professional life, I am lucky to have a beautiful wife and two pups who can be great depending on the day.
Get Started Now!
To book an individual session with us, or if you have any questions about individual therapy, please do not hesitate to contact us. We offer a free 15-minute phone consultation that can be scheduled through our online booking system, or you can also book a session online.