The following associates are currently accepting new clients;

  • Dr. Amanda Cox, Psychologist (supervised practice) (children and youth: 18 years and younger; transitional age youth 19-24 in college, university or early career)
  • Erini Boutakis, Intern (children and youth: 18 years and younger)
  • Emily Seguin, Social Worker (youth and adults)
  • Dr. Olga Smoliak, Psychologist (adults)
  • Jessica Ilton, Intern (adults)
  • Christina, Executive Functioning/ADHD Skills Coach
  • Lauren & Ella, Literacy Coaches

Deb Caffrey, Dr. Amanda Cox. and Dr. Sherry Van Blyderveen are currently accepting new assessment clients. Please contact the office at info@newleafpsychology.ca or 905-878-5050 to book.

Psychologist or Psychological Associate

The psychologists and psychological associates at New Leaf Psychology Centre offer a wide range of therapy options, and provide services to individuals across the lifespan. Although the treatment approach is customized to each clients needs, typically there is an emphasis on behavioral and attachment strategies for young children, and an emphasis on both the cognitive and emotional based approa... Read More

The psychologists and psychological associates at New Leaf Psychology Centre offer a wide range of therapy options, and provide services to individuals across the lifespan. Although the treatment approach is customized to each clients needs, typically there is an emphasis on behavioral and attachment strategies for young children, and an emphasis on both the cognitive and emotional based approaches for youth and adults.

Psychologists and psychological associates also offer a wide range of assessment services.

** Please call the office at 905-878-5050 if you would like to book an assessment (e.g. developmental or autism specific, psychological, psychoeducational, giftedness, MVA, WSIB).


Clinical Associate

Clinical Associates at New Leaf Psychology Centre offer a wide range of therapy options, and provide services to individuals across the lifespan. Although the treatment approach is customized to each clients needs, typically there is an emphasis on behavioral and attachment strategies for young children, and an emphasis on both the cognitive and emotional based approaches for youth and adults. ... Read More

Clinical Associates at New Leaf Psychology Centre offer a wide range of therapy options, and provide services to individuals across the lifespan. Although the treatment approach is customized to each clients needs, typically there is an emphasis on behavioral and attachment strategies for young children, and an emphasis on both the cognitive and emotional based approaches for youth and adults.

Clinical Associates are in the process of completing the necessary requirements leading to licensure as a psychologist or psychological associate (e.g., they are or were graduate students in psychology and are acquiring clinical experience to meet registration requirements). They are thus supervised by a registered psychologist.


Psychology Intern

Psychology interns at New Leaf Psychology Centre offer a wide range of therapy options, and provide services to individuals across the lifespan. Although the treatment approach is customized to each clients needs, typically there is an emphasis on behavioral and attachment strategies for young children, and an emphasis on both the cognitive and emotional based approaches for youth and adults.


Executive Functioning Skills (ADHD) Coach

Executive Functioning Skills Coaches attend to their client’s unique academic, vocational, emotional, and interpersonal challenges related to difficulties with executive functioning. Coaches help their clients assess where they are now, identify where they want to be, and then determine how to reach their targets. This includes helping their clients with the practicalities of setting personal g... Read More

Executive Functioning Skills Coaches attend to their client’s unique academic, vocational, emotional, and interpersonal challenges related to difficulties with executive functioning. Coaches help their clients assess where they are now, identify where they want to be, and then determine how to reach their targets. This includes helping their clients with the practicalities of setting personal goals, building their motivation, maintaining their focus, and attaining their goals in a timely and organized manner.

Eight core executive functioning skills are targeted during coaching sessions.

Planning/Prioritization: Create roadmaps to reach your goals, Decide what to focus on, and what to let go of

Task Initiation: Begin projects without procrastinating, Increase efficiency

Time Management: Estimate your time and allocate it, Meet deadlines and hold limits

Organization of Workspace and Materials: Create and maintain systems to keep track of information and materials

Response Inhibition: Take time to evaluate the impact of behaviors and decisions, Think before you act

Working Memory: Follow multi-step directions and complete complex tasks

Sustained Attention: Attend to situations or tasks when they are tedious

Goal-Directed Persistence: Set goals and follow them through to completion


Literacy Coach

Literacy Coaches apply the Fundations or Wilson Reading System to support clients in improving their reading and writing.


Couples Therapist

Our couples therapists offer Emotion Focused Therapy for couples, with the goal of improving connection and communication. Therapists support each member in a couple to express their feelings and communicate their needs, particularly within the context of conflict or disconnection.


Family Therapist

Our family therapists offer Emotion Focused Therapy for families, with the goal of improving connection and communication. Therapists support family members in expressing their feelings and resolving conflict.

** Attachment based play therapy, which is designed to improve connection between parents and younger children, is available. Please call our offices at 905-878-5050 for details.


DBT Skills Groups

Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills groups (mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness) are offered for youth and adults. The skills groups are designed to provide alternative skills and strategies for individuals who tend to become overwhelmed by their emotions and engage in behaviors in response to these emotions that they would like to change. Skills... Read More

Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills groups (mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness) are offered for youth and adults. The skills groups are designed to provide alternative skills and strategies for individuals who tend to become overwhelmed by their emotions and engage in behaviors in response to these emotions that they would like to change. Skills can be helpful to reduce a wide range of behaviors, including aggressive behaviors, self-harm, substance abuse, binge eating, spending, gambling, social withdrawal, and procrastination. The group teaches four key sets of skills that enable participants to respond to intense emotions in more effective ways.

New Leaf Psychology Centre offers both an adult group and a youth/teen group. The teen group requires attendance of a parent. Parents attend the group with their child in order to support the application of new skills in the home. The format of the group is classroom style, with new skills being taught each session with opportunities to ask questions and practice. Tasks are assigned between sessions for additional practice.

** An intake assessment is necessary prior to attending the group. The intake assessment is done individually (one-to-one) for adults, and with the youth and at least one parent for the multifamily groups. These sessions are bookable online.
** The groups are being offered virtually only at present, and are not bookable online. Once you have completed the intake assessment our admin staff will enroll you in the group.

Ms. Bennie provides therapy for children, youth, adults, families, and couples. Ms. Bennie uses an integrative therapeutic approach to meet the unique needs of her clients and is able to draw on various modalities including Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She provides Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) and Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) to support couples and families in improving their communication and connection with one another. Ms. Bennie has experience treating individuals with a wide range of difficulties and has a special interest in treating individuals who have experienced trauma, loss, and grief.

Ms. Bennie completed her M.A. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Johannesburg in Auckland Park, South Africa, and is a registered psychological associate with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She has extensive training in experiential, narrative, and solution-focused therapies, and has worked extensively with individuals who have experienced trauma and loss and who are coping with complex mental health concerns. Ms. Bennie has previous experience working in hospital, residential, and private practice settings.

Ms. Bennie provides therapy for children, youth, adults, families, and couples. Ms. Bennie uses a... Read More

Ms. Eirini Boutakis is a child and adolescent therapist who adopts an integrative therapeutic approach when working with families, incorporating a variety of modalities to match the needs and preferences of her clients. She has experience with Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other interpersonal approaches. Ms. Boutakis currently co-facilitates the adolescent and parent DBT skills groups. Ms. Boutakis is currently under the supervision of Dr. Sherry Van Blyderveen and Dr. Heather Jaksic.

Ms. Boutakis is currently working towards the completion of her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Guelph, where she also completed her Master’s degree. Her research primarily focuses on child safety practices and discovering innovative ways to reduce child injury. Ms. Boutakis has experience working at the Upper Grand District School Board.

Ms. Boutakis is currently accepting new clients. She offers services in-person and virtually.

Ms. Eirini Boutakis is a child and adolescent therapist who adopts an integrative therapeutic app... Read More

Dr. Amanda Cox, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist (Supervised Practice)

Dr. Amanda Cox provides therapy for children, adolescents, and parents. She adopts an integrative therapeutic approach to best meet the unique developmental needs of her clients. Regardless of which evidence-based intervention is used, Dr. Cox grounds her work in a person-centered framework, prioritizing the connection and relationship with her clients. She believes that providing a non-judgemental space that fosters acceptance and trust is a steppingstone for positive growth and healing.

Dr. Cox can support children, adolescents, and parents with a range of difficulties, including anxiety and mood challenges, behavioral issues, emotion dysregulation, relational challenges, self-esteem, school difficulties and life transitions. Dr. Cox has a special interest in supporting youth and families who have experienced grief and loss.

Dr. Cox has experience with Play Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), and compassion, mindfulness and acceptance based approaches to care. She provides family therapy and parent coaching using an Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) perspective.

Dr. Cox also provides developmental, psychoeducational, and giftedness assessments. Her approach to psychological assessment emphasizes collaboration among families, schools and community supports, in order to ensure the results and recommendations help children and adolescents to reach their full potential.

Dr. Cox completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology at the University of Guelph, where she also completed her Master’s and Undergraduate degrees. Her research involvement focuses primarily on parent and child relationships, pediatric health, grief and loss, as well as adolescent mental health and well-being. Dr. Cox’s previous clinical experience includes a variety of school, rehabilitation, hospital, community mental health and private practice settings.

Additional Services Offered: Psychoeducational and Developmental Assessments Executive Functioning Skills (ADHD) Coaching

Dr. Amanda Cox, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist (Supervised Practice) Dr. Amanda Cox provides thera... Read More

Lauren has received extensive training in the Fundations and Wilson Reading System. She offers these interventions in an age appropriate and engaging (fun) manner, supporting clients in improving their reading and writing.

Lauren has received extensive training in the Fundations and Wilson Reading System. She offers th... Read More

Jessica Ilton, M.A., Psychology Intern

Ms. Jessica Ilton provides therapy to adolescents, adults, and couples. She adopts an integrative therapeutic approach, incorporating a variety of modalities to match the needs of her clients. Ms. Ilton utilizes a client-centered approach to therapy and has experience with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD, Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), Imago, and mindfulness-based therapy.

Ms. Ilton is currently working towards the completion of her Ph.D. in Clinical and Counselling Psychology at the University of Toronto. She completed her Master’s degree at the University of Ottawa. Ms. Ilton is currently registered with the CRPO as a psychotherapist.

Ms. Ilton is currently accepting new clients. She offers services in-person at the Milton office and virtually.

Jessica Ilton, M.A., Psychology Intern Ms. Jessica Ilton provides therapy to adolescents, adults... Read More

Stephanie Martin provides therapy to children, adolescents, and their families. In order to provide personalized treatment for each client, Stephanie holds an integrated approach to therapy, drawing from various treatment modalities, including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Play Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), as well as Attachment, Mindfulness and Regulation models. Stephanie is a strengths-based and client-centred therapist who strongly believes in collaborative and meaningful relationships with her clients and their families, wherein everyone involved brings their own unique wisdom and knowledge.

Stephanie is currently working towards the completion of her Ph.D. in School and Applied Child Psychology at the University of British Columbia, where she also completed her master’s degree. Stephanie has worked in a wide range of environments in the Vancouver area, including schools, community mental health clinics, day treatment programs, and private clinics. She is well-versed in psychoeducational and psychodiagnostic assessment, the treatment of children and adolescents who are experiencing a variety of difficulties, and consultation and parent/teacher support.

Stephanie Martin provides therapy to children, adolescents, and their families. In order to provi... Read More

Ms. Natisha Nabbijohn is a child and adolescent therapist who adopts an integrative therapeutic approach when working with families, incorporating a variety of modalities to match the needs and preferences of her clients. She has experience with Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and other interpersonal approaches. Ms. Nabbijohn currently co-facilitates the adolescent and parent DBT skills groups. Ms. Nabbijohn also assists clinical psychologists in the administration of developmental, psychoeducational, and social-emotional assessments.

Ms. Nabbijohn is currently working towards the completion of her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Guelph, where she also completed her Master’s degree. Her research primarily focuses on understanding how to promote the psychosocial well-being of youth living with chronic pain. Ms. Nabbijohn has experience working at the Halton Catholic District School Board and various private practice settings.

Ms. Natisha Nabbijohn is a child and adolescent therapist who adopts an integrative therapeutic a... Read More

Ms. Nelson assists clinical psychologists in the administration of psychological, developmental, cognitive, psychoeducational and giftedness assessments. Ms. Nelson works with clients, families, and schools to understand the individual’s unique learning profile and provide recommendations that will best promote the individual’s success in the classroom and school setting, as well as within their personal life.

Ms. Nelson has completed her M.A. in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. She has worked extensively in the education system with roles as teacher and support staff where she focused on supporting and understanding her students’ needs and strengths to help them develop and learn throughout the school year.

Ms. Nelson assists clinical psychologists in the administration of psychological, developmental, ... Read More

Ella has received extensive training in the Fundations and Wilson Reading System. She offers these interventions in an age appropriate and engaging (fun) manner, supporting clients in improving their reading and writing.

Ella has received extensive training in the Fundations and Wilson Reading System. She offers thes... Read More

Dr. Smoliak provides counselling and psychotherapy to individual adults, couples, and families. What distinguishes her as a professional is a blend of training and experience in relational dynamics and individual mental health difficulties. As a researcher and clinician, she offers up-to-date knowledge of individual and couples distress using empirically supported and effective interventions. She primarily uses emotionally-focused therapy in her work with couples and draws on a range of approaches in working with individuals.

Dr. Smoliak received her Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology from the University of Calgary and is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Relations and Human Development at the University of Guelph. She is registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. Dr. Smoliak co-edited three books and authored more than 70 journal articles on the topic of psychotherapy and counselling, including the Handbook of Counselling and Psychotherapy in Canada. In addition to her scholarly and educational contributions to the field, she brings 20+ years of professional experience in psychotherapy.

Dr. Smoliak provides counselling and psychotherapy to individual adults, couples, and families. W... Read More

Mr. Zeuner provides Career Counselling services, which includes supporting client’s returning to, maintaining, and finding meaningful employment. These services include assessments of work interests, strengths and values, career coaching and goal setting to enhance work related performance. Mr. Zeuner also has training and experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and provides group and individual therapy for clients living with mood and anxiety disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Given his training as an Occupational Therapist, Mr. Zeuner also has considerable experience supporting clients adjusting to the impact of physical injuries.

Mr. Zeuner completed his occupational therapy training at McMaster University and is currently registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario. Mr. Zeuner has worked in mental health, rehabilitation, and private practice settings, including working with individuals who have suffered from motor-vehicle accidents and working at Homewood Health Centre with both the Eating Disorders Program and the Integrated Mood and Anxiety Program.

Mr. Zeuner provides Career Counselling services, which includes supporting client’s returning to,... Read More

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