MEET OUR TEAM
Founder
Dr. Dawn DeCunha
Founder & Psychologist
Dawn DeCunha is a Clinical and Educational Psychologist with over three decades of experience. She earned her Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Toronto in 1991 and founded Psychology Works, a renowned community-based practice.
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Initially specializing in School Psychology, Dawn developed expertise in cognition, memory, attention, achievement, and self-regulation. Her trauma-informed clinical practice focuses on youth with acquired brain injuries, involving her in legal matters and innovative healing methods.
A personal event led her to explore psychedelic therapy, earning her postgraduate certification from the California Institute of Integral Studies. She mentors trainees and is an affiliate research scientist at CAMH, engaged in psilocybin and depression research.
Dawn provides advanced training in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) and runs one of Toronto’s first KAP clinics. She also advises public companies in the psychedelic domain, promoting safe and responsible advancements in the field.
Medical team
Mareena mathew
Medical Associate (NP)
Mareena Mathew is a Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience and expertise in assessing, diagnosing, and treating psychiatric disorders.
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Mareena Mathew is a Nurse Practitioner with expertise in psychiatry, primary care, and specialty healthcare, including delirium management, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. She has a deep interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy and evaluates the suitability of Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) for individuals seeking this treatment. Mareena completed her Nurse Practitioner diploma at the University of Toronto and her graduate studies in Nursing at Toronto Metropolitan University. She has furthered her expertise with KAP training through Breakthrough Therapies and prescriber training with a leading professional in the field.
Dr. Jacqueline kosta
Psychiatrist
Dr. Jacqueline Kosta is a Psychiatrist who graduated from medical school at the University of Ottawa in 2013
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She completed her residency training at the University of Toronto in 2018. She has worked in student health at the University of Toronto and Toronto Metropolitan University. She has also worked more extensively with those struggling with chronic pain and addictions. She has a strong interest in trauma work, in the treatment of mood and anxiety, and the assessment and treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
Our Psychedelic clinicians
Tatiana Santini
MA, RP, RCC, SEP, RRT VANCOUVER, BC
Tatiana is a trauma therapist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) with formal training in Psychedelic Assisted Therapies and Research from CIIS.
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She is skilled in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) and uses various modalities tailored to individual needs, including somatic experiencing, mindfulness-based, body-oriented, and transpersonal approaches. Specializing in trauma, addiction, psychedelic integration, and KAP, Tatiana has extensive experience leading group journeys and is actively involved in teaching, training, and mentoring emerging psychedelic psychotherapists.
RUI Tian
MA, GCPain, RP TORONTO, ON
Rui, a Registered Psychotherapist, offers psychotherapy and counseling for individuals, couples, and families in both Mandarin & Cantonese.
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With expertise in mental health, addictions, developmental disabilities, and dual diagnosis, he addresses a wide range of issues including traumatic injuries, chronic illness, parenting, relationships, and personal development.
Rui employs Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Trauma-focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Clinical Hypnosis, Emotional-Focused Therapy (EFT), and Family Systems Therapy. He emphasizes Harm Reduction, Relapse Prevention, resiliency building, and life coaching in his practice.
dr. tERRA DAFOE
Ph.D, C. Psych, TORONTO, ON
Dr. Terra is a registered clinical and counseling psychologist specializing in complex mental health, attachment, and trauma-informed care.
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Trained in attachment, mindfulness, and cognitive-based therapies, she addresses issues like trauma, psychosis, parenting, stress, anxiety, and depression. With over ten years of personal mindfulness practice, Terra integrates these techniques into her work. Her certifications include Maternal Mental Health, Attachment, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. She is dedicated to understanding psychedelic medicine’s role in mental health and aiding in integration.
Tara Jane Wodelet
Tara Jane Wodelet
MA in Counselling Psych., RP, Toronto, ON
Tara Jane is a Registered Psychotherapist specializing in areas of identity exploration and complex/relational trauma, supporting clients toward greater peace, aliveness, and authenticity.
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Prior to training in psychotherapy, Tara worked as a Registered Midwife, providing an autonomy-reclaiming alternative to the patriarchal model of traditional healthcare. She delivered babies both within hospital and home settings, recognizing the inherent wisdom of a person’s own body and psyche throughout a process of immense transformation. These skills carry with her into the field of psychedelic psychotherapy, where the scientific interweaves with the spiritual. Guiding clients into the depths of their own inner knowing, Tara supports clients to birth new ways of thinking, relating, and being. Tara is certified in Embodied Imagination (a creative body-intelligence technique originally developed for use with dreams) for psychedelic preparation and integration support, and brings an artistic lens to every facet of her personal and professional life. Healing requires courageous creativity, where we allow the self to become our most beautifully ever-unfolding work of art!
Dr. Jill Schroeder
M.Ed, C. Psych WINDSOR, ON
Dr. Jill is a Clinical Psychologist in Ontario, offering research-based psychological services to children, adolescents, and adults. She helps clients understand their patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving to achieve their full potential.
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Jill promotes an empowered approach to well-being, valuing clients as experts of their own lives. Using expanded states techniques, she guides them on a journey of self-discovery for a more meaningful and contented life. Throughout therapy, clients can expect warmth, compassion, empathy, respect, and a non-judgmental stance. Jill supports each individual with genuine regard for their unique circumstances.
Dr. Sandra L. Stewart
H.B.Sc, MA, Ph.D, C. Psych NORTH BAY, ON
Dr. Sandra Stewart, born in Toronto, Ontario, earned her B.Sc. in Neuroscience from the University of Toronto, a Master’s in Physiological Psychology from the University of Guelph, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Neuropsychology from the University of Waterloo.
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She held clinical and research positions at London Psychiatric Hospital and North Bay Psychiatric Hospital, transitioning to private practice in 2005. With over 22 academic publications, she blends research with clinical practice, focusing on trauma-related disorders in Military Veterans, First Responders, and others. Dr. Stewart also holds a Health Informatics diploma from McMaster University and offers psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Admin & Consultation team
Mukta gandhi
Office Manager (B.Ed, MA)
My name is Mukta Gandhi. I am very excited to join the Psychology Works Family as an Office Manager.
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I have 14+ years in the rehab world dealing with many aspects of business such as payroll, accounts payable, receivables, hiring, training, relationship building with MVA adjusters, WSIB adjudicators and legal teams.
I like to challenge myself with new things and learn from different experiences of those around me. I like to create a collaborative and inclusive environment that leads to efficiencies in the flow of the clinic.
Ravina Sankar
Clinic Coordinator & Consultant (H.B.Sc)
Ravina is a graduate of York University’s Specialized Honours Psychology program, where she completed her undergraduate thesis project on the relation between adverse childhood events and feelings of mattering in university students.
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She has previously served as a laboratory assistant, peer tutor, and student health ambassador at her university. Currently, Ravina is the Clinic Coordinator at BreakThrough Therapy, taking inquiries, offering client consultations, orientations, and performing psychological testing. She is excited to welcome you to BTT and support you through your healing journey.
Monica lau
RP(qualifying) (BA, MACP)
Monica is currently working towards becoming a registered psychotherapist. She enjoys working with individuals in the areas of grief, end-of-life, existential/spiritual matters, identity, trauma, life transitions and holotropic states.
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Monica blends behavioural, relational and person-centred approaches to create a safe and non-judgemental space to explore whatever you may bring. She supports clients to develop a deeper understanding of themselves that encourages clients to move through their lives with more ease and resilience.
Deepak gandhi
Music Creator & Curator
Daniel Carmichael
Video Editing & Production
Michael harding
Poet & Setting Curator
Our Values
01
Our Patient is the Core of our Work
We are aware that our patients suffer a great deal, and our work is to alleviate some, or all, of that suffering. We strive to improve our capacities for deep listening, non-interference, and expanded awareness to provide the best, most transformative experience possible for our patients.
02
Expertise
03
Integrity
04
Inclusivity
We strive to intentionally maintain a non-judgmental attitude in all our interactions to create an environment in which all individuals feel understood, welcomed and included.
05
Respect
We hold the view that there are many paths that lead us to knowing ourselves better, from indigenous and shamanic, to empirical and evidence-based, to spiritual and Gaia-based cosmologies. We respect and honour them all. All world views are welcome.