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About Northern Elm

Northern Elm Assessment and Treatment offers assessments and individual, couples, and family therapy to folks residing anywhere in Ontario

About the Clinic

Our aim is to provide you with the space to feel accepted and understood in order to lead a life where you can live as your authentic self. During your time with us, you can expect to work with a team who operates from a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive lens. You are welcome and valued at Northern Elm Assessment and Treatment.

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Northern Elm Assessment & Treatment

What Do We Do?

Northern Elm Assessment & Treatment

What Do We Do?

Explore Our Proven Approach

To support our vision and best serve you, our approach to care is rooted in a strength-based, evidence-based, and collaborative model.

At Northern Elm Assessment and Treatment, we understand the importance of empowering individuals through their strengths. Our team works with you to uncover those hidden assets that can help reach your goals while supporting optimal well-being - because everyone has something special within them!

At Northern Elm, we strive to employ a comprehensive evidence-based approach to ensure that our clients receive the highest quality care possible. Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an interdisciplinary methodology that relies on the integrative use of research findings, clinical experience, and patient values and preferences in order to develop and evaluate interventions for complex problems. The team at Northern Elm is committed to providing evidence-based care through continual review of the latest research and best practices.

At Northern Elm, we prioritize building strong partnerships with our clients to ensure that they get the best possible care and support. Our approach not only includes listening intently and providing guidance and support, but also understanding your individual needs, goals, and experiences. We recognize that you are the most knowledgeable authority on your own life and strive to create an environment where you can feel safe to discuss these topics without fear of judgement.

Meet The Team

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Lynn Benrubi
Clinical Director, and
Psychological Associate

Lynn is a clinical and counselling psychological associate who specializes in providing therapy and assessment services to children, adolescents, and adults. She is a registered member with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) and the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA).

Lynn completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts (B.A., Hons.) degree in Psychology with a minor in Children’s Studies at York University before going on to complete her Master of Psychology degree (M.Psy.) at Adler. Her training further led her to work in both assessment and treatment settings supporting families with high-risk youth and individuals with Autism, intellectual and learning disabilities, social, attentional, and behavioural differences, and various levels of social-emotional functioning (such as anxiety, depression, and trauma).

Within her practice, Lynn enjoys working alongside her clients in order to support them in living a life as their authentic self.

In addition to her work with Northern Elm, Lynn is a Clinical Supervisor and Consultant with Kindercare Psychology.

He/Him
Jordan Benrubi
Psychological Associate
Authorized for Supervised Practice

Jordan is a school psychological associate authorized for supervised practice who specializes in providing assessment services to children, adolescents, and adults. He is a registered member with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) and the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA).

Jordan completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts (B.A., Hons.) degree in Psychology at Guelph University before going on to complete his Master of Psychology degree (M.Psy.) at Adler.
His training further led him to work in assessment-based settings in nonprofit and private practices, and school boards.
Jordan is passionate about working with his clients to support them in learning about and leaning into the strengths of their unique learning styles.
Jordan firmly believes that we all have what we need to succeed, and the start of success is finding how we each think, learn, and communicate.
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Atifa Seafi
Clinical Associate

Atifa utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to care and believes in incorporating equity, diversity, and inclusion as driving factors in supporting her clients. Her services are further rooted in a trauma-informed and strength-based framework. Atifa hopes that her professional and lived experience can assist others in their journey to holistic self-care and authenticity. She has experience in providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and adults experiencing neurodivergent learning styles, behavioural differences, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Atifa completed her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Windsor. Prior, she attended the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Atifa also has an Advanced Diploma as a Child and Youth Worker and a Diploma as a Medical Office Administrator. Her diverse education and work experiences have allowed her to become a multi-faceted professional who strives to make a difference in the lives of others, as well as break down barriers and assist others in reaching their full potential.

Atifa is registered with the Ontario Association of Social Workers, and she provides psychotherapeutic services in English and Farsi.

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Tanja Thani
Social Worker

Tanja is a registered social worker who completed her Master of Social Work degree at Wilfrid Laurier University and her Honours Bachelor of Science degree at University of Toronto with a Specialist in Mental Health and a Major in English. Tanja uses she/her pronouns and identifies as a brown cis woman whose Tamil parents came to Canada as refugees from Sri Lanka. She is passionate about learning and traveling. During her undergraduate degree she explored subjects like biology, chemistry, mathematics, Latin, sociology, psychology, religion, and English. She has worked with clients regarding suicide ideation, self-harm, addiction, traumatic grief such as suicide and homicide loss, anxiety, depression, trauma, divorce, parenting, ADHD, violence against women, oppression/racism/prejudice, relationship, family, and identity issues.

Tanja provides individual, couple, family, and group therapy. She has worked in many areas including counselling, child welfare, health care, not-for-profit, and community crisis services. Regardless of where she works, she practices from a trauma informed, harm reduction, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive framework using an eclectic approach. She uses a combination of the following: CBT, DBT, solution focused, narrative, emotion focused, Gestalt, somatic, and EMDR modalities in her work to best support her clients. She is registered with the OCSWSSW.

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Cassandra Teaca
Clinical Associate

Cassandra attended Guelph-Humber University and completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, before going on to complete her Masters degree in Counselling at Yorkville University. She has numerous years of experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults, experiencing behavioural, emotional, and learning differences, with a primary focus on working with neurodivergent individuals. Cassandra uses an integrative approach to care, which utilizes foundations of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) integrated with other modalities. Currently, she is a registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).

Since childhood, Cassandra has been interested in mental health and the well-being of others. She firmly believes that with the right tools and support, we are all capable of reaching our goals and living a life of authenticity.

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Caroline Marson
Social Worker

Caroline is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Windsor, and an Honors Bachelor Degree in Psychology and Childhood Studies from Western University. She also completed a post-graduate program in Psychosocial Rehabilitation in Mental Health. Her prior work experiences have allowed her to work in both hospital and school settings.

Caroline specializes in working with youth and adults experiencing mood disturbances, anxiety, self-esteem challenges, life transitions, stress, relationship challenges, and those who’ve had experiences of psychosis. Caroline's approach to care is trauma informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally sensitive. She further uses an integrative therapeutic approach, where elements of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Mindfulness are used to support clients in their emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. 

Caroline works with clients to provide a safe, open, and non-judgemental space to learn and explore more about themselves, while identifying unhelpful thought patterns, deepen self-awareness, and establish healthy coping strategies.

She/Her
Naomi Peleg
Clinical Associate

Naomi completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts (B.A., Hons.) degree in Psychology at Western University prior to completing her Master’s of Science in Clinical Psychology at the University of Victoria in 2011. She then pursued an assessment-based role in a collaborative environment, primarily working with individuals with Autism and associated neurodevelopmental disorders. Her training further led her to conduct mental-health and psychoeducational assessments to support individuals of all ages with attentional, learning, behavioural, and social-emotional differences.

Over the years, Naomi has developed a passion for uncovering and fostering each individuals’ unique strengths and differences. She enjoys working with diverse clients and supporting them in their journey to further understanding and learning about themselves.

Naomi is a Psychometrist with Northern Elm Assessment and Treatment working with the assessment team.

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Daniella Zambito
Clinical Associate

Daniella completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts (B.A., Hons.) degree majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology at Brock University. She then completed her Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology with Yorkville University. Currently, she is a registered psychotherapist (qualifying) and works in both therapeutic and assessment capacities at Northern Elm. Daniella has worked in both research and clinical settings administering, scoring, and interpreting assessment measures, as well as providing therapy to adolescents and adults experiencing neurodivergent learning styles, anxiety, depression, and grief.

Daniella developed a passion for working in the mental health field at an early age. Using a non-judgemental and client-centred approach, Daniella aims to empower individuals to recognize their strengths and provide the support needed to meet their goals.  

He/Him
Craig Healey
Clinical Associate

Craig completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts (B.A., Hons.) degree in Psychology at Brock University prior to completing his Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology at the University of Windsor in 1997.

Craig has extensive experience in an assessment role, working for many years in a multi-disciplinary Hospital setting with individuals experiencing a wide range of medical conditions as well as psychological and neuropsychological differences.  

She/Her
Desirée Crooks
Clinical Associate

Desiree is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology with Yorkville University, and a Bachelor’s Degree (Hons) in Psychology from Laurentian University. Additionally, Desiree completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Infant and Young Child Mental Health from Seneca College.

Desiree has worked with various age ranges including children, adolescents, adults, and couples. She believes that within counselling, change is deeply rooted in the therapeutic relationship. It is a collaborative process fostered by compassion, non-judgement, and unconditional positive regard. Desiree specializes in anxiety and depression, PTSD and trauma, grief and loss, self-harm and suicide ideation, relationship challenges, self-esteem, and emotion regulation. Within her practice, she draws from various therapeutic modalities to find the right fit for your needs. This includes CBT, DBT, Somatic Experiencing, Mindfulness practices, Solution Focused, Trauma informed therapy, and Gottman method (couples).   

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Josette Williams
Clinical Associate

Josette is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with a Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology. Josette brings her experience with caregiver support, workplace injuries and vocational rehabilitation, autism and behavioural studies, older adults, frail elderly and dementia, and the effects of family violence.

As a mother of three who were each challenged with ADHD, her youngest on the autism spectrum, and her varied experience, Josette is drawn to supporting adults, care providers, families with members who have special needs, adults on the autism spectrum, women facing life transitions, and individuals struggling with depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, medical or chronic trauma, and grief.

Josette strives to provide a safe and non-judgemental environment and places emphasis on the client-therapist relationship utilizing her empathy and compassion. To provide the best support, she believes in tailoring the therapeutic model to meet the client’s needs. To accomplish this, she utilizes a multi-modal approach, specifically with CBT, mindfulness, solution-focused, and narrative perspectives.

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Coming Soon
Clinical Associate

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Brianne Singer
Office Manager

Brianne is the Office Manager at Northern Elm. Within her role at the clinic, she oversees the office operations, manages clinical calendars, coordinates all aspects of therapy and coaching services, and supports clients throughout their mental health journey by being one of the first points of contact.

Brianne comes from a background in social work assisting diverse populations. Throughout her career, she has always strived for a holistic approach to care with a keynote on mental health in the York region. 
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Lisa Meucci
Office Administrator

Lisa is the Office Administrator at Northern Elm. Within her role at the clinic, she is responsible for providing administrative assistance and service coordination to support clients in their mental health journey. She works to ensure that everyone feels heard and that information is handled in a sensitive and confidential manner.

Lisa's background in criminal justice and community work has given her a unique perspective on how services are delivered and the importance of mental health. 
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Samantha Tarzi
Office Administrator

Samantha comes to Northern Elm with over 10 years of administration experience as well as a strong interest in social work. She will assist the office administration team with greeting clients, managing clinical calendars and general administrative duties.

Samantha works diligently to create a kind, welcoming and inclusive environment for all while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality and privacy.