Hi! I’m Karisa, a Registered Psychotherapist here at Empire.

Karisa is a Registered Psychotherapist and member in good standing with OAMHP with more than 7 years of experience working with individuals and couples in private practice. During this time, she has received certification in Perinatal Mental health from Postpartum Support International to enhance her clinical skills working with perinatal concerns.

My Experience

Karisa’s 12 years of experience as a therapist is diverse, including complex trauma work with the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve, and certification in Biblical Counselling that she uses to help religious leaders integrate evidence based psychology into their faith oriented work.

Additionally, she has training in attachment trauma and the nervous system, and is currently working towards certification in IFS. She works with individuals and couples specializing in perinatal concerns, depression, anxiety, burnout, perfectionism and complex trauma.

Questions?

We’re happy to help! Call us at (905)962-2220 to talk with one of our clinic coordinators. They can answer your questions or help you book an appointment.

Thanks for considering me as your therapist. I’d love to work with you and hope we can talk soon :)

Hi! I’m Karisa, a Registered Psychotherapist here at Empire. Karisa is a Registered Psychotherap... Read More

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Cassandra works with adults, youth and children (12+), and utilizes a holistic approach that is unique to every client. She has experience helping clients work through anger, anxiety, body image, break ups, burnout, cancer and chronic illness, codependence, depression, grief, life transitions and relationship issues.

Her approach blends modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, mindfulness techniques, attachment exploration, inner child work and self compassion.

Cassandra completed her Masters of Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University, and she also has a certified in Counselling Children and Youth. She is a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, as well as the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals.

Cassandra works with adults, youth and children (12+), and utilizes a holistic approach that is u... Read More

Stone has over 1500 hours of clinical experience working with individuals and couples. He has helped people upgrade their communication skills and build a deeper connection, working through a variety of challenges like healing after an affair, sexual compulsion, and trauma.

He has over 100 hours of training in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy and has worked directly in the clinic of a seasoned EFT trainer. Additionally, Stone draws knowledge from Sex Therapy, Psychedelic Therapy, and other cutting-edge approaches in his practice, providing clients with tools needed to overcome a wide range of mental health issues.

He is a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, holds a master’s degree in Psychotherapy, certification in psychedelic assisted therapy from the Integrative Psychiatry Institute, and has completed all four levels of Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples.

Stone has over 1500 hours of clinical experience working with individuals and couples. He has hel... Read More

James is a Registered Psychotherapist and has cultivated his experience practicing over the last several years. He is a Masters Graduate from Saint Paul University studying Counselling & Spirituality. Prior to that, he graduated from Carleton University with Honours obtaining a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology.

James’ research primarily examined the link between Positive Psychology and Virginia Satir’s Transformational Systemic Therapy. His focus lies in fostering self-esteem through congruent living of personal values and a growth mindset. He aims to work with you as a team to accomplish your counselling goals and galvanize personal growth.

James is a Registered Psychotherapist and has cultivated his experience practicing over the last ... Read More

Hi! I’m Gracie - a Student Therapist here at Empire!

I am currently completing an education in Art Therapy from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute (VATI). I am very passionate about doing deep work to unlock the deep-rooted issues hidden beneath presenting concerns, and I think that art is a lovely tool to help with doing that! We don’t need to make art during every session, and you don’t need to be an artist to engage in the creative process therapeutically - all I ask is that you remain curious about yourself and open-minded to the process :)

A bit more about my educational background: I completed my BA (Honours) in Social Psychology at McMaster University, and my introductory Psychedelic Assisted Therapy certificate from ATMA Psychedelic Journey Centre. I have also completed a certification in Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) with the International Centre for Excellence in EFT, and I’m passionate about continuing my journey of learning and growth.

Hi! I’m Gracie - a Student Therapist here at Empire! I am currently completing an education in A... Read More

In addition to her experience in private practice, Ashley has worked in residential treatment centres helping individuals struggling with concurrent disorders including compulsion, Borderline Personality Disorder, and trauma.

Her focus is couples and individuals struggling with relationships concerns, anxiety of all kinds, depression, break ups, low self-esteem, compulsion, and personality disorders. She pulls from a variety of therapeutic modalities including Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Client Centered Therapy.

Ashley has post-graduate training in Emotionally Focused Therapy, and completed the Trauma and Attachment series through the Attachment and Trauma Treatment Centre for Healing. She is member of the of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and The International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy.

In addition to her experience in private practice, Ashley has worked in residential treatment cen... Read More

When processing physical/emotional trauma, mental rehabilitation is key.

Over 17 years of experience helping people manage the stress, anxiety, depression and grief that come with recovering from chronic pain, illness, and injury.

My approach involves collaborating with you to understand what may be missing or lacking in the recovery process, devising a plan to repair or nurture important connections that may be affected by your recovery.

Let’s work together to help you discover the tools and strategies you need to move forward.

When processing physical/emotional trauma, mental rehabilitation is key. Over 17 years of experi... Read More

Hi! I’m Ryan. I specialize in attachment theory, relationship issues, and couples work.

Ryan is the director of Empire Psychotherapy, founding the clinic after 8 years of work with couples. He has now been working on relationship issues for more than 15 years. His focus is attachment based relationship work with adult individuals and couples, emphasizing the connection between attachment, relationship issues, and mental health.

Memberships and Accreditations

Ryan learned about attachment and assessing adult attachment patterns directly from the founder, Dr. Patricia Crittenden. After a year of study with her, he obtained his PGc in Attachment Theory, Research, and Practice from Roehampton University in London, England.

Ryan is a member of the Ontario Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the International Association for the Study of Attachment, and the European Family Therapy Association.

Other Professional Work

Outside of his clinical work, Ryan maintains ongoing therapeutic training, conducts research on the topic of attachment strategies, and manages the development of Empire. He also co-hosts the psychology podcast “What Brings You In?”, provides consulting services for therapy clinics, and is an advocate for the integration of attachment principles into the education, healthcare, and justice systems.

Thanks for checking out my profile and considering working with me! I would love to meet with you and hope to talk to you soon :)

Hi! I’m Ryan. I specialize in attachment theory, relationship issues, and couples work. Ryan is ... Read More

Kim is a Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist who graduated with a Master of Social Work from McMaster University. She is a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and the Ontario Association of Social Workers.

Over her career, Kim has worked extensively in the areas of child welfare, mental health, youth justice and family law. She was a clinician on the panel of the Office of the Children’s Lawyer from 2002-2022, assisting families and the courts with complex issues related to separation and divorce. With more than 20 years of experience working with children, adults, couples and families, Kim sees each person’s life as a story with many chapters.

Some chapters are more difficult than others and transitioning from one to the next can be challenging. Kim is committed to partnering with clients to examine what their story has been, what it has meant for them and what they want the next chapter to be. Her approach to clinical work is an effective combination of several therapeutic approaches, drawing from Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy.

In addition to her clinical work, Kim is an experienced clinical supervisor, offering a relational model of supervision for practicing clinicians. She is also an enthusiastic and engaging educator, providing mentorship in the classroom to the next generation of social workers. Kim has a clinical supervision certificate from Smith College, Massachusetts and is a Strong Interest Inventory practitioner.

Kim is a Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist who graduated with a Master of Social Work from... Read More

Registered Psychotherapist Ionatan Stan

Ionatan has over 7000 hours of clinical experience working with individuals, couples and families. Over the years he helped clients to be more present and aware about their negative feelings and to express them in a a healthy way. He worked with couples improving their communication skills and to create and maintain a meaningful connection in their relationship. Ionatan provides an open and warm environment where the clients feel relaxed and comfortable to address a variety of personal and relational issues, such as: anxiety, depression, anger mana gement, stress from work and personal life, grief, life stages, existential concerns, self-esteem, parenting, couple and family related issues. Ionatan is a member of College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and helps his clients using techniques and exercises belonging to the following therapeutic approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotional Focus Therapy, Self-in-Relationship Psychotherapy, Narative and Solution Focused Therapy.

Ionatan Stan // Personally

I enjoy spending time with my wife and our 8 years old daughter. We go for walks in the nature, swimming, visiting new places, biking and rollerblading, day trips and camping. We also enjoy cooking, listening to music, dancing and relaxing around a camp fire when camping or in our backyard. I also enjoy time by myself going in the nature, having moments of self-reflection and stillness, reading and listening to music.

// Why Therapy?

Since my youth, it was and remains my passion to understand myself and to empower people I come in contact with, developing a harmonious relationship with themselves and with others. I see a human being as a “part” belonging to something bigger than themselves, “the whole” (e.g. family, society, univers). In my work I help my clients to establish balanced and healthy relationships with themselves and with “the whole”.

Ongoing Education & Training

Object Relationship Therapy and Self Psychology: Theori and Application Ottawa 2011

EFT Externship with Dr. Sue Johnson Ottawa 2012

Narative and Solution Focus training Family Services of Ottawa Ottawa 2015

Registered Psychotherapist Ionatan Stan Ionatan has over 7000 hours of clinical experience worki... Read More