Approach
Miranda Rylance ` B.A. Hons (Psych), MSW, RSW – Owner and Psychotherapist
Dorraine Mitchell B.A. (Psych), M.S.W., R.S.W.
Dorraine is a passionate therapist with a Master of Social Work degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from York University. Dorraine consistently works from a client-centred and anti-oppressive perspective. She has spent much of her career working with children, youth, and families who have experienced various forms of trauma, and as such, approaches her practice with a trauma-informed lens.
Dorraine works eclectically, drawing from several therapy modalities in order to meet her clients’ unique needs. Her areas of expertise include working with individuals, couples, and families who have experienced mental health concerns (i.e. anxiety, depression, bi-polar disorder), family conflict, and substance misuse. In addition, Dorraine is competent in working with individuals to help regulate complex emotions and develop their self-esteem.
Dorraine is passionate about helping people and assisting them in achieving their goals. She is a strong advocate, and enjoys case management, which means she is knowledgeable about community resources (particularly within the GTA) and can help connect you to other community organizations to assist in addressing your concerns.
As a first-generation Black Woman, Dorraine is aware of various forms of systemic oppression that people from different social locations face and as such, feels that dismantling these forms of injustices through her work is crucial.
Dorraine has experience running substance misuse group therapy sessions and has found that great healing occurs within a supportive peer environment alongside others who have shared similar life experiences. It is our hope at Willow Grove Counselling Center for Transformation to begin a substance misuse group in the near future so please contact myself or Miranda if this is of interest to you.
Dorraine is a registered social worker in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and holds membership with the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).
Anastasia Adarych, Hon. B.A. (Psych.), MSW Candidate, 2022 - Mental Health Therapist Intern
Anastasia completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at York University in 2006 and is currently working on her Master of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University (graduation candidate for 2022). To complement her experience and clinical skills, she is acquiring a certificate in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy at the University of Toronto.
Anastasia identifies as a white, cis-gender female of East-European descent. She immigrated to Canada over 20 years ago and can relate to the often uncertain and overwhelming process of settling into a new country and finding her place within a new context. During this immigration process, she learned the importance of having support to navigate overwhelming and new systems.
Anastasia has over 14 years of experience working in the helping profession in various capacities, supporting individuals working through difficult situations. She has been actively involved in employment and career services, vocational rehabilitation, case management, providing individual counselling and coaching. She has served newcomers to Canada, people with physical and mental health disabilities, and youth in transition. Her experience working with people of diverse backgrounds has helped her understand the importance of reflecting on her unconscious biases around privilege, discourses of whiteness, and how these might manifest in the counselling relationship. She strives to be self-reflective and minimize the power imbalance between “service provider” and “service user.”
Compassionate by nature, Anastasia provides a non-judgemental and strengths-based environment that promotes a feeling of safety, spontaneity, and uncensored expression. She encourages self-acceptance, setting positive goals, and accessing and using inner resources and strengths through focused inquiry. Anastasia believes that her clients are the experts in their lives. Her work as a therapist entails a combination of delivering support and insight, providing perspective, teaching coping skills, and asking thought-provoking questions to help her clients live more meaningful lives. Anastasia offers a collaborative, client-centred, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed approach to counselling. She is grounded in deep love and respect for all humanity and an understanding of the healing power of nurturing relationships where people feel fully seen and accepted for who they are. To best meet her client’s unique needs, she employs an eclectic, down-to-earth approach and integrates various therapy techniques.
Anastasia is able to provide therapy in English and Russian and offers a sliding scale. Please email [email protected] to book!
Michelle Dzialakiewicz B.A. Hons (Psych), MSW, RSW
Michelle is committed to the well-being of her clients and works from a non-judgmental, client-centred, trauma-informed perspective. She helps empower individuals to overcome personal obstacles in a calm and safe space. Michelle incorporates a blend of various therapeutic approaches in her practice tailored to the unique needs of her clients such as mindfulness, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing.
Michelle has experience collaborating with individuals and families struggling with mental health concerns, stress management, conflict resolution, and addictions. She has supported individuals experiencing interpersonal violence in their relationships as well has provided crisis intervention and safety planning. She has offered support in a variety of settings including schools, youth treatment centres, as well as hospitals.
Michelle is a registered clinical social worker in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). She is also a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW). Michelle obtained an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts – Honors Specialization in Psychology degree at the University of Western Ontario and then completed her Master of Social Work degree from Wilfrid Laurier University.
In her free time, you can find Michelle either spending time with her family or exploring different places with her camera photographing wildlife and nature.