Carly Crawford
she/her
Registered Psychotherapist, Founder
Carly founded Carly Crawford Psychotherapy over 10 years ago (formally Find Your Voice Counselling). As of July 2020, Carly is pleased to finally be able to have a space to provide MORE care to the community. Carly is excited to introduce you to the team below. We at CCP maintain high standard of care and all of our therapists are licensed, regulated and follow their professional governing bodies code of ethics. We all provide free 15 minute consults and agree to get back to client requests in a timely manner. We work to try and work on a sliding scale to meet the needs of all clients.
Read below and learn more about our care.
For direct contact with Carly connect here:
Karthicka Suthanandan
she/her
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist
As a clinical Social Worker, I am passionate about supporting my clients in living their most joyful life. Discussing our hardships is not easy, and I appreciate that you've taken this step. I will always do my best to create a safe and compassionate space for you to share your challenges. I view our time together as an opportunity to heal, build your sense of self-compassion, and find a brighter perspective.
For more than 5 years, I have worked in the Greater Toronto Area, Peel and Hamilton communities. I initially completed my Bachelor of Social Work at McMaster in 2015, and more recently returned to school to complete my Master of Social Work at University of Toronto in 2021. I primarily operate from a Trauma-Informed lens, and have trained in Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. Most important to my work is a client-centered and strength based approach; every client is different, and meeting your needs in a comfortable way is my priority. I have primarily worked with adolescents, young adults and women in the past, however clients from all walks of life are welcome.
Approach:
During my time in the field, I've worked to build my clinical expertise and draw from different modalities so I can avoid a "one-size fits all" approach. Coming from a trauma informed and attachment based lens, I recognize that experiences and relationships in our lives have shaped us, our perspectives, and how we see the world. In my work, it is important that I learn your worldview in order for us to set goals and explore what your personal ideas of success, growth and happiness are.
Other areas of interest:
Anxiety and Depression- I enjoy working with clients (ages 14 & up) to support them in understanding and coping with feelings of anxiety and depression. Primarily using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy based tools, I hope to help clients explore how they can participate in their lives in ways that bring them happiness and fulfillment.
get in touch with Karthicka
Riti Dass
they/them
Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist
I have been working in the field since 2010, and have had over six years of experience working with a diverse population in the context of clinical practice; including youth, women, racialized individuals, 2SLGBTQ+, and people with (dis)Abilities. I initially obtained my post secondary education in bachelor of arts in Psychology (2012) from York University, additionally completing bachelor of Social Work (2015) at Dalhousie University and masters (2018) in Social Work from Ryerson University. My areas of focus have included intimate partner violence, trauma, grief and loss, body image, disordered eating, gender dysphoria, and/or other mental health concerns.
Approach:
I work from a collaborative and eclectic model that takes a position of counselling as an art and philosophical form rooted in anti-oppression. Counselling is an excavation, a deconstruction, and reconstruction of your own self; a process of ultimately returning to yourself. My role in this process is marked by accompaniment of walking along side of you- in order to bear witness to your pain- and provide you with scaffolding to facilitate your healing and management of mental health. While I have an expertise in narrative, CBT, DBT, solution-focused, and trauma-informed therapeutic modalities, I will collaborate with you to adapt an intervention that works best for you.
As a first-generation racialized immigrant, I value making meaning of and working with the intersection of culture, racialization, gender, and mental health rooted in anti-oppressive and anti-racist approach to counselling.
I have had my share of struggles with depression and anxiety, and I found solace in everyday management of mental health and healing through engagement in arts and cultural practices. I love to express and engage in my wellness through water colour, embroidery, art journaling, paper making, book binding, lippan art, origami, Bollywood dancing, Kathak, gardening, and cooking traditional Indian dishes. I want to also learn from you as to how you exist in your world and harness activities that will sustain you.
I also speak Gujarati and Hindi, and can provide counselling in those languages.
Get in touch with Riti
Zana London
she/her
Registered Social Worker/Counsellor
If you are reading my biography, you have already taken the hardest step which is making the decision to talk to a therapist. Since you are considering sharing personal information with me, it is only appropriate that I do the same.
My name is Zana London, and I am a clinical therapist. I am friendly, non-judgemental, and genuinely want to make your life better. After practicing as a pharmacist for nearly a decade, I realized that my patients were in desperate need of “talk therapy.” When I counselled them on their medications, they would often share what they needed help with the most: their emotions, relationships, and everything in between. This made my decision to pursue my Master of Social Work easy (or as easy as it can be switching careers later in life).
Given my unique training in both medicine and psychology, I provide holistic therapy using evidence-based modalities including Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and Mindfulness Informed Practices. In plain English, this means that I will use techniques based on research to empower you and give you the strength you need to conquer whatever challenges you may be going through. I specialize in supporting women that are experiencing stress, anxiety, or sadness related to relationship, career, life changes, or confidence issues. I am also passionate about supporting women during the perinatal period including fertility, pregnancy, and being a new mother. I am currently seeing clients virtually on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the daytime.
What made you want to work with CCP
Given that I have spent a considerable portion of my life in a career that was not my passion, I try to make sure that every professional decision I make is one that speaks to me and aligns with my core beliefs. Carly and her team are warm, genuine, and caring - and we all share similar values. It was the easiest professional decision I have made.
What is the most rewarding part of your job as a therapist?
Often clients will come to therapy seeking help for a particular issue, however, once we start working together we usually discover hidden emotions that are associated with a different and more deeply rooted issue. Discovering these masked primary emotions and patterns is incredibly rewarding and it is a key step in helping my clients move forward.
Approach:
This is best described from one of my clients who recently described me as a loofah, “scrubbing away surface level dirt, and digging down to the innermost layers revealing limiting beliefs and thoughts'' - this is where the magic happens.
Favourite Quote:
"Quiet the mind, and the soul will speak." — Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati
Get in touch with Zana today
Rebekah Bender
she/her
Occupational Therapist, Psychotherapist
OT Reg. (Ont.)
As an Occupational Therapist, I work with my clients to support them to engage in the activities that are meaningful to them. The term “occupation” to me means any activities that you spend your time doing or any roles you take on. From work to school, engaging in relationships, eating meals, parenting, or exploring activities that provide joy and meaning, anything that a person does is an “occupation”. In therapy, it is important for me to understand how your daily activities are impacted in order to support healing and meaningful engagement. I believe that understanding what brings meaning to your life provides an important foundation for therapy. I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies from the University of Waterloo and my Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from McMaster University. I am a current member with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario. I have clinical experience working with individuals with a variety of mental health related concerns including anxiety, stress, disordered eating, depression, and emotion regulation difficulties. I have worked with clients to discuss many topics including but not limited to returning to work, wellness at work, wellness at school, life / role transitions, building self-care and rest into daily life, and exploring new activities that promote meaning. My goal is to work with each client on their specific goals in order to promote a client-centered and strengths-based approach.
Approach: When working with clients, I strive to understand who each person is, what creates a sense of meaning in their life, and how their environments impact them. Working with clients to identify their strengths and challenges, their environmental supports (both social and physical contexts), and their meaningful activities/ roles allows us to identify specific areas to address and then create meaningful change. I have training and experience using CBT and DBT skills, and will collaborate with each client to determine an approach that is best for each person’s specific goals.
Rebekah is joining us January 2022
Michelle Cordeiro
She/her
Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and Anti-Diet Nutritionist
Michelle (she/her) is a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and Anti-Diet Nutritionist (CNP) who is passionate about rewriting the script around food and wellness. She works from an anti-diet, Health at Every Size (HAES) and weight-neutral lens.
With a background in Nutrition that stemmed from a desire to learn more about her own diagnosis of IBD, Michelle found that the way we talked about food is often inaccessible, rooted in anti-fat bias, and can encourage long-term disordered eating patterns. Because of this, Michelle works to change the fear-based narrative through approaching food from a more inclusive and empowered approach by leading with compassion to meet you where you are at.
After graduating from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition with highest honours, Michelle studied directly with Evelyn Tribole to become certified in Intuitive Eating Counselling which is the main focus of her practice. She specializes in helping folks with disordered eating, chronic dieting, body image concerns, making peace with food, emotional eating and learning to become more in tune with their hunger and fullness signals.
Working with Michelle will mean diving into the principles of Intuitive Eating as they relate to your life, so you can challenge the ingrained beliefs around food and your body in a supportive and manageable way. And the truth is: once you start making peace with food, you’ll see the immense ripple effects it has throughout the rest of your life, because it’s never *just* about food. Michelle is ready to hold space for you around the things that come up in the process.
Get in touch with Michelle today
Kate Ray
She/her
Yoga Instructor
Kate has been practicing yoga since 2000, however would roll our her mat as a way to stretch following a workout, not yet aware of the deeper benefits of this practice. Years later, this ancient practice became so much more for her, in working through issues around anxiety, the grief of losing her Father, and managing a lifelong battle with digestive issues with no medical answers or diagnosis - the healing benefits of yoga were undeniable. Following a yoga retreat in Kingston, Ontario with her husband -- an awakening occurred, and the desire to learn more, practice more, and share the unending benefits of this practice with others ignited. She found a sense of 'coming home' though the Yogashala studio in Waterdown, and under the instruction of Barb Leese she completed the 200 hour hatha yoga teacher training program. Kate has also completed her 40 hour certification in fascial yin yoga. Kates classes offer a balance of Sthira and Sukha (steadiness and ease) and aim to help the student come back home, to themselves.
Connect with Kate
Marcia
Nazartchyk (she/her)
In 2013 Marcia graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelors of Science degree, after which she decided to take two years away from her studies to focus on self-exploration and restoring both her mental and physical wellness. During this time she developed a deeper understanding about the importance of taking the time to take care of oneself, which can involve a great deal of self-reflection and working through difficult issues. It was during this period that Marcia was reminded of her passion. Marcia completed a three-year Masters of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counselling at Niagara University and is now a Registered Psychotherapist.
Marcia is motivated to take the skills and lessons she has learned both in her personal and professional life to help those that are looking to work through complicated issues by creating a safe environment to explore them in. Marcia has clinical experience working with a variety of issues and mental health related concerns including anxiety, depression, stress, relationship challenges, body image concerns, disordered eating, obsessive-compulsive disorder and emotion regulation difficulties amongst others.
Marcia works to adapt and tailor the course of treatment to each individual clients needs and goals. She utilizes various clinical interventions including cognitive behaviour therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, solution-focused therapy and strengths-based approaches, reinforced through a client-centered lens. Marcia aims to create a strong therapeutic alliance built on the foundations of authenticity, trust and respect, and strives to cultivate client wellness through compassion and empathy.
Marcia is currently on maternity leave. She will be back with us winter 2023.
Get in touch with Marcia today marcia@carlycrawfordfyvc.com
Luisa
Di lorio (she/her)
As a clinical Social Worker, I have dedicated my career to making a positive difference in the lives of others. Therapy is a supportive journey through which change and healing is always possible. You will find me to be compassionate and understanding as we work to help you navigate life’s challenges.
I have over 10 years of experience working and training in Toronto, New York City and London, England. After completing my MSW at New York University, I continued my training in several therapeutic theories including, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and most recently Couples and Family Therapy.
I enjoy helping adults of all ages, individuals and couples in managing life stressors, transitions and building resiliency. Our work together will be a supportive journey to discover and heal whatever it may be that is causing you disharmony in your life. I welcome you.
Luisa is currently on maternity leave. Luisa will be back with us February 2023.