The BRIA Team

Dr. Ariel Dalfen is a psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience treating women at all life stages: from fertility, through the perinatal period, to the menopause population. She co-founded BRIA after leading Ontario's largest hospital-based perinatal mental health program for 12 years and starting the first-of-its-kind Perinatal Mental Health Telemedicine Program in Canada in 2014.

Dr. Dalfen has published articles in medical journals, often based on her research interests of using technology to improve women’s mental healthcare. She is the author of the book “When Baby Brings the Blues; Solutions for Postpartum Depression,” which is used by healthcare providers and the public. Dr. Dalfen is a frequent speaker to public and academic audiences, and often appears in the popular media to discuss women’s health and mental health topics. Dr. Ariel is a member of the Board of Directors of Fertility Matters Canada.

Dr. Ariel is dedicated to improving awareness about women’s mental health issues and educating other healthcare providers and the public.

Ariel is licensed in ON.

Dr. Bev Young is a psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience in women’s mental health care. She also has subspecialty training in adolescent psychiatry.

Before co-founding BRIA, Dr. Young developed and led two of the largest perinatal psychiatry programs in Ontario: the Reproductive Life Stages Program at Women’s College Hospital and the Perinatal Mental Health Program at Mount Sinai Hospital. She is a pioneer in telemedicine and has been using virtual care to treat patients across Ontario since 2014. She is also one of the few Canadian psychiatrists who specializes in perimenopause/menopause mental health, and is a member of the Ontario Menopause Quality Standard Advisory Committee.

As a leader in her field, she is relentlessly dedicated to improving access to high quality women's mental health care, and has trained many other women's mental health psychiatrists across Canada.

Bev is licensed in ON. 

Dr. Lauren Uslinov is a psychiatrist with extensive experience treating women across the reproductive lifespan in a variety of clinical settings, both urban and rural, from hospitals to private clinics. She completed her residency in Psychiatry at the Hennepin-Regions Psychiatry Training Program in Minnesota.

Dr. Uslinov is a fellow of the Royal College of Physician and Surgeons of Canada and a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and has practiced in Minnesota and New York before relocating to Ontario. She has additional training in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, and she uses this training and knowledge in her approach to patient assessment and treatment.

She is passionate about helping women of all ages access the information and resources they need to feel empowered to take on the joys and challenges that each stage of life brings.

Lauren is licensed in ON and Minnesota.

Sonia Taylor is an experienced Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of expertise in women’s healthcare.

After earning her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing, she became licensed as a Registered Nurse in the Extended Class (Nurse Practitioner) with the College of Nurses of Ontario. Sonia is also a certified menopause practitioner through the North American Menopause Society. She has delivered care in Labour and Delivery, Women’s Gynecology/Oncology, Neonatal ICU, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, and Primary/Community Care, with additional expertise in the assessment and treatment of peri/menopause symptoms, ADHD, and mental health concerns.

Sonia is committed to empowering women to take charge of their health at all stages of life.

Sonia is licensed in ON. 

Tara MacLeod is a Primary Care and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience.

She provides comprehensive, evidence-based care with a clinical focus on ADHD care, women’s health, menopause support, and integrated mental health care. Tara offers support for anxiety, mood concerns, chronic disease management, preventive health, and women’s health across the lifespan. Her ADHD practice emphasizes diagnostic clarity, effective management, and coordination with other healthcare professionals.

Tara is the recipient of the Patient Choice Award from the Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario, recognizing her commitment to patient-centred, high-quality care.

Tara is licensed in ON and BC. 

Christina Yager is a Registered Social Worker with over 16 years of experience.

After earning a Master’s of Social Work, Christina spent 15 years at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) working in the Addictions Program and Adult Gender Identity Clinic, predominantly supporting 2SLGBTQ+ communities. She helps clients navigate depression, anxiety, substance use, and life transitions related to careers, relationships, and identity. She also supports those in perimenopause as a BRIA Certified Menopause Mental Health Provider. Christina uses various therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Structured Relapse Prevention (SRP).

Christina identifies as a gay woman and a parent of two children, and welcomes clients for whom shared identity is important in a therapeutic relationship.

Christina is licensed in ON.

Michelle Amato is a Registered Nurse, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, and BRIA Certified Menopause Mental Health Provider with more than 25 years of experience working in women’s healthcare.

Her experience includes supporting families through labour and delivery, perinatal loss and grief, postpartum care and lactation. She is also an expert Behavioural Activation (BA) therapist for pregnant and postpartum individuals and women in midlife with anxiety and depression.

Michelle is passionate about helping individuals across all reproductive life stages gain timely access to the most appropriate mental health treatments and services. Michelle is BRIA's Care Coordinator Manager, ensuring clients obtain the most appropriate services for their needs.

Michelle is licensed in ON. 

Aery Ng is a Registered Social Worker with over 10 years of experience in both clinical and community settings.

While working with a Family Health Team, she treated individuals of all ages with a special interest in couples and families with adult children. She integrates Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) in her practice. Since becoming a mother, Aery has focused on supporting individuals with perinatal mental health challenges, new parents, and those navigating intergenerational trauma. Known for her warmth and curiosity, she approaches therapy as a collaborative process.

She believes her clients are the experts of their own experiences and is committed to helping them explore, process, and grow through challenges.

Aery is licensed in ON.

Alana Jackson is a Registered Social Worker and therapist with over 20 years of experience working with women, children, and their families across many healthcare settings.

She is also a BRIA Certified Menopause Mental Health Provider. Alana uses various interventions, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness Meditation, to support people at every stage, including fertility, pregnancy loss, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause.

She also has expertise supporting women with challenging partner, child or family relationships that are impacting mental health and well-being.

Alana is licensed in ON. 

Allison Goldfield is a Registered Psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience helping individuals of all ages and stages.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Masters of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology. Allison’s practice draws from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), Narrative Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), and experiential techniques to help clients navigate anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, parenting struggles, ADHD, neurodivergence, identity and self-esteem concerns, and work-life balance. As a BRIA Certified Menopause Mental Health Provider, Allison also supports individuals through menopause with compassion and practical strategies.

Allison is committed to helping her clients create meaningful changes and empowering them to navigate difficult emotions and build healthier, more fulfilling relationships.

Allison is licensed in ON but can offer therapy across Canada. 

Amanda Honigsberg is a Registered Social Worker with over 20 years of experience helping individuals navigate challenging and unpredictable life events, including relationship struggles, grief, loss, major life changes, anxiety, and anger.

Amanda uses techniques from a range of modalities, including elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and Trauma and Attachment-Focused Adult Psychotherapy.

In particular, Amanda’s passion is to help people process pain, heal emotional wounds, and learn how the experience of loss can be a powerful catalyst for change and opportunity for growth.

Amanda is licensed in ON. 

Amanda VanDenBrock is a Registered Psychotherapist offering specialized support in Sex Therapy for individuals and couples across reproductive life stages, from trying to conceive to post-menopausal.

Using a trauma-informed lens, her practice emphasizes personal agency, inclusivity, equality, and respect for all clients, including 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and couples in either closed or open relationships. As a BRIA-certified Menopause Mental Health provider, Amanda is particularly dedicated to menopause awareness and support, offering practical strategies for the emotional, relational, sexual, and psychological challenges in midlife.

She also draws on a 22-year career in the music industry to support those in creative professions. Informed by mindfulness, family systems, relational, and narrative approaches, Amanda is passionate about supporting clients in cultivating self-awareness, resilience, and overall well-being.

Amanda is licensed in ON. 

Anuschka Naidoo is a Registered Psychotherapist. She has a Master’s in Counselling Psychology and over 10 years of experience in the mental health field in various sectors, including the non-profit sector, private practice, and post-secondary environments.

She has experience with individual, couples, and group therapy. Her practice centers an intersectional-feminist, trauma-informed, and anti-racist lens in order to provide inclusive therapy to women across their lifespan, and she is also a BRIA Certified Menopause Mental Health Provider. Through the use of various techniques, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness-Based Approaches, and Self-Compassion, Anuschka supports clients as they navigate major life transitions that can bring on experiences of anxiety, low-mood, trauma, loneliness, isolation, and burnout.

Anuschka is licensed in ON but can offer therapy across Canada. 

Bridgit Ganson is a Registered Social Worker with a Bachelors of Science in Human Development; Children, Families, and Culture in Mental Health Counselling and a Master’s in Mental Health Counselling.

She works with clients who are trying to conceive, pregnant, postpartum and in early parenthood as well as in perimenopause. Bridgit has been trained in perinatal mood disorders and is also a BRIA Certified Menopause Mental Health Provider. Bridgit uses a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach. Her work is grounded in Person-Centered Therapy and she employs modalities including: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness.

Bridgit’s support extends beyond hetero and cis-normative boundaries, providing a space for all, including 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.

Bridgit is licensed in ON. 

Chizor Vasquez is a Registered Social Worker with over 10 years of counselling experience.

She is originally from the UK and holds a Master of Social Work and an LLB. As an Ontario Adoption Practitioner in Mentorship, she is trained in SAFE and PRIDE, and certified in the Circle of Security Attachment Parenting Program. She treats women across all ages and stages, and is a BRIA Certified Menopause Mental Health Provider. Chizor provides compassionate, culturally sensitive support to women and their supporting partners through conception, fertility treatments, pregnancy, postpartum, parenting, fostering, and adoption.

Using an attachment-based and cognitive behavioural approach, she values the therapeutic relationship and creates a safe space that fosters healing, resilience, and growth.

Chizor is licensed in ON, BC, and the UK.

Christina Yager is a Registered Social Worker with over 16 years of experience.

After earning a Master’s of Social Work, Christina spent 15 years at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) working in the Addictions Program and Adult Gender Identity Clinic, predominantly supporting 2SLGBTQ+ communities. She helps clients navigate depression, anxiety, substance use, and life transitions related to careers, relationships, and identity. She also supports those in perimenopause as a BRIA Certified Menopause Mental Health Provider. Christina uses various therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Structured Relapse Prevention (SRP).

Christina identifies as a gay woman and a parent of two children, and welcomes clients for whom shared identity is important in a therapeutic relationship.

Christina is licensed in ON.

Deanna Kiley is a Registered Social Worker specializing in reproductive health.

Her areas of focus include infertility, perinatal loss and grief, third party reproduction counselling, pregnancy/postpartum anxiety, individual counselling, and couples counselling. She is a member of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) and supports those with reproductive health issues who are experiencing both female and male factor infertility. Deanna integrates theory and techniques from Mindfulness, Narrative, and Cognitive Behavioural (CBT) therapies, and she is a BRIA Certified Menopause Mental Health Provider.

Special interests include women coping with medical issues, fertility preservation/egg freezing, donor conception, surrogacy, end of fertility treatment decisions, chronic illness, and the menopause transition. Deanna combines deep experience with compassion to help those in vulnerable life stages.

She is licensed in ON, AB, and BC.

Emma Rinaldo is a Registered Social Worker specializing in therapy for individuals managing acute or chronic health conditions from reproductive health challenges or cancer-related impacts.

She has worked at the Neuro-Oncology Program and Family Therapy Training Program at SickKids Hospital, and the Peter Gilgan Centre for Women’s Cancers at Women’s College Hospital. Emma supports clients through illness transitions, treatment side effects including surgical and cancer-related menopause, medical/health-related trauma, grief/loss, sexual function/identity changes, fertility decision-making, pregnancy, postpartum, and the menopause transition.

Emma is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. She works collaboratively with clients to build resilience and create meaningful change aligned with their values.

She is licensed in ON and NS.

Heather Ibbott is a Registered Social Worker with over 25 years of experience in healthcare, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), and mental health settings.

She provides individual therapy that is warm, practical, collaborative, and trauma-informed, across all life stages. She uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI), while integrating narrative and mindfulness practices to build resilience, insight, and emotional balance. Heather works with adults experiencing depression, anxiety, life transitions, stress, menopause, bereavement and grief, reproductive loss, and burnout—including caregiver burnout.

She also has specialized training in occupational burnout and occupational trauma, with a particular commitment to supporting first responders, teachers, healthcare providers, and other helping professionals.

Heather is licensed in ON and NB.

Jess White is a Registered Psychotherapist with a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) and over 20 years of experience in education and sleep, specializing in sleep disruptions, emotional overwhelm, alcohol use, and life transitions.

She has advanced training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i), foundation training in the Comprehensive Resource Model (CRM), and a certificate in Maternal Mental Health. Jess speaks to perinatal groups and organizations across Ontario on infant sleep foundations, healthy family sleep habits, and overcoming sleep challenges. She has led CBT-i support groups across life stages and is BRIA’s MMHPC sleep educator. Her approach is trauma-informed, collaborative, and grounded in relational psychotherapy, drawing on the neurobiology of trauma and attachment, parts work, somatic resourcing, and mindfulness.

Jess is licensed in ON.

Karen Phinney is a Registered Social Worker with over 20 years of perinatal experience. Her areas of expertise include fertility, interrupted pregnancy, premature delivery, birth trauma, postpartum adjustment, and grief/bereavement.

Blending Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Compassion with Trauma-Informed/Sensitive, Strengths-Based, and Solution-Focused approaches, Karen addresses anxiety, depression, grief/loss, identity shifts, life transitions, and changing family dynamics. She provides individual therapy, supporting partners therapy, and couples therapy across life stages, and is a BRIA Certified Menopause Mental Health Provider.

Karen empowers women to build on their strengths, explore their values and lived experiences to find deeper meaning and purpose, and ultimately move toward greater relief, connection, and joy.

Karen is licensed in ON.

Lauren Rose is a Registered Dietitian with over 30 years of experience in ambulatory care.

Lauren specializes in nutrition education, counseling, and support coaching, with a primary focus on behaviour change strategies towards achieving health goals. Her focus areas include women's health, disordered eating counseling, mindful eating education, and weight management. She teaches all ages and stages, from prenatal nutrition as a facilitator for the Prenatal Care and Feeding Babies Program, to menopause nutrition as BRIA’s MMHPC dietitian specialist.

She holds a cross-appointment with the University of Toronto, serves as an Interprofessional Health Provider Advocate for the Department of Family and Community Medicine, and has shared her expertise across media outlets including The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, CBC, Global TV, and more.

She is licensed in ON.

Michelle Amato is a Registered Nurse, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, and BRIA Certified Menopause Mental Health Provider with more than 25 years of experience working in women’s healthcare.

Her experience includes supporting families through labour and delivery, perinatal loss and grief, postpartum care and lactation. She is also an expert Behavioural Activation (BA) therapist for pregnant and postpartum individuals and women in midlife with anxiety and depression.

Michelle is passionate about helping individuals across all reproductive life stages gain timely access to the most appropriate mental health treatments and services. Michelle is BRIA's Care Coordinator Manager, ensuring clients obtain the most appropriate services for their needs.

Michelle is licensed in ON. 

Nakema McManamna is a Registered Social Worker, passionate about supporting people throughout their reproductive mental health journey.

She has extensive experience advocating for the needs of children, youth and their families engaged in the child welfare and youth justice systems as well as a background in community development. Nakema’s approach is grounded in collaborative relational and interpersonal psychotherapy. She draws on multiple modalities, including elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-based Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and anti-oppressive practice.

Nakema’s clinical areas of focus include pregnancy planning, infertility, loss and grief, labour and delivery, perinatal mood changes, and post-partum transitions.

She is licensed in ON.

Nicole Schroeder is a Registered Social Worker with the College of Social Workers in Ontario (OCSWSSW).

She obtained her Bachelor of Social Work from University of Victoria, and her Masters of Social Work from University of Toronto. She has also completed post-graduate training in Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and Sex Therapy for individuals and couples. Nicole’s desire to help women with their sexual health stems from years of working in an outpatient gynaecology clinic at an academic centre and in private practice. She is a frequent speaker and panelist educating groups across Ontario, and teaches menopause sexual health changes in BRIA’s MMHPC training program.

In her clinical role at BRIA, she has a focus on sex therapy consultation and treatment for individuals in perimenopause.

She is licensed in ON.

Sari Shaicovitch is a Registered Social Worker with over 25 years of experience specializing in anxiety, depression, infertility, and reproductive loss.

She holds degrees in Psychology and Social Work, a graduate degree in Educational Counseling Psychology and Special Education, and has extensive training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Infertility Counseling. Sari is a member of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) and the Canadian Counseling and Special Interest Group, and is a BRIA Certified Menopause Mental Health Provider. Working with individuals and couples, Sari draws on CBT, Brief Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and Assertiveness and Social Skills Training to help clients set realistic goals for change.

She consults with various women’s groups and fertility clinics, and has been featured in the Huffington Post, Reader's Digest, and Rogers Daytime. Sari has three daughters, all of whom were conceived via fertility treatments.

She is licensed in ON. 

Sharon Lorber is a Registered Social Worker with over 20 years of experience supporting clients with mental health concerns across reproductive life stages.

Using a strengths-based, attachment-focused and trauma-informed approach, she specializes in helping clients navigate trauma, anxiety, depression, loss, and life transitions. Sharon draws from a variety of modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and Mindfulness-based practices. Sharon has been recognized for her clinical practice, teaching skills and her contribution to research at SickKids Hospital where she has worked for the past 18 years.

At BRIA, she provides therapy to all ages and stages, from adolescence to menopause, and is a BRIA Certified Menopause Mental Health Provider.

She is licensed in ON.

Tanya Browne is a Registered Social Worker with over 25 years of experience. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree and a Master of Social Work degree.

Tanya works with individuals and couples struggling with eating disorders, body image issues, anxiety, relationship issues, self-esteem, PTSD, mood, and substance use, and is a BRIA certified Menopause Mental Health Provider. She uses Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) with her patients to help them reach their goals by challenging unhelpful thinking patterns and building more adaptable coping skills.

With specialized training in The Gottman Method, Tanya supports couples in building connection and managing conflict. Tanya works collaboratively to create a safe, non-judgmental space so clients can reach their full potential.

She is licensed in ON.