Liz Waisberg MSW, RSW, AccFM is a registered therapist with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto. She also holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Ryerson University. Liz has achieved certification in Solution Focused Counseling and uses an eclectic client centered approach when working with clients. Liz is also an accredited family mediator with the Ontario Association for Family Mediation. As a family mediator she provides compassionate, helpful counselling, and effective conflict resolution to individuals, couples and/or families who are looking to improve their ability to address issues such as challenging life transitions, life stressors, and grief.

Liz has extensive clinical experience working in hospital-based settings since 2001. She has worked as a registered social worker in the Emergency Department and in Mental Health settings working with children, adults and families. Liz has also worked in the mental health field providing support and crisis intervention to individuals and families struggling with issues such as depression, anxiety, chronic pain and grief. Liz has worked with individuals and families to develop internal coping skills and achieve a better quality of life. She is committed to assisting and guiding individuals through the complex health care system to achieve outcomes that benefit them and their families.

Lynne Harford MSW, RSW is a registered therapist with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Glendon College-York University. Prior to her university studies, Lynne pursued a career in business and received a Marketing Administration Diploma from Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology. In 2013, Lynne achieved her designation of Art Therapist graduating with an advanced diploma in Art Therapy from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute.

Lynne has had an extensive work history in both the private and public sectors. Prior to joining The Social Work Consulting Group in 2008, she was employed at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) where she spent five years providing clinical social work services to children and their families in the Trauma Program. Throughout her career, Lynne has been an active member in the larger community participating in various committees as well as presenting at a number of community based, insurance and legal conferences. Other areas of specialization in which Lynne has focused and devoted her practice to include, acquired brain injury in children and youth, acute and chronic illness, domestic violence, separation/divorce and issues related to grief and loss. Lynne is both a therapist and advocate who is committed to enriching the lives of children and adults in the aftermath of physical and emotional trauma.

Maria Yammine MSW, RSW is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work degree from York University. She also earned her Bachelor of Science Degree with an Honours in Psychology at Mount Allison University and a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from St. Thomas University.

Maria gathered a substantial amount of experience working within the community mental health and addictions field in New Brunswick by facilitating individual and group therapy. In this role, she obtained a proficient amount of training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Motivational Interviewing, as well as maintaining a trauma-informed approach.

Maria stands by the importance of continuous clinical training and professional development. In her move to Toronto, Maria began working as a Professor of Developmental and Community Service Work.

Maria is committed to carrying out an anti-oppressive practice which recognizes the power that exists within class, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, and age.

“Advocacy, allyship, and the resiliency found within empathic connections is what led me to this field. In carrying out a critical approach to my social work practice, I believe in continuously examining the power dynamics that rest within the therapeutic alliance and its connection to greater structural issues. Emotional healing can be a long and strenuous journey, however, it can be less overwhelming alongside a nurturing and knowledgeable professional.”

Marissa Sylver MSW, RSW is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto. She also earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Western Ontario. In addition, in 2013, Marissa received her Diploma from the Canadian College of Homeopathic Medicine.

Marissa began her career at The Catholic Children’s Aid Society in 1998. She has extensive experience working with adolescents and their families. She excels at conflict resolution and crisis management. She has also developed an expertise in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Marissa joined The Social Work Consulting Group in 2015. She has attended extensive trainings and workshops in the areas of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Trauma.

Marissa has a passion for helping others and is deeply committed to the well-being of her clients. She brings a strong understanding of and respect for a collaborative approach. In addition to working with her clients from a family systems perspective, she is skilled at working with a variety of support professionals in order to promote individualized solutions aimed at facilitating positive change.

“Helping people overcome their struggle is what attracted me to social work. Watching someone evolve and regain a piece of themselves is one of the most rewarding things you can experience, not just at work but in life. I learned this first-hand, growing up with a younger brother who has special needs. I saw how much of a difference I could make helping him navigate his day to day struggles all the while nurturing his overall confidence and well-being. Knowing that my work can have such an impact is what drives me every day as a Social Worker “

Monika Khosla is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University. Over the past sixteen years, I have worked in hospital settings and have experience in the field of clinical social work providing assessments, counselling services and psychoeducation in both inpatient and outpatient service areas. I have worked exclusively with individuals and families who have sustained acquired brain injuries and have prolonged neurological conditions. I have also worked with clients with both acute and chronic health conditions in oncology and palliative care.

Using a number of social work modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Brief Solution Focused Therapy and Narrative Therapy, I have provided assessment, education and psychotherapy to assist persons with both adjustment and lifelong support issues. I provide counselling in the areas of Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma. I am also able to provide counselling in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.

“For me, social work is having  the opportunity to enhance human well-being and help people meet their basic and complex needs.”

Nazia completed both a Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from York University. She has had extensive experience working in the developmental disabilities sector and with the dual diagnosis population in various clinical and community-based settings. Prior to joining The Social Work Consulting Group in 2019, Nazia worked in the developmental sector and was deemed a Certified Assessor by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to conduct assessments for adults in Ontario’s Central East Region. Nazia also has a research publication present in an academic journal which has contributed to the topic of ethical navigation in social work practice.

As a side project, Nazia is also involved in working with a not-for-profit organization in assisting with the creation and execution of social initiatives in the community that help support vulnerable populations.

Nazia comes from a strengths-based, client-centered perspective when supporting those in need, wanting to ultimately empower individuals to re-gain self-management and determination over their lives. Nazia draws from her knowledge pertaining to Clinical Applications of Internal Family Systems, Cognitive-Behavioural therapy, Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy and Mindfulness. Nazia speaks Bengali and has connected with clients from various cultural and religious backgrounds, often providing a sense of cultural connection and understanding throughout their recovery.

“My interest in social work peaked at a young age as I became more cognizant of vulnerable populations in the community. I strongly believe that support is most influential through structural and psychoemotional practice. Social Work has allowed me to work with a multidisciplinary team while celebrating victories, big or small that come along with a client’s journey in recovery. The knowledge gained during practice has been significant in understanding human behavior and the impact that emotions have on our experiences and response to the world which has been a pleasure in helping individuals learn more about themselves while healing from traumatic experiences.”

Shannon Jaycox, MSW, RSW is a Registered Social worker with a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto. She also received a certificate in the Collaborative Addiction Studies Program from the University of Toronto. Shannon earned her Bachelor of Arts and Science degree from Florida State University, where she completed research focused on anxiety disorders.

Shannon has extensive clinical experience working with socioculturally diverse populations in hospital and community-based settings. Since joining The Social Work Consulting Group in 2017 she has been providing counselling to individuals and their families who face mood and anxiety disorders, severe and concurrent mental health issues, addiction, trauma and acquired brain injury. In addition, Shannon supports paediatric and adolescent clients throughout their formative years. She draws from a broad range of modalities including cognitive-behavioural therapy, strengths-based approach and mindfulness to provide support to individuals facing a variety of challenges.

Shannon strives to create a supportive environment by focusing on her therapeutic relationship with clients and collaborating to work towards clients’ goals to improve their quality of life.

“Suffering is a universal part of the human experience and being a Social Worker gives me the unique opportunity to support people during their most challenging times. With a little kindness and compassion, people can start to recognize and actualize the immense resiliency within ourselves. I consider myself lucky to be in the business of empowerment!”

Wendy Gage MSW, RSW is a registered social worker with a Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Toronto. She received her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Western Ontario with a focus on child development.  Wendy is a certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist  (EFT) with advanced training in EFT for families, individuals and trauma.  Wendy has training in child led play therapy (Watch, Wait and Wonder) for children ages 6 months to 6 years.

Wendy joined The Social Work Consulting Group with 18 years’ experience practicing clinical social work on the Neurology Program at The Hospital for Sick Children. At Sick Kids, she developed expertise in child and family adjustment to illness, loss and trauma. Wendy has participated in research, teaching and speaking events related to pain management for headaches, managing behavior in children with neurological conditions, and long term family functioning and adjustment to children’s neurological conditions. She was invited to provide input to the provincial government on gaps in service to children with mental health conditions arising from neurological illness and injury.