The Team
We are committed to developing and building upon your strengths, cultivating your resiliency, and empowering you to make the desired changes in your life.
Clinic Directors
Dr. Nina Mafrici, Ph.D., C.Psych
Clinic Co-Director, Psychologist
Dr. Nina Mafrici is a registered clinical psychologist who obtained her Doctoral degree from the University of Toronto. She works with adolescents and adults facing various mental health challenges, including mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, prenatal and postpartum disorders, self-harming behaviour, interpersonal difficulties, emotional dysregulation, and personality disorders.
Dr. Michele Foster, Ph.D., C.Psych
Clinic Co-Director, Psychologist
Dr. Michele Foster is a registered clinical psychologist who received her Doctoral degree from the University of Toronto. She works with adolescents and adults experiencing mental health difficulties, including mood and anxiety disorders, addictions, self-harm, disordered eating, trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and difficulty with personality functioning, relationships, and emotion regulation.
Our Team
Registered Dietitian
Samantha Goren is a Registered Dietitian with over 10 years experience in the field of nutrition and Dietetics. Samantha counsels adults and young adults with eating disorders, emotional eating and healthy lifestyle eating. Samantha graduated from the University of Western Ontario with an HBSc in Food and Nutrition. She went on to complete her dietetic internship at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.
Courtney M. Watson, M.S.W., R.S.W.
Registered Social Worker
Courtney Watson is a Registered Social Worker who received her Master’s Degree from the University of Western Ontario. She works with adolescents and adults struggling with a range of mental health difficulties including mood disorders, anxiety disorders (such as OCD, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic, phobias), trauma, disordered eating, relationship difficulties, lack of self-esteem and self confidence, perfectionism, major life transitions and loss.
Anna Francis, M.S.W., R.S.W.
TPWG Group Program Lead
Anna Francis is a Registered Social Worker with over ten years experience providing therapy to individuals and families. Anna provides evidence-based treatment to adolescents and adults with a variety of therapeutic needs including mood and anxiety disorders; trauma; self-harm and suicidal behaviours and emotional dysregulation.
Clinical Therapist
Danielle Kofler is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Clinical and Counselling Psychology program at the University of Toronto. She completed her Master’s Degree at the University of Toronto. She works with adults and adolescents who present with mental health difficulties, including anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, eating disorders, and interpersonal issues. Danielle’s therapeutic approach is integrative in nature and draws from a variety of modalities in order to best fit her client’s needs.
Dr. Samantha Fashler, Ph.D.
Clinical Therapist
Samantha Fashler completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at York University. She works with adults and adolescents with diverse mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, addictions, and eating disorders, as well as individuals struggling with physical health concerns, such as chronic pain and cancer.
Registered Social Worker,
TPWG Group Program Lead
Rebecca Smith is a Registered Social Worker who received her Master’s Degree in Social Work specializing in mental health from the University of Toronto. Rebecca works with adolescents and adults struggling with a wide variety of concerns including symptoms of anxiety and depression, emotion regulation concerns, self-injury, body image concerns, relationship concerns, and life transitions.
Registered Social Worker
Sari Goldman is a Registered Social Worker who received her Master’s Degree from Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, New York. Sari works with individuals, couples and families struggling with mental health, life transitions, marriage, parenthood, relational difficulties including communication, separation/divorce, trauma and loss. xSari’s approach to treatment focuses on self-determination and respect for the individual experience, acknowledging that the client is the expert in their own lives.
Rossella Galati, M.A., RP
Registered Psychotherapist
Rossella Galati is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Rossella received her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Adler University in Chicago, IL after completing her B.A. Honours degree in Psychology at York University. Rossella is an advocate for mental health. Her approach to care is personal, yet professional, and rooted in the fundamentals of trust, security and holistic well- being.
Michal Gilboa-Hermel is a registered counselor (OACCPP) with an M.A in clinical child psychology from Bar-Ilan University in Israel, where she was a registered clinical psychologist prior to her move to Toronto. She was also a registered clinical counselor in Vancouver, BC, while living there, and is now working towards her registration with the Ontario College of Psychologists. She works with all age groups, from adolescents to the elderly.
Shira Yufe, M.A., Ph.D. Candidate
Clinical Therapist
Shira Yufe is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Clinical Psychology program at York University, where she also received her Master’s Degree. She works with adolescents, adults, and couples who are seeking supports for mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, adaption to chronic illness, and pain management. Shira conducts comprehensive diagnostic assessments and provides evidence-based treatment recommendations.
Amanda Buckingham, M.S.W., R.S.W.
Registered Social Worker
Amanda Buckingham is a Registered Social Worker who received her Master’s Degree from the University of Toronto. She works with individuals that are experiencing a range of mental health concerns, including borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, difficulties with confidence and low self-esteem, and dissociative identity disorder. She is extensively trained in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and is passionate about supporting people towards a life worth living.
Michael B. Waxman is a Registered Social Worker who received his Master’s Degree from Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, and his Bachelors in Social Work at King’s University College at The University of Western Ontario. Michael focuses his practice on individuals in the LGBTQ2S+ Community of all genders. Michael also works with boys and men in all stages of life who are exploring their mental health. Michael has been in private practice for 12 years.
Nicole Knon, M.A.
Psychological Associate (Supervised Practice)
Nicole Knon is a Psychological Associate in supervised practice, registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She completed her Master’s Degree in clinical psychology at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa in 2011, where she worked as a Clinical Psychologist for 9 years in both private practice and within hospital settings before her move to Toronto. She worked with all age groups encountering various mental health challenges, such as mood disorders, adjustment disorders, trauma, substance use disorders, prenatal and postpartum disorders, interpersonal difficulties, self-harming behaviour, emotional dysregulation, and personality disorders.
Chante Bennett
Intake Coordinator and Office Administrator
Chante Bennett is the Intake Coordinator and Office Administrator at TPWG. She received her Honours B.A. in Kinesiology from York University and a diploma in Medical Office Administration from Seneca College. She comes with 5+ years of medical office administration experience having worked in several different clinics including the Endocrinology and Allergy Clinics at Sunnybrook Hospital, as well as the Teaching Clinic of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Chante recently graduated from the Kinesiology program at York University and hopes to pursue a professional career as an Occupational Therapist.
In her spare time, Chante enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, and being physically active. With her calming and compassionate presence, Chante is the first point of contact for our clients on their journey of recovery.
Emily Coppa
Clinical Assistant
Emily Coppa has recently completed a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Ryerson University with a minor in Philosophy and hopes to gain more experience in the field of Psychology in her time with us. Emily aspires to get her Master’s in Clinical Psychology and work professionally as a therapist for those living with eating disorders, trauma, anxiety, and personality disorders. She comes with her own lived experience with these complex topics and has worked with non-profit organizations to help spread information and awareness about eating disorders. She has volunteered for elderly and child care services, is an active supporter in eating disorder recovery groups.