Sedona Counselling Centre Director
Psychotherapist, Couple and Family Therapist

Vikki Stark has been a psychotherapist, marriage and family therapist, educator, media personality and author for over thirty years. She is the author of three books: My Sister, My Self, Runaway Husbands and The Divorce Talk: How to Tell the Kids. She edited Planet Heartbreak: Abandoned Wives Tell Their Stories. She writes a blog for Psychology Today called Schlepping Through Heartbreak.

Intake Coordinator and Administration

Michele is responsible for new client intake and any client concerns. She takes pride in providing a welcoming and efficient experience for our clients, while ensuring full confidentiality. She also maintains the website and manages administrative tasks.

Counsellor

Anthony Berger is an individual counsellor who works with both adolescents and adults with substance use, mental health and relationship issues. He believes that safety, trust, and compassion are essential elements in forming meaningful change in one’s life. His clinical approach is integrative (Cognitive behavioural, solution focused, & client centered) in order to ensure meeting the diverse needs of his clients.

Psychotherapist

Rhona Bezonsky treats adolescents and adults who have some difficulties recovering their former sense of well-being after experiencing setbacks or trauma. She also helps clients unlock creative potential and explore self-actualization. Rhona uses EMDR, dream work, Gestalt and CBT techniques, behavioural activation and communication strategies. She has more than 30 years of experience supervising students and interns in mental health and family agency settings as well as providing direct service. Rhona has presented at The Canadian Academy of Child Psychiatry and at the McGill University Health Centre. She has authored and co-authored articles and manuals and worked on a film and study guide. She works with individuals, families and groups.

Psychotherapist and Sexologist

Faranak is a psychotherapist and sexologist who works with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, chronic anger and obsessive thoughts. Emotional issues can be overwhelming, we feel unable to control the situation or hopeless that things will change, even when change is possible. Faranak helps clients recognize their hidden feelings and thoughts, and gain necessary insight about limiting patterns. She guides clients towards healing, changing and growing.

It can be uncomfortable to seek support about problems related to sexuality. Faranak has a particular expertise in sex therapy for individuals and couples in a safe, confidential, empathetic and empowering space. She treats sexual difficulties related to erection and ejaculation, sexual desire, pornography and sexual identity. She also helps clients with relationship difficulties such as jealousy, self-confidence, fear of intimacy and emotional dependency.

Psychologist and Life Coach

A registered psychologist since 1980, Joseph Douek’s interests lie in helping individuals explore their needs, communicate effectively, and find ways to walk with confidence and commitment towards greater sunshine in their life. For many years, he has been part of a multidisciplinary team helping adults with problems of substance abuse. He works in both English and French.

Joseph utilise plusieurs approches cliniques pour faciliter l’exploration des besoins de ses clients et les aider à cheminer vers une vie plus ensoleillée.

Social Worker, Psychotherapist

Joyce has more than 40 years of experience treating children, adolescents, families, couples and individuals. She has worked within the health care network at the Douglas Institute for many years and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her clinical practice.

Joyce uses a client-centered, systemic approach as well as incorporating Cognitive Behavioural Techniques (CBT) and insight-oriented elements into her practice. She treats a range of difficulties including anxiety. stress, mood problems, behavioural issues, relationship challenges and parenting skills. Her goal is to create a safe environment for clients to build coping skills and improve functioning.

Canadian Certified Counsellor, Registered Counselling Therapist-C, Certified Clinical Traumatologist and Certified Grief Counsellor

Sukanya has worked as a clinician with several psychiatric hospitals, universities, and community organizations. She is also an SDG Ambassador with United Nations. Sukanya holds a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology and has certifications in Addiction Treatment (Yale University), Psychiatry (University of Sydney), Psychological Interventions (Johns Hopkins University). Sukanya is also a Certified Clinical Traumatologist (CCTP) from Arizona Trauma Institute and Certified Grief Counsellor (CGCS).

Sukanya’s specialties include anxiety disorders, depression, couple counselling, LGBTQ+ and trauma counselling. As a polyglot, Sukanya strives to provide culturally sensitive therapy to individuals from diverse backgrounds. Sukanya uses evidence-based treatment in her clinical practice (EFT, CBT, DBT, Psychodynamic, Mindfulness). Sukanya values openness, and trust, creating a supportive environment.

Psychotherapist, Couple and Family Therapist

Allan Ptack has over 30 years of professional experience as a therapist, social worker and senior manager in the healthcare system. Trained at McGill University and the Argyle Institute of Human Relations, he works with individuals, couples and families. Allan uses a mix of therapeutic approaches that are systemic, cognitive behavioral and solution focused. As a former Paramedic, he has a particular expertise in working with First Responders and clients suffering from post-traumatic stress.

*Services disponibles en français et anglais.

Counselling Clinician, Guidance Counsellor, Naturopath

Sandra is a counselling clinician and a guidance counsellor and who works with transitions, anxiety, stress management, grief and relationship challenges. She believes that the alliance with the client and solution-oriented strategies are fundamental towards desired therapeutic goals. Her clinical approach is integrative (systemic and client-centered). For over 30 years, she has acquired various experiences working with adolescents from a diversity of multi-cultural and socio-economic contexts. She has received training in systemic grief counselling and in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). In addition, she has received training in post-betrayal trauma and with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). As a guidance counsellor, she also works with adolescents and adults who have career decision-making concerns. She can provide, when required, psychometric and vocational tests as part of the career decision-making process.

*Services disponibles en français et anglais.

Psychologist

Shelley has been working as a psychologist since 1979. She worked as a school psychologist, guidance counsellor and as an instructor of psychology at John Abbott College, Champlain College and Vanier College. She also taught and worked in New York and Cleveland.

She has been practicing psychology with teenagers, adults and middle agers. Her clients come into therapy because of depression, anxiety, spectrum disorders, burnout and addiction.

Mental Health Practioner, Life Coach & Life Style Change Specialist

Meet Earlyn, a passionate and highly qualified Mental Health Practitioner and Certified Life Coach dedicated to helping individuals become their best selves. With a wealth of experience, Earlyn specializes in RECBT, REBT, and CBT. These evidence-based approaches serve as powerful tools to help clients conquer a range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, separation anxiety, anger management, and grief. Earlyn guides clients through self-discovery, resilience-building, and emotional well-being. Her holistic approach emphasizes self-care and healthy relationships. Start your transformational journey with Earlyn today and unlock your full potential for a happier, more empowered you.

Psychologist

Dr. Arianna Yakirov is a psychologist (member of the Ordre de Psychologues), with over 20 years of experience working with individuals and couples. She focuses on helping individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, work-related challenges, and connecting to their deepest and most life-affirming goals and aspirations. Dr. Arianna uses a heart-centred, effective blend of cognitive behavioural, mindfulness-based and depth-oriented approaches. Her clients describe her as deeply compassionate, funny, engaging and highly motivating. Dr. Arianna is a graduate of Harvard University (for her Master’s degree), Tufts University (for her internship) and from the University of Massachusetts for her Ph.D.