Clinic Directors
Lyndsey Davies MSW, RSW
Co-Founder
Lyndsey Davies is a registered social worker/psychotherapist with more than 20 years experience working with individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), a history of trauma, and emotion regulation difficulties through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s (CAMH) BPD Clinic and subsequently in her private practice.
She is an expert in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), with specialized training in Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), and is a Certified PE therapist. Employing a straightforward, non-judgemental, and compassionate approach, Lyndsey is focused on helping clients understand that they can recover from trauma and live meaningful lives.
Through their work with Lyndsey, clients can expect to gain insight into the factors that have contributed to their difficulties and challenges and learn the skills necessary to develop satisfying relationships and meet their life goals.
Lyndsey is also committed to increasing knowledge and familiarity with DBT and DBT concepts in healthcare. As such, she has developed and hosted training workshops in hospital settings, forensic settings and community agencies, in addition to providing supervision and consultation.
Lyndsey is a member of the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
Shira Green MSW, RSW
Co-Founder
Shira Green is a registered social worker/psychotherapist with nearly 20 years experience treating adults in the Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) clinic at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She transitioned to private practice in 2021 where she continues to work with clients struggling with BPD and also supports those experiencing anxiety, depression, history of trauma, emotion dysregulation and interpersonal difficulties among other challenges. Shira relies heavily on Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and has extensive experience providing both group and individual therapy. Shira is a DBT- Linehan Board of Certification Certified clinician.
Shira is particularly passionate about helping people improve their quality of life by resolving trauma through Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) – sometimes in combination with DBT. Shira is a certified PE therapist and consultant.
Shira’s approach is non-judgmental, caring and collaborative. She focuses on helping clients validate their experiences while also gaining insight and learning new coping strategies in order to achieve meaningful change.
In addition to her clinical work, Shira delivers DBT trainings and provides DBT supervision. She received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Michigan and is a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
Dr. Michelle Leybman PhD., C.Psych
Co-Founder
Dr. Michelle Leybman is a clinical psychologist and a member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario. Michelle completed her PhD at McGill, where she focused her training on working with adults and adolescents with eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and borderline personality disorder. She has also trained to work with more general concerns, like low self-esteem, relationship issues, and identity issues. She has expertise in several therapies, including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and mindfulness-based therapies.
In addition to her private practice, she works at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, which allows her to focus on many areas of psychology including supervision, teaching, and, of course, therapy.
Michelle has a particular interest in helping people find compassion for themselves and feel empowered to pursue things that are important to them. She will approach therapy as a balance of helping you to learn to understand and accept yourself and your life situations, and supporting you in learning to change ways of thinking and behaving that are not working for you. Michelle works collaboratively with clients to determine the most helpful therapy for each individual. This could be structured therapy, or a more flexible therapy in which she integrates a variety of approaches. In all orientations, she strives to foster a non-judgmental atmosphere within which clients can feel both supported and challenged.
Associates
Leah Breslow MA, RP
Drawing from the principles and tools of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Leah will help you learn new skills and develop a robust toolkit personalized to you. In therapy with Leah, you will develop a stronger relationship with your thought-world and emotions so you can manage overwhelming emotions, tolerate stressful events and improve your relationship with yourself and others. Leah brings a high degree of patience and compassion to your work together. She is committed to helping you understand yourself non-judgmentally and acquire skills to reach your goals and move through life with more ease, confidence, and inner calm. Leah can help you or your loved one manage issues related to anxiety, depression, emotion dysregulation, BPD, ADHD, interpersonal relationships, addictions, LGBTQ questions and concerns, disordered eating, self-harm, and/or suicidality. Leah Breslow is a registered psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She received her Masters degree in Clinical Psychology: Applied Developmental Emphasis from the University of Guelph. Leah offers online sessions only. In addition to offering individual sessions, Leah also co-facilitates Equilibrium’s online DBT skills group for adults.
Justin Goddard MA, RP
Justin Goddard is a registered psychotherapist with experience working in the United States and Canada. Since beginning to practice in early 2014, Justin has supported hundreds of clients in making important life changes including increasing self-esteem, improving control over emotions and moods, and improving self-understanding. Justin mainly works with clients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits or diagnoses. He also has experience supporting individuals with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Justin borrows heavily from narrative, client-centred, and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) treatment traditions, integrating strengths from each to help his clients make meaningful changes to their lives. Justin’s approach is warm, genuine, and validating. His first priority is helping you feel safe, understood, and respected. To Justin, respecting you also means holding space to challenge you during those moments when you seem stuck. Justin is a member in good standing of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.
Yana Konchin, Practicum Student
Yana completed her degree in Clinical Mental Health Counselling at the Adler Professional Graduate school and previously completed her Undergraduate degree in Psychology from York University. Yana has over ten years of experience working within a Behavioral approach in a variety of therapeutic settings. She also possesses a graduate certificate in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy from Linehan institute from 2018. Yana is a big proponent of incorporating distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills into her work with individuals, couples, and families. Her primary focus with her clients is on creating a meaningful life, while also attending to the cultural and personal needs. Yana is currently completing her practicum at Equilibrium Mental Health and Wellness, focusing on Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She is working under the clinical supervision of co-Director Lyndsey Davies (MSW, RSW).
Masi Mehrabanpour, Practicum Student
Masi is currently completing his Masters in Psychology at the Adler Graduate Professional School and previously completed his Undergraduate degree in Psychology in Shiraz University. Masi also obtained a graduate certificate in Addictions and Mental Health from Durham college. Masi is currently completing his practicum at Equilibrium Mental Health and Wellness, focusing on training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Emotion Focused therapy. He is working under the supervision of Gillian Wilson, PhD C. Psych.
Masi has worked in hospital settings with people who struggle with anxiety, depression, addictions, and ADHD. He is eager to expand his knowledge and to be able to offer integrative treatment that is tailored to each client he meets.
Lara van Niekerk MA, RP
Lara van Niekerk is a Registered Psychotherapist. She completed her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University in December 2021. Lara holds a BA in Psychology from Metropolitan State University of Colorado. Her clinical experience includes providing individual weekly psychotherapy sessions supporting clients facing challenges with anxiety, depression, emotion regulation, trauma, and mental health concerns associated with brain injury and chronic pain as well as co-facilitating DBT skills groups. She utilizes her training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to provide a warm, non-judgmental, and encouraging integrative approach.
Lara's professional background includes experience in various fields such as a volunteer crisis responder for Distress Centres Greater Toronto, community-based development, research, and program evaluation in clinical trial network studies as a Research Associate with Colorado Social Research Associates. Lara brings an empathetic understanding that life experiences and life transitions, in combination with establishing a sense of who we are, can be anxiety provoking. She is passionate about working with clients towards their goals for overall wellness.
Fatima Saleem, MA, RP (Qualifying)
Fatima is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and she completed her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University in December 2022. Fatima has experience working with trauma through a Somatic and Mindfulness lens and she has worked with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, childhood trauma, life transitions, family of origin issues, and interpersonal relationships. She is currently training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and is being supervised by co-director Michelle Leybman (PhD., C.Psych.).
Fatima approaches therapy through a multicultural, trauma-informed, and queer-affirming lens where her clients are supported to feel empowered in their life. Fatima understands that the experience of occupying and navigating between different identities can be complex and takes this into account with all of her work with clients. Fatima also works hard to foster a safe, non-judgmental space for her clients where they feel respected, appreciated, and cared for.
Joshua Spring, MSW, RSW
Joshua Spring is a registered social worker who received his Masters of Social Work from the University of Toronto. He is a member in good standing with the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
Joshua has extensive experience supporting clients with borderline personality disorder, mood and anxiety disorders, a history of trauma, and substance use challenges. He has worked specifically within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, helping clients navigate sexuality, gender, and relationship issues. Joshua has particular expertise in providing dialectical behaviour therapy in individual and group settings.
Joshua believes that self-acceptance paves the way for lasting change. To nurture acceptance, he fosters a therapeutic environment that is validating, warm, nonjudgmental, and authentic. He meets clients where they are at, drawing on their strengths and working collaboratively toward their goals.
Katie Stemeroff, MSW, RSW
Katie is a registered social worker in Ontario with over 10 years of experience in community and hospital based settings working with adolescents, transitional aged youth and adults. Katie specializes in complex mental health, emotion dysregulation, addictions and treating individuals with a history of trauma. Katie has particular expertise in DBT, DBT-PTSD and Prolonged exposure. She also has training in CBT, motivational interviewing, solution focused therapy, mindfulness based approaches and facilitated numerous DBT groups. She specializes in helping to address challenges including those struggling with depression, anxiety, self esteem issues, self harm, suicidal behaviors and other various life stressors.
Katie works from a collaborative non judgmental approach yet also is direct and straightforward. She focuses on helping people develop compassion for themselves while also accepting their current life circumstances in order to elicit change. She works to create a warm, safe, and supportive environment for clients by meeting them where they are at and working together toward their therapeutic goals. In addition to private practice, she also does outpatient therapy with clients who have BPD in a Toronto hospital. Katie graduated with her masters in social work at Yeshiva university and is a member in good standing of the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
Jessica Udit MSW, RSW
Jessica Udit is a registered social worker with a Masters of Social Work from the University of Windsor. Jessica has been practicing clinical social work since 2011, and has practiced as an individual and family therapist during that time. Jessica has received extensive training in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, an attachment based family therapy model that repairs the impacts of childhood developmental trauma. Jessica also has extensive training in family systems theory, and has been trained in cognitive behavioural therapy, trauma focused CBT, and dialectical behaviour therapy. Jessica has implemented and facilitated a DBT skills group for adolescents, which she has run since 2018.
Jessica uses an eclectic approach to therapy, and draws primarily from attachment theory and systems theory when working with families, and dialectical behaviour therapy when working individually with adolescents. Jessica also uses an anti oppressive lens in her work, and is mindful of how different identities can impact mental health and treatment. Jessica is experienced working with adolescents, particularly emotionally sensitive and dysregulated adolescents who struggle with impulsive mood dependent behaviours, such as self harm, drug use, school avoidance, disordered eating, dysfunctional relationship patterns, and suicidal behaviours. Jessica is a member in good standing of the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
Rebecca Wilkes MSW, RSW
Rebecca is a registered social worker in Ontario with over 14 years of experience in health and social services. She has extensive experience in a variety of community and hospital-based settings, in rural, remote and urban centers, working with adolescents, adults and seniors.
She supports clients around various issues, such as multiple life stressors, life transitions and relationship issues including separation / divorce, complex health issues, low self-esteem, bullying, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), insomnia, anger management, chronic pain, domestic violence, mood and anxiety disorders, and borderline personality disorder.
Rebecca offers online sessions only. She works with a non-judgemental, client-centered, trauma-informed approach, and is trained in mindfulness-based practice, cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, brief solution-focused therapy, positive psychology, motivational interviewing and acceptance & commitment therapy.
Licensing Body: Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
Education: Master of Social Work (University of Waterloo)
Bachelor of Social Work (University of Windsor)
Bachelor of Arts – Honors Criminology (University of Windsor)
Gillian Wilson PhD., C.Psych
Gillian is a clinical psychologist and a member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She completed her PhD at Ryerson University. She provides evidence-based assessment and treatment for adults experiencing anxiety (e.g., social anxiety, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, agoraphobia, health anxiety, specific phobias), obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, posttraumatic stress, borderline personality disorder, emotion regulation difficulties, insomnia, relationship difficulties, and life stress/transitions. Gillian’s clinical approach is integrative, drawing primarily from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Gillian is a member of the Canadian Psychological Association, Ontario Psychological Association and the College of Psychologists of Ontario. Gillian has completed clinical training in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practice, and research contexts. She completed her predoctoral residency at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in the Borderline Personality Disorder Clinic and the Mood and Anxiety Ambulatory Services. She also completed clinical placements at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton in the Borderline Personality Disorder Service and the Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic, and St. Michael’s Hospital in the Ryerson University Psychology Training Clinic. She gained further clinical experience in the HIV Prevention Lab and the Sleep and Depression Lab at Ryerson University. Gillian flexibly incorporates change- and acceptance-based strategies into her clinical practice to meet the unique needs and goals of her clients. Her approach is client-centered, culturally-sensitive, and nested within a therapeutic alliance that emphasizes authenticity, compassion, empathic understanding, and ongoing collaboration with the client. She provides clients with the tools, resources, and insight to help alleviate their suffering, optimize their strengths, and build a life that is consistent with their values.