Peter Joseph Smyth – Clinical Director of the Counselling Institute
PhD, MSW, MScEd, BAA, RSW, OACCPP(C)
Peter has almost forty years of experience and expertise in helping clients with their emotional, mental, and relationship wellness. As a Registered Social Worker, he has been engaged in the fields of mental health, psychotherapy, counselling, consultation and education. His MSW thesis, provided an effective practice-based group work intervention, focused on the amelioration of some of the social ills caused by social isolation. His six-year doctoral dissertation in counselling psychology researched the impact of narcissism on the marital relationship. Using an evidence-based humanistic approach, he has changed the lives of many people for the better. In 1987 Peter began his private practice providing relational psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families. He has built a team of seven top-notch professional clinicians and has also contributed to the formation of group treatment programs in the area of family violence and the abuse of women in intimate relationships. An accomplished author, Peter has lectured at several universities and taught at York University for 32 years. He is also a qualified practitioner of Lumina Learning (applied Jungian psychology).
Dr. Gerard Kimmons - Specialist in Child Psychiatry
MD, FRCP(C)
Trained in both Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Dr. Kimmons is a Child Psychiatrist available to see patients privately or in consultation with other clinicians at The Counselling Institute. Dr. Kimmons' particular expertise and interest are the areas of misbehavior, ADHD, and marital therapy. Dr. Kimmons has been a keynote speaker at Peel District School Board mental health events. His ability to diagnose or rule out psychiatric disorders is a valuable complement to the other mental health services offered at The Counselling Institute. If an assessment from Dr. Kimmons would be beneficial, a referral from one's family doctor is required, and Dr. Kimmons' services would then be covered under OHIP.
Nancy Violo - Registered Psychotherapist
BPHE, MEd, OACCPP
Nancy has a Master's Degree in Counselling Psychology and is a Reiki Master. For 25 years her holistic approach has helped clients to become aware of the barriers to their well-being and enhance their ability to make choices that support lasting change. She works with individuals, couples and families with a variety of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, anger management, self-esteem and grief. Nancy has a particular interest in working with couples, strengthening their ability to communicate and resolve conflict.
Cindy Goodman Stulberg - Registered Psychologist
Dip.C.S., C.Psych.
Cindy is a Psychologist who has provided psychological assessments and counselling for over thirty-five years. She and her colleague, Dr. Ronald Frey, are co-directors of the lnstitute for InterpersonaI Psychotherapy (IPT) providing training and supervision to mental health professionals in IPT, which is a time limited, evidence based, highly recommended model of therapy for depression. Cindy also offers the option online Interpersonal Psychotherapy. For more information email [email protected]
Cindy provides consultation and supervision for the therapists at The Counselling Institute.
Karin Pereira - Registered Social Worker
Karin is a social worker providing psychotherapy to adults, adolescents and couples. She has
completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Social Work, is registered
with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and is a member of the
Ontario Association of Social Workers.
With almost 25 years of experience in the social work field, Karin has developed her own
compassionate and strengths-based style of practice. She specializes in mental and emotional
health issues, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, stress, low self-esteem and
relationship problems.
Karin uses a variety of approaches in her practice including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy,
Emotionally Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills, Mindfulness techniques, and
Hypnotherapy. These models of therapy can help to bring a greater awareness of one’s own
strengths and coping skills for managing stress, improving self-esteem, beginning effective
change to maladaptive thoughts and behaviours, and building healthy connected relationships.
Karin is available at the Counselling Institute on Wednesdays and Saturdays. To schedule an
appointment with Karin, she can be reached by cell at 416-357-9939, or by email at
[email protected]. You can also contact her through her website: careintherapy.com.
Miao (Elisa) Wang, MA - Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Elisa is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with CRPO. After obtaining her Master's degree in Counselling Psychology, Elisa has been assisting teens and adults with a holistic well-being approach.
With the belief that human beings have potential to grow, Elisa provides client-centred therapy to help clients navigate their challenges, find their inner voices, and improve their quality of life.
Currently, Elisa offers psychotherapy and counselling for a variety of mental health concerns including: anxiety, depression, grief and loss, life transitions, work stress, and trauma. Elisa strives to build respectful and non-judgemental therapeutic relationships to empower clients to express themselves freely and explore new life perspectives. Based on a humanistic framework, Elisa integrates mindfulness and compassion-focused practices, and tailors techniques from Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Narrative Therapy to match clients' needs and goals.
