Ms. Josée Labonté, M.A., C. Psych. Assoc.
Josée has worked as a Psychoeducational Consultant in both school boards and private settings and has a strong knowledge of issues surrounding education, learning, and behavior. Ms. Labonté attended full-time French schools in Ontario for elementary and secondary school, and first completed a Master of Arts Degree in Human Development than a Master of Arts Degree in Applied Psychology. In addition to assessments, Ms. Labonté also has experience working with children presenting self-regulation issues and teaching antecedent interventions as well as a methodology for collaboratively resolving conflict with parents and teachers. Within the practice, she completes psychoeducational assessments and provides individual and family therapy.
Dr. Stephanie Lavoie, C.Psych, Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist
Dr. Lavoie is registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She provides both assessments and treatment for children and adolescents with ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety, mood disorders, emotion dysregulation, and behavioral concerns. She uses a cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and emotion-focused approach to treatment. Dr. Lavoie attained her Ph.D. from York University in the Clinical-Developmental Psychology program. She works at McMaster Children’s Hospital and has previous experience in community mental health agencies. She is also a member of the McMaster Autism Research Team.
Dr. Joshua Wyman, Ph.D., C. Psych., Clinical and School Psychologist
Dr. Wyman has worked as a school psychologist intern in school, hospital, and private clinic settings in Montreal and Pittsburgh. He recently completed his Ph.D. in School and Applied Child Psychology at McGill University in the summer of 2019 and completed the requirements to become registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario in June 2021. Dr. Wyman has completed a wide range of psychoeducational, neuropsychological, and mental health assessments with children, teens, and young adults who presented with learning problems, social-emotional and behavior difficulties, ADHD, Autism, Intellectual Disabilities, and other Developmental Disabilities. He also has therapy, coaching, teaching, and crisis intervention experience with these populations.
Dr. Debbie Nifakis, Ph.D., C. Psych., Clinical and Counselling Psychologist
Dr. Debbie Nifakis is a Registered Psychologist in Ontario who has worked at various University counseling services over the past thirty-five years. Currently, she is the Associate Director of Counselling at the Student Wellness Centre at McMaster University. She has been on the counseling staff for thirty years and the Associate Director for the past 15 years. She has worked in Private Practice and served as a Regional Psychologist for the RCMP. She has been a clinical supervisor for numerous registrants to the College of Psychologists of Ontario. Dr. Nifakis provides psychotherapy for a wide range of clinical issues and is trained in various evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Acceptance, and Commitment Therapy.
Dr. Marina Dupasquier, Ph.D., School and Applied Child Psychology
Dr. Dupasquier has diverse experience assessing and treating children and youth with complex and co-occurring mental health and developmental disorders such as ASD, ADHD, LD, intellectual developmental disorders, trauma and attachment difficulties, FASD, mood and anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. Additionally, she has training and experience in working with youth exploring their gender identity. She has worked within school boards, hospital settings, in private practice, and is also currently employed in community mental health. Her doctorate is from McGill University in School and Applied Child Psychology. Dr. Dupasquier’s approach to intervention is eclectic, drawing from CBT, DBT, EFT, attachment, and trauma-informed evidence-based practices depending upon the person’s circumstances. Her assessments are thorough, exploring the strengths and needs of an individual and the environmental factors that may be influencing their well-being and optimal functioning.
Ms. Laura Hulak, B.A. Psych.
Laura obtained her B. An in Psychology from the University of Guelph and her Bachelor of Education from Western University. She is currently completing the requirements of her Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology at the Adler Institute. She has worked for 16 years as an elementary teacher, primarily in the role of a Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT). Laura has a great deal of experience working with children and youth with a variety of cognitive profiles and learning needs. She is also very interested in promoting mental health initiatives within the school system. Within this practice, she completes psychoeducational and Autism assessments in English and French.
Ms. Alyssa Mueller, B.Sc., M.A., School and Applied Psychology
Alyssa obtained her Masters of Arts in School and Applied Child Psychology from Western University. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in the School and Applied Child Psychology program at Western University. Alyssa has a large amount of experience working with children and youth with a variety of learning and social-emotional needs. Within this practice, she completes psychoeducational assessments, socioemotional and Autism assessments with chidlren, youth and adults.
Ms. Meagan Koufis, M.A., Counselling Psychology
Meagan obtained her M.A. in Counselling Psychology from Western University. Meagan has experience providing psychoeducational assessments for children and adolescents. She has worked closely with individuals with various learning, socioemotional, and neurological profiles. Meagan also provides evidence-based psychotherapy for a wide range of clinical issues for children, youth and adults. She primarily utilizes Cognitive Behavioural and Emotion-Focused therapy modalities.
Ms. Dorothy Moffatt, M.Ed., School and Applied Child Psychology
Dorothy obtained her M.Ed in School and Applied Child Psychology with the University of Calgary. She has considerable experience with children, having grown up in a family of 12 children that also provided foster care for over 100 other children. She maintains the role of Student Emotional Support Counsellor at a local private school and has also gained several years of experience providing assessment and feedback for families of children with brain injuries. In the practice she completes psychoeducational assessments as well as socio-emotional and Autism assessments.
Mr. Randal David, Ph.D., School and Applied Psychology
Randal has experience working with children and youth in school and other clinical settings. He completed his PhD in School and Applied Child Psychology at Western University in Fall 2019 (will formally receive diploma in Winter 2020). Randal has completed a range of psychoeducational assessments for children and adolescents who have presented with various learning and socioemotional challenges. He also has completed assessments for children and families involved in family court and youth involved within the justice system. Randal also has therapy experience for children and youth who present with issues around anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, and concerns around parental separation and exposure to domestic violence. He uses an eclectic approach depending on the client's needs by drawing upon cognitive behavioural, attachment, narrative, and trauma-informed based practices. Currently, he completes psychoeducational assessments under the supervision of Dr. Sala.
Ms. Jennifer Mullen, M.Sc. Clinical Psychology
Jennifer obtained her M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology from Western University. Jennifer has a range of experience working with children and youth in both research and clinical settings, and is passionate about helping identify the specific strengths and needs of each individual. Within this practice, she completes psycho-educational assessments.
Ms. Candace Walkes, B.A. Psychology, Certificate in Essential French
Candace obtained her Bachelors of Psychology at McMaster University. During the pandemic she started two businesses and still runs them today. In addition to working here at Dr. Sala and Associates, Candace has volunteered at St. Joseph's Healthcare in the mental health ward, which gave her experience working with individuals with a variety of mental illnesses, including mood disorders, schizophrenia and more. Candace took French throughout university and has been self-taught since then. She continues to work towards fluency in French. Candace plans to pursue her Master’s in Clinical Psychology. Within the practice, she assists with administrative duties and is being trained to complete psychoeducational assessments.
Ms. Ivy Ekeme-Maya, B.A. Psychology
Ivy obtained her bilingual B.A in Psychology from the University of York at the Glendon campus. She has worked as a supply teacher in the Conseil Scolaire Viamonde French school board where she gained a great amount of experience working with children and adolescents with a variety of learning, attentional and social-emotional needs. Ivy is making plans to return to graduate school to obtain her Master’s in the field of clinical psychology and continuing to pursue a PhD. Within the practice, she assists with administrative duties and is being trained to complete psychoeducational assessments.
Ms. Alexandra Bazinet, M.A., Applied Psychology
Alexandra obtained her M.A. in Applied Psychology from Laurentian University. She has experience providing neuropsychological assessments with children, adolescents, and adults and psychoeducational assessments with children and adolescents, including Indigenous populations. Within this practice, she completes psychoeducational assessments in English and French.
Ms. Michelle Dureault-Lapointe, S.S.W, Office Manager/Coach
Michelle is our Office Manager/Coach. Ms. Lapointe keeps the office running smoothly and ensures that the process from initial phone calls to booking appointments is a pleasant and efficient experience. In addition to her administrative duties, Ms. Lapointe assists Dr. Sala with traveling to schools to help children apply techniques they have learned in therapy. Ms. Lapointe has an S.S.W. Diploma from Sheridan College as well as a Business Administration Diploma.
