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Yamina Abassi, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) (she/her)
Independent Contractor
Yamina will have virtual availability as of mid-September
My passion lies in supporting the development of healthy communication and connection in relationship. Working from an integrative approach I provide clients with a safe space to get to the root of their challenges in order to initiate positive change. I trust that each client has within them an innate capacity for transformation. My role as a therapist is to work collaboratively in identifying and working towards therapeutic goals that will best serve you, your well-being, and your relationships. With unwavering acceptance, compassion, and empathy I offer you a platform from which to begin this journey.
I draw from a systemic, psychodynamic, narrative, attachment, and trauma-focused lens to work with couples and families faced with various challenges including: communication, addiction and substance use, disordered eating, non-monogamy, sexual anxiety, interethnic partnership, grief and loss, and mental health issues.
I hold an undergraduate degree from the University of Lethbridge in addictions counselling, and I am currently completing a Master’s in Counselling with a specialization in couples and family therapy at Saint-Paul University. I am dedicated to being of service to others with an open heart and an attentive ear. My personal time is spent connecting with friends, being in nature, swimming, dancing, and meditating.
Yamina is currently working under the direct supervision of Shannon Lawless RP, RMFT-S. Please contact Shannon to schedule with Yamina.
Hinnab Adil, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MACP Candidate (she/her)
Clinical Intern
I believe that our body and mind have an intrinsic ability for healing but sometimes need some gentle nurturing and guidance. Providing a compassionate and safe space, my goal is to connect with and empower my clients towards well-being, personal growth, self-compassion, and healthy relationships.
I help clients who are experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, relationship concerns, and trauma, using a person-centered approach and an array of frameworks (CBT, Narrative Therapy, Gottman Couples Therapy, Attachment-focused, and Trauma-focused therapies). I strongly believe in the uniqueness of each client, in their values and ideologies, and therefore use a culturally sensitive approach to my work. I am proficient in English, Urdu, and Hindi.
Prior to joining this team, I supported individuals in varying degrees of distress or crisis, experiencing suicidal ideation, abuse/violence, mental or physical illness, bereavement, addictions, sexuality and interpersonal problems, youth-related issues, and unemployment.
I am a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and am working towards the Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) designation with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). I am completing my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. I also hold a Bachelor of Commerce in Information Technology Management from Ryerson University, and have fifteen years of corporate industry experience.
Hinnab is currently working under the direct supervision of Shannon Lawless RP, RMFT-S. Please contact Shannon to schedule with Hinnab.
Joelle Willett, MA Candidate (she/her)
Clinical Intern
I am passionate about creating a safe and open space for people to explore and address themes of importance to them. I believe everyone should have a place to discuss what is important to them in a warm, welcoming and empathetic environment, free from judgement. I have a particular interest in sex therapy and desire to cultivate this safe space for clients to discuss and explore their sexuality and sex lives freely.
I am drawn to using narrative, emotion focused, and experiential therapy approaches through a systemic lens that allows people to connect with themselves and others to discuss their story. I work from a client-centered stance that is led by curiosity – I am open to tailoring the therapeutic experience to each client and honoring their individuality.
I have experience in supporting clients facing depression, anxiety, negative thinking, low self-esteem, relationship concerns, fear of rejection and abandonment, and life transitions.
Before joining the team at SL Psychotherapy and Wellness, I completed an undergraduate degree in psychology, where I completed a thesis reviewing microaggressions faced by LGBTQ+ youth. I am in the process of completing a master's degree in Counselling and Spirituality with a focus on couples and families through Saint Paul University. In my spare time I enjoy the outdoors, spending time with friends, and dancing.
Joelle is currently working under the direct supervision of Shannon Lawless RP, RMFT-S. Please contact Shannon to schedule with Joelle.
Shannon Lawless, Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Marriage and Family Therapist-Supervisor (she/her)
Shannon's waitlist is currently closed.
I am a relationship therapist specializing in individual, couples, family and sex therapy, and maintain a private practice in Ottawa West (Kanata). In this section you can learn a little about me, my training, and my research.
Education
I hold a Bachelor degree in Psychology from the University of Ottawa, and a Master of Science degree in Couple and Family Therapy from the University of Guelph. The University of Guelph Couple and Family Therapy Training Program is a specialized therapy training degree that is one of two university-based Master's Programs in Canada. I also have had additional training to be able to specialize in Sex Therapy. I strongly believe in continuing education and regularly seek out additional training through conferences and workshops.
Additional Training
I strive to continue my education through all means available to me. Often I will seek out additional training through regular perusal of academic journals, conducting my own research, and attending workshops and conferences. Some of the notable workshops that informs my clinical work are listed below:
- Treating Complex Trauma with Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy Certification Training
- Advanced Master Program on the Treatment of Trauma
- AAMFT/OAMFT Approved Supervision course - 30 Hours and reflection paper
- Certified Yoga Instructor - Yoga Alliance
- Elliot Connie - Solution Building Couples Therapy
- Jill Freedman - Listening, witnessing and intimate relationships: Using narrative therapy in working with couples
- Best Practices in Treating Youth with Substance Use Problems
- High On Life Challenge Training – Certified group leader
- Michael Stone - Living an intimate life: exploring the existential dimension in clinical work
- Barry McCarthy - Rekindling Desire: assessment, treatment and relapse prevention of sexual dysfunction
- Esther Perel - Attachment, Intimacy and Sexuality in Individual and Couples Therapy
- Lalita Salins - Sandtray-Worldplay: An Introduction
- Bruce Perry – Neurobiology and the Traumatized Child
- Collaborative Problem Solving Training - Tier I and Tier II intensive training
- The Winds of Change Narrative Conference
- Liana Lowenstein - Creative interventions with children who have experienced sexual abuse
- Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) Training
- Integrating attachment and Narrative Approaches in the Trauma Healing Process
- Gottman Couples Therapy Level 1: A Research Based Approach
- Families Facing Addiction Workshop
- Kaethe Weingarten: Fostering Resilience in our Clients and Ourselves
- Dan Hughes: Building the Bonds of Attachment
- Intensive Sex Therapy training and Sex Attitude Reassessment (Audited again in 2021)
- ASIST Suicide Intervention Training
Professional Associations
I am affiliated with a number of professional associations. I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (registration number: 0001588) and a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist and Approved Supervisor with the Canadian Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (membership # 2017672).
I was elected as a Member of the Board of Directors for the Ontario Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and served in this role from January 2017 to December 2019.
Presentations and Research Contributions
I remain a long-standing member of the Optimal Sexual Experiences Research Team with the University of Ottawa. For more information on the research and group therapy options please see: http://www.optimalsexualexperiences.com
Kleinplatz, P.J., Paradis, N., Charest, M., Lawless, S., Neufeld, M., Neufeld, R., Pratt, D., Ménard, A.D. et al. (2018). From sexual desire discrepancies to desirable sex: Creating the optimal connection. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 44 (5), 438–449
Kleinplatz, P.J., Paradis, N., Charest, M., Lawless, S., Neufeld, M., Neufeld, R., Pratt, D., Ménard, A.D. et al. (2018). From sexual desire discrepancies to desirable sex: Creating the optimal connection. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 44 (5), 438–449
Kleinplatz, P. J., Paradis, N., Charest, M., Lawless, S., Neufeld, M., … Rosen, L. (2018). From sexual desire discrepancies to desirable sex: creating the optimal connection. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 44 (5), 438–449.
Ménard, A.D., Kleinplatz, P.J., Rosen, L., Lawless, S., Paradis, N., Campbell, M., & Huber, J. (2015). Individual and relational contributors to optimal sexual experiences in older men and women. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 30(1), 78-93.
Personal Features
When I am not providing therapy, I enjoy reading, dancing, practicing/teaching yoga and spending time with family and friends.