Meet our Team

Joanna Williams Olsen

Joanna Williams Olsen

Clinical Director
M.ED., CLINICAL MEMBER, OSRP, REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Joanna Williams Olsen

Joanna Williams Olsen

Clinical Director
M.ED., CLINICAL MEMBER, OSRP, REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Gregory Smith

Gregory Smith

Assistant Clinical Director
R.P. (QUALIFIYING) M.A.C.P

Our Team of Therapists

Kate Higgison

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

I seek to carry cultural humility and awareness of our social world and how this intersects with your unique existence. I believe in compassionate and non-judgmental listening and in fostering genuine and meaningful therapeutic relationships with my clients. In my practice, I assist in nurturing your insight and self-compassion in a world that can be harsh, fast, and uncaring. I believe that everyone has an important story to tell and my hope is– to help you find your voice to tell your stories in your own way– and to support you in finding meaning and purpose in them. I also seek to instill the hope that you are capable of re-authoring your life and your stories. In part, this can be accomplished by reflecting on and interpreting past experiences. This work can help you connect the dots to present-day experiences and sources of distress. Furthermore, I believe in collaborating with my clients to find goals and strategies that work best for you, your personality and your unique situation.

Carolina Gama

Carolina Gama

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Carolina ‘s kind and welcoming personality aligns with her client-centred approach to therapy. She believes that unconditional acceptance is the key to building trust within the therapeutic relationship. Carolina strives to apply her core values of social justice, community-building and compassion to the therapy she provides. Through Carolina’s life experience, she has learned that there is healing power within the human connection and that everyone has the potential to live a fulfilling life. Her love for one-on-one connections and bearing witness to the journeys sought by others toward growth inspired Carolina to become a psychotherapist. She aspires to create the environment of healing and empowerment through the therapeutic bond.

Sarah-Alsaki

Sarah Alsadi

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Sarah’s passion for mental health and human rights has informed her desire to practise psychotherapy. She believes in the importance of guiding others toward living a life that is uniquely their own. As a practising psychotherapist, she strives to offer and ensure a safe and culturally sensitive space that promotes an environment for growth and understanding. With an open and compassionate approach to therapy, Sarah meets her clients where they are at to help them engage with adversity and foster lasting change.

Alina Syed

Alina Syed

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Reduced Fees Services

My approach to psychotherapy emphasizes respect, transparency, and nonjudgment. I am devoted to providing services through a culturally responsive and socially just framework, within which client strengths are highlighted without discounting hardships. I value collaboration and strive to attend to the unique needs and preferences of clients. Within the safety of a strong therapeutic alliance, my aim is to promote hope and resiliency in the process of facilitating meaningful change. 

Paulina Klasios

Paulina Klasios

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Reduced Fees Services

If you are feeling overwhelmed, lost, or are struggling to live your life to its fullest potential, I would be honoured to help you.  I promise to value the relationship with each of my clients.  Our work together will begin with establishing trust, safety, and connection.  My goal is support you in the ways that you need me.  We will explore your strengths and help you to unburden yourself of the hardships you are carrying. Your story is important and I will listen with curiosity, compassion, non-judgment, and cultural humility.  I want to understand where you’ve been, and collaboratively help you get to where you would like to be.  I understand that you might feel nervous or unsure about getting help.  As such, I will always acknowledge your courage and resilience.  I am honoured by the opportunity to get to know you.
I bring my authenticity into the therapy room along with an awareness of my intersectional identity and lived experience.  I enjoy working with diverse clients and am an LQBTQ2S+ ally.  My approach is client-centered, humanistic, trauma-informed, and experiential.  I believe that the process of working through our challenges and traumas leads to greater capacity and wisdom.  I won’t ever tell you  to “look on the bright side”.   Instead, I believe –that although the survivor’s life has been deeply changed–  it is far from over and that future joyful living is indeed possible. 

Janelle Massicotte

Janelle Massicotte

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Reduced Fees Services

I am warm and empathic.  I am also kind and open minded and will always strive to create a safe and inclusive space for all.  I strongly believe that everyone deserves access to mental health care, and that is why I am devoted to welcome everyone with open arms. Together, we will navigate your thoughts, feelings, and emotions – as this is key for self-growth.  I will strive to earn your trust and make you feel comfortable while you do your therapeutic work.  I am passionate about psychotherapy and this led me to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and now, a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Ottawa.  I will devote my whole self to the process and apply all skills learned over the years to help you reach your goals. We will work together to make the meaningful and long-lasting personal changes you’d like to make.

Morgan van Beerschoten

Morgan van Beerschoten

Intern Therapist
Reduced Fees Services

Morgan provides compassionate and inclusive care for all of her clients. Her warm and positive nature will help you to safely explore sensitive subjects throughout the therapeutic process. Morgan completed her Bachelor’s Degree with Honours at the University of Ottawa, followed by a Graduate certificate in Behavioural Science.  She is currently completing a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. Her background working with children with developmental disorders and autism spectrum disorder is an additional asset to her clinical practice. Morgan will rely on her warm qualities and past experiences and assist her clients in exploring difficult emotions and experiences so that they can discover their potential to grow and overcome life’s various challenges. 

Medina Ismayilova

Medina Ismayilova

Intern Therapist
Reduced Fees Services
My passion for mental health and music therapy inspired me to become a psychotherapist. I always strive to create a safe space for clients as well as room for understanding and growth. I encourage my clients to share their story and develop their self-awareness. Through meaningful collaboration, we will work together to identify your goals and needs.  In our therapeutic work, we will also gently navigate and attend to any difficult feelings that you might experience. I have learned many different skills through my experience working in health care, and I will rely on these skills of creativity, empathy and acceptance in my clinical practice as a therapist.
Emily Webb

Emily Webb

Psychotherapy Assistant
My name is Emily Webb, and I’m a psychotherapy assistant here at Centretown Psychotherapy. I attend Carleton University for a Bachelor of Arts with a major in psychology. I volunteer for the Women in Leadership Club, where I’m in charge of internal relations. In my spare time I enjoy listening to podcasts, travelling, skiing, and reading. I relish good food, kindness and creating an open and safe space for all individuals, which I will continue to do here at Centretown Psychotherapy.
Sandi Milligan

Sandi Milligan

Psychotherapy Assistant
Sandi is a psychotherapy assistant devoted to making all clients of Centretown Psychotherapy feel welcome.  Sandi always shows compassion and patience whether it be with clients, her family and friends, or through her experience as a companion and caregiver for seniors. Sandi always takes care in ensuring that all current and new clients receiving services with Centretown Psychotherapy are treated with empathy, kindness, and respect. Her integrity and gentle nature shines through in all her interactions with people.
Reduced Fees Background

Meet our Team

Joanna Williams Olsen

Joanna Williams Olsen

Clinical Director
M.ED., CLINICAL MEMBER, OSRP, REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Gregory Smith

Gregory Smith

Assistant Clinical Director
R.P. (QUALIFIYING) M.A.C.P
Joanna Williams Olsen

Joanna Williams Olsen

Clinical Director
M.ED., CLINICAL MEMBER, OSRP, REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Our Team of Therapists

Kate Higgison

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

I seek to carry cultural humility and awareness of our social world and how this intersects with your unique existence. I believe in compassionate and non-judgmental listening and in fostering genuine and meaningful therapeutic relationships with my clients. In my practice, I assist in nurturing your insight and self-compassion in a world that can be harsh, fast, and uncaring. I believe that everyone has an important story to tell and my hope is– to help you find your voice to tell your stories in your own way– and to support you in finding meaning and purpose in them. I also seek to instill the hope that you are capable of re-authoring your life and your stories. In part, this can be accomplished by reflecting on and interpreting past experiences. This work can help you connect the dots to present-day experiences and sources of distress. Furthermore, I believe in collaborating with my clients to find goals and strategies that work best for you, your personality and your unique situation.

Carolina Gama

Carolina Gama

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Carolina ‘s kind and welcoming personality aligns with her client-centred approach to therapy. She believes that unconditional acceptance is the key to building trust within the therapeutic relationship. Carolina strives to apply her core values of social justice, community-building and compassion to the therapy she provides. Through Carolina’s life experience, she has learned that there is healing power within the human connection and that everyone has the potential to live a fulfilling life. Her love for one-on-one connections and bearing witness to the journeys sought by others toward growth inspired Carolina to become a psychotherapist. She aspires to create the environment of healing and empowerment through the therapeutic bond.

Sarah-Alsaki

Sarah Alsadi

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Sarah’s passion for mental health and human rights has informed her desire to practise psychotherapy. She believes in the importance of guiding others toward living a life that is uniquely their own. As a practising psychotherapist, she strives to offer and ensure a safe and culturally sensitive space that promotes an environment for growth and understanding. With an open and compassionate approach to therapy, Sarah meets her clients where they are at to help them engage with adversity and foster lasting change.

Alina Syed

Alina Syed

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Reduced Fees Services

My approach to psychotherapy emphasizes respect, transparency, and nonjudgment. I am devoted to providing services through a culturally responsive and socially just framework, within which client strengths are highlighted without discounting hardships. I value collaboration and strive to attend to the unique needs and preferences of clients. Within the safety of a strong therapeutic alliance, my aim is to promote hope and resiliency in the process of facilitating meaningful change. 

Paulina Klasios

Paulina Klasios

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Reduced Fees Services

If you are feeling overwhelmed, lost, or are struggling to live your life to its fullest potential, I would be honoured to help you.  I promise to value the relationship with each of my clients.  Our work together will begin with establishing trust, safety, and connection.  My goal is support you in the ways that you need me.  We will explore your strengths and help you to unburden yourself of the hardships you are carrying. Your story is important and I will listen with curiosity, compassion, non-judgment, and cultural humility.  I want to understand where you’ve been, and collaboratively help you get to where you would like to be.  I understand that you might feel nervous or unsure about getting help.  As such, I will always acknowledge your courage and resilience.  I am honoured by the opportunity to get to know you.
I bring my authenticity into the therapy room along with an awareness of my intersectional identity and lived experience.  I enjoy working with diverse clients and am an LQBTQ2S+ ally.  My approach is client-centered, humanistic, trauma-informed, and experiential.  I believe that the process of working through our challenges and traumas leads to greater capacity and wisdom.  I won’t ever tell you  to “look on the bright side”.   Instead, I believe –that although the survivor’s life has been deeply changed–  it is far from over and that future joyful living is indeed possible. 

Janelle Massicotte

Janelle Massicotte

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Reduced Fees Services

I am warm and empathic.  I am also kind and open minded and will always strive to create a safe and inclusive space for all.  I strongly believe that everyone deserves access to mental health care, and that is why I am devoted to welcome everyone with open arms. Together, we will navigate your thoughts, feelings, and emotions – as this is key for self-growth.  I will strive to earn your trust and make you feel comfortable while you do your therapeutic work.  I am passionate about psychotherapy and this led me to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and now, a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Ottawa.  I will devote my whole self to the process and apply all skills learned over the years to help you reach your goals. We will work together to make the meaningful and long-lasting personal changes you’d like to make.

Morgan van Beerschoten

Morgan van Beerschoten

Intern Therapist
Reduced Fees Services

Morgan provides compassionate and inclusive care for all of her clients. Her warm and positive nature will help you to safely explore sensitive subjects throughout the therapeutic process. Morgan completed her Bachelor’s Degree with Honours at the University of Ottawa, followed by a Graduate certificate in Behavioural Science.  She is currently completing a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. Her background working with children with developmental disorders and autism spectrum disorder is an additional asset to her clinical practice. Morgan will rely on her warm qualities and past experiences and assist her clients in exploring difficult emotions and experiences so that they can discover their potential to grow and overcome life’s various challenges. 

Medina Ismayilova

Medina Ismayilova

Intern Therapist
Reduced Fees Services
My passion for mental health and music therapy inspired me to become a psychotherapist. I always strive to create a safe space for clients as well as room for understanding and growth. I encourage my clients to share their story and develop their self-awareness. Through meaningful collaboration, we will work together to identify your goals and needs.  In our therapeutic work, we will also gently navigate and attend to any difficult feelings that you might experience. I have learned many different skills through my experience working in health care, and I will rely on these skills of creativity, empathy and acceptance in my clinical practice as a therapist.
Emily Webb

Emily Webb

Psychotherapy Assistant
My name is Emily Webb, and I’m a psychotherapy assistant here at Centretown Psychotherapy. I attend Carleton University for a Bachelor of Arts with a major in psychology. I volunteer for the Women in Leadership Club, where I’m in charge of internal relations. In my spare time I enjoy listening to podcasts, travelling, skiing, and reading. I relish good food, kindness and creating an open and safe space for all individuals, which I will continue to do here at Centretown Psychotherapy.
Sandi Milligan

Sandi Milligan

Psychotherapy Assistant
Sandi is a psychotherapy assistant devoted to making all clients of Centretown Psychotherapy feel welcome.  Sandi always shows compassion and patience whether it be with clients, her family and friends, or through her experience as a companion and caregiver for seniors. Sandi always takes care in ensuring that all current and new clients receiving services with Centretown Psychotherapy are treated with empathy, kindness, and respect. Her integrity and gentle nature shines through in all her interactions with people.