Who we are
Our Team
Team Bios
Dr. Sean Kidd is a clinical psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. He is the co-founder of West End Psychological Services. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 2003 from the University of Windsor. Dr. Kidd has trained in a range of settings in the United States and Canada and he completed his residency and postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University. He has experience in several psychotherapy approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), as both a practitioner and a clinical supervisor. He is a Senior Scientist at a large mental health and addictions service setting in Toronto and an Associate Professor with the University of Toronto Department of Psychiatry. He has published extensively on complex interventions for marginalized populations and in areas related to health equity. His clinical interests focus on depression, grief, complex trauma, anxiety, and psychosis. He is interested in providing services to diverse populations and works with adults and adolescents.
Dr. Cassandra Crangle is a Clinical and Rehabilitation Psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Toronto Metropolitan University (recently renamed). In addition to her private practice, she holds a position as staff Psychologist at Altum Health at Toronto Western Hospital. Dr. Crangle’s training has included a pre-doctoral residency at London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care in London, Ontario in health and rehabilitation psychology. She has additionally received training from a variety of settings including the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, and the Ryerson University student counselling centre. Dr. Crangle is involved in supervision of graduate students and Psychologists in supervised practice.
Dr. Crangle works predominantly from a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy framework, as well as integrating Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy based interventions. She works with clients with a variety of presenting concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, perfectionism, grief, insomnia, coping with life stressors, and work-related challenges. Additionally, with her experience in rehabilitation psychology, she works with individuals coping with musculoskeletal injuries (including limb amputation), traumatic injuries, chronic pain, concussion, cancer, and other chronic illnesses and disabilities. She values collaboration and focusing on personal strengths to build strong relationships and a safe therapeutic environment.
Dr. Crangle works with adults. Her primary areas of clinical interest include anxiety disorders (particularly generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and health anxiety), post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, as well as adjustment to chronic illness and acquired injury. She has experience working with clients at the intersection of how mental (and physical) health concerns impact work abilities, and working through challenges impacting work performance and return to work.
Dr. Ilana Davine is a clinical psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She completed her Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) at Adler University in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Davine has trained in various hospital, community mental health and private practice settings in the U.S. and Ontario providing assessment and treatment services to both adolescents and adults. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at a substance abuse recovery facility in Palm Beach, Florida where she worked with adolescents and adults struggling with both mental health and substance use difficulties.
Dr. Davine is trained in both Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and uses both these treatment modalities in her work with clients. In addition, she has training and experience in providing Cognitive Processing Therapy for individuals presenting with PTSD. Dr. Davine’s therapeutic approach is queer and trans-positive, warm, nonjudgmental, collaborative and strength based.
Dr. Davine’s clinical experiences and interests involve treating both adolescents and adults with a variety of concerns including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, OCD, trauma, substance use disorders, individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder and emotion regulation difficulties. She enjoys working with youth as they navigate and explore the different aspects of their developing identity and independence. Finally, as a queer identified therapist, she is particularly passionate about LGBTQ mental health and working with folx on the LGBTQIA2+ spectrum.
Ellie Gutowski, PhD (pronouns: she/her) completed her PhD in Counseling Psychology from Boston College, an MA in Mental Health Counseling from Boston College, a clinical fellowship at Harvard Medical School, and a doctoral internship at Emory School of Medicine. In addition to working at West End Psychological Services, she is an Assistant Professor at University of Toronto at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) where she teaches graduate students in the Counselling and Clinical Program and has a research lab. Her broad interests include understanding the role of psychosocial factors (stress, trauma, relationships) in mental health and well-being and engaging in social justice/anti-oppression work within teaching and clinical practice. She enjoys working with a range of concerns including trauma, stress, relationships, anxiety, depression, and psychosis. She incorporates a number of theories into her clinical practice and works from an integrative perspective.
Mike Pett is a clinical social worker with 25 years of clinical experience in adult mental health. He received his Masters of Social Work from Carleton University in Ottawa Ontario and is a registered social worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
Mike has worked in a number of clinical settings where he has provided both short-term and long-term therapy for both individuals and groups. He has extensive experience and training with a wide range of clinical issues including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, anger and impulsivity. He is trained in various clinical modalities including: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), anger management, violence risk assessment and management, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and concurrent disorders (the relationship between substance use and mental illness).
Mike previously worked as the Advanced Practice Clinical Leader at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and his primary role was to provide clinical supervision to inpatient and outpatient teams in the Complex Care and Recovery Program. He also provided consultation, capacity building, and education and training on violence risk management and concurrent disorders at CAMH and to external stakeholders. He currently works in the Physician Health Program at the Ontario Medical Association as a clinical coordinator supporting, advocating, and monitoring physicians on medico-legal contracts who are experiencing mental health, addiction, and behavioural issues.
Anger treatment, Men’s issues, substance use treatment, psychosis, personality disorders, and mood disorders.
In his spare time, Mike enjoys coaching rep baseball and hockey and driving his three sons all over the city to ensure that they get to the field or rink on time.
Kelly is a clinical social worker with clinical experience in adolescent and adult mental health. She received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Toronto and is a registered social worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
Kelly has worked in various hospitals and community mental health settings providing treatment services to both adolescents and adults.
Kelly has training and experience working with individuals and their families using primarily Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). In addition, she has training and experience in providing Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure (PE) for individuals presenting with PTSD. Kelly’s therapeutic approach is trauma informed and LGBTQIA2+ affirming. She is warm, nonjudgmental, collaborative, and goal-focused.
Heidi is a Social Worker registered with the Ontario College of Social Worker and Social Service Workers and a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. She received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Toronto.
Heidi has worked in numerous settings ranging from private practice, community services, employee assistance programs providing crisis and short-term support, and online therapeutic approaches.
Heidi primarily works with individuals and adults presenting with concerns related to depression, anxiety, trauma related to attachment/events, and life transitions.
Heidi has been trained in the following approaches: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Heidi has a special focus on trauma-informed care and has extended her training in evidence-based trauma therapies: Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR).
As a former service member, Heidi’s clinical interests are in the military and first responder communities. Her goals are to continue with ongoing educational pursuits to learn and promote trauma-informed approaches to care.
Anita is a Clinical Social Worker registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She received her Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto and has a collaborative specialization in gerontology. She also has her Honours Bachelor of Social Work degree from York University.
Anita has had the opportunity to work with a variety of organizations specializing in mental health in community-based practice. She has worked with individuals and families from socio-culturally diverse populations with a range of clinical issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief and loss.
Anita primarily uses a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Trauma-Focused CBT (including Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy).
Jennifer Alhelou is an experienced clinical psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She holds a Master's degree in Clinical and Pathological Psychology from Saint Joseph University of Beirut, specializing in the cognitive-behavioral approach.
Jennifer‘s experience includes working as a Mental Health Supervisor at Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), where she oversaw the mental health programming and provided clinical supervision to other therapists. She also worked as a Psychotherapist for the Lebanese Red Cross, offering individual and group therapy sessions, crisis intervention support, and capacity building workshops. Her tenure at Médecins Sans Frontières as a Psychologist involved providing psychological support and psychotherapy sessions to patients, training staff, and implementing protocols for Gender-Based Violence.
Additionally, Jennifer has worked as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist at U Expand polyclinic, providing both assessment and treatment interventions. Her early career included roles as a Therapist at the Lebanese Autism Society where she helped children with autism. Her responsibilities included therapeutic interventions tailored to each child's unique needs, conducting detailed behavioral assessments, and offering support and guidance to families.
Jennifer's educational journey is complemented by numerous certifications and training, including in Psychodynamic Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Child Psychology, Sexual Violence, and Psychological First Aid.
She is multilingual, and is fluent in Arabic, French, and English.
Vassilis completed his MSc in Clinical Psychology at Utrecht University. After finishing his studies, he received post-graduate clinical training from the 1st Department of Psychiatry, University of Athens, Eginitio Hospital. Vassilis has extensive experience conducting comprehensive psychological assessments and developing tailored treatment plans based on a Cognitive Behavioral approach. He has previously worked as a licenced psychologist at the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center of Eginitio Hospital in Greece, where he provided Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to individuals diagnosed with psychosis spectrum disorders and co-facilitated evidence-based family psychoeducational interventions. In addition to his clinical work, Vassilis is a Research Associate at the National & Kapodistrian University, Medical School of Athens (Eginito Hospital), where he is involved in research on assessing quality of life and functional outcomes for individuals diagnosed with psychosis spectrum disorders, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis. His primary clinical interests include anxiety, depression, psychosis spectrum, and bipolar disorders. He is currently completing Dialectical Behavioural Therapy training under the supervision of Dr. Michelle Carroll.
Dr. Larry Baer is registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario and l’Ordre des psychologues du Québec. In addition to private practice work, he holds an adjunct position at McMaster University as assistant clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, where he is engaged in clinical research in psychosis. Dr. Baer also supervises clinical psychology trainees. He previously held a position as a clinical psychologist in the Complex Care and Recovery Program at CAMH.
He has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Concordia University in Montreal and a Master’s degree from McGill University. His training includes a postdoctoral fellowship at McGill University in the Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychosis and a doctoral internship at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
Dr. Baer treats a variety of clients and issues using interventions based primarily on cognitive behaviour therapy from a perspective of self-compassion. His areas of clinical focus include anxiety, depression and psychosis, particularly young adults dealing with a first psychotic episode.
Dr. Baer identifies as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and is experienced in treating the mental health issues that can afflict individuals in our community.
Dr. Yarissa Herman is a clinical psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She received her doctoral degree from the University of Western Australia where she completed her pre-doctoral internship with street-involved youth diagnosed mental health and addiction difficulties. Her doctoral research explored the relationship between cognitive functioning and outcomes in addiction treatment.
Dr. Herman is currently a psychologist in the Complex Mental Illness Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). The focus of her clinical and research work is the development, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based interventions for individuals with severe mental illness and concurrent substance use disorders. Alongside her clinical work, Dr. Herman provides training and supervision across a number of therapeutic modalities including cognitive behaviour therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness-based interventions.
Dr. Herman provides evidence-based interventions for a variety of difficulties including addiction, psychosis, anxiety, and depression. She works with both adults and adolescents.