We are a team of hospital trained
Clinical Psychologists and Health Psychologists
providing clients with evidence-based, compassionate care
Clinical Psychology
At Navigate Clinic, our team includes Clinical Psychologists trained to provide evidence-based treatments for adults and adolescents suffering from mental health conditions such as mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive, behavioural and post-traumatic stress disorders. We help people to better manage or overcome distress that may be the result of the pressures and demands of daily life, work or school stress, or from difficult life experiences or dysfunctional family dynamics. Our team also offers couples therapy for marital/relationship issues.
Health Psychology
At Navigate Clinic, our team includes Health Psychologists trained to provide evidence-based treatments for helping patients and their families cope with chronic and serious illness. Therapy is focused on emotional, cognitive, and behavioural adjustment to the diagnosis, prognosis, medical treatment, and side-effects related to chronic and serious illness. Our team has significant experience with Cancer, Cardiac Disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Diabetes, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Ulcerative Colitis, Chronic Pain, Chronic Fatigue, Sexual Dysfunction, and other serious illness.
Our Team
Dr. Andrew Matthew
PhD., C.Psych.
Dr. Andrew Matthew, PhD., C.Psych.
Dr. Andrew Matthew, PhD., C.Psych. is Director of Navigate Clinic.
A Registered Clinical and Health Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, Dr. Matthew received his education and training at McGill University and the University of Toronto. He holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery and the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Matthew has over 25 years of experience working at the Toronto General Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network. Dr. Matthew is currently a Lead Psychologist at Princess Margaret in the Department of Supportive Care. He has published over 70 articles in scientific journals, and accrued over $10 million in national and international grant funding.
As a Health Psychologist, Dr. Matthew uses his knowledge and expertise to improve the emotional wellbeing of individuals, couples, and families confronting the challenges of serious (e.g. Cancer) or chronic (e.g. Crohn’s & Colitis) illness. His current research and clinical focus is on medical treatment decision-making, optimal survivorship, sexual rehabilitation, couple’s intimacy, and quality of life.
As a Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Matthew provides assessment and treatment for couples/marital conflict and for individuals suffering trauma, grief and bereavement, depression, anxiety. post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), addictions, and sexual dysfunction.
Dr. Matthew is dedicated to providing exemplary psychological care to his clients and their families.
Anika Petrella
PhD., Registered Psychotherapist
Anika Petrella Registered Psychotherapist
Anika Petrella, PhD, is a Clinical Counsellor at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in the Department of Surgical Oncology (University Health Network). Anika’s clinical work focuses on providing survivorship counselling to patients, partners, and families. Specifically, Anika has provided counselling services in the Prostate Cancer Rehabilitation Clinic, and through the Genito-Urinary Psychosocial Support Service. Anika’s research interests have focused on survivorship issues faced by patients (and their partners) who have been diagnosed with urological cancers, including treatment decision-making, sexual health, physical wellness, and the effect cancer has on couples.
As a Clinical Counsellor at Navigate Clinic Anika provides assessment and treatment for individuals and couples with a focus on the emotional wellbeing of cancer patients and their families. This includes managing diagnosis, treatment decision making, survivorship, sexual rehabilitation, couples intimacy, quality of life, and grief and bereavement.
Dr. Donna Kwan
PhD., C.Psych.
Dr. Donna Kwan, PhD., C.Psych
Dr. Donna Kwan is a Registered Clinical Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. In addition to her work at Navigate Clinic, Donna also leads the Clinical Platform on the Ontario Neurodegenerative Disease Research Initiative, funded by the Ontario Brain Institute. She completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology (Neuropsychology Specialization) at York University and clinical residency at Rush University Medical Centre in Chicago, Illinois. Before residency, she trained at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Baycrest Health Sciences Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, and the York University Psychology Clinic.
At Navigate Clinic, Dr. Kwan approaches therapy with empathy and cultural sensitivity, striving always to be collaborative and client-centered. She integrates a variety of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. She draws from her certified yoga teacher training to incorporate in-session mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and to build an overall awareness of the connection amongst one’s physical, mental, and emotional state. She works with individuals experiencing a range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, cross-cultural issues, interpersonal concerns, and stress. A particular area of interest is the intersection of brain injury/disease, anxiety, and depression. Dr. Kwan has published and presented her research on the neural correlates of autobiographical memory, prospection, and financial decision-making in scientific, peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences.
Dr. Meaghan Ferguson
PhD., C.Psych.
Meaghan Ferguson M.A. (PhD. Candidate)
Meaghan has a PhD in Clinical Psychology from York University. She also holds a Diploma in Health Psychology. Meaghan completed her pre-doctoral residency through University Health Network, receiving clinical training at Princess Margaret Hospital in Urology and Surgical Oncology, Toronto Western Hospital in the Bariatric Surgery program, Rumsey Site in the Brain Injury, Stroke and MS rehabilitation program, and Lyndhurst Centre in the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury rehabilitation program. Prior to her residency, Meaghan received clinical training at Toronto General Hospital in the Adult Congenital Heart Disease program, the York University Psychology Clinic (private practice), Correctional Services of Canada, and Fox Psychological Services (private practice). Meaghan is also a core staff member of the Princess Margaret Prostate Cancer Rehabilitation Clinic and also provides clinical training to graduate students. Through her training, Meaghan has worked with individuals, couples and groups. She is also competent in psychological and neuropsychological assessment. Since 2008, Meaghan has worked in private practice providing both assessment and intervention for adults.
Rebecca Lewinson M.A. (PhD. Candidate)
Rebecca Lewinson, M.A. (PhD. Candidate)
Rebecca is beginning the final year of her PhD in Clinical psychology at York University. She is also in the process of completing her Health Psychology diploma from York University. Rebecca has received clinical training in both community and hospital settings, and has recently finished working at both the Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic, and the Juravinski Psychosocial Oncology Clinic. Throughout her training, she has provided therapy to adults and young adults dealing with a wide range of mental health and health concerns.
Rebecca aims to provide a warm, comfortable and collaborative therapeutic relationship using evidence-based approaches in order to help her clients achieve their goals in a way that fosters independence and confidence. Rebecca tailors her treatment to her clients’ individual needs and concerns. She has been trained in empirically supported treatment approaches such as client-centered/humanistic therapy, emotion focused therapy (EFT), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and cognitive processing therapy (CPT). Rebecca has experience in providing treatment to adults and young adults with concerns relating to depression, anxiety, chronic illness or pain, insomnia, OCD, trauma, ADHD, interpersonal difficulties, and stress.
Dr. Norma D’Agostino
PhD., C.Psych.
Dr. Norma D’Agostino, PhD., C.Pscyh.
Dr. Norma D’Agostino, PhD., C.Pscyh is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She is a Staff Psychologist at the Princess Margaret Hospital in the Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care and the ELLICSR Health, Wellness, and Survivorship Centre. She is a registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists in Ontario.
Dr. D’Agostino has over 10 years of professional experience in pediatric and adult psychosocial oncology. Her clinical work and research focuses on young adults with cancer, including long-term survivors of childhood cancer. The goals of her work are to create developmentally appropriate psycho-social resources for adolescent and young adults with cancer, optimizing the transition process of emerging adulthood, and exploring how the illness experience in early life influences psychosocial adjustment and development across the life-span.
As a member of the Navigate Clinic, Dr. D’Agostino uses her knowledge and experience to improve the lives of children, adolescents, adults, and families touched by serious illness. She also has experience in palliative care, grief and bereavement, depression, and anxiety.
Dr. Bahar Haji
PhD., C.Psych.
Dr. Bahar Haji, PhD., C.Psych.
Dr. Bahar Haji received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from University of Windsor in 2019. Bahar also holds a B.Sc. in Neuroscience and Psychology from University of Toronto and a Masters in Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Psychology from York University. She completed her clinical training in various community mental health clinics, hospitals, private practices and university counselling centers in Ontario, Newfoundland, and Michigan, with an emphasis on assessment and treatment of a wide range of issues including trauma, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, relationship difficulties, emotion regulation, learning disabilities and ADHD, chronic pain, and severe mental illness.
At Navigate Clinic, Bahar provides a space where individuals and couples can safely express their painful thoughts, feelings, experiences and memories, and works collaboratively with them to develop more effective ways of responding to stress so that they can build a more satisfying life. Her clinical practice is informed by her training in a number of evidence based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) , Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Brief Psychodynamic Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy.
Dr. Max Slepian
PhD., C.Psych.
Dr. Max Slepian, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Max Slepian, Ph.D., C.Psych is a Registered Clinical and Health Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. He is also a Staff Psychologist in the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management at Toronto General Hospital, where he provides clinical care and conducts research in the Transitional Pain Service and the GoodHope Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Clinic. He received his PhD in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Health Psychology from Ohio University. He completed his pre-doctoral residency at the University of Washington School of Medicine, specializing in Behavioral Medicine.
Dr. Slepian provides client-centered, collaborative care to adults using evidence-based interventions, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Clinical Hypnosis and Motivational Interviewing. He has expertise in helping individuals cope with new or ongoing health problems, such as acute or chronic pain, headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disease, and autonomic or autoimmune disorders, as well as other serious or rare diseases. He is also committed to helping with a range of mental health concerns, including mood and anxiety disorders, adjustment issues, coping with stress, insomnia and sleep disturbance, somatic disorders, and trauma-related concerns.
(Supervised Practice)
Dr. Setareh Shayanfar
PhD., C.Psych.
Dr. Setareh Shayanfar PhD., C.Psych.
Dr. Setareh Shayanfar is a Clinical and Health Psychologist in Supervised Practice with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She obtained her PhD in Clinical and Counselling Psychology from University of Toronto/OISE and completed her clinical residency at The Ottawa Hospital, where she worked closely with individuals dealing with a wide range of health concerns, disabilities, and co-occurring mental health issues in both outpatient and inpatient services. Prior to her residency, she received clinical training at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, where she provided assessment and therapy to patients at different stages of their cancer trajectory as well as sexual health counselling to patients and their partners through Prostrate Cancer Rehabilitation Clinic. She also conducted comprehensive psychodiagnostic assessments with patients pre and post bariatric surgery at Toronto Western Hospital. In addition to her hospital placements, she has trained and worked at university counselling centres and private practice settings.
Setareh strives to create a warm, empathic, and collaborative atmosphere in her practice and highly values building a strong therapeutic relationship as the foundation for healing and growth. Using a culturally-sensitive and trauma-informed lens, she offers psychological services to young adults and adults for a broad range of concerns such as trauma, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, identity challenges, cross-cultural issues, and existential concerns. She also helps clients cope with various health conditions including cancer, chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and sexual difficulties. Her approach to therapy is evidence-based and integrative, drawing primarily from humanistic, emotion-focused, interpersonal, and schema therapies depending on each person’s unique needs and goals. She is also experienced in cognitive-behavioural therapy and mindfulness-based approaches. Her practice is inclusive of all gender and sexual identities, racial/ethnic backgrounds, and abilities. Setareh offers services in English and Farsi.
Karin Kantarovich
M.A. (PhD. Candidate)
Karin Kantarovich M.A. (PhD. Candidate)
Karin is in the final year of her PhD in Clinical Psychology with Neuropsychology Specialization at York University.
She has recieved training in hospital, community, and private practice clinical settings including Toronto Western Hospital, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Wings Neuro Rehab, and the York University Psychology Clinic.
Karin strives to provide evidence-based treatment that leverages her clients’ strengths and is tailored to their individual needs and personal goals. Her approach is client-centered, integrative, and explorative and she aims to foster a caring and collaborative relationship with her clients that supports their sense of agency and confidence. She has been trained in a range of empirically-based therapeutic approaches including client-centered/humanistic therapies, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), emotion-focused therapy (EFT), mindfulness, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Karin has experience in providing treatment to adults across the lifespan with concerns relating to anxiety, insomnia, women’s health, depression, substance use, stress, and interpersonal difficulties.
Dr. Lianne Trachtenberg
PhD., C.Psych.
Dr. Lianne Trachtenberg, PhD., C.Psych.
Dr. Lianne Trachtenberg is a registered Clinical and Health Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She completed her PhD at the University of Toronto and her predoctoral internship at the University Health Network (UHN) with rotations at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Toronto General Hospital. Recently, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at UHN to enhance her clinical and research skills with individuals diagnosed and treated for cancer. She brings a breadth of experience, having worked in a number of diverse and well-respected hospitals, universities, and private practice settings.
Dr. Trachtenberg works with adults who experience a range of mental health concerns including anxiety and mood difficulties, low self-esteem, body image distress, disordered eating, grief and loss, as well as relationship issues. She also has a special interest in providing therapy to individuals experiencing challenges in adjusting to and coping with chronic illnesses including cancer.
Dr. Trachtenberg believes in providing evidence-based treatment tailored to her clients’ unique needs. She has a compassionate and caring attitude that focuses on building upon her clients’ strengths, while empowering them to make meaningful change. Dr. Trachtenberg draws from a variety of evidence-based approaches including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), schema therapy, and dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT).
Currently, Dr. Trachtenberg works as a Research Psychologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in the Department of Surgical Oncology.
Dr. Ana Bilanovic
PhD., C.Psych.
Ana Bilanovic, PhD., C.Psych.
Ana Bilanovic, Ph.D., C.Psych., is a Psychologist in Supervised Practice with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. In addition to her work at Navigate Clinic, Ana is a Clinical Post-Doctoral Fellow at Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Centre. Ana completed her Doctoral Degree at York University and as part of her doctoral training she also obtained a Health Psychology Diploma. Ana completed her pre-doctoral residency at The Ottawa Hospital where she trained within the Heart Institute, Psychology Consultation Service for Inpatients, and the Eating Disorders Program. Prior to her residency, Ana received clinical training at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and York University Psychology Clinic. Through her training Ana has worked with individuals, couples, and groups. Since 2009, she has trained and worked at Princess Margaret Hospital in caring for the psychosocial needs of individuals and couples affected by cancer. She is a core staff member of the Princess Margaret Prostate Cancer Rehabilitation Clinic and provides training to graduate students.
With a client-centered approach, Ana offers therapy services for adults (individuals and couples). Ana’s approach to therapy is compassionate, empathic, and collaborative. She utilizes the integration of evidence-based therapy approaches to help clients address a range of mental health concerns including mood and anxiety, trauma, coping with challenges and stressors which arise with serious illness, relationship difficulties, as well as other issues which impact upon emotional well-being.
Dr. Danielle Petricone-Westwood
PhD., C.Psych.
Danielle Petricone-Westwood, PhD., Registered Psychologist
Dr. Danielle Petricone-Westwood is a registered Clinical and Health Psychologist. She completed her PhD at the University of Ottawa and her predoctoral internship at Alberta Health Services in Calgary, with rotations in Psychosocial Oncology at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, the Diabetes Centre of Calgary, and the Calgary Epilepsy Programme. Dr. Petricone-Westwood also completed fellowship in Psychosocial Oncology, where she was involved in program development for Indigenous clients affected by cancer. Dr. Petricone-Westwood has participated in research in psychosocial oncology over the last 10 years, and her doctoral thesis studied caregivers in cancer care.
Dr. Petricone-Westwood has a specialization working with adults who are living with chronic illnesses, such as cancer and diabetes, as well as their adult family members. This can include helping clients to adjust emotionally to their diagnosis and to achieve their goals with managing their illness and overall health. Dr. Petricone-Westwood also has extensive experience supporting people affected by strong, hard to manage emotions, people who have experienced trauma, or who may have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Dr. Petricone-Westwood often draws on her experiences helping people with strong feelings to manage living with their chronic illnesses. Dr. Petricone-Westwood also supports individuals experiencing relationship difficulties, grief and loss, feeling down or anxious, stress, experiencing adjustment difficulties, or other challenges to their emotional wellbeing.
Dr. Petricone-Westwood values the relationships she forms with her clients and as such strives to collaboratively establish and achieve common goals together. Dr. Petricone-Westwood integrates many different evidence-based treatment approaches into her practice, including emotion-focused therapy, intensive short-term dynamic therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and mindfulness. Dr. Petricone-Westwood offers services in both English and French.
(Supervised Practice)
Dr. Sarah McComb
PhD.
Dr. Sarah McComb
Dr. Sarah McComb, PhD., is a Psychologist in Supervised Practice with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology and graduate diploma in Health Psychology at York University, and her predoctoral internship at the University Health Network (UHN) with rotations at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Toronto General Hospital’s Eating Disorder Program. She has also worked at Toronto Western Hospital’s Bariatric Surgery Program and a women’s perinatal clinic at St. Joseph Healthcare Hamilton. Dr. McComb is also currently a hospital-based psychologist in the Eating Disorder Program at St. Joseph Healthcare Hamilton.
Dr. McComb specializes in both clinical and health psychology. She works with adults who experience a range of mental and physical health concerns, including disordered eating, body image concerns, anxiety, OCD, panic disorder, depression, relationship concerns, and adjusting and coping with chronic illnesses, such as cancer. Dr. McComb particularly specializes in disordered eating and body image, adjusting and coping with cancer, adjustment pre- and post-bariatric surgery, and women’s mental health concerns during and following pregnancy.
Dr. McComb values the relationships she forms with her clients and strives to collaboratively establish and achieve common goals with her clients. She has a warm, compassionate, and caring attitude that focuses on empowering her clients to make meaningful change through building upon their strengths. She believes in providing evidence-based treatment that is tailored to each client’s individual needs. Dr. McComb integrates many different evidence-based treatment approaches into her practice, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), emotion-focused therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), and mindfulness.
Ruth Vanstone
M.A. (PhD. Candidate)
Ruth Vanstone M.A. (PhD. Candidate)
Ruth is entering into the final year of her PhD in Clinical psychology at York University with a focus on Health Psychology. She has received clinical training in both community and hospital settings, including the Women’s Health Concerns Clinic and Insomnia Clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and the York University Psychology Clinic. Throughout her training, she has provided therapy to adults dealing with a range of mental and physical health concerns.
Ruth strives to create a warm and collaborative therapeutic environment drawing on her clients’ strengths. Her approach is integrative, using evidence-based approaches that fit with her client’s unique concerns in order to help develop the confidence to foster meaningful change.
Ruth has been trained in several approaches including client-centered/humanistic therapy, emotion focused therapy (EFT), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), and schema therapy. Ruth has experience in providing treatment to adults with concerns relating to anxiety, depression, chronic illness, insomnia, self-harm, trauma, and interpersonal difficulties.
Contact Us
To book an appointment, contact our
Intake Coordinator at
(437)-833-8883
or complete the online form
No Referral Required
Our clinic is located at:
180 Bloor Street West, Suite 902
Toronto, ON M5S 2V6
