Laura O’Neill, PhD, RSW, RP. (She/Her)
In person & virtual appointments
Laura is the founder and clinical director of Dundas Counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University where she currently teaches in the MSc. Psychotherapy program. Laura is also a sessional instructor with the School of Social Work at McMaster University where she teaches part time in the MSW program. Laura is a registered Social Worker (OCSWSSW) and a registered psychotherapist (CRPO) with over 20 years of experience. She is also a credentialed member of the Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies and a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).
Laura works with older teens and adults experiencing a range of challenges and has a particular interest in working with depression, anxiety related concerns and interpersonal difficulties. She has experience working with individuals and groups in the community as well as inpatient and outpatient hospital settings. Laura worked for many years in the Mood Disorders Program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.
Laura’s caring and compassionate approach focuses on people’s unique life circumstances and specific needs. Her open style encourages individuals to express their feelings, discuss life experiences and explore what led them to seek out counselling in a safe supportive space. Laura’s focus on social justice emphasizes each persons lived experience and the importance of exploring the context in which they live.
Areas of Focus: Depression, anxiety, PTSD/trauma, grief, low self-esteem, stress, interpersonal problems, and emotional dysregulation.
Therapeutic Approaches Include: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT for Bipolar Disorder), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, and Solution Focused Brief Therapy.
Karen Deuitch, MSW, RSW. (She/Her)
In person & virtual appointments
Karen’s training and private practice experience has focused largely on the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, low mood, obsessive-compulsive thinking patterns, and trauma treatment of adults across the life span. Her work and training history includes children’s trauma treatment, a school board setting, group work through the Hamilton Family Health Team, MindBeacon and private practice. Karen also works in a part time position at Hamilton Health Sciences. Karen has completed specialized training in CBT through the Clinical Behavioural Sciences (CBS) program at McMaster University in both individual and group therapy. This training included group therapy at the Anxiety Research and Treatment Clinic (ATRC) at St. Joseph’s Healthcare. During her Masters in Social Work (MSW) training at University of Toronto she completed a specialized practicum with women and babies at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital. This experience has contributed to an ongoing passion in supporting new mothers for Karen.
Karen’s undergraduate degree at York University had a strong focus on Anti Oppressive Practice (AOP). Karen continues to honour this lens by attempting to understand all personal issues as existing within a larger social context and influenced by potentially intersecting and oppressive social structures and institutions. Karen’s commitment to the AOP lens includes engaging in ongoing trainings and supervision, to deepen her understanding of how marginalized or silenced groups come to bear additional stressors within society. For Karen this has meant an ongoing commitment to further trainings through the Affirmative Couch, in order to better serve clients from the 2SLGBTQ+ and consensual non-monogamy (CNM) communities. Karen has also recently begun the Addiction Certificate program through Laurier University.
Karen is a registered Social Worker in good standing (OCSWSSW), as well as being a member of: the Ontario Association of Social Workers OASW, the Canadian Association of Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CACBT), and the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF).
Areas of Focus: Adults across the lifespan experiencing anxiety, low mood/depression, trauma histories, OCD, stress, and difficulties with acceptance of new or changing life circumstances.
Therapeutic Approaches Include: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), and Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT).
Vanessa Heaney, MSW, RSW. (She/Her)
Vanessa is a registered social worker (OCSWSSW) and a member in good standing with the OASW. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from McMaster University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Ryerson University. Vanessa completed training in the Clinical Behavioural Science (CBS) program at McMaster University where she specialized in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Vanessa is committed to remaining up to date with the knowledge in her field and continues to seek out learning opportunities.
Vanessa has experience providing counselling, psychotherapy and advocacy services with individuals and groups. At our clinic Vanessa sees individuals with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and difficulties regulating emotions. She has experience providing therapy in mindful self-compassion. Vanessa has had the opportunity to work in clinical and community settings. In addition to her role at Dundas Counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy she is a Social Worker in the Mood Disorder Program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in the outpatient services. Vanessa also holds a part-time position in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University whereas an Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) she supports the training of new psychotherapists.
Vanessa offers an effective and compassionate approach to counselling that is solution focused. She uses evidence-based strategies while also focusing on individual needs when helping clients move towards their goals. Vanessa strives to foster a comfortable, safe, and compassionate therapeutic environment.
Areas of Focus: Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, stress, and emotional dysregulation. Vanessa specializes in helping teenagers and university students navigate their way through life transitions.
Therapeutic Approaches Include: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (depression, anxiety), Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Self-Compassion, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Stefanie Goyert, MSW, RSW. (She/Her)
In person and virtual appointments
Stefanie is a registered Social Worker (OCSWSSW) and a member in good standing with the OASW. She completed her undergraduate degrees in Social work and sociology and her Master’s degree in Social Work at McMaster University. In addition, Stefanie has a Child and Youth Work Diploma from Mohawk College. Stefanie has specialized training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) through the Clinical Behavioural Sciences program at McMaster University.
In addition to her role at Dundas Counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Stefanie is a Social Worker at the outpatient Mood Disorders Program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare. Since 2015 she has been a part time Assistant Clinical Professor with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University where she teaches and provides supervision to health care professionals training in individual and group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Stefanie has extensive experience providing counselling, psychotherapy and advocacy with individuals and groups. Her experience includes working with mental health concerns and social or relational difficulties and she has a particular interest in working with individuals with a lived experience of bipolar disorder and depression. Stefanie has worked in the community as well as at a hospital inpatient and outpatient settings. Stefanie enjoys working with older teens, emerging adults, and adults.
Stefanie assists individuals and with interpersonal or relationship problems while approaching each individual according to their unique story. Stefanie hopes to be able to help support you in addressing your fears and worries and finding your passion for living.
Areas of Focus: Depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, grief, emotional dysregulation, low self-esteem, stress and relationship problems.
Therapeutic Approaches Include: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Solution Focused Brief Therapy.